In three and a half decades, English band Saxon has been affecting the heavy metal music scene in fantastic ways. They started in Barnsley, Yorkshire in 1976. The secret to their longevity as a band is a three step recipe: great fans, an intense passion for music, and endless creativity. As Biff Byford once said, “It’s not about the money, it’s about the music.”

Over their career, Saxon has released 19 albums and have many hit singles throughout charts around the world. They have toured with numerous big names in metal such as Iron Maiden, Rush, Judas Priest, and Motörhead. The band has also seen a few line-up changes since their start. Currently Saxon is comprises the talents of Biff Byford on vocals, Doug Scarratt on lead guitar, Paul Quinn on rhythms guitar, Nigel Glockler on drums, and Nibbs Carter on bass.

Times Square was able to chat with Biff Byford while Saxon is on their Call To Arms album tour. Saxon will be performing in New York on October 13^th at B.B. King’s.

Times Square (TS): How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to become a metal musician?

Biff Byford (BB): Haha, they were cool. My dad taught me to play bass guitar.

TS: Glad to hear they were supportive, that’s always a bonus. What was the music scene like when you were growing up in England?

BB: It was like the Kinks and early Rolling Stone and that sort of thing. Rock...but no heavy metal obviously. 

TS: You started playing bass and guitar for the band and then switched to being the singer. How did that happen?

BB: It just sort of happened really. I just went from playing bass to singing one day. We got a bass player and I became the singer. I wasn’t forced into it I suppose.

TS: Saxon was previously known as “Son of a Bitch.” Do you think the band would have changed the name if the record company hadn’t made you? Why?

BB: Hard to say really because when you’ve got a name you stick with it. I don’t think we would have...I didn’t really like the name that much. Perhaps we would have done it, perhaps not. We’d have to turn back the clock to see, haha.  

TS: What are your thoughts on all the television shows geared towards musicians like American Idol, Popstars, etc?

BB: I don’t really mind it. I think it’s alright. It’s a chance for young kids to go on TV and bring out a single or whatever. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, but it can be dangerous if the people are really young...to have a lot of fan very fast. Generally I think it’s just show business and there’s always going to be shows like that, you can’t stop it.

TS: Do you think Saxon would have auditioned for one of those shows had they been around in the 80’s?

BB: No. Haha. We wouldn’t do it. But they don’t really have rock bands on there do they. Mostly pop stuff really.

TS: Saxon has toured with some big names in metal: Motörhead, Rush, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden...of all the bands you’ve teamed up with which band is your favourite and why?

BB: I think probably Judas Priest. One of my favourites...They’ve been around a long time. We just did some shows with Judas Priest in Spain and they were fantastic.

TS: You’ve also done some work with Doro. How is she as a female metal musician?

BB: Yeah...A female rock goddess. We love Doro, she’s a good mate. I’ve done a lot of work with her. She’s great to work with...She’s been around a long time, she’s a survivor as well.  

TS: You’re considered to be a metal legend. What advice would you give to young musicians trying to make it in the industry?

BB: I would say try to be original [and] keep trying...Never Surrender policy, that’s our slogan...That’s the best thing really.   

TS: ‘Call to Arms’ has been getting great reviews from critics and fans, when you first started out could you have even imagined you’d be still in the scene 30+ years later?

BB: No I don’t think so. You just take it a day at a time really. I think that’s the same for everybody especially in rock & roll. It’s such a crazy business, a crazy world to live in...A day at a time, or sometimes a month at a time...you just keep rolling really. You can’t really think about stopping.   

TS: I agree especially with a great band like Saxon; please keep rollin’ on forever! The new album also features songs that were hidden in a manager’s attic. When they were found how did you guys react to hearing them after so many years?

BB: It was very exciting. There are bootleg versions out there [on YouTube]. It was great to hear it fresh. The tapes had been lost for 30 years, so it was great to listen to them for the very first time...fantastic.

TS: Tell me about the tour, how has it been going?

BB: It’s going great; one of our best for quite some time. We’ve gotten some great reactions on the West Coast. We’re just going to keep it rolling.

TS: Have you noticed if sales, either for the shows or the album, have been affected by the current economic situation?

BB: Yeah I think shows are affected by the economic situation. People are starting to pick shows to go to. It’s a problem all around the world really. Because a lot of bands go on tour...It’s hard for fans to buy the tickets every night and you have to choose the bands you want to see...

TS: Can you tell me about Saxon’s connection to New York. What can Saxon fans expect from your show at B.B. King’s?

BB: Well it’s a small venue that B.B. King’s, so there’s not too much production possibilities in there. But it will be a great show. We’re featuring the new album, but we’ll be playing some of the old songs as well.

TS: After the tour is done, what can Saxon fans look forward to? Is there talk about making lucky #20 album or is that “chasing the bullet”?

BB: Yeah, we don’t know what’s happening next year...we might start writing some songs at the end of January. But we’re going to keep our options open toward next year.

TS: Awesome! Well Biff it has been an extreme pleasure talking with you. Keep on Rockin’!

BB: Thank you. Never Surrender...and I wish you all the best!

For more articles like Banters with Biff Byford from Saxon please visit the Music Interviews Section of TimesSquare.com