One of Travis' chief claims to fame when they launched their career in 1997 was the fact that they were the first band to be signed to Independiente Records, the new label started by Andy McDonald following his departure from Go! Discs. Heavily influenced by classic rock acts such as Neil Young, the band was formed in Glasgow, Scotland from the ashes of local act Glass Onion (their new name was inspired by Harry Dean Stanton's character in the cult movie Paris, Texas). The line-up comprises Fran Healy (b. Francis Healy, 23 July 1973, Stafford, Staffordshire, England; vocals), Neil Primrose (b. 20 February 1972, Cumbernauld, Glasgow, Scotland; drums), Andy Dunlop (b. Andrew Dunlop, 16 March 1972, Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland; guitar) and Dougie Payne (b. Douglas Payne, 14 November 1972, Glasgow, Scotland; bass), the latter the last to join in 1996. McDonald had been keen to sign the band while still at Go! Discs, but was unable to do so owing to difficulties with parent company PolyGram Records. However, the band was an intrinsic part of his plans when he elected to set up Independiente, and his label paid for Travis to relocate to London. Independiente also found the band a manager (Ian McAndrew, manager of Brand New Heavies) and encouraged songwriter Healy to sign a publishing contract with Sony/ATV Music.
By this time the band had released its debut single, "All I Want To Do Is Rock", on the Red Telephone label. A support slot for Oasis heralded a debut album, on which Healy's dramatic and often Lennonesque vocals drew attention away from their average songwriting. The excellent The Man Who built on the band's reputation as a charismatic live act. Released in May 1999 it proved to be one of the summer's surprise hit records, with "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" providing the band with a UK Top 10 single in August. A surge in sales following a hugely successful performance at the UK's V99 festival resulted in The Man Who finally topping the album charts and becoming one of the major successes of the year. It also inspired a new wave of UK-based acoustic rock bands, with Coldplay and Starsailor the most successful challengers to the chart dominance of urban and dance acts.
Travis' difficult third album arrived in June 2001 to mixed, but largely favourable reviews. Gentle songs with simple melodies were the order of the day, but The Invisible Band lacked a classic single with only "Sing", "Side" and "Follow The Light' coming close. Primrose was forced to undergo surgery the following July after sustaining multiple fractures to his upper vertebrae in a swimming accident in France. The lengthy hiatus preceding the release of 12 Memories stalled Travis" commercial impetus. The album was, by the band's high standards, an unremarkable collection.
It took four years for the band to write and record a new album, during which time they had to dispel thoughts and rumours that they were washed up. The Boy With No Name, released in summer 2007, was a credible if largely unremarkable return.
