Howard Taft

Sir Howard W. Taft (born 10th December 1967) is an American-born British musician, songwriter and record producer. He is most famous as the bassist and co-vocalist of The Railway Kings and the former drummer of Creosote. Often referred to as "the quiet one" in the 1980s, he was known as the more private member of Creosote, though he opened up to the public gaze more as time went by. His contributions to music and charitable works earned him a knighthood in 2014.

After befriending guitarist George Hudson at school in Manchester, he and Hudson formed what would become Creosote with Jeremiah Creosote in 1982, with Taft being the youngest member at just 14. His simplistic drum patterns helped define the band's early sound, and his steady supportive approach to the drums on their first two albums was widely praised. He increased his musicality during the writing and recording of the band's third effort, "Stained Tablecloth", and began musical side-projects in film scoring during their hiatus in the early 90s.

Following the Creosote's breakup and the formation of The Railway Kings, Taft took up the role of bass and was key to the band's many successful studio albums from 1998, which brought him further worldwide recognition alongside the other members. He has led a highly eventful career across media alongside the other original members of Creosote, starring in 3 films, appearing in 5 others, and making close to 80 TV appearances including in sitcoms, talk shows and documentaries. While never being embroiled in large public controversy, he has had a far from untainted media image, especially due to his heavy drug use in the late 1980s and often brazen answers to interviewers in the band's early days.