Snow Patrol - Interview & Chasing Cars Video

My Snow Patrol interview featured in Image Magazine

If you haven't heard the Glasgow-based, Irish-rooted band Snow Patrol yet, it's only a matter of time before you will. With the release of their fourth record Eyes Open, replete with epic arena rock anthems filled with lyrics that put Chris Martin to shame, their star is already shining brightly. Let's just say if you like Coldplay, this is your new favorite band. Their songs are wistful and self-reflective, soaring and majestic, all without sounding mushy.

"Gary (Lightbody) is definitely the best (lyricist) out of all of us, it's based on his experiences but it's not always current" says drummer Jonny Quinn, aka Jonny Q. "On this album he reworked them a lot and was pretty hard on himself, musically everyone gets involved, it's more of a collective, but we leave the words to him."

Already adored in Britain after the release of their first two albums, Songs for Polar Bears and When It's All Over We Still Have To Clear Up, respectively, it was the release of Final Straw and the worldwide success of singles "Chocolate," "Run," and "Spitting Games" in 2004 that finally set them up to break into the American mainstream. The postponement of their American Eyes Open summer tour due to Lightbody's voice ailments will only allow anticipation for their live shows to grow to a new frenzy.

Like Liverpool in the 60's and Manchester in the 80's, Glasgow has become the epicenter or Britain's current music scene, in 2004 Time Magazine named the city as Europe's secret capital of rock music. That was the year three bands from the city made it to the Mercury Music Prize shortlist; Franz Ferdinand, Belle and Sebastian, and Snow Patrol. Glasgow is also home to other renowned bands like Texas, Mogwai, Teenage Fanclub, and Travis.

"There's always been a good scene there, there's good rehearsal facilities and there' a good music business school, and it rains a lot so people stay inside and write music" says Quinn.

Snow Patrol's origins are typical of many from the area. Lightbody (voice and guitar) and Mark McClelland (bass and Keyboards) met at University in Dundee, Scotland and like thousands of students before them, decided to start a band. They added fellow student Jonny Q. on drums and called themselves Shrug before changing their name to Polar Bear. After finishing school and moving to Glasgow, they were offered a record contract from U.K.'s Jeepster label in 1998. They were threatened with legal action by an American band with the same name (led by Eric Avery, the former bassist of Jane's Addiction), so they changed their name to Snow Patrol, a name given to them in jest by a friend.

Jeepster released their first two albums before they moved on to the more mainstream Polydor and added guitarist Nathan Connolly for their breakthrough album Final Straw. After touring for almost 2 years straight, life on the road began to take it's toil in 2005 and founding member Mark McClelland left the band. Paul Wilson replaced him on bass and touring keyboardist Tom Simpson became an official member of the band. The band spent the rest of the year opening for U2 on their Vertigo Tour, playing Live 8 and recording their new album.

Since only being released for about two months, Eyes Open has already sold a million units, which is quite a bit considering Final Straw has sold just under three million since it's release two years ago. Pushed forward by the Sufjan Stevens name-checking first single "Hands Open" and the somber "Chasing Cars," which was featured in the season finale of the hit series Grey's Anatomy, All Music Guide calls the new album a masterpiece. Now if Lightbody can only figure out how to belt out his soaring melodies without blowing out his vocal chords.

"The album is doing really, really well, so we've been very busy trying to fit everyone in, so it's a good problem to have" says Quinn.

Rescheduled Tour Dates

September 2006

6th - Atlanta, Tabernacle
8th - New York, Roseland
9th - Philadelphia, Electric Factory
10th - Washington DC, 930 Club
12th - Montreal, Metropolis
13th - Toronto, Kool Haus
14th - Detroit, Clutch Cargoes
16th - Chicago, Riviera
17th - Minneapolis, First Avenue
21st - Vancouver, PNE forum
23rd - Portland, Roseland
24th - San Francisco, Warfield
26th - Los Angeles, Wiltern
27th - Los Angeles, Wiltern
28th - San Diego, House of Blues