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Tom Simpson (musician)

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Tom Simpson
Simpson at Rock City Nottingham, England in 2006
Simpson at Rock City Nottingham, England in 2006
Background information
Born (1972-01-07) 7 January 1972 (age 52)
OriginDundee, Scotland
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • musician
Instruments
Years active1997–present
LabelsFiction/Interscope
Formerly ofSnow Patrol

Tom Simpson (born 7 January 1972) is a Scottish DJ and musician, best known as the former keyboardist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol. Having been with Snow Patrol as a touring member since 1996, he became a permanent member in 2005, before leaving in August 2013.

Biography

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Tom Simpson attended Monifieth High School in Angus, Scotland.[1][failed verification] He went to the art school in the University of Dundee, the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, and has a degree in drawing and painting.

He had no musical leanings as a youngster, but always had aspirations of being a scratch/mix DJ.[2] He started deejaying when he was 17, and used to run a few clubs in Dundee, in whose university Gary Lightbody studied at the time. Lightbody used to visit one of these clubs, and met Simpson one day, and the two ended up becoming friends.[3] Simpson, at the time did not know Lightbody was in a band. However, one day, Lightbody invited him to the university to watch Snow Patrol (his band) play a concert. Simpson liked the band's show, and felt they had "potential" and "a lot of soul". Lightbody was relieved and said that the band would like him to do synthesizers and turn table effects for their first album Songs for Polarbears. He did so and was later invited to join the band as a touring member. He felt happy at the opportunity, as he was finding himself at "crossroads" in his own life.

Simpson began to play the keyboard in his late 20s, and in 2006, began taking classical piano lessons at the insistence of a friend. He has stated that during the years he spent touring with Snow Patrol, he became a musician, despite never having intended to do so. He became a permanent member of Snow Patrol when bassist Paul Wilson was recruited into the band, after founder Mark McClelland was fired.[4] During live performances, Simpson was responsible for playing piano, keyboards, and applying mixing effects/tracks. On 15 August 2013, during a show in Belfast, Gary Lightbody announced that Simpson had decided to leave the band and that this would be his final show with Snow Patrol.[5] After he left, touring member Johnny McDaid took over keyboard duties for the band.

His experience as a DJ includes playing at The Spaceship, Skoolin' and The Phat Clinic which were held at the old Coffee Bar at Duncan of Jordanstone College. His nights at The Spaceship were done in partnership with friends Nick DeCosemo and Anu Pillai (of the band Freeform Five), Lightbody and Roy Kerr.[6][7][8][failed verification] He still follows his passion as DJ in British clubs outside Snow Patrol, often in partnership with his friend and bandmate Gary Lightbody under the moniker Snow Patrol DJs or SP DJs, and with Dave Bowie from the Autodisco DJs.

Personal life

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Simpson was accused of possessing Class A drugs in Glasgow in June 2006.[9] He was arrested on 7 July 2007 in RAF Northolt, Middlesex, which put the band's headlining set the next day (at T in the Park) in jeopardy. He was held at London's Heathrow Airport, mere hours after the band played at Live Earth, which made him miss the Oxegen 2007 performance that night.[10] The band had started searching for a replacement for Simpson, but he was released in time to play at T in the Park.[11]

Simpson currently lives in Monifieth, Scotland. He enjoys playing golf and is an avid supporter of Dundee F.C.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Angus Council - Schools by region A-Z". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 23 April 2008. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  2. ^ Corrine (7 July 2006). "Interview: Tom Simpson from Snow Patrol". PlugInMusic.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  3. ^ "Snow Patrol Late Night Tales". Skiddle. Archived from the original on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  4. ^ Brown, Tom (31 March 2005). "New patrol member". snowpatrol.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  5. ^ Bowers, Joe (16 August 2013). "Snow Patrol Keyboardist Quits Band". Starpulse.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  6. ^ Barrie, Stuart (24 August 2007). "The DJ Q & A - Freeform Five". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  7. ^ "From small beginnings ..." Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 13 January 2005. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  8. ^ "Five out of four's a top score". Sunday Sun. 17 October 2004. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  9. ^ "Drug charges against Snow Patrol star dropped". ITN. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
  10. ^ McAleese, Deborah (9 July 2007). "Chasing stars at Snow Patrol's rock weekend". The Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  11. ^ "Snow Patrol just make T after arrest". Metro. 9 July 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  12. ^ Birchenall, Joe (23 March 2014). "Dundee's own Tom Simpson on life after Snow Patrol and university". STV. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
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