With a No 1 album and an arena tour, which kicked off last night at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena, Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro are at the top of their game. Matt Westcott speaks to bassist James Johnston

WHILE they are probably too humble to agree, if success is gauged by chart position, then Biffy Clyro must be at the top of their game at the moment.

The band has always had a strong following, but it’s taken them six albums to secure the coveted No 1 spot.

Opposites, a 20-track, two-CD opus, met with rave reviews and they are about to take it on the road. So was this adulation expected?

“All we knew while recording Opposites is that we liked it a lot.

Of course we all hoped our fans would enjoy our creation,” says James, “but to make honest music you have to be a bit selfish and please yourselves first and foremost.”

After a significant time apart, being in close proximity for extended periods of time can put strains on relationships, but the five-month recording period has been a positive experience.

“It had been a good few years since we had lived together and we bonded as brothers like the old days,” he says. “I guess with all the touring we were doing, the last thing you want to do with your spare time is see each other, but living in a house making a double record rekindled that teenage spark. I guess sometimes you forget that we are all best friends, regardless of Biffy.”

The band had not planned to make a double album, but the strength of the songs was such that they found it hard to discard one track in favour of another.

“In the space of about two months, Si (lead singer Simon Neil) had written 45 songs, which we recorded at our practice space, and cutting that to 20 was not easy,” James adds.

“On listening to them all we realised that lyrically they naturally fell into two camps, one negative and the other positive, hence the double album concept.”

While each song on Opposites can stand alone, it’s best listened to in its entirety, says James.

“For us, it’s a complete work of art that takes take you on a journey.

We’re not big fans of the playlist culture and would love for the public to embrace the album form once again,” he adds.

Touring shows can be a memorable experience and James is promising that Biffy will be “all guns blazing”.

“You really have to make your live shows extra special these days and we certainly are,” he said. “You’ll see loads of passion, energy and Scottish sweat, but there will be some tender moments too.”