Jeepster dropped Snow Patrol in 2001, a decision that was criticised by Hot Press magazine as brainless. By July 2001, major labels had started showing interest in the band, who were cash-strapped and had no record deal. Lightbody sold a major part of his record collection to raise money to…
Read More
Snow Patrol’s debut album, Songs for Polarbears , was released in 1998 after the band had moved to Glasgow , where Lightbody was working at the Nice n Sleazy’s Bar in Sauchiehall Street . The album was a critical success but did not make a commercial impact. The same year,…
Read More
Snow Patrol joined independent label Jeepster in 1997. Jeepster had the same plan for Snow Patrol as the approach they had used with Belle & Sebastian , who became popular by word of mouth without heavy promotion. The band were happy to be associated with an indie label, because they…
Read More
During Lightbody and McClelland’s years at the University of Dundee, they had been noticed by Richard Smernicki, a senior student, and his brother Paul . Richard Smernicki graduated in 1996, two years before Lightbody and McClelland, and become Polydor’s Scottish A&R representative. Paul Smernicki became Polydor’s Press and Artist Development…
Read More
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…
Read More