Belle and Sebastian formed in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1996 by Stuart Murdoch and Stuart David during a government training program at Stow College. They recorded demos with music professor Alan Rankine, leading to the release of their debut album Tigermilk on the college's Electric Honey label, with only 1,000 copies pressed. Signed to Jeepster Records, they followed with the album If You're Feeling Sinister in 1996 and a series of EPs including Dog on Wheels, Lazy Line Painter Jane, and 3.. 6.. 9 Seconds of Light. The band's style is indie pop, characterized by delicate melodies, literary lyrics, and orchestration featuring cello, violin, and keyboards from members like Isobel Campbell and Sarah Martin. They have released twelve studio albums, with early works achieving UK indie chart success and Legal Man reaching the Top 15 in 2000. Lineup changes occurred, including Stuart David's departure in 2000 and Isobel Campbell's in 2002. Belle and Sebastian are known for live performances that mix whimsy with energy, as seen in their riotous 2000 Top of the Pops appearance featuring monkey butlers and roses.