Jason Singh, one time frontman for Taxiride, has revealed big news about the future of the ’90s Aussie rockers after a bitter legal dispute with his former bandmates.
The years-long legal stoush saw him accuse bandmates Dan Hall, Tim Wild and Tim Watson of not informing him about the group re-registering its trademark in 2021.
The singer, 50, has revealed the band will continue, but in two different forms.
Taking to Facebook, Jason revealed he had won his trademark opposition in February this year, and that both parties have come to an amicable solution.
‘In February I successfully won my trademark opposition for the use of the name Taxiride,’ he wrote.
‘Since then we have finally come up with a solution that is fair for both sides: and that is, dual usage of the name Taxiride.’
Jason continued: ‘From today onwards there will be 2 different versions of Taxiride: TAXIRIDE ft. Jason Singh and TAXIRIDE ft. Tim Watson and Tim Wild and/or with Sean McLeod, Andy McIvor and Ripley Smith.’
He added the decision would allow him to realise his vision of the band he co-founded in 1997.
‘I’ve always had a very different vision of what Taxiride was and what I believe it can still be and now is my chance to follow that instinct,’ he explained.
‘Taxiride can’t be Taxiride without the original members that made it famous in the first place,’ he added.
‘The sound that you all fell in love with, and it should never be promoted as Taxiride without those people. That’s where the magic was.’
Jason lashed out in an Instagram post on Thursday after it was announced the ARIA award-winning band would be performing a run of shows and promotional events without him.
‘In October 2021, Tim Watson and Tim Wild decided to … re-register the expired Taxiride trademark WITHOUT ME,’ he wrote at the time.
‘I am challenging this to ensure that what is right and what is fair happens – that the trademark be registered back in the names of the rightful owners: Jason Singh, Dan Hall, Tim Wild and Tim Watson.’
‘This challenge, at great expense to me, has been going on for over a year now,’ he added.
According to a search on IP Australia, the band name Taxiride was filed for registration on October 20 2021, and was opposed by Singh on March 21 2022.
In response, Jason’s former bandmates issued a statement to the Herald Sun, saying no one member should control the direction of the band.
‘Jason Singh was asked to perform with Taxiride last October (2021). Taxiride has always been a collective with multiple singers. No one member should be allowed to control the future of the band,’ the statement read.
‘We wanted to tour our songs that we all contributed to and that’s exactly what we’re doing. In the past, the band has changed line-up with barely a splash.
‘The current line-up features the major songwriter, two founding members, and the rhythm section that have been with the band for 25 years.’
‘Regarding the trademark, we cannot comment on any legal matters. Suffice to say, we believe we are acting in the best interests of the brand as a whole. We wish Jason luck with his future endeavours.’
Taxiride were responsible for two consecutive number one platinum-selling albums in Imaginate and Garage Mahal.
The band have had nine top 40 singles, including the ARIA award winning Get Set.
