Toseland

Double World Superbike champion James Toseland turned a career-ending wrist injury into the catalyst for embracing his longstanding devotion to hard rock. Once he left racing behind, he formed a group with himself handling vocals and keyboards, joined by Zarub Melua—brother of his wife Katie Melua—alongside Ed Bramford on guitars, Roger Davis on bass, and Matt Eldridge on drums, while Toby Jepson of the Answer, Virgin Marys, and Little Angels came aboard as co-manager and producer.

Their first album, Renegade, appeared in 2013 and earned widespread praise, expanding the band’s audience considerably. Surging demand for concerts soon followed, yet Matt Eldridge, newly a father, proved unable to meet the touring demands and was succeeded by Joe Yoshida. The band subsequently supported Aerosmith, Status Quo, Little Angels, and Reef, and performed on the U.K. rock circuit at Download, The Isle of Wight Festival, and Planet Rockstock. Once the intensive live period concluded, they returned to the studio for their second record, Cradle the Rage, issued in early 2016.