Snow Patrol recently announced that it has parted company with founding member and bassist Scott McClelland. The split comes following the success of 2004′s Final Straw and the band cited the pressures of such success led to McClelland being asked to leave the band.

On the band’s official website, lead singer Gary Lightbody stated that “over the last 18 months, touring has taken its toll on the rest of the band’s relationship with him.”

A statement on the website issued prior to Lightbody’s comments explained that “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 Snow Patrol could not move forward with Mark as a member.”

While the band has not yet named a replacement, they are reported to be holed up in rural Ireland working on the follow-up to Final Straw.