Education
Hipgrave studied psychiatric nursing at the University of Sussex, until he left in 1996 to devote his time to his band.
Hipgrave studied psychiatric nursing at the University of Sussex, until he left in 1996 to devote his time to his band.
He is best known as the guitarist of the indie rock band Toploader. In April 1998, Toploader signed a six-album deal with S2 Records, a subsidiary of Sony Records. Toploader"s debut album, Onka"s Big Moka, released in 2000, sold over two million copies.
The album featured various chart hits including their cover of "Dancing in the Moonlight" and "Achilles Heel", and "Only for a While".
Toploader"s second LP, Magic Hotel, was released in 2002 but, despite it entering the United Kingdom Albums Chart at number 3, the band were dropped by their label. The band split in 2003 stating the reason as "personal differences".