The Script are an Irish pop rock band formed in 2001 in Dublin. The founding members were lead vocalist and keyboardist Danny O'Donoghue, lead guitarist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power. The band has sold over 20 million albums worldwide.
Background and formation
O'Donoghue and Sheehan were childhood friends. They had played together in the Irish boy band Mytown, formed in 1996. They then worked as songwriters and producers in Los Angeles, writing and producing for performers including Britney Spears, Boyz II Men and TLC. After returning to Dublin they recruited Glen Power as drummer and formed the Script. Their influences include Snow Patrol, U2, Coldplay, the Police and Van Morrison.
Career
The band's self-titled debut album, The Script, was released in August 2008. It reached number one in Ireland and the UK. Its singles were "We Cry", "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" and "Breakeven". The second album, Science & Faith (2010), topped the charts in Ireland and the UK, reached number two in Australia and number three in the United States. It included the single "For the First Time".
The third album, #3 (2012), was led by the single "Hall of Fame", a collaboration with will.i.am. The song reached number one in several countries. At the time O'Donoghue was a coach on The Voice UK alongside will.i.am. The fourth album, No Sound Without Silence (2014), included "Superheroes". The albums Science & Faith, #3 and No Sound Without Silence all reached number one in Ireland and the UK.
After a brief break the band returned in 2017 with Freedom Child. Sunsets & Full Moons followed in 2019, and the compilation Tales from the Script: Greatest Hits in 2021.
Mark Sheehan's death and later work
Mark Sheehan died on 14 April 2023 at the age of 46, after a brief illness. The band considered disbanding but continued. They released their seventh studio album, Satellites, in August 2024. It was their first album after Sheehan's death. Bassist Benjamin Sargeant joined in 2024, and guitarist Ben Weaver joined after the recording was completed. A further album, The User's Guide to Being Human, followed in 2026.
Recognition
- Three Meteor Ireland Music Awards and two World Music Awards
- Two Brit Award nominations
- A Choice Music Prize nomination for Irish Album of the Year
- Three BMI Pop Awards, for "Breakeven", "For the First Time" and "Hall of Fame"
Members
- Danny O'Donoghue – lead vocals, keyboards, guitar
- Glen Power – drums
- Benjamin Sargeant – bass
- Ben Weaver – lead guitar
- Mark Sheehan (1976–2023) – lead guitar, co-founder