Growing up in Ireland, pianist Danny O'Donoghue and guitarist Mark Sheehan loved cutting-edge American pop and R&B, but they were also captivated by the power and drama of U2 and The Police. First coming together as The Script in 2001, their self-titled 2008 debut album offered soaring rock anthems and tender ballads with an R&B edge, earning them hits on both sides of the Atlantic; later albums added hip-hop, Celtic folk and dance pop to the group's driving, melodic and emotionally eloquent sound.