In a raw and emotional revelation, former Lostprophets guitarist Mike Lewis has broken his silence about working alongside convicted paedophile Ian Watkins, expressing profound regret that their paths ever crossed.
The disgraced frontman is currently serving a 29-year prison sentence for horrific child sex offences that shocked the nation and destroyed the band's legacy.
The Weight of Association
Lewis, who co-founded the Welsh rock band, confessed to The Guardian that he wishes he'd never met Watkins, whose crimes have left a permanent stain on everyone associated with the group's success.
"I wish I'd never met him," Lewis stated bluntly, capturing the depth of his anguish about their professional relationship.
A Musical Legacy Destroyed
Lostprophets had achieved significant commercial success in the 2000s, with their 2006 album 'Liberation Transmission' reaching number one in the UK charts. However, Watkins' 2013 conviction for attempting to rape a baby among other depraved acts rendered their musical catalogue virtually unlistenable for former fans and band members alike.
Lewis revealed the ongoing personal toll, admitting he struggles to separate the music from the monster who created it.
Life After the Nightmare
The guitarist described the impossible position of having his life's work permanently tainted by Watkins' actions. While he acknowledges the talent and dedication of his fellow band members, he cannot escape the shadow cast by their frontman's crimes.
Lewis has largely stepped away from the music industry since the scandal erupted, with the band's name becoming synonymous with one of the most shocking cases in British music history.
The remaining members eventually formed a new band, No Devotion, with Thursday vocalist Geoff Rickly, attempting to rebuild their musical careers without the toxic association of their former singer.
