Still On Guard - Snow Patrol

It’s been a hectic few weeks for Snow Patrol drummer Jonny Quinn. A whistle-stop tour of radio stations and television network across the US has put his band into promotional overdrive – sharing stages with the likes of The Cure, Franz Ferdinand and The Killers on KROQ and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Back in the UK, Quinn is en route to Chris Evans’ Radio Two show; “I think we’re playing a track off the new album and a Christmas cover,” Quinn says in a rather uncertain Northern Irish dialect.

The incessant promotional run has clearly paid dividends. The band’s fifth album, 'A Hundred Million Suns', is a top ten success in the US and UK, making them one of Britain’s most bankable musical exports. Maverick producer Garret ‘Jacknife’ Lee was once again installed on production duties, bringing a sonic sheen to the band’s melodic poise. Quinn explains the recording process: “We alternated between Hansa Studios in Berlin and Grouse Lodge in County Meath. There’s so much history at Hansa Studios with David Bowie, Iggy Pop and U2 recording there. We made (previous album) 'Eyes Open' there so there was no doubt in our minds about returning to the place.”

The time at Grouse Lodge allowed Quinn to get back to basics and, along with guitarist Nathan Connelly, become reacquainted with their instruments. “Nathan and I took lessons again – it was necessary for both of us.” Quinn says. “The thing is you get so used to the playing the same material for two and a half years that you become useless at anything else.”

Although Jacknife Lee is synonymous with creating an all-encompassing widescreen sound for most bands, he did allow Snow Patrol to experiment on a few tracks. Quinn was up for the challenge. “We used a huge plant to create the snare sound on The Golden Floor. We threw all sorts of things into the mix – branches, twigs, and leather sofas, whatever came to hand. We all just acted like a bunch of monkeys on that track.”

Away from the studio antics, Quinn is proud of the final results on 'A Hundred Million Suns'. He says: “Garret always manages to take you out of your comfort zone and push you until you drop. He recorded (breakthrough album) 'Final Straw' with us and we’ve come a long way since then. There’s no doubt we all felt the pressure recording this album because you don’t want to let down the people who’ve put so much faith in you – but we’ve never aspired to be the biggest band in world. Whereas Eyes Open dealt with the breakdown of relationships, this album has a more positive outlook.”