7 Songs That Foreshadowed Awful Events
1. Lostprophets - A Town Called Hypocrisy
Many bands have had their image tainted by controversies, consequences and crude actions, but none are held to the same level of blackened infamy as the former modern rock powerhouses, Lostprophets. Formed in 1997 under the original name of Lozt Prophetz by Ian Watkins, Mike Lewis, Lee Gaze and Mike Chiplin, the Welsh group rose to prominence in 2006 thanks to their album ‘Liberation Transmission’.
It seems difficult to believe now considering the hindsight we possess on the situation, but Lostprophets were an immensely popular and successful band at their prime, even headlining Download Festival in 2008. Knowing what we know now though, one song in particular leaves a harrowing, bitter taste in our mouths. Released in 2006 as part of the band’s breakthrough album ‘Liberation Transmission’, the music video for ‘A Town Called Hypocrisy’ was innocent enough at the time, but now seems vomit inducing. In the video, lead singer Ian Watkins plays the presenter of a kids' TV program with a retro '80s look to it. He is surrounded by young children for the majority of the video while delivering the cheesy, over the top enthusiasm of a children’s TV presenter.
In 2012, Ian Watkins was arrested on suspicion of committing sexual offences against children, and was later found guilty on 13 charges later that year. Lostprophets disbanded in 2013 and Watkins was officially sentenced to 29 years in prison. The remaining members of the band remain active musicians with new projects, but have all openly disowned Watkins on multiple occasions.