About Me
Justin 'Pepsi Tate' SmithJustin was born on March 10th 1965 in Dinas Powis, South Wales. Attending Ysgol Gymraeg Penearth, then Llanharri secondary school in Cowbridge, and ST Cyres, Penearth for sixth form, he showed unusual apitude for art and music throughout his education.Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Justin formed a number of bands including the now not at all legendary Zoetrope who won LIanharri's own Eisteddfod one year to everyone's (not least his own) great surprise. He also created comic strips, paintings, and very rude pictures of teachers all of which underlined his amazing creative bent, and which he would develop so extensively in his adult career.He was a daring, sweet, very funny, fiercely intelligent kid who was always surrounded by friends who adored and cherrished him. How could a boy like that turn out to be anything but the extraordinary adult he became ?THE TIGERTAILZ YEARS
After leaving school Justin entered Cardiff's College of art. By this time playing and listening to music had become a huge focus for him... He resolved to form a rock group, and in typically determined fashion threw his lot into becoming a successful musician. Never one to shy away from a challenge, his master plan this time round was to steer a group toward 'world domination' as well as becoming 'the collest band on the planet' while they were at it.After hooking up with his old school friend Ian Welsh (drummer), Justin placed an advert in Spillers Records Cardiff for a guitarist. John Pepper took note of Justin's phone number and after a chat and a few rehearsals the dye was cast for what would eventually become the glam metal group, Tigertailz.Loud,bold,brash and buzzing with big ideas, Justin developed a band and stage persona that visually characterised what his group were all about. He also needed a suitable name, and so it was that Justin Smith launched himself in to the world of rock as Mr. Pepsi Tate...For all those watching and listening,it all made perfect sense.From 1983 - 1986 Justin's band went through various line-up changes, and eventually after recording various demos and performing anywhere people would have them,Tigertailz released their first record. The shoot to kill'EP (released in 86) was the work of a group you wouldnt't automatically assume had got their chops together in a church hall in LIandough... It was the sound, and judging by the cover, the look of a bunch of young hopefulls, who, you'd be excused for thiking, had come together in the slightly more exotic locale of LA's Sunset Strip...however, it may well have been this glorious juxtaposition thats so readily appealed to the UK press and rock fraternity. Coupled with the fact that it was actually quite good meant people were starting to take note of Tigertailz.In May 1987 Tigertailz held their first full interview with the UK's biggest rock magazine 'Kerrang'.
Justin was in his element... His intelligent outlook on contemporary pop culture, His turn of phrase and engaging personality came to the fore. For anyone reading it was obvious this wasn't just another 'head in the clouds wannabe rock dude'; a refreshing contrast for the time indeed.The feature propelled Tigertailz to the lofty position of 'quite possibly the UK rock scene's brightest young things' and the band quickly found themselves playing soldout shows at the famous London Marquee club.
With this sustained exposure it wasn't long before record companies took an interest and Tigertailz eventually signed for Independant Rock label 'Music For Nations (MFN)' In 1987 - The Tailz were in good company with Metallica, W.A.S.P and Poison all label mates. Justin's dreams were coming true... Tigertailz entered the recording studio to begin work on their debut album. 'Young & Crazy' was released in November 1987.Tigertailz had now become regulars in the hallowed pages of Kerrang magazine. They were also taking up considerable space in other rock related publications. Justin, standing 6 foot plus, almost 7 with his backcombed barnett(!!!) became an instantly recognisable figure to any self respecting rock fan; somethin not lost on the editorial staff at Kerrang who asked Justin to become their official male merchandise model... For the remainder of the 80s you couldn't look in the magazine and miss his profile.After relentless touring during 1987/88 Tigertailz entered the studio again in 1989 to begin work on what would become their most successful album 'Bezerk'.Bezerk was released in 1990 complete with an eye catching cover conceived and created by Justin. The album was a UK top 40 hit. The corresponding 'Bezerk Live' and Promotional video 'Video Frenzy' were top 10 hits in the UK video charts. The success of Bezerk meant Tigertailz were now playing much larger venues which culminated in a successful UK tour and sell-out show at ST David's Hall Cardiff later that year.1990/91 was the high watermark of Justin's music career. In the years that followed, Tigertailz became the unfortunate innocents of record company polotics and indecision, Much was promised as well as actually done, not least, the recording of a very expensive album that was shelved weeks before release. Huge management restructuring within the part Jaoanese, part American company now looking after the band's interests, was the reason the project faltered. It was a difficult time, but Justin (never one to lose focus) throughout this period drove the band on, always looking for positives in demanding situations and applying his unfaltering work ethic to the job in hand. His dedication paid off and despite what, at times, seemed overwhelming odds, Tigertailz released three further albums before calling it a day in 1995... Or so most of us thought!Jump to 2004 and with the rock music scene becoming something approaching fun again, Justin together with fellow core Tigertailz members Jay Pepper and Kim Hooker reunited after Sanctuary Records offered them a deal to re-issue the 'Banzai' and 'Bezerk' albums. Things started to snowball and the band decided to play live. Before anyone had time to catch their breath Tigertailz were playing on international stages with the likes of Alice Cooper, Def Leppard, Journey, Whitesnake and Motley Crue.It became a full circle for Justin.
