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==Biography==
==Biography==
Ian Watkins was born in Merthyr Tydfil and later moved to [[Pontypridd]], where he attended Hawthorn High School with future band mate [[Mike Lewis (musician)|Mike Lewis]].<ref name="Wales"/> He continued his education after high school, and completed a course in graphic design. Lewis's and Watkins's mutual enjoyment of rock and metal music strengthened their friendship, leading teenage Watkins and Lewis, in 1991, to form a group called Aftermath; a [[thrash metal]] band that played in a shed in Watkins' garden.<ref name="Wales"/>
Ian Watkins was born in Hawaii and later moved to [[Pontypridd]], where he attended Hawthorn High School with future band mate [[Mike Lewis (musician)|Mike Lewis]].<ref name="Wales"/> He continued his education after high school, and completed a course in graphic design. Lewis's and Watkins's mutual enjoyment of rock and metal music strengthened their friendship, leading teenage Watkins and Lewis, in 1991, to form a group called Aftermath; a [[thrash metal]] band that played in a shed in Watkins' garden.<ref name="Wales"/>


Whilst spending time in the local Ynysangharad Park, where 17 years later [[Lostprophets]] would headline the [[Full Ponty Festival]], Watkins was introduced to future band mate, [[Lee Gaze]], through a mutual friend. Having abandoned Aftermath, which made two live appearances in the band's lifespan of two years, Watkins and Gaze decided to form a new band called Fleshbind, based on their American hardcore punk influences. The band played several shows, including one supporting [[Feeder (band)|Feeder]] in London, but the group was short-lived. <ref name="Wales"/>
Whilst spending time in the local Ynysangharad Park, where 17 years later [[Lostprophets]] would headline the [[Full Ponty Festival]], Watkins was introduced to future band mate, [[Lee Gaze]], through a mutual friend. Having abandoned Aftermath, which made two live appearances in the band's lifespan of two years, Watkins and Gaze decided to form a new band called Fleshbind, based on their American hardcore punk influences. The band played several shows, including one supporting [[Feeder (band)|Feeder]] in London, but the group was short-lived. <ref name="Wales"/>


Watkins reunited with current Lostprophets [[guitarist]], [[Mike Lewis (musician)|Mike Lewis]], to be the [[drummer]] in a seminal hardcore band called [[Public Disturbance (UKHC band)|Public Disturbance]] (formed in 1995). By this time, Watkins and Gaze had left Fleshbind to create their own band, Lost Prophets, who made their live debut in May 1997, alongside Public Disturbance, with Watkins as a vocalist for the first time. In 1998, Watkins left Public Disturbance to concentrate on the newly named, lostprophets (spelled with all lower-case letters).
Watkins reunited with current Lostprophets [[guitarist]], [[Mike Lewis (musician)|Mike Lewis]], to be the [[drummer]] in a seminal hardcore band called [[Public Disturbance (UKHC band)|Public Disturbance]] (formed in 1995). By this time, Watkins and Gaze had left Fleshbind to create their own band, Lost Prophets, who made their live debut in May 1997, alongside Public Disturbance, with Watkins as a vocalist for the first time. In 1998, Watkins left Public Disturbance to concentrate on the newly named, lostprophets (spelled with all lower-case letters).

In 2007, Watkins adopted a jack russel which he named Boomerang. Boomerang is fed completely on bananas and is the current South Wales hopscotch champion, later this year he is to compete at national level and hopes to make the 2012 Canine Olympics. Shortly after adopting Boomerang, Watkins soon realised that with his busy schedual and his passion for music he would no longer have the time to look after Boomerang. Watkins decided to find Boomerang another home but, against Watkins' hopes, Boomerang seemed unsettled and kept finding his way back to Watkins. Boomerang is still in Watkins' care to this day as he keeps coming back.


On New Year's Eve of 2008, Watkins participated in a concert for Kidney Wales Foundation and stated that his reasons for being involved were as a result of his mother needing a kidney transplant: "Having that direct experience is why I wanted to get more involved with Kidney Wales and organise a fundraising concert on New Year’s Eve."<ref>{{cite web| last = Brindley| first =Madeleine| title = Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins to stage show for Kidney Wales Foundation | publisher = WalesOnline.co.uk| url =http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2008/10/29/lostprophets-singer-ian-watkins-to-stage-show-for-kidney-wales-foundation-91466-22142188/| accessdate = 2009-02-21| date=2008-10-29}}</ref> The concert featured Watkins along with other Welsh bands [[The Blackout (band)|The Blackout]], [[Kids in Glass Houses]] and [[Attack! Attack!]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}
On New Year's Eve of 2008, Watkins participated in a concert for Kidney Wales Foundation and stated that his reasons for being involved were as a result of his mother needing a kidney transplant: "Having that direct experience is why I wanted to get more involved with Kidney Wales and organise a fundraising concert on New Year’s Eve."<ref>{{cite web| last = Brindley| first =Madeleine| title = Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins to stage show for Kidney Wales Foundation | publisher = WalesOnline.co.uk| url =http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2008/10/29/lostprophets-singer-ian-watkins-to-stage-show-for-kidney-wales-foundation-91466-22142188/| accessdate = 2009-02-21| date=2008-10-29}}</ref> The concert featured Watkins along with other Welsh bands [[The Blackout (band)|The Blackout]], [[Kids in Glass Houses]] and [[Attack! Attack!]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

Revision as of 19:59, 17 July 2010

Ian Watkins

Ian David Karslake Watkins (born 30 July 1977 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales) is a founding member and the lead vocalist and lyricist of the Welsh alternative rock band Lostprophets.

