Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
The band was formed in Newton-le Willows, Merseyside in December 1980 and first gigged in March 1981. We were originally a four piece band Jeff Baddley (drums), Steve McGuire (guitar & vocals). Nick Cookson (guitar & vocals) and Dave Strathearn (Bass) but became a five piece in October 1981 when vocalist Neil Treanor joined the band. Between March 1981 and December we played over 140 gigs across UK and toured Europe for six weeks with ‘Nightwing’ in May/June 1982. We released a Demo album at Amazon Studios in Liverpool and was engineered by the now legendary producer Gil Norton’s in his first ever studio job. The album sold out of two runs of 250 and we had a promise of a contract with Neat records for a three-track single and a possible LP. Rough demos for the single were done, but the band split prior to completion of the single. In January 1983 the band split and we all went our separate ways.
In April 2014 I was approached by the guys who ran the Brofest Festivals in Newcastle to see if there was a possibility of getting the band back together to play Brofest#3 in February 2015. We hadn’t seen each other for over 30 years but with the power of the internet I managed to get the original four members to meet in a pub in Warrington to have a chat. It wasn’t a difficult decision and we all agreed to do the Brofest gig. Once the word was out that were reforming were soon approach to appear at other gigs and festivals in UK and Europe. Dave reluctantly had to step down as he couldn’t commit to anything long term an was replaced on bass for short period by Karl Altdorfer. There have been several line-up changes in recent years, upon Karl’s departure; the post was undertaken by bassist Andy Stephenson. At the end of 2017 Nick decided to leave due to ill health and in early 2018 Steve Haslam joined the band. In January 2019 Mark Nortley replaced Andy Stephenson on bass guitar. In 2021 Troyen took the decision to return to a five piece line up with vocalist Mark Walling joining the band. In summer 2022 due to work and family commitments Steve Haslam reluctantly left the band to be replaced by Simon Lind. Early this year Mark Walling decided to step down and ‘Traitors Gate’ vocalist Si Davies joined us.
Since reforming we have done over 100 gigs including appearing at Drunken Monkey Festival, Heavy Metal Maniacs in The Netherlands, British Steel in France, Mearfest, Grimm Up North, HRH Xmas Rocka at the O2 in Sheffield, Blast From The Past in Belgium, Giants Of Rock in Minehead, Loverocks V and Headbangers Open Air in Germany. To coincide with our Brofest appearance we released and album entitled “Finish What You Started” since then we released “Storm Child” EP in July 2017, “A New Dawn” EP in July 2019. In October 2019 we signed with Classic Metal Records to globally release “Anthology 1981-2019”. High Roller Records released a double issue vinyl version in November 2020, “Syrian Lady The Troyen Anthology Part 1 1981-1982” & “Nightmare The Troyen Anthology Part 2 2014 -2019”. We released “Falling Off The Edge Of Forever” on Classic Metal Records in Autumn 2021 our bands 40th Anniversary year. We are working on a new studio album for release in Spring 2024 along with a live album.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
Initially when we first formed we were all from Newton-le-Willows or surrounding areas but now we are spread across the North West and new guy Sy lives in South Wales.
Dave and I used to frequent the same pub in 1980 and got to know each other and as all musicians do decided to start a band. I heard that Steve McGuire who I was in bands with at school and used to play football on the same team with was back from Uni and was in a band playing locally. Dave and I went down to watch them, we liked what we saw but decided they would be better with us in the band… the rest as they say is history.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
We all have many and varied tastes and with a new band member comes new influences. My favourite bands are very much classic rock based like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, UFO, Judas Priest, Foreigner, Journey and Rush. Steve is influenced by the likes of Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Joe Bonamassa. Bassist Mark likes Van Halen, Mr Big, Metallica, Journey, Rush, The Police, Frank Zappa and Malmsteen.
Simon’s influences are Jimi Hendrix. Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Jeff Healey, Ty Tabor and Stevie Ray Vaughan
Sy is mostly influenced by his vocal heroes Dickinson, Halford, Kiske and Jeff Tate.
All these varied influences and those of the previous members have helped to develop the Troyen sound which while keeping true to our NWOBHM roots we’re not afraid to tweek as the mood takes us.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
I don’t come from a particularly musical family, my mum played the piano and insisted my sister and I had lessons (I got to grade 7) but for as long as I could remember I wanted to drum. I’d use anything as sticks including cutlery at the dining table and eventually my parents gave in and I got my first kit for my twelfth birthday.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
Our new vocalist Sy has recently introduced me to Queensryche so I’m working my way through their back catalogue.
Do you sing in the shower?
Hell Yeah, much to my wife’s annoyance
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
We have gig’s/festivals in UK and France between now and Christmas and we’re working on our new (as yet untitled) album due for release on Classic Metal Records in spring 2024. We will be appearing at festivals in Germany, Sweden and Poland amongst other exotic places next year.
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
As previously mentioned we are writing a new album to be released next year and will be integrating some of the tracks into the sets of our upcoming gigs
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
Personally I’d love to play Madison Square Gardens in New York and The Budokan in Tokyo. Both iconic venues played by all my heroes
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
I have a good few favourites but as a lifelong UFO fan it would have to be the classic UFO live album ‘Strangers In The Night’ probably the bands strongest album and Michael Schenker is sublime
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
When I first heard the John Miles track ‘Music’ I was hooked. I went on to see him several times, I also have a soft spot for Deacon Blue…..I blame my wife for that!!
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
WOW this is to hard a question to answer….. There are so many bands the gig would go on for days!!
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
Bought from my local Woolworths in 1974, the Deep Purlpe album ‘Made In Japan’. Unfortunately the vinyl album has long gone but I do have it on CD
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
We REALLY DO appreciate all our wonderful fans and followers, we’d be nothing without them. We have always said we’ll continue to play as long as people want to see and hear us……long may it continue, there’s so much more to come yet.
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
https://www.facebook.com/Troyen14
https://Instagram.com/Troyen14
https://www.youtube.com/@troyennwobhm-official
You can stream our tracks on most streaming services including;
Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music etc
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?
We really do appreciate your continued support and spreading the Troyen word to the metal masses.
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