Yes, we're in the studio and it's sounding really good. There are only a few tracks, actually, so I think it's going to be quite melodic again, but some of the guitar parts are very '80s."
Wikimetal (Nando Machado): Mr. Biff Byford, thank you very much for your time, this is Nando Machado from Wikimetal. How are you today?
Biff Byford: Hi, I'm fine.
W (NM): So, first of all, Biff, I'd like to apologize on behalf of all Brazilian headbangers for what happened in April. I'm very embarrassed, you've been to Brazil many times, you know there are very serious people here, right?
BB: Ah, well… Shit happens, you know. It happens sometimes at festivals and things like that… It happens sometimes, you know.
W (NM): Yes, thank you for understanding, and we truly hope you come back soon. We'll be there, supporting you, as always.
BB: We are currently discussing perhaps returning in February or something like that.
W (NM): Excellent, great news. Speaking of the old days, Biff, what was your first contact with music?
BB: Ah… First contact? Well, when I was a kid, you know, listening to pop music and stuff like that… You know, things like that, the Rolling Stones, all that rock music from the late 60s. That's what I liked.
W (NM): Do you remember the first time you heard the term "New Wave of British Heavy Metal"? And what do you think of it?
BB: The first time I heard the term?
W (NM): Yes.
BB: We coined the term, didn't we?
W (NM): I know, but the term…
BB: I think the term was coined… It must have been in 1979, and maybe someone like Geoff Barton or someone mentioned it in a sentence, I think, about the bands that were around, like Maiden, you know, Praying Mantis, Venom, the few bands that were around. And I think it was Geoff Barton who invented the term, or maybe not.
W (NM): So, Saxon was one of the first heavy metal bands to achieve major commercial success in the United States. How important is that to the band's history and to the history of the genre?
BB: Well, I think for the history of the genre it was very good. You know, I think when we first came to the United States and Japan, there was a mass of young people who listened to pop and rock music, so I think it was Maiden and Def Leppard, probably, who forged the connection with the United States in the beginning.
W (NM): Excellent. So Biff, you're one of the most influential Hard Rock singers, and you also helped shape the genre. What were your main influences when you decided to become a singer?
BB: It was actually difficult because, as you know, I started as a bassist, but I liked some blues singers, you know, the old stuff, like Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker. I liked that style of singing. Even though I don't do much of it, I like it. A lot of Janis Joplin… She was a fantastic influence on most singers, and Robert Plant and obviously, Ronnie James Dio, a lot of his early work, I liked Butterfly Ball and other things… You know, Ian Gillan, most of the guys who were big when I was trying to make it big.
W (NM): Great, great. Great taste, obviously, in music. How do you compare the Heavy Metal scene today with the early 80s? What are the good and bad things that have changed over time after mp3 and the digital age?
BB: Well, I think Heavy Metal is really big again right now. You know, the genre, the different styles of Rock are coming together again. So at a lot of festivals you can see Saxon, you see Machine Head, you see, you know, Nightwish and those symphonic things, so I think the audience is more open to different styles of Rock and Metal again, which is great, actually. And I think the digital thing, some things have changed for the better and some things have changed for the worse, I mean, I don't think Rock bands, Metal bands nowadays sell millions of albums like they used to, so that's changed. But you have to try to do things in different ways, you know.
Well, I think heavy metal is very big again right now. The genre, the different styles of rock, are coming together again.”
W (NM): So, changing the subject, Biff, we have a classic question on our show, one that we ask everyone we interview: imagine you're listening to music randomly, and suddenly a song comes on that makes you completely lose your mind and you start headbanging wherever you are. What song is that, so we can listen to it on our show right now?
BB: Ah, that's difficult... It has to be "Highway Star" by Deep Purple, I think.
W (NM): Saxon has just released, at least in Brazil, an unmissable item: “20 Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Fan”. How did the idea of putting together such a generous amount of content into just one product come about, with practically the best of four shows on one DVD and two CDs, right?
BB: Yes, it's a great piece of... It's a great product, a very good thing to have, and you know, I don't think we'll do it again, but yes, I think it's great for the fans to see the band doing big productions, you know, I think there are a lot of songs that people haven't heard in a long time, so I think it's really an incredible package.
W (NM): Was this planned beforehand, or did you decide to do it after seeing the results of the recordings? Did you know this would become…
BB: We've had the films for a long time, and some things were on the internet and other things weren't. We had the idea, maybe a few years ago, to put together a DVD, and then we really went from there.
W (NM): Yes, changing the subject again, Biff, how was it for you to win the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for best band in the UK? And what was the significance of that award?
