Hope of the States

Died 15 January, 2004

Musician found hanged at studio

The guitarist of rock band Hope of the States has been found hanging at a recording studio.
Police were called to the Real World Studios – owned by singer Peter Gabriel – at Box, near Bath, at 0430 GMT on Thursday after the body of James Lawrence, 26, was discovered.  The six-piece band, from Chichester, had been recording their debut album.  Wiltshire Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious.  Hope of the States reached number 26 in the singles chart with Enemies Friends in October 2003, earning them an appearance on the BBC’s Top of the Pops programme.  A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “I can confirm that we were called to the Real World studios in Box shortly after 4am today where the body of James Lawrence was found by other members of the band hanging from the rafters.  “He was taken down and efforts made to revive him but to no avail.”  He confirmed Mr Lawrence’s body was found in one of the studios.  The six-piece had recently signed a deal with Sony and were putting the finishing touches to their debut album, which they had recorded in Russia and Ireland, at Real World.  They were due to play at the Astoria in London next month as part of the NME Awards series of gigs.  Real World is one of the music industry’s most popular studios, with Kylie Minogue and Stereophonics among recent visitors.  A spokesman for the complex said Mr Lawrence’s family were too upset to comment.  ~Story from BBC NEWS:
HOPE OF THE STATES are in the studio for the first time since the death of guitarist JIMMI LAWRENCE.  The band had almost completed work on their debut album when they found the body of Lawrence hanged in Real World studios near Bath last month.  A spokesperson for the group confirmed to NME.COM the band are back working on the record, but said no more details were available at present. Hope Of The States were due to release their anticipated debut album in late spring after months spent recording in Russia and then Ireland. The finishing touches were being put on the album at Real World when the guitarist died of an apparent suicide.  The Chichester six-piece, who signed to Sony imprint Seeker following an intense bidding war, have been working with Sigur Ros producer Ken Thomas. ~http://www.nme.com/news/107408.htm   “We have lost our friend in a tragic and heartbreaking way. His sense of humour, sensitivity, talent, intelligence and above all genuinely caring nature will be sadly missed. Our last days with Jimmi were the happiest we have ever shared together. He was immensely proud and happy with his work on the record and could not wait for others to hear it. We are devastated that he will never hear it with us, never play guitar, have a drink, a laugh or a conversation with us again. We are all forever grateful for the many messages of support and condolences we have received not just from friends and family but from people who had fleetingly met Jimmi or heard him play. The depth of feeling shown by you all means so much, not only to the band and his friends, but also to Jimmi’s family. ~ http://www.nme.com/news/107264.htm