DUBLIN, IRELAND  [Thursday Mar.17.2005]  /WMQT.com/ -- There's been a shake-up in the Northern Irish band Snow Patrol, and founding member Mark McClelland is no longer part of the band. A message posted on the band's official UK/EIRE Web site said that McClelland, who was Snow Patrol's bassist and keyboardist, was sacked by the other members.

Snow Patrol posted the following statement regarding the decision to let McClelland go: "Snow Patrol have parted company with bass player Mark McClelland. Following a life-changing year in 2004, Snow Patrol found themselves under a whole set of new and unexpected pressures. These pressures have unfortunately taken their toll on working relationships within the band, and it was felt that that Snow Patrol could not move forward with Mark as a member."

The statement continues, "Coming to this decision was the hardest thing the remaining band members have ever faced, it was reached with much regret. The band have not appointed a new member, and are currently in rural Ireland writing the follow up to 'Final Straw.'"

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