Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol Artistfacts

  • 1994-
    Gary LightbodyVocals, guitar1994-
    Nathan ConnollyGuitar2003-
    Paul WilsonBass2005-2023
    Jonny QuinnDrums1997-2023
    Tom SimpsonKeyboards, samples2005-2013
    Mark McClellandBass1994-2005
    Michael MorrisonDrums1994-1995
    Johnny McDaidPiano2011-
  • Gary Lightbody began writing songs at 15 in a small room under his parents' kitchen. He also plays guitar but only decided to learn the basics of the instrument because he didn't think he would ever know any instrument, "inside out." Instead, he chose to take the basics that he learned and be more inventive rather that formulaic.
  • In deciding to name their third album Final Straw, Gary Lightbody said, "It was called Final Straw because in some ways it was the final throw of the dice. But the title was also taking the piss out of people who thought we were really over. A lot of them didn't give us much of a chance. When we wanted to release the third album, we came up against many obstacles. To most record companies we were considered failures."
  • During Snow Patrol's Eyes Open tour, drummer Jonny Quinn broke a bone in his elbow as a result of a snowboarding accident. U2 drummer, Larry Mullen, offered to fill in, but the band already had a substitute.
  • Bassist Paul Wilson's favorite instrument is the guitar, which he played for 19 years before switching to bass. His hero is Pink Floyd guitarist, David Gilmour.
  • When the band released its first album, Songs for Polarbears, singer Gary Lightbody still held a steady job at a bar called Nice 'N Sleazy's Bar.
  • In 2007, Gary Lightbody and longtime Snow Patrol producer Jacknife Lee formed the experimental duo, Listen . . .Tanks! Lightbody and Lee play all the instruments and Lightbody referes to Listen . . . Tanks! as, "weird." Lightbody debuted the duo's first song while guest hosting for Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1.
  • Gary Lightbody made a singing cameo appearance in the Game of Thrones Season 3 episode "Walk of Punishment." He croons the tavern song "The Bear With The Maiden Fair," which tells the story of a bear at a fair who seduces a maiden.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.