Pepsi Tate (born Huw Justin Smith)
1965 – September 18, 2007
Pepsi Tate was best known as the bassist for Welsh glam metal band, Tigertailz. The band caught some attention in the 90s, due in part to their loyal cult following, and frankly a more “real” approach to glam metal than most of the fabricated bands of the day. Though heavily made up, they leaned more Motley Crue than Poison. But just as the band started to make some noise outside Europe, grunge came to town, and almost over night, their music career was over. Fortunately Tate had something to fall back on and found a successful career as a television producer, helming the successful BBC Wales political program, Dragon’s Eye. The band reformed in 2005, releasing a new album and performing at a few festivals throughout Europe. Tate was soon diagnosed with pancreatic cancer of which he died at the age of 42.
We still miss you Pepsi, you were the Tiger Tailz secret weapon.