Townshend joined Ranking Roger's band General Public, later touring the US as 'Ranking Roger'. Local indie band Pop Will Eat Itself noticed him drumming and invited him to join. He spent four and a half years with them, achieving chart success and touring North America with Nine Inch Nails. He then played drums for Bentley Rhythm Ace.

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Townshend released his first solo single "Hello Darlin" in 1996, signed with Echo Records in 1997, and released his debut solo album "Far In" in 1999 (UK) and 2001 (US). His second album came out in 2002.

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In 2004, he became a part-time college lecturer in music and rejoined his old band PWEI. Recently, he has drummed for The Wonder Stuff and currently plays for The Beat (known in the U.S. as The English Beat).