After a decade away, once again he was Pepsi Tate, his drive, determination and relish for charting new territory became the driving force behind Tigertailz' decision to record a new album. 'Bezerk 2.0' was released on Demolition Records on June 23rd 2006.With Justin falling ill in the latter prt of 2006 he and the band made a conscious decision to continue at full pace, signing a new record deal with Sanctuary Records in January 2007.Despite his illness, Justin entered the studio in April 2007 to record the new Tigertailz album 'Thrill Pistol'.
Against all odds Justin managed to complete the recording - and as always, designed and compiled the entire artwork for the sleeve as well as bringing some astonishing songs to the table... Just like he'd always done.His positive demeanour and renewed enthusiasm for playing and creating music saw him easily out manoeuvre what seemed insurmountable obsticles with regards to playing live. On June 1st 2007 Justin and Tigertailz played the 'Gods Of Metal' festival in Milan Italy. Tigertailz were on the bill with Motley Crue, Velvet Revolver, Scorpions and Thin Lizzy. A fitting line-up for anyone's last performance and a show that will live forever in the hearts and minds of the 20,000 rock fans who witnessed it.
Tigertailz released their new album 'Thrill Pistol' on Sanctuary Records on August 27th 2007 and continue on with the band in memory of Pepsi.JUSTINS FILM/TELEVISION CAREERJustin had always been obsessed with films and video and was always heavily involved in the creative side of Tigertailz videos, so when the band wound down around 1996, Justin decided to get into the television industry.He started my getting some work expericance at a Cardiff-based post production company called Pyramid, where his friend Tony Mabey was an editor.Justin spent the best part of a year coming into Pyramid, learning how to use a digital editing system called Avid. He was always asking questions, getting advice from the people who worked there, honing his skills to become a great editor.At the end of the year, he was asked to do some work for a local production company called Avanti, who had seen some of his work and liked what they saw.During his time at Avanti, as well as editing, Justin also turned his hand to producing and directing. In 1998, Avanti produced steriophonics - Live at Cardiff Castle concert for TV and DVD. Justin was heavily involved in producing this, directing interviews with the band, and helping put the DVD release together. When the band came to Pyramid for the final viewing they all spoke of how excited they were that 'Pepsi Tate' was making their video!Justin went on to produce more videos for Steriophonics, Maniac Street Preachers and even Tom Jones whilst at Avanti. He also produced a chat show for BBC Wales - starring his best friend Damon Rochefort.Whilst working on the series Dragon's Eye for BBC Wales' Political Unit, Justin gained valuable experience in directing and editing programmes to extremely tight deadlines, working right up until transmission time, often with late changes that a news programme demands. He enjoyed his time on the series and forged lasting friendships with producer Owen Smith, presenter David Williams and cameraman Mike Smith.In 2002 Justin worked with Producer Emyr Glasnant on a ground breaking series for S4C on the Welsh's attitude to sex called Tabw. Justin directed and edited the programmes and as always, Justin made sure he pushed the boundaries of what he could show on TV.An accomplished writer, compoer, editor and director Justin joinded commercials producers Wordley Production partners in 2002 as a full time creative director.He had a considerable background in music having directed promos for Tigertailz, The Maniac Street Preachers, concert videos for the Stereophonics and Tom Jones and this skill was a major addition to Wordley Production Partners core team of three full time commercial directors.During five years with the company he directed commercials and promotional films for Universal Pictures, The Wales Tourisy Board, Oakwook Theme Park, Sanctuary Records, Channel 4, The Ministry Of Defence,Nationwide Building Society, Wales Millenniun Centre, Golley Slater Advertising and Momentum Pictures.His rock music background as both a performer and producer enabled him to bring his unigue editorial skills to a reverse range of projects including ones for the BBC Polotical Unit, The Royal Ballet, Classic FM, opera singer Bryn Terfel and of course his wife - soprano Shan Cothi.The last project he completed before his illness stopped him doing what he loved, was a prestigious commission for S4C writing and directing the centenary film interpretation of the Welsh National Anthem that was transmitted on New Year's Eve.His interpersonal skills and ability to develop new talent meant he was instrumental in launching the careers of many younf people working in the media in Wales.He is sorely missed but fondly remembered as a kind, generous and talented creative spirit.
