(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Indie-pop group Snow Patrol has confirmed that they have asked their co-founder and bassist, Mark McClelland, to leave the band. McClelland has been in the band for more than 10 years, since its formation at Dundee University.
Frontman Gary Lightbody insisted that the band had “no other course of action.”
“Over the last 18 months touring has taken its toll on the rest of the band’s relationship with him,” said Lightbody. “This is the hardest decision we have ever had to make and believe us when we say we didn’t make it lightly.”
The group from Northern Ireland reached mainstream success in the last year with the single “Run” and their award-winning album “Final Straw.”
In a statement on the band’s website, Lightbody said, “I started the group with Mark 10 years ago and he was a massive part of Snow Patrol and my life throughout that decade…I know you will all be distressed and may not understand this news but we had to do what was best for the band.”
Snow Patrol are currently working on the follow-up to their breakthrough third album, and is set to play support to U2 on a number of summer stadium gigs.
Last month, Snow Patrol won best band and best album at the Meteor Awards, Ireland’s top music honors. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
