Jason Singh Takes Stab At Former Taxiride Bandmates

Jason Singh just wanted to see Taxiride share a post commemorating the 21st anniversary of their second album, Garage Mahal.

“Thought I'd wait an extra day to see if anyone else.. I'm not mentioning any names... remembered the anniversary of the taxiride album Garage Mahal.... but nope,” Singh wrote on Facebook on Tuesday night (11 July). At the time of writing, Taxiride haven’t shared a post yet.

Garage Mahal was released on 10 June 2002. The album went Platinum in Australia, thanks to its three successful singles, Creepin’ Up Slowly, How I Got This Way and Afterglow, with the former becoming Taxiride’s most successful song, hitting #6 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

In an interview with guitarist and vocalist Tim Watson, Rave Magazine’s Dave Cable wrote about the album, “Garage Mahal is a very different record to its predecessor Imaginate. Sure, there’s hooks for days, and you can still see a big chorus coming a mile away, but the band have put together a grittier recording this time around, and adding loops, samples and electronic effects into the mix.”

Singh continued in his post celebrating Garage Mahal, “One of my proudest moments as a singer and songwriter. I co-wrote every track on this album, and we had our biggest commercial single ever on it, Creepin up slowly. This album was where I claimed my place in the band and carried it to its most successful era.

“History doesn't lie, but the future can. Beware of imitations. Happy 21st birthday, Garage Mahal.”

In October, it was revealed that Taxiride’s “reunion” tour excluded Singh, with the band line-up being guitarist and vocalist Tim Watson, guitarist and backing vocalist Tim Wild, drummer Sean McLeod, bassist Andrew McIvor, and vocalist Taylor Sheridan. 

Singh took to Instagram to comment on how Taxiride advertised the shows. "I continue to be disappointed by people I spent a lot of my life with and dedicated thousands of hours to,” he wrote. “I continue to be shocked by their blatant disregard for both the legacy of Taxiride and the acknowledgment of the years of work I put in both with them and without them to protect the goodwill of the band. I have neither left the band nor been given notice."

In November 2021, Singh released a statement about the "Upcoming Shows Advertised As 'Taxiride,'" where he said, "Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, other members have recently taken it upon themselves to make decisions without my consultation or consent... This is by no means a stepping down from the band announcement - There is no Taxiride without me."

The current band members, however, seem to disagree. Singh again posted on Instagram with the caption, "For the Record: I have not left Taxiride!!! It is time you all knew some facts." You can read more here.

Last year, Taxiride celebrated the 20th anniversary of Garage Mahal by releasing the album on vinyl for the first time. The vinyl was released as part of AusMusic month. Warner Music Australia issued a limited edition t-shirt for AusMusic T-Shirt Day, with $5 from every shirt going to Support Act.