Lostprophets

Lostprophets were a Welsh rock band formed in Pontypridd in 1997. The group came together after singer Ian Watkins and guitarist Lee Gaze’s previous band, Fleshbind, disbanded. Watkins moved from drums to vocals because they could not find a singer, and they brought in Mike Chiplin on drums. Mike Lewis joined as bassist a few months later; both Lewis and Watkins also played in the metalcore band Public Disturbance until 1998 and 2000, respectively. The band began playing in the South Wales scene, including gigs at venues like T.J.’s in Newport, before touring the UK. They recorded three demos: *Here Comes the Party*, *Para Todas las Putas Celosas* (Spanish for “For all the jealous whores”), and *The Fake Sound of Progress*. Stuart Richardson produced these demos and later joined as bassist, while Mike Lewis switched to rhythm guitar. The *Fake Sound of Progress* demo also featured DJ Stepzak, who stayed with the band for about a year. Lostprophets caught the attention of *Kerrang!* and *Metal Hammer* magazines and signed with independent label Visible Noise in 1999.

Their debut album, *The Fake Sound of Progress*, was released through Visible Noise in November 2000, recorded in under two weeks for £4,000. It drew on a wide range of influences and was re-released the following year via Columbia Records. After the album’s completion, DJ Stepzak left, and Jamie Oliver—originally the band’s photographer—was told by management that non-members could not tour with them, so he bought turntables and became the band’s DJ. Producer Michael Barbiero remastered the album for the American market, and that version came out in late 2001. During this period, Lostprophets built a strong live following by supporting acts like Pitchshifter, Linkin Park, and Deftones, as well as headlining their own shows. They took part in the Nu-Titans tour with other UK metal acts and co-headlined the 2002 Deconstruction Tour in London, where they faced hostility from some punk-oriented audience members. The band also played Ozzfest, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds Festival, and appeared on TV shows such as *Top of the Pops*, *CD:UK*, and *Never Mind the Buzzcocks*, as well as the 2002 NME Carling Awards tour. *The Fake Sound of Progress* went platinum in the UK.