A musician who previously toured with Lostprophets has shared insights on his peculiar experiences collaborating with the shamed vocalist Ian Watkins.
Josh Friend, a member of the band Modestep that supported the Welsh group in 2011, disclosed his observations following Watkins’ demise in prison while serving a lengthy sentence for heinous child sex crimes.
In an interview on the Heretics YouTube channel with Andrew Gold, Josh described finding Ian’s behavior unusual, initially attributing it to typical egotistical rockstar antics.
Josh reflected on the tour as distinctly different from his usual experiences, noting a lack of camaraderie and a sense of detachment from Watkins and his bandmates.
He mentioned that during the tour, he noticed peculiar actions from Ian, particularly his tendency to isolate himself. Josh highlighted instances where Watkins was absent during crucial soundchecks, leaving the rest of the band to prepare for performances.
Regarding the ambiance within the group, Josh remarked on the unfriendliness of the other Lostprophets members and an overall awkward atmosphere from the outset, which he initially attributed to potential competitiveness due to fears of being overshadowed by Modestep.
Subsequent revelations of Watkins’ abhorrent deeds shed light on the underlying tensions within the band that Josh had perceived.
When discussing Watkins’ conduct further, Josh recalled minimal interaction between the singer and the rest of the band, noting Watkins being chauffeured separately by the tour manager. Josh recounted only one direct encounter with Watkins throughout the six-week tour.
At a certain point during the tour, Josh mentioned that Watkins’ vocals had to be pre-recorded due to his inability to perform live.
Describing Watkins’ erratic behavior and noticeable distraction, Josh indicated that it was apparent that Watkins’ focus was elsewhere. Watkins tragically passed away after a fatal stabbing at HMP Wakefield, also known as Monster Mansion.
An inquest revealed that Watkins had been attacked in prison, leading to his untimely death. Lostprophets disbanded following Watkins’ conviction in 2013 for despicable offenses, including the attempted rape of an infant.
Watkins received a 29-year prison sentence with an additional six years on license, while his female co-defendants were sentenced to 14 and 17 years.
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