Snow Patrol is a world-famous indie rock band from Northern Ireland and Scotland. After a difficult start, and two totally transparent albums, they have exploded onto the scene with success, thanks to their inspired songs and the depth of their lyrics…
It all began in Scotland in 1994, when two Northern Irishmen, Gary Lightbody and Mark McClelland, decided to form a band called “Polarbears”. At the time, both were students at the University of Dundee, and were keen to break into the indie rock scene.
However, they were soon forced to change their name, following a dispute with an American group bearing the same name. The group became Snow Patrol.
During the first recordings, they recruited another Northern Irishman, Jonny Queen, to take on the role of permanent drummer.
The first album was recorded in 1997, followed by “When It’s All Over We Still Have to Clear Up” in 2001. They then recruited Iain Archer, a motivated guitarist and composer, to work with the rest of the band on a third album. Meanwhile, he recruited yet another guitarist, Nathan Connolly, and signed with Fiction Record, a subsidiary of Polydor Records.
The release of their third album, “Final Straw”, catapulted the band to the status of one of the most promising indie bands of 2003/2004. The single “Run” reached No. 3 in the UK charts, and the album was a huge success. So much so that some of their songs even feature in US TV series (Cold Case, Jericho, Grey’s Anatomy, Bones…etc.)!
In 2005, leader and singer Gary Lightbody announced the departure of their drummer Mark Clelland due to incompatible moods and strong differences of opinion. Paul Wilson, former bassist with Terra Diablo, joins the Snow Patrol band, as does Tom Simpson on keyboards.
The band went on to support U2 on their Vertigo Tour in 2005. He takes part in Live 8, then rests, before starting to write their fourth album.
The Eyes Open album was released in 2006, and was a great success. We know him from the famous single “Chasing Cars”, a single often heard in US TV shows, as well as “Open your eyes”. It’s the best-selling album of their career, and their most accomplished!
After international promotion, the band rests, before starting work on Fallen Empire in 2011, scheduled for release in November 2011. Highly anticipated, this album proves to be more ambitious and vehement than its predecessors… much to the delight of their fans!
3.59/5 (22 votes)
