Jan 1996

Belle and Sebastian are formed in an all-night café in Glasgow after Stuart Murdoch (singer/songwriter) and Stuart David (bass guitar) met on a government training scheme.
 

The band's debut album, Tigermilk, is written, recorded, and released (albeit in a limited fashion - only 1000 copies were released on vinyl).
 

Nov 1996

B&S's second album, If You're Feeling Sinister, is released on Jeepster in the UK, later reissued by Matador Records in the US.
 

1997

A series of Eps are released, the first of which is Dog on Wheels in April, featuring early demos of the band. The second EP, Lazy Line Painter Jane, is released in July. 3.. 6.. 9 Seconds of Light, the third and final EP, becomes Belle and Sebastian's first top 40 hit and the music press finally begins to realize the band's importance when both NME and Melody Maker make it single of the week.
 

1998

Their third album, The Boy with the Arab Strap, is released, becoming their biggest hit to date (it charted at No. 12), and the band embarks upon its first overseas tour.
 

The band is nominated for the Brits Best Newcomer Award and wins victoriously.
 

1999

Tigermilk is re-released and The Bowlie Weekender, B&S's own festival held at Pontin's Holiday Camp in Camber Sands, makes its debut. The festival featured Mercury Rev, Teenage Fanclub, Flaming Lips, Mogwai, and Broadcast, among others, and spawned All Tomorrows Parties.
 

2000

The band heads for the studio with producer Tony Doogan, to record what becomes their first top 10 LP: Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant. The accompanying single "Legal Man" becomes a top 15 hit and gives the band its first Top of the Pops appearance.
 

Stuart David departs from the band.
 

2001

Bobby Kildea decamps from V-Twin and joins the band as full-time bassist.
 

2002

Storytelling, originally intended as the soundtrack to Todd Solondz's film, is recorded.
 

Isobel leaves the band.
 

B&S leave Jeepster and Matador Records and head for their new home at Rough Trade.
 

2003

The band completes its sixth studio album. Recorded in palatial splendor in Sussex and London with '80s maestro Trevor Horn, Dear Catastrophe Waitress is released in October.
 

In November, the band releases its first-ever single to come from an album, "Step Into My Office Baby." Extensive world tour ensues.
 

Feb 2004

"I'm A Cuckoo" is released, and the band enjoys its biggest UK hit to date (it reaches No. 14). The EP is also memorable for its inclusion of the first-ever B&S remix by The Avalanches.
 

Dear Catastrophe Waitress is nominated for both the Mercury Music Prize and the Ivor Novello Award.
 

Jan 2005

B&S is named as Best Scottish Band of All Time in a public poll by entertainment guide The List, beating Franz Ferdinand, Travis, Teenage Fanclub, and Primal Scream to the accolade.
 

May 2005

Push Barman to Open Old Wounds, a retrospective double CD/triple LP compilation containing every EP and single, is released. Come summertime, B&S head to California to record a new album with Tony Hoffer (of Beck, Air, and Mercury Rev production fame).
 

Sept 2005

Belles conduct a celebrated performance of "If You're Feeling Sinister" at London's Barbican Centre as part of ATP's "Don't Look Back" series. It's released Dec 6 as an iTunes exclusive, with all proceeds going to charity.
 

Jan 2006

The band announces its biggest ever U.S. and Canadian tour, taking place between February and March, with special guests The New Pornographers.
 

Feb 2006

The most forceful record of Belle and Sebastian's career, The Life Pursuit, is released. The album becomes their highest charting release to date, peaking at No. 8 in the UK and No. 65 on the US Billboard 200. Its preceding single, "Funny Little Frog," also becomes their highest charting single, reaching No. 13.
 

Image Comics releases Put the Book Back on the Shelf: A Belle & Sebastian Anthology, accompanying the debut of the band's new album. Featuring the work of independent comic artists and cartoonists, the book puts a new spin on B&S songs by telling them in a visual medium.
 

March 2006

Belle and Sebastian perform at Austin's famed South by Southwest music festival, where they are joined by Mogwai, Catpower, and Pretty Girls Make Graves at a Matador show.
 

May 2006

Following their success at the Coachella Valley Festival, B&S announce plans for their Hollywood Bowl debut in July 2006.
 

 
 
06/06
 

Photo Credit: Marisa Pritivera