Biff gets Noizy

Biff last played live in Cumbernauld in the early 1990s with his then band, ‘Smaller than Jesus’ and is now singer/songwriter with Glasgow band ‘The Starlets’, who will be playing The Noizy Indie Social Club at the Kingfisher, Cumbernauld in February.

We asked Biff how if feels coming back to play in his hometown after all these years.

He told us: “It will be weird but will be good weird. I’m really looking forward to it. When I moved out of Cumbernauld I just wanted to get to Glasgow. The reason we are playing now after all these years is that something good is happening in Cumbernauld.”

Biff lists his musical influences growing up as The Kevin McDermott Orchestra, Trashcan Sinatras and Martin Stephenson & the Daintees, among others.Biff is still as passionate about his music and also very proud of his Cumbernauld roots.

“There are a couple of songs inspired by Cumbernauld. There’s one in particular that mentions it by name.”

The song is ‘Cities of the Netherlands’ also influenced, as you may have guessed, from recent tours of the Netherlands.

Biff grew up in Cumbernauld and attended Langlands Primary and Greenfaulds High School, where he turned to music and on leaving in 1990 formed his first band, ‘Smaller than Jesus’. After the band split in ‘92 it took a few years and different projects before forming ‘The Starlets’ in 1996.

He also tells us of his fond memories of Cumbernauld. “It’s only when you’re older that you realise how good a place Cumbernauld is, a sense of space and the sense of freedom.

“It’s dead easy to run away from any kind of civilisation and run away into the woods and glens.

“It was very easy just to escape, it was part built up environment, part countryside and I love that about it.”

The band hope to get back over to Sweden to put the finishing touches to their next album, follow up to ‘Out Into The Days From Here’, with producer Jari Haapalainen.

Catch ‘The Starlets’ at The Noizy Indie Social Club on February 12. Doors open at 7.30pm.