Biff Byford has spoken to eonmusic about his solo album School Of Hard Knocks, the highs and lows of Saxon's career, and about a forthcoming package tour that the singer has called "something quite special" to take place in 2021.

Speaking about the heart attack that he suffered in September 2019, Biff said; "Some days are good; some days are a bit difficult, but yeah, it’s getting better, slowly but surely."

On having his name on an album cover, rather than the band's: "It is weird, I must say. I’m getting used to it, but it’s a bit weird. It’s a bit strange doing interviews like, I’m No.1 on the Amazon newcomer’s list thing."

On the highlights of Saxon's career of over four decades: "Well, not dying last September was a good one. Yeah, we’ve had some ups and downs, some highs and lows, but we’re still on highs; at the moment we’ve sold out Hammersmith, and the Manchester Apollo. I think a lot of people have come back to love Saxon again, and I think we’ve got a lot of new fans as well, so we’re very lucky at the moment. We’re as strong now as we’ve been in the last twenty-five / thirty years."

Finally, the front man noted that Saxon will take part on a multi band tour in 2021, one that he labeled as "quite special"; "We’ve had some big things offered for next year. I think the new album will be out next year to coincide with the tour. We’ve been offered something quite special; I can’t tell you about it, but we might be going out with some other bands next year. Yeah, that will be happening, I think, so keep your eyes peeled!"

Saxon frontman, Biff Byford, has released a new music video and single, "Me And You". Watch the clip below.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” announces Biff, “I wrote this song for my wife and our 25th anniversary but I think it can be for anybody who’s in a relationship. We all have anniversaries and memories, not my usual style of song but it’s always good to throw in a curve ball!”

Taken from Byford’s upcoming first solo album, School Of Hard Knocks, set for release February 21 via Silver Lining Music, "Me And You" is also now available as a 7” single, get your copy here.

School Of Hard Knocks is available for pre-order on CD, vinyl, digital formats and special D2C bundles at this location.

With his roots firmly in The North of England, Biff has earned the right to be considered The Heavy Metal Bard Of The North and his debut album reflects the man and his personality, his loves and his musical versatility.

School Of Hard Knocks fulfils Biff Byford’s long-standing wish to explore rock ‘n’ roll a little more. The album is a personal journey highlighting his life and his passionate interests, from the history of the Middle Ages to growing up in the industrial North. A classic, masterfully constructed old-school British hard rock album, School Of Hard Knocks embraces a variety of musical genres and includes the Yorkshire folk classic Scarborough Fair, famously covered by Simon and Garfunkel. Byford and Fredrik Åkesson’s arrangement breathes new life into the legendary song.

School Of Hard Knocks features Biff Byford on vocals (and a spot of four string thunder) along with Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) on guitars, drummer Christian Lundqvist and bass player Gus Macricostas.  The album also features guest appearances by Phil Campbell (Motörhead/Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire and Turilli / Lione Rhapsody), Nick Barker (Voices), Dave Kemp (Wayward Sons) and Nibbs Carter (Saxon). The album was produced by Biff Byford, recorded by Jacky Lehmann at Brighton Electric Studios in Brighton (UK) and mixed at Queen Street Studios in Stockholm (Sweden) by Mats Valentin.

Tracklisting:

"Welcome To The Show"
"School Of Hard Knocks"
"Inquisitor"
"The Pit And The Pendulum"
"Worlds Collide"
"Scarborough Fair" *
"Pedal To The Metal"
"Hearts Of Steel"
"Throw Down The Sword"
"Me And You"
"Black And White"

* not available on 12” Vinyl

"School Of Hard Knocks" video:

"Welcome To The Show" lyric video:

Byford recently announced his first ever solo tour dates. The tour begins in the UK in April and continues to Europe in May.

The show will take an “evening with” format and will be split into two halves. The first half will feature a spoken word show compared by American comedian and star of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show, Don Jamieson, where Don will quiz Biff on all aspects of his life and career. The second half will consist of a live show with Biff and his band.

Biff states: “The show will consist of some old songs, some new songs, some cover versions and some songs off the solo album. It’s going to be great and I am really looking forward to it. It’s going to something a little bit different, but it will be very cool, so I’ll see you all there!”

Tickets are available at myticket.co.uk and all usual outlets.