Simon Rushworth
With this week’s news of Toby Jepson’s shock departure from Gun still rocking the music world we can shed fresh light on a desperately disappointing parting of the ways.
Jepson announced he would quit the Scots chart busters earlier this week but his decision was made last month – at Castle Donington on Download Sunday.
The former Little Angels frontman was locked in talks with Gun’s management throughout the afternoon at the biggest rock event of the year. And a source close to the band revealed: “Toby was looking for the right answers that day – and didn’t get them.
“He was prepared to invest a five-figure sum in taking Gun to the the next level – a level he thought the band should be at.
“And he wanted to go to that next level rather than carry on playing smaller venues and smaller festivals – even if it was going to take a significant commitment in terms of time and money.
“But it became clear there was not the same level of financial commitment where the other members of the band were concerned.
“Toby felt it was a risk worth taking but it seems he was alone in that view.”
It is understood Jepson was willing to spend the remainder of the year co-writing Gun’s next studio album with a view to undertaking a headline tour in 2011 – including a showcase London Forum date – with a major festival appearance at Download or Sonisphere to follow next summer.
However rushonrock has learnt that the singer’s long-term plan was allegedly met with a lukewarm response by founder members Jools and Dante Gizzi – with work on Jim Kerr’s new solo record occupying the thoughts of all three men.
Our insider added: “From the tone of the conversation at Download it seemed Toby hadn’t been able to get any straight answers from the Gizzi brothers for some time. He felt the band was at a crossroads and just wanted to know whether they were all singing from the same hymn sheet.”
In an official statement on Gun’s official fan site Jepson said: “Due to increasing writing and production commitments for other artists I have decided to leave GUN as the singer.
“I have had a fantastic time working with Jools and Dante and consider the music we have created together as being amongst the best I have been involved in throughout my career.
“I wish them well and sincerely hope that we will work together again in some capacity in the future. I stress that that I am in no way leaving the world of live music, far from it, it is simply that at the moment I cannot commit 100% to future GUN plans and would not want to stand in the way of the band’s potential further development.
“I fully intend to resurface as a rock singer in one way or another in the near future so watch this space…”
Jools Gizzi added: “Following on from Toby’s announcement we will take some time out to decide GUN’s future. The last couple of years have been great and we have really enjoyed playing the gigs. Thanks to Toby for being an excellent frontman and thanks to the fans for supporting us. Dante and I will keep you posted with what’s happening ……. so don’t go away now!”