Lostprophets, the Welsh rock band formed in 1997, experienced a meteoric rise in the early 2000s with hits like ‘Last Train Home’ and ‘Rooftops.’ However, their success was overshadowed by the heinous crimes of their lead singer, Ian Watkins. Following his conviction in 2013 for multiple child sex offences, the band disbanded, and the remaining members sought to rebuild their lives and careers.
The Rise And Fall Of Lostprophets
Lostprophets emerged from Pontypridd, Wales, blending alternative rock with post-hardcore influences. Their debut album, ‘The Fake Sound of Progress’ (2000), garnered attention, but it was their second album, ‘Start Something’ (2004), that propelled them to international fame. The band released a total of five studio albums, with ‘Weapons’ (2012) being their last, as the Birmingham Journal reports.
The band’s trajectory took a dark turn in December 2012 when Ian Watkins was arrested and charged with multiple child sex offences. The remaining members were reportedly unaware of Watkins’ actions and were devastated by the revelations. In October 2013, they announced the disbandment of Lostprophets, expressing their heartbreak and disgust over the situation.
Ian Watkins’ Conviction And Its Aftermath
In December 2013, Ian Watkins was sentenced to 35 years in prison for a series of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby, according to NME. The case shocked fans and the music industry alike. Following his conviction, the BBC banned Lostprophets’ music from their stations, and the band’s legacy was irrevocably tarnished.
The Remaining Members: Moving Forward
After the disbandment, the remaining members—Lee Gaze (guitar), Mike Lewis (guitar), Stuart Richardson (bass), Jamie Oliver (keyboards), and Luke Johnson (drums)—sought to distance themselves from the scandal and continue their musical careers. In 2014, they formed a new band called No Devotion, recruiting Geoff Rickly, former frontman of the American band Thursday, as their lead vocalist, as reported by IBTimes UK.
No Devotion released their debut album, ‘Permanence,’ in 2015, followed by ‘No Oblivion’ in 2022. The band received positive reviews, with critics noting their efforts to forge a new identity separate from their past. Stuart Richardson, during a 2019 interview with the ‘Sappenin’ Podcast With Sean Smith, expressed the urgency they felt to move forward: “We didn’t catch our breath after the whole thing went down with [Watkins]. So I was like, well ‘f*ck if that’s gonna be the thing that’s on my f*cking gravestone.’ Like ‘Oh, that guy was in that band with that f*cking prick.’ It’s like, f*ck that. I’m gonna do my own band immediately.”
The remaining members of Lostprophets faced immense challenges in the wake of Ian Watkins’ conviction. Through resilience and a commitment to their craft, they managed to rebuild their careers and personal lives.
