16th September 2005

Snow way to treat the world poor

The Patrol boys are heading to Africa with Save the Children

Snow Patrol are heading out to Africa on a mercy mission. The Scots-based rockers are visiting poverty-stricken areas to see first-hand how aid money is making a difference.

Like Travis frontman Fran Healy, they will travel with Save The Children and Oxfam, and they hope their visit will open people's eyes to the issues facing the continent.

Singer Gary Lightbody said: "We couldn't do it before the G8summit,but we're going out at the end of the year. The whole G8 issue really struck a chord with me - it's something that you can't possibly ignore. I think we'll be travelling across Africa, seeing some of the projects that Save the Children and Oxfam are working on.

"I've got many friends that have been out there and I think it's something that you really have to do."

Gary, whose band played at Murrayfield Live 8, admitted that he expects the trip to be a real heart-wrencher.

He said: "I don't expect it to be easy. My sister spends her whole life working with kids with learning disabilities - she deserves some kind of medal, whereas I get the medal for being sensitive.When I get out to Africa I'll probably be crying my eyes out."

The band have also been getting involved in issues a little closer to home.This week Gary was at the Scottish Parliament for the launch of a new initiative Show Racism The Red Card.

Spitting Games, from the album Final Straw, is used in the video which is being sent out to Scottish schools to combat bigotry.

Gary said: "It's something that we feel very strongly about. It's a brilliant video - I think it's going to affect a lot of kids' lives."

While keen to get involved in the campaign, Gary is unconvinced about the impact musicians can have on world issues.

He said: "It think musicians inherently are taken slightly less seriously when they try to do something worthy. They usually go out and party all the time and are not great role models. But it's important to get involved in things you care about. I'm a free thinker but I don't expect people to listen to what I've to say."

Snow Patrol have kept a low profile in recent months while they concentrate on their fourth studio album. Gary admitted that matching the success of the multi-platinum Final Straw is quite a challenge.

He said:"At the moment it's a bit like staring up at a very tall building from the lobby.You feel like you're trying to catch up with it all the time. We write and record as we are go along.

"I'm not sure we'd write a song about heavy issues - I've struggled with the lucidity of trying to write like that and I think it's only a very eloquent person that can combine the two. I've generally stuck to matters of the heart."

The band hope to complete the album before going to Africa, and may also be working on other projects in between.

Gary said: "We've been asked to do a gig for Amnesty and we'll be as heavily involved in the Red Card to Racism campaign as possible.

"We've also been approached about charity singles and there should be things coming up in the next few months"

The Daily Record