Biography

Ian Watkins was born in Hawaii and later moved to Pontypridd, where he attended Hawthorn High School with future band mate Mike Lewis.[1] He continued his education after high school, and completed a course in graphic design. Lewis's and Watkins's mutual enjoyment of rock and metal music strengthened their friendship, leading teenage Watkins and Lewis, in 1991, to form a group called Aftermath; a thrash metal band that played in a shed in Watkins' garden.[1]

Whilst spending time in the local Ynysangharad Park, where 17 years later Lostprophets would headline the Full Ponty Festival, Watkins was introduced to future band mate, Lee Gaze, through a mutual friend. Having abandoned Aftermath, which made two live appearances in the band's lifespan of two years, Watkins and Gaze decided to form a new band called Fleshbind, based on their American hardcore punk influences. The band played several shows, including one supporting Feeder in London, but the group was short-lived. [1]

Watkins reunited with current Lostprophets guitarist, Mike Lewis, to be the drummer in a seminal hardcore band called Public Disturbance (formed in 1995). By this time, Watkins and Gaze had left Fleshbind to create their own band, Lost Prophets, who made their live debut in May 1997, alongside Public Disturbance, with Watkins as a vocalist for the first time. In 1998, Watkins left Public Disturbance to concentrate on the newly named, lostprophets (spelled with all lower-case letters).

In 2007, Watkins adopted a jack russel which he named Boomerang. Boomerang is fed completely on bananas and is the current South Wales hopscotch champion, later this year he is to compete at national level and hopes to make the 2012 Canine Olympics. Shortly after adopting Boomerang, Watkins soon realised that with his busy schedual and his passion for music he would no longer have the time to look after Boomerang. Watkins decided to find Boomerang another home but, against Watkins' hopes, Boomerang seemed unsettled and kept finding his way back to Watkins. Boomerang is still in Watkins' care to this day as he keeps coming back.

On New Year's Eve of 2008, Watkins participated in a concert for Kidney Wales Foundation and stated that his reasons for being involved were as a result of his mother needing a kidney transplant: "Having that direct experience is why I wanted to get more involved with Kidney Wales and organise a fundraising concert on New Year’s Eve."[2] The concert featured Watkins along with other Welsh bands The Blackout, Kids in Glass Houses and Attack! Attack!.[citation needed]

In 2009, Ian started a remixing side-project. The side-project is called L'Amour La Morgue. So far he has released 9 remixes by artists such as The Killers, Beyonce, Young Guns, Magic Wands, Tears for Fears, and Bring Me The Horizon. He has also released a free mixtape, which you can find on the website along with a free download of a song that was premiered at a fashion show in 2008. [3]

As of 2009, Lostprophets have recorded four albums, Thefakesoundofprogress, Start Something, Liberation Transmission and The Betrayed and toured extensively in Europe and America[4] playing shows such as the Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2010.[5][6]

Personal life

Ian Watkins had been straight edge[7] for a long time, though during an interview with "Kerrang" he admitted to drug use recently. Ian also has one younger sister (Lisa) and one younger brother (Daniel) who both still reside in Pontypridd. Watkins has had relationships with Fearne Cotton in 2004-2005,[8] and Popworld host Alexa Chung .[9][10][11][12][13][14]

Discography

Lostprophets
Public Disturbance

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Ian Watkins". BBC News. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
  2. ^ Brindley, Madeleine (29 October 2008). "Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins to stage show for Kidney Wales Foundation". WalesOnline.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  3. ^ http://www.lamourlamorgue.com
  4. ^ "Lostprophets forge ahead with fall tour". Ultimate guitar. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
  5. ^ "Lostprophets find their way to US audiences". Live Daily. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
  6. ^ "Artist/ Line up: Lostprophets". BBC News. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
  7. ^ Ryan, Gary. "Prophets return to the fray". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 August 2007. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Caroline Hedley. "Exclusive: Fearne Cotton On Her Rock 'N' Roll Loves". The Mirror. Retrieved 24 August 2007. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Daniel Kilkelly. "Alexa Chung not dating Alex Turner". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
  10. ^ "Alexa Chung dating Arctic Monkey". Marie Claire. Retrieved 18 October 2007. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Marco Gandolfi. "Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner dating Alexa Chung". Music News. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  12. ^ "Arctic Monkey pulls T4 stunner". The Sun. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  13. ^ "Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner canoodles in public with T4's Alexa Chung". LondonNet. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  14. ^ "Alexa and Jamie getting V cosy". The Mirror. Retrieved 18 October 2007. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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