Traitors Gate: The Devil Rides Again

If you have heard the EP “Devil Takes the High Road” of the Welsh Traitors Gate you know this feeling when goose bumps cover every inch of your body as the singer starts screaming “New horizons stretch the mind…”. Man, this song still excites me every time I listen to it! So the EP alone would be enough to induct the band to the hall of NWOBHM fame (if it existed). Luckily Traitors Gate reunited in 2016 and released their first full-length album “Fallen” in 2018 on No Remorse Records — very decent and competent effort. I've contacted bass guitarist Stephen Colley to talk about both old and new events and the latest news about Andy D’Urso’s health issues. Here you go, folks.

Hello Stephen! First of all congrats with the new album! How does it feel to release your first full length record in 36 years?

It feels really great. We are all so proud of the album which came together quickly and really naturally in that we didn’t plan a sound or style it just simply was the sound we made when we came back together to play. We really didn’t plan to release an album, at least not as quickly as it came together, so there was no pressure in the process.

Talk about the reunion of Traitors Gate for a while. How did that happen that a one-off gig at Brofest turned to a full-time reunion? Would you say that the re-issue of your EP “Devil Takes the High Road” on High Roller Records helped to bring the band back as well?

The whole reunion only happened because of Brofest and the rise of social media. The original “Devil…” EP had a life of its own and had been changing hands for up to £600 prior to it being re-released. A version had been put on Youtube by a fan in Greece and that’s where the interest had really grown. (That first posting has now been viewed nearly 404,000 times and there are other postings bringing it close to half a million views now.)

I was contacted via Facebook by Stuart Bartlett in Feb 2016 and that kick started everything. I had been living overseas for many years so hadn’t actually even seen any of the other members for over 20 years. Facebook carried on being useful as I was able to contact Paul (Drums) and Hugh (Vocals) fairly quickly. Andy Turner I had already been in contact on and off over the years so I was aware that he had a successful career in California as a food stylist so would be unable to play. This was the lineup that recorded the EP so I felt would have been the best lineup for Brofest but Stuart told me that a change in lineup wouldn’t be a problem.  The position of guitarist was straight forward as Andy D’Urso had joined the band within weeks of the actual recording of “Devil…” so had really been the live face of Traitors Gate from very early on and when I contacted him he was also keen to move forward. Hugh had other commitments so declined but Paul was keen.  In the same way that Andy D replaced Andy T soon after recording “Devil…”, Dave Maclean replaced Hugh and Dave was also keen to join again so we had the 2016 version of Traitors Gate that replicated the actual live band from the 80’s.

Did you try to locate Hugh Jones and ask him to join the band? By the way, am I right thinking that Hugh and Robby Jones are the same guy? And how did you find Sy Davies who is an incredible singer?

Hugh was contacted at the very beginning but was busy with a new band so didn’t want to progress and yes Hugh and Robby are the same person. Interest in the band increased when it was announced that we were going to play Brofest and so prior to playing this we were contacted by Bart Gabriel and offered a slot at Keep it True in Germany which we were delighted to accept. It could have all ended after Brofest though as Dave decided that he wanted to pursue his interest in politics and wouldn’t be able to commit to the band. Timing was very much on our side as within days we had made contact with Sy via an online advert and it was a match made in heaven. Sy learnt the set quick enough for us to be able to play Keep it True and that gig completely blew us away. It was an amazing experience with so many people committed to heavy metal. Oliver the promoter and the whole crowd were all incredible. The interest from the metal community was just overwhelming. I had a fan from Poland approach me with a copy of the original contract we signed with Bullet Records in 1985!

Why didn’t you go ahead with High Roller Records and decided to work with No Remorse Records?

It wasn’t really a conscious decision to go with No Remorse as after so many years out of the industry we weren’t sure who did what anymore. Working with Sy had cemented the sound of the band and we wanted to save it forever so we paid to record a few songs that we thought sounded great. A bit of research showed we could get some CDs done so we went for it and had the EP “Only the Strong” made