Former Lostprophets guitarist Lee Gaze has shared a rare public reflection on the band’s devastating demise, 13 years after their career was destroyed in the wake of former frontman Ian Watkins’ conviction for horrific child sex crimes.
Watkins was sentenced to 35 years in prison back in 2013 after pleading guilty to 13 offenses against children, including the attempted rape of a baby. The disgraced vocalist’s actions brought an abrupt and tragic end to the Welsh band’s run, leaving the other members to pick up the pieces of their lives and careers.
Taking to his X account this week, Gaze opened up about the long-lasting pain tied to the fallout, writing:
“It’s been 13 years since my band ended in the most unimaginable circumstances and it’s still painful to think about. Things could’ve been so different.”
He continued:
“I don’t talk about it much, but I put everything into that band, and it should’ve lasted a lifetime. I never really wronged anyone my whole life so it seemed like the ultimate punishment.”
Fans were quick to offer words of support in the comments. One follower sympathized, writing:
“I’m really sorry you’re still carrying that pain. Everything should have been different. But fate is a cruel joke. You didn’t deserve it. I think a lot about what the band would be like now.”
Gaze responded:
“Yeh. Hard to make sense of it all, even after all these years.”
Another supporter added:
“I always say to any band I record if LP comes up in conversation, what that guy did was unspeakably evil, but I’ve got so much sympathy for everyone else in that (your) band — he ruined many other people’s lives and careers instantly, and it’s never spoken about.”
For those needing a reminder of just how horrific Watkins’ crimes were: his offenses included attempted rape of a baby, plotting to assault more infants, and recording himself abusing a child the day after the release of Lostprophets’ final album, Weapons. Watkins admitted to the crimes in court, citing heavy crystal meth use as a factor in his behavior — a claim met with disgust and disbelief.
A judge refused his attempt to appeal the sentence in 2014, labeling his actions of “shocking depravity.” In 2019, Watkins had an extra 10 months added to his prison term after being caught with a banned mobile phone, which he used to contact female fans from his cell.
He remains incarcerated and will not be eligible for parole until two-thirds of his sentence is served.
Last year, Watkins made headlines again after being reportedly stabbed and hospitalized following an incident at HMP Wakefield, where he was held hostage and assaulted by fellow inmates. Riot officers were said to have intervened with stun grenades to bring the attack to an end.
Meanwhile, Lee Gaze and other former members of Lostprophets have long since moved on musically, forming No Devotion, a band that has focused on reclaiming their creative identities while leaving behind the horrific shadow cast by their former bandmate.
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36 Comments
LOSTPROPHETS’ Lee Gaze Reflects On Band’s Tragic End 13 Years After Ian Watkins’ Conviction
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Was a huge fan of this band until that sicko’s truths came about.
Sean Smith he was always like it though. The band knew… back in 99/00 when. They played the Rugeley red rose before they blew up on kerrang. He was hitting on all the 14/15 year old girls before and after their set. It was a 14+ rock club. So if he was doing it back then…. he always was, we all know the girl he was getting with that night. She was 14, he was 23
Aidan Lyon it wasn’t obvious until 08 when he asked his girlfriend to have a baby so he could abuse it, she went to the police but wasn’t believed. The incident with the 2 year old took place at the St David’s hotel in Cardiff. It wasn’t until that came out the police raided is home and found thousands of indecent images of children in some kind of online storage he used. He was a decent kid growing up and right up until lost prophets released they’re first album then fame just went to his head.
Darren Griffiths no…… it was. When he was in his early 20s he was always chasing after the teenage girls. He go with some who was 14 at their show in 2000, he would of been what… 23ish?
The red rose was a very small venue, and most of the bands would hangout at the bar with the punters. As the backstage was nothing more that a store cupboard at best
Aidan Lyon I grew up with them and all through school and college they were all cool guys. Lost prophets started in the early 90’s in cardinal Newman school in pontypridd. Yeah he was about 23 In 00
Darren Griffiths i mean. Regardless of whether they were or not. When they played at the rose in 00(maybe 99 but im sure it was early 00) he was getting with a 14 Yr old. She was a couple years older than me i was 12 but used to go before I was 14 with my older brother.
Aidan Lyon yeah. I’m sure the fame just went to his head and he was smoking a lot of crystal meth. I’m not making excuses for him I hope he rots in jail for what he has done, but his crimes were a massive shock to his friends and family.
Darren Griffiths well… all im saying. He was the talk of our group back then for being such a creepy perv. So I dont buy into the band not knowing. Maybe nit to the extent that come out. But they must of known he was sleeping with young girls back then
I still listen every once in awhile, but I absolutely hope Watkins gets his karma
Michael Hobbie it’s a case of separating the art from the artist in isn’t it. They were going to take over the music scene massively
Adam Hickey Not gonna lie it is. But I understand how hard it is since the singer is the one who did the horrible crimes.
Adam Hickey no, even I have limits on the whole “separate the art from artist” crap. If for example he was heavy into drugs, self destructive, getting into trouble with the law, etc and actually putting forth the effort in rehabilitating himself then yeah I’ll still be a fan. But if he’s somebody that hurts people and children then I draw the line want nothing to do with your art. This is why I don’t watch the first 3 Jeepers creepers movies because it was directed/created by a convicted child rapist.
Your choice. Great movies, you’re making it your problem by not watching the movies you loved. Victor Salva isn’t affected either way. I’m not judgemental of other people’s decisions enough to make it a me problem. Aar Bear
Aaron Paul I never said I loved them, they were meh until found about him after the 2nd movie. And quite the contrary when you say Victor salva isn’t affected because it definitely affected him when he couldn’t get the 3rd movie a wider release and could only do a 1 weekend release in like 1 theater. He eventually sold the rights to an independent company but they didn’t do much better with it either apparently. But hey, it’s all good. You do you, bud. No hate from me to you here.
Michael Hobbie yeah, I have listened to them a couple times over the years. I always forget how fucking epic some of their songs are! Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja will always be my favorite. I do feel kinda… dirty when listening to him though knowing what he did.
Davey English they did have some bangers back in the 2000s
Michael Hobbie well he did get stabbed in prison not so long ago.
Shaun Mills i remember seeing an article about that
Shaun Mills I’m not gonna feel too sad about that
Bring back the death penalty for nonses like this.
Bryan Sharkey 100%
Life for a life. For arsonists, drug dealers, murderers most definitely. They’re the worst. Bryan Sharkey
Aaron Paul You want the death penalty for a teenager who lights a dumpster on fire and for someone who sells weed? Get a grip, man.
Fuck this dude. This band used to be sick. Horrible live tho
Couldn’t they just replace Ian? Possibly rename the band if need be to get rid of the stank
Daytona Cashley I think they did try to do that but never took off. Don’t quote me though.
Davey English No Devotion they was called
Davey English think they got the vocalist from Thursday, but it didn’t take off
Daytona Cashley they did. The became “no devotion”
Look up Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and what that asshole did…
Yeah, not reading it and don’t sympathize with any of them.
For as long as it went on and his own wife trying to go to the Uk Police, no way the band didn’t see some sort of red flags themselves along the way
And yet new found glory are still going….
Craig Warke they kicked that member out. If you’re gonna talk shit, at least be right about it.
Matthew Scheponick not talking shit just dont understand why some peoples life work had to go down the drain thanks to some scum bag but others are able to keep going
Loved lost prophets back in the day. I still listen, but yeah…. I hope he doesn’t get out in all honesty. Reading what he did, I reckon if he had the chance he’d try do it again