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List of Snow Patrol band members

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left to right: Paul Wilson, Gary Lightbody, Jonny Quinn, Nathan Connolly and Tom Simpson
left to right: Paul Wilson, Jonny Quinn, Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid
left to right: Johnny McDaid, Gary Lightbody, Ben Epstein, Nathan Connolly and Ash Soan
Four line-ups of Snow Patrol performing in 2004, 2009, 2018 and 2024

Snow Patrol are a Northern Irish–Scottish rock band formed in 1994 in Dundee, Scotland by Gary Lightbody (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Mark McClelland (bass, keyboards), and Michael Morrison (drums) under the name Shrug. The band currently consists of Lightbody, guitarist Nathan Connolly (since 2002), pianist/guitarist Johnny McDaid (since 2011) and touring members Ben Epstein (bass) and Ash Soan (drums) (both since 2024).

History

[edit]

Snow Patrol were formed in early 1994 by University of Dundee students Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland, and Michael Morrison under the name Shrug.[1] 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.

The drummer position was briefly filled by Richard Colburn,[2] before Jonny Quinn joined as full time drummer. In 2001, the band were joined on tour by songwriter Iain Archer, who performed guitar and backing vocals.[3] In 2002, Archer was replaced by Nathan Connolly who became an official member.[4] The band parted ways with McClelland,[5] he was replaced by Paul Wilson who had previously toured with the band on guitar and keyboards.[6] The band also added long-time touring keyboardist Tom Simpson as an official member.[7]

In 2007, Quinn was briefly replaced by Graham Hopkins (ex-Therapy?) after the drummer broke his arm.[8] Guitar tech Troy Stewart also played additional guitars from 2008 to 2013. In 2008, the band were re-joined by Colburn, who played percussion and keyboards from 2008 to 2009.[9] On the band's reworked tour in 2009, they were joined by Ruth O’Reilly on French horn and Stella Page on violin,[10] they were also briefly re-joined by Archer after Connolly suffered nerve damage.[3]

In 2011, the band were joined by Jonny McDaid on piano and guitar, initially as a guest musician, playing on Fallen Empires (2011) and it's tour, and later as a full-time member.[11] Tom Simpson left the band in August 2013.[12] This band's line-up stayed stable for 10 years.

In 2019, the band did another reworked tour, featuring many additional musicians, Archer and Colburn both returned,[13] alongside Miriam Kaufmann (keys, glockenspiel, vocals) who had toured with the band between 2006 and 2013, O’Reilly and Page,[10] both returned alongside trumpeter, Colm MacAthlaoich, second violinist Jote Osahn,[14] violaist Vince Greene and cellist Ivan Hussey.[15]

In 2023, the band parted ways with both Quinn and Wilson,[16] Quinn departed due to tensions with McDaid,[17] and Wilson to focus on his heavy metal project, Above as Below.[18] The band has since continued as a trio, recording The Forest Is the Path with new touring members Ben Epstein (bass) and Ash Soan (drums).[19]

Members

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Current members

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Image Name Years active Instruments Studio release contributions
Snow Patrol (7830387862).jpg
Gary Lightbody 1994–present
  • lead vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards and piano (1994–2005)
all releases
Snow Patrol - 2018153204329 2018-06-02 Rock am Ring - 1D X MK II - 0557 - B70I1864.jpg
Nathan Connolly 2002–present
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all releases from Final Straw (2003) onwards
Snow Patrol - 2018153204415 2018-06-02 Rock am Ring - 1D X MK II - 0583 - B70I1890.jpg
Johnny McDaid 2011–present
  • piano
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • programming
  • backing vocals
all releases from Fallen Empires (2011) onwards

Current session/touring musicians

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Studio release contributions
Ben Epstein 2024–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
The Forest Is the Path (2024)
Ash Soan Waterboys.png
Ash Soan drums

Former members

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Studio release contributions
Shrug_-_December_1994.jpg
Mark McClelland 1994–2005
  • bass
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • backing vocals
all releases until Final Straw (2003)
Shrug_-_December_1994.jpg
Michael Morrison 1994–1996
  • drums
  • percussion
The Yogurt vs. Yogurt Debate (1995)
Snow Patrol - 2018153204428 2018-06-02 Rock am Ring - 1D X MK II - 0585 - B70I1892.jpg
Jonny Quinn 1997–2023 all releases from Songs for Polarbears (1998) to Wildness (2018)
Tom_Simpson_Snow_Patrol.jpg
Tom Simpson 2005–2013 (touring 1996–2005)
  • keyboards
  • piano
  • samples
all releases from Eyes Open (2006) to Fallen Empires (2011)
Snow Patrol (7830388782).jpg
Paul Wilson 2005–2023 (touring 2000–2005)
  • bass (2005–2023)
  • guitar (2000–2005)
  • backing vocals
  • additional keyboards[20]
all releases from Eyes Open (2006) to Wildness (2018)

