Troyen

Troyen was based in Warrington, Cheshire, England, and were active between 81/82, having recorded a 4 track demo tape. After their come back in 2014, they released the compilation "Finish What You Started" in 2015 and the EP "Storm Child" with new recordings of "Dreams Never Lie" and "Futures Friend" in 2017. We had a chat with Jeff Baddley about these matters.

Q. - Helo Jeff, tell us a little bit about your beginnings in the hard rock and heavy metal world, what were you're main influences, what lead you to be a heavy metal drummer?

Jeff - I started drumming when I was around 13 years old when I discovered rock music. My major influences were Jon Bonham and Neil Peart.

Q. - How did the idea of create Troyen came up?

Jeff - Dave Strathearn and I were trying to form a band in late 1980, I had played with Steve (McGuire) in a couple of bands in school and knew he was in a band. Dave and I went to watch them one night and after the gig convinced Steve and Nick that Dave and I were a better rythmn section (ha ha).......and Troyen was born.

Q. - The first demo came up in 1981, but soon after you re-recorded the same songs as a five piece band, weren't you satisfied with the first recordings?

Jeff - Yes we were really happy we just wanted to add Neil to the tracks.

Q. - Do you recall the set list you were playing in general during those shows? Did you play some covers too?

Jeff - We played these original tracks and added a few covers too, including Free & Easy - Uriah Heep and Wishing Well - Free

Come On                                           McGuire

Crazy Lady                                        Cookson

Don't Send Me To War                     Cookson

Dreams Never Lie                              McGuire

Fast Talkin'                                        Cookson

First Blood                                         McGuire

Five Minutes Of Fame                       Cookson

Free Wheelin'                                     Cookson

Futures Friend                                               McGuire

Go For What You Know                   Cookson

In The Mornin' (It I'll Be Alright)     McGuire

No Reason                                         Cookson/McGuire

On The Outside                                 McGuire

Syrian Lady                                       Baddley/Traynor

Q. - Neil Traynor didn't last too much as lead singer, why did that happen?

Jeff - He was with us till we split in at the end of 1982 but we couldn't track him down when we reformed in 2014.

Q. - With a stable line up and a contract with Neat records for a 3 track single and a possible LP, why did you split up? What happened that lead to the break?

Jeff - We split due to general frustrations within the band and the general need to move on with our lives.....playing rock music and touring Europe was great but it wasn't paying the bills.

Q. - Did you remain in touch all over the years?

Jeff - No we all went our separate ways but Facebook brought us back together.

Q. - Was it a big disappointment, having been close to sign a record deal with Neat but never ended up getting it?

Jeff - Yes it was really frustrating, If that had happened Troyen would have been much bigger.

Q. - What are your thoughts about the 90's? Did you feel it was bad times for heavy metal bands?

Jeff - Yes the music industry changed but new bands emerged.

Q. - What made you feel like reunite Troyen again? Some kind of unfinished business feeling? Only you and Steve McGuire remain from the early days?

Jeff - I was approached in 2014 to ask if Icould bet the band back together for a Festival "Brofest3" initially for a one off gig but once it was announced we were reforming other festival and gig opportunities came in. At this point Dave Strathearn decided he could not commit and stepped down. We recruited Karl Altdorfer on bass and recorded Finish What You Started.

Q. - Was it like a dream come true, to see the compilation "Finish What You Started" released after so many years?

Jeff - Yes definitely, four previously recorded tracks, Dreams Never Lie, Futures Friend, Don't Send Me to War and Crazy Lady, two previously unrecorded old tracks First Blood and Syrian Lady and two new tracks Backlash and Finish What You Started.

Q. - Last year you recorded a 5 song EP "Storm Child", with new versions of "Dreams Never Lie" and "Futures Friend", did you try, somehow, to refresh these songs?

Jeff - Yeah we just wanted to see what they sounded like with the new line up. By then Karl had left due to work commitments and was replaced by Andy Stephenson. At the end of 2017 Nick left the band due to health reasons.

Q. - Are you composing new material in order to record a new album? What plans do you have for the near future?

Jeff - We are currently writing and recording new tracks with new gutarist Steve Haslam for release early next year and plan to play in UK and mainland Europe, Steve has given the band another dimension. We'd love to come to Portugal.

Q. - What do you think of this recent revival of the N.W.O.B.H.M., and all these bands reforming?

Jeff - I think its great and we get to renew old friendships and play with bands we played with years ago.

Q. - Are you still a heavy metal fan these days?

Jeff - Yes definitely, once it’s in your blood Metal never dies.

Q. - Anything more you want to say, to end up this interview?

Jeff - We really appreciate all the interest and support Troyen have had over the last three years. We'll keep on rocking as long as people will listen to us. All our merchandise is available from http://troyenmerchandise.bigcartel.com/   and we ship worldwide.

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!