Shrug (band)

Shrug
Gary Lightbody, Michael Morrison and Mark McClelland photographed just after playing their first gig at Dundee University Students' Association, Christmas 1994.
Background information
Origin	Northern Ireland
Genres	Alternative rock
Years active	1994–1996
Labels	n/a
Associated acts	Snow Patrol Little Doses
Website	Michael's Shrug tribute page
Past members	Gary Lightbody Michael Morrison Mark McClelland

Shrug were a three-piece alternative rock band from Northern Ireland formed by students Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland and Michael Morrison in September 1994 while in their first year at the University of Dundee.

Shrug formed following a couple of casual Friday night jam sessions in McClelland's girlfriend’s room in Belmont Halls of Residence, the band decided to take things more seriously and began regular practices at "Stage 2000" rehearsal studios next to Dundee railway station.

Their live debut took place within a matter of weeks at Dundee University Students' Association (DUSA), attracting a considerable crowd and receiving very positive reviews. The following cutting recently surfaced from "MacDougal", the DUSA newsletter (Christmas 1994 edition):

Shrug’s main songwriter is Gary, and his songs, combined with Mark playing an absolutely mean bass and Michael adding a devastating rhythm section, make it easy to see that Shrug are destined for much greater things. Out of the group’s own 10 songs, my personal favourites were “All these Hurricanes”, with its superb chorus, and the tremendously catchy “Nothing To Say”. There wasn’t a bad song played that night, even when Gary was forced into a very impromptu version of The Lemonheads “Big Gay Heart” after one of Mark’s bass string snapped.

Shrug are definitely one for the future. Remember the name. And remember you read it here first.

The band continued rehearsals during their Christmas break at Morrison’s family home in Belfast. Using equipment borrowed from The Dominoes (Morrison's father Bill Morrison's band), Shrug gained more live experience playing at local venues such as The Duke of York, The Front Page, Robinsons and The Bear in Holywood.

On their return to Dundee they promptly recorded their first self funded demo, “The Yogurt vs Yogurt Debate”, recouping some of the costs through sales to fellow students and sending copies out to an array of record labels across the country. Approximately 250 of these tapes were put together at the time, with cover artwork designed by Colin Maguire and an inner insert added by the band.

Shrug continued to play gigs in and around Dundee and Belfast during 1995, and it was not long before they came to the attention of Jeepster records in London. They signed a 5-year management contract with Jeepster who soon set about trying to get record company interest from some of the major labels. Also signed to Jeepster around this time was "Rhode Island", a Scottish act who would soon change their name to "Belle and Sebastian".