Fearless Records

Lostprophets

Lostprophets has always remained connected to the States. Much of the writing for the band's fourth studio album, 'The Betrayed' (2010), took place in America. Unfortunately, the album itself never made it to these shores (unless you count copies imported by the band's devoted fanbase). With no label to support them here, Lostprophets turned their focus overseas and spent the past six years growing their presence there tremendously. After triumphant tours across the UK and Europe which saw them playing in front of tens of thousands of fans, headlining festivals and arenas alike, Kerrang! Magazine chose Lostprophets as 2010's recipients of the Classic Songwriters Award. A few months later, they were invited to participate in what may have been the most surreal night in Lostprophets history (thus far). Golf's most prestigious event, The Ryder Cup, was held in the band's native Wales that year. Lostprophets were asked to play the opening ceremony... alongside Catherine Zeta Jones, Shirley Bassey and Katherine Jenkins. Their audience included some familiar names - like, say, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Prince Charles, who had quite a few questions... about the band's tattoos. Immediately following the Ryder Cup festivities, the band decamped to a private home in the UK to begin writing their fifth album. Shortly thereafter, Lostprophets moved back to the more familiar turf of Los Angeles to work on developing their existing ideas and creating even more impressive ones. Studio work began in February 2011 at North Hollywood's NRG Studios. The new album, 'Weapons', was produced by Ken Andrews, whose previous credits include work with A Perfect Circle and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Lostprophets is a band whose members have known each other since their school days in Pontypridd, South Wales, a group that were friends long before they became band mates and colleagues. Through their four previous albums - 2000's 'fakesoundofprogress', 2004's 'Start Something', 2006's 'Liberation Transmission' and 2010's 'The Betrayed' - the band has grown, both in songwriting and success, stacking up a dozen or so top 40 singles and selling over 2 million albums worldwide. They have become one of the UK's biggest rock bands without compromise or flirting with musical fashions, instead choosing to stick with what they believe in and constantly striving to do better, more creatively challenging things. Now this includes a long-awaited return to America, both on the road and on record. Their fifth album Weapons released earlier this year and was accompanied by touring both in the US and UK. Lostrophets joined the second half of the Vans Warped Tour in the east coast this past summer, came back to the west coast for a mini headlining tour before returning to the Vans Warped Tour in the UK. Lostprophets were formed in Pontypridd, South Wales, in 1997. Their line-up is Ian Watkins (vocals), Jamie Oliver (keyboards, turntables, and vocals), Stuart Richardson (bass), Mike Lewis (guitars), Lee Gaze (guitars) and Luke Johnson (drums).