BB: It's a really great award, you know, for a band that's been together for so long, to finally receive the award for best British band, it's great. I think it's good for music, really, that bands like us, you know, we're not a new band, we're not a trendy band, so… I mean, a lot of young people like newer bands more, so I think it's great that a band like Saxon has been voted for by older and younger fans, I think it's a very good thing. And you know, it's voted for by readers, which is really cool.
W (NM): We have many Heavy Metal fans who think that the best of Metal came from the early 80s, and that there are no more bands that can reach that artistic status. What do you think of the new bands that have emerged in the last 10, 15 years?
BB: Well, there are a lot of good bands, you know… From the 90s, I think Machine Head came along later, and bands like that and newer bands like, you know… Newer bands that play in the old style are really good, Mastodon – they're really cool, they have some really good riffs. I think it's good, really. I think bands like Machine Head went down a more old-school style of music path, too, and obviously, you still have Metallica killing it. So, yeah, I think… You know, the bands from the 90s and the bands from the 2000s, I think they have really good ideas, and I think… You know, some of the bands are really cool.
W (NM): Excellent, we completely agree with you. So, changing the subject, could you choose another song? Now, could you choose a Saxon song that you are very proud to have written?
BB: Yes, I'd like you to play "Battalions of Steel" because I think it contains all our styles, it has Heavy Metal, it has melodic vocals, you know, it has a touch of classical music, you know, classical orchestra, so I think it really has everything.
W (NM): With such a glorious career, Biff, what would you consider the top three highlights of your career? Or the first three that come to mind?
BB: Ah, I think when "Wheels of Steel" hit the charts it was really good. You know, it hit the charts all over the world, so that was an incredible moment for the band. A fantastic start to our career. I think maybe overcoming our problems with the band members, you know, the end of the '80s was great, it was really good to finally get together with people who wanted the same thing. And I think Download, this year, which we played, was a fantastic moment for the band, I just watched the movie about it, and it was fantastic.
W (NM): It was fantastic indeed. How did the campaign you tried to create, which would consider heavy metal a religion in the UK, go?
BB: I don't know what happened, I think they're not telling us yet. I think we'll only find out next year.
W (NM): But that was a great idea, when did you have that idea? Do you remember?
BB: Actually, it wasn't my idea.
W (NM): No?
BB: It was from Metal Hammer Magazine.
W (NM): OK, but you were the main person to publicize this, right?
BB: I think I was actually the only person.
W (NM): Well, we support you, Biff.
BB: Thank you.
"It's a really great award, you know, for a band that's been together for so long, to finally receive the award for best British band, it's fantastic."
W (NM): Could you talk a little about your work with the Amadeus Orchestra? And what is the importance of classical music to the world of Heavy Metal?
BB: Ah, I don't work with them that much, but yeah, you know, I think symphonic rock, like Nightwish, and some progressive rock bands, like Opeth, I think the classical side… I think the classical aspect is quite important for these bands, you know, because they work in that field. I mean, Saxon, I think… We just dabble in that occasionally, nothing serious. So I think it's really cool, yeah.
W (NM): It makes the musical level of Heavy Metal really high, doesn't it?
BB: Yes, definitely. Anyway, on the last album, and probably on this next one, we've gone back to a more raw way of recording.
W (NM): Yes. And since you mentioned the new album, what can you share with our listeners? Any news about the new album? Are you in the studio right now?
BB: Yes, we're in the studio and it's sounding really good. There are only a few tracks, actually, so I think it's going to be, you know, very melodic again, but some of the guitar parts are very… Well, I think they're very '80s, some of the guitar parts.
W (NM): Great. We're nearing the end of our interview. What would you say to a 13 or 14-year-old boy who wants to become a rock 'n' roll singer?
BB: A rock 'n' roll singer?
W (NM): Or Heavy Metal…
BB: Sing as much as you can. Don't try to sing too loud. Leave that for later, as your voice develops. And take that to the stage, try to create your own timbre, as they say. You know, try to create your own tone. And that's it, really, sing a lot, but without overdoing it, if you're young.
W (NM): And out of curiosity, how do you maintain the quality of your voice, how do you manage to maintain that same quality after so much time?
BB: Well, I think the key is to relax. Don't get too tense. If you get tense, then everything stiffens, and… You know, that's not good.
W (NM): Before we finish, Biff, I'd like to thank you on behalf of all Brazilian Heavy Metal fans. I'd like to thank you for everything you've done in the past. I don't know…
BB: Yes, we love Brazil.
W (NM): Great. It was an honor to be able to talk to one of the most important figures in the history of Heavy Metal, this makes Wikimetal very proud. Thank you very much for your time.
BB: See you soon, right?
W (NM): Yes, you can count on us for anything Saxon does. Thank you, Mr. Biff Byfford!
BB: Don't forget, never give up! OK, bye!
W (NM): All the best!
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