Biffy Clyro have called for more people suffering from depression and mental health issues to speak out and seek help – arguing that “sharing is what’s going to make us survive”. Watch our video interview with the band above.
Suicide claims the lives of more than 6,000 British men and women every year and is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. Every week, around 84 men in the UK take their own lives. Now after being open about his own battles, Biffy frontman Simon Neil has called upon others to share their experiences.
“The stats of young men killing themselves is horrific,” Neil told NME. “It’s always been a tough thing for people to talk about, and that’s always been the problem. As soon as you internalise something to that degree, you just become entirely alone.
“It’s the same as anything. Even the happiest moments of you life – if you don’t have anyone to share them with, they’re not going to bring you a lot of happiness. Sharing is what’s going to make us all survive.”
He continued: “You have to share these horrible moments and ask for help. Ask questions about it. Don’t just accept it as a reality. There’s a way out of these situations and being in such a dark place.”
Neil added: “The good thing is, once you actually verbalise it, you realise that a lot of people are going through the same thing. That’s what’s healthy. All of the ideas about what masculinity is are changing, and I think that’s been what the problem is. Young men have just felt like it’s not the right thing to do. It makes you stronger if you can talk about that kind of thing.”
Bassist James Johnston added: “You can see things are changing. If I look at my own family and older generations with how they deal with mental health problems. Society in general is much more open to talking about it. That does encourage people to come forward with their own problems AND that’s the right way to go.”
FOR HELP AND ADVICE ON DEPRESSION AND MENTAL HEALTH:
Biffy also spoke to NME about their upcoming acoustic tour and ‘MTV Unplugged’ album, as well as their plans to make two new albums and a movie this year – as well as sharing their thoughts on Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn and the state of politics in 2018.
Biffy Clyro release ‘MTV Unplugged’ on May 25.
Biffy Clyro tour dates and tickets
The band will also be heading out on a stripped back and acoustic tour in September, culminating in a huge show at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. Tickets are on sale from 9am on May 11 and will be available here.
September
15 – Dublin, The Helix
16 – Belfast, Waterfront
18 – Cardiff, St. David’s Hall
19 – Birmingham, Symphony Hall
21 – Edinburgh, Usher Hall
22 – Manchester, Manchester Opera House
24 – London, Royal Albert Hall