Former touring musicians

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Studio release contributions
Richard Colburn
  • 1996–1997
  • 2008–2009
  • 2019
  • percussion
  • drums (1996–1997, 2019)
  • keyboards (1996–1997, 2008–2009)
2009 - Athlete (The Duchess, York) Iain Archer (3690148487).jpg
Iain Archer
  • 2001–2002
  • 2009
  • 2019
  • guitars
  • lap steel guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Final Straw (2003)
  • Eyes Open (2006)
Colm MacAthlaoich
  • 2001–2002
  • 2019
trumpet none
Miriam Kaufmann
  • 2006–2007
  • 2008–2012
  • 2019
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards
  • glockenspiel
Graham_Hopkins.jpg
Graham Hopkins 2007 drums
Troy Stewart 2008–2013 additional guitars
Ruth O’Reilly
  • 2009
  • 2019
  • french horn
  • backing vocals
Stella Page
  • violin
  • backing vocals
Jote Osahn 2019
Vince Greene viola
Ivan Hussey cello

Timeline

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Line-ups

[edit]
Period Members Studio releases
early 1994 – late 1996
  • The Yogurt vs. Yogurt Debate (1995)
late 1996 – mid 1997
  • Gary Lightbody – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Mark McClelland – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Tom Simpson – keyboards, piano, samples (touring)
  • Richard Colburn – drums, keyboards (session/touring)
mid 1997 – early 2001
  • Gary Lightbody – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Mark McClelland – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Tom Simpson – keyboards, piano, samples (touring)
  • Jonny Quinn – drums, percussion
March 2001 – spring 2002
  • Gary Lightbody – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Mark McClelland – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Tom Simpson – keyboards, piano, samples (touring)
  • Jonny Quinn – drums, percussion
  • Iain Archer – guitar, backing vocals (touring)
spring 2002 – March 2005
  • Gary Lightbody – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Mark McClelland – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Tom Simpson – keyboards, piano, samples (touring)
  • Jonny Quinn – drums, percussion
  • Nathan Connolly – guitar, backing vocals
March 2005 – mid 2011
  • Gary Lightbody – vocals, guitar
  • Tom Simpson – keyboards, piano, samples
  • Jonny Quinn – drums, percussion
  • Nathan Connolly – guitar, backing vocals
  • Paul Wilson – bass, backing vocals, keyboards
mid 2011 – August 2013
  • Gary Lightbody – vocals, guitar
  • Tom Simpson – keyboards, piano, samples
  • Jonny Quinn – drums, percussion
  • Nathan Connolly – guitar, backing vocals
  • Paul Wilson – bass, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Johnny McDaid – piano, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
August 2013 – September 2023
  • Gary Lightbody – vocals, guitar
  • Jonny Quinn – drums, percussion
  • Nathan Connolly – guitar, backing vocals
  • Paul Wilson – bass, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Johnny McDaid – piano, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
late 2023 – present
  • Gary Lightbody – vocals, guitar
  • Nathan Connolly – guitar, backing vocals
  • Johnny McDaid – piano, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Ben Epstein – bass, backing vocals (session/touring)
  • Ash Soan – drums (session/touring)

References

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  1. ^ "Snow Patrol". Channel 4. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  2. ^ O'Dornan, David (3 July 2023). "I always knew Snow Patrol would make it big, says Belle and Sebastian star". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b "'Dear friend' Iain Archer to join Snow Patrol as scan reveals guitarist's nerve damage". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 14 June 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  4. ^ Frenette, Brad (27 October 2008). "On tour with Snow Patrol: Dublin homecoming". nationalpost. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  5. ^ NME (17 March 2005). "SACKED SNOW PATROL BASSIST SPEAKS". NME. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  6. ^ Snow Patrol [@snowpatrol] (1 September 2023). "Paul Wilson". Retrieved 11 November 2023 – via Instagram.
  7. ^ "NEW PATROL MEMBER". snowpatrol. 31 March 2005. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  8. ^ Newsdesk, The Hot Press (22 January 2007). "Snow Patrol in injury drama". Hotpress. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  9. ^ Welsh, Andrew (11 November 2008). "Sticksman on Snow Patrol". Daily Record. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b @snowpatrol (18 November 2019). "Stella and Ruth were on the last reworked tour in 2009 and it's so great to have them back with us again" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 September 2024 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Namee, Dalton Mac (7 September 2023). "Two Bandmembers Leave Snow Patrol Amid Rumours Of Discontent". Nova.ie. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Snow Patrol star quits". Express.co.uk. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  13. ^ @snowpatrol (18 November 2019). "2. Iain Archer – guitars, lap steel, vocals 3. Richard Colburn – drums and percussion" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ @snowpatrol (18 November 2019). "4. Jote Osahn - violin, vocals. 5. Colm MacAthlaoich – trumpet" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ @snowpatrol (18 November 2019). "Vince and Ivan are out with us for the first time and they have been brilliant!" (Tweet). Retrieved 20 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Wilson, Rebekah (1 September 2023). "Snow Patrol: Jonny Quinn and Paul Wilson leave band". BBC News.
  17. ^ Reid, Kurtis (2 September 2023). "Wife of ex-Snow Patrol drummer hints at divisions in band after husband quits". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  18. ^ Grow, Kory (28 September 2023). "Paul Wilson Left Snow Patrol to Make Heavier Music. Now He's Rising Above a Messy Split". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  19. ^ Swift, Jacqui (12 September 2024). "We've had a rocky time but now we're closer than ever - says Snow Patrol". The US Sun. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  20. ^ Raph_PH (8 June 2019), FlMacWerchter080619_6, retrieved 11 November 2023