From Toby Jepson on 11 January 2000
Believe it or not, I am alive! A friend of my wife told us about your
site this very evening, and I must say that I'm stunned!
I was always knocked out by the level of commitment the fans had and
find it deeply flattering that those great people are still out there
listening and talking about us and what we achieved.
It was a very difficult thing coming to terms with the split in '94
(not '95 Iain),
the circumstances were extremely difficult at the time, relationships
were strained and tension was high. But now, so many years later, it
seems like the end was just a bad dream. What I prefer to remember are
all the great gigs and meet and greets that took place, and all the
fantastic things we achieved against all the odds. What really mattered
back then was that we were just a small town band with big time
ambitions that refused to take 'no' for an answer. Plus we all
understood that it was the fans that put us there! Cliché? No, just the
truth.
Anyway, people have drawn their own conclusions about what happened, so
I'm inclined to let sleeping dogs lie.
Incase you are wondering, my life since goes something like this:
Made a solo album at home in Surrey with the help of Sony - toured it,
got pneumonia and the project collapsed, split with manager.
Moved back to Scarborough to recoup and write.
Travelled the world a bit.
Moved south west and bought and converted old house.
Carried on writing and demoing with many producers and companies. Found
it hard to do what I wanted and refused to compromise on the detail, no
matter what was offered, so rather than sell out, I decided to change
direction - completely! (Not that this is the end of my music I hope,
just waiting for the right opportunities to be presented - am a great
believer in fate!).
I now work in the film business as an AD (Assistant Director) and
walk-on/support artiste. Films so far that I have worked on include
Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' and 'Sleepy Hollow'.
Intend to move back North as I fancy a slower pace of life and, more to
the point, my wife and I are the very proud parents of two beautiful
little girls. Suddenly life in the fast lane no longer seems so
attractive, or indeed important.
Among the many things I wish to achieve I would love to open a music
venue for bands and artists who love to play for the love of music.
That's my plan (subject to change of course).
Peace and love to all, and keep writing!!!
Incase you think this is a hoax..... The first drummer before
Dave Hopper was a ginger lad we called Charlie Charlesworth, who went to
the same school as myself, Filey Comprehensive. Also, Bruce's mum
and dad were gonna call him Angus when he was born, but luckily(?)
changed their minds!! Just ask John Dickinson......
TOBY
, somewhere, the year 2000.
