Snow Patrol were formed in early 1994 by University of Dundee students Gary Lightbody , Mark McClelland , and Michael Morrison, under the name Shrug. The band started by performing gigs at the university and local pubs such as Lucifer’s Mill. Their first EP was entitled The Yogurt vs. Yoghurt Debate . In 1996, they changed their name to Polarbear to avoid clashing with any American bands that were also named Shrug. Shortly afterwards, drummer Michael Morrison left the group after suffering a breakdown and returned to Northern Ireland. In mid-1997, Polarbear released a three-track EP, Starfighter Pilot , on the Electric Honey label. The band was renamed Snow Patrol in 1997, because of a naming conflict with a band named Polar Bear, fronted by ex- Jane’s Addiction bassist Eric Avery .
Formed as Shrug
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