BIFFY Clyro have done the whole rock and roll thing the hard way.

Most people first heard the Scottish band when they released their number two record Puzzle or when The X Factor’s Matt Cardle covered their song Many of Horror (When We Collide).

That was in 2007 and 2010 respectively and they have made massive waves in the music industry since, headlining festivals and arenas and topping the charts with their last two albums, Opposites and Ellipsis.

It gives the impression that it was always like this for the Kilmarnock trio. But Simon Neil and twin brothers Ben and James Johnston actually started their band when they were teenagers dreaming of being Nirvana.

Their only ambition was to play at the 300-capacity King Tut’s in Glasgow.

“But it does feel weird when I think back to those early gigs and how much smaller they were and our mind-set back then,” said drummer Ben.

“It’s all been very natural. It’s been a slow natural progression and it feels like we’ve done it the right way if there is such a thing.”

Ben formed a band with Simon, who he had known since he was 10, when his dad bought him a drumkit in 1994. He then convinced his brother James to learn the bass and join them. Back then they were known as Skrewfish.

Ben, who was just 14 at the time, added: “We didn’t even have a drumkit in the school. Thanks to my dad and the garage we had to play in, that’s how it all started. Nirvana and the whole Seattle scene was the style of music that brought us all together.

“I think hearing Nirvana changed everyone’s lives when they were that age. It sounded possible. We liked bands like Gun N’ Roses but the music that Nirvana made sounded like something we could do. It was more about the passion and the angst.

“Then we got more into underground American stuff and we started listening to Rush and a lot more prog bands.”

Their first gig was supporting a band called Pink Kross at Key Youth Centre in East Kilbride. About 40 people were in the crowd, made up mostly of the two bands’ families.

“We had to skip school to get there in time,” Ben said.

“We got our parents to turn up. It’s actually on video somewhere on VHS. Even on that first gig we probably played 60 per cent original material and the rest were obscure Nirvana B-sides.

“It was terrifying but ultimately very rewarding. I’m so glad we took the plunge and did that. We caught the bug and never looked back.”

Biffy’s first three albums may have only scratched the surface of the charts but their genre-defying sound has been hugely influential on the post rock scene that has developed since.

Ben, whose favourite drummers are Dave Grohl, Neil Peart from Rush, Darren Jessee from Ben Folds Five and Glenn Kotche from Wilco, added: “Back then we were on a quest to confuse people and make quite tricky music and obstinate music. We did our best to do that for a good three albums

“Being on the label Beggars Banquet really helped. Before we recorded our second album Vertigo of Bliss we went to meet the label head guy and he said: ‘If there’s a single on this album we’ll release it, if there’s not we won’t. Don’t worry about it’

“That was so refreshing. That really gave us the freedom to make the music that we wanted to.

“That’s why back then a lot of the songs sounded like four songs in one with lots of crazy left turns. Then you get a bit older and you don’t want to show off so much. You want to make beautiful songs that will hopefully last forever.”

Fast forward to 2016 and now with seven albums under their belt, the trio are still just as in love with music. That is evident in a lot of ways, including the fact they get to go on tour with two of their musical heroes

Biffy tour as a five-piece with Mike Vennart and Gambler, formerly of the little known but highly acclaimed Manchester band Oceansize, joining them on stage.

Ben said: “I’m a massive fan of Oceansize. It’s a real pleasure to have them on-board. They’re two of the most talented guys I’ve ever met. They pick things up so incredibly fast and never make mistakes. They’re brilliant guys.”

Beyond that, you only need to look at Biffy’s tour schedule to see the love they still have for their craft.

“I remember one year we did more than 200 shows and that was mostly in the UK,” added Ben, 36.

“I guess I’m home about 10 per cent of the year so that gives you an idea how many shows we do. Missing family and missing home is the hardest thing and being able to take your own bed with you would be lovely.

“But we still absolutely love it and being on stage is one of the most exciting experiences you can ever have. It’s weird because we’ve got so used to it that when we took a year gap we all felt like empty men and it was just purely missing that feeling of being on stage. We absolutely love touring.”

So what would the 14-year-old Ben have said if someone looked in a crystal ball and told him he would go on to sell 1.2 million albums?

He said: “I would have never believed you and called you a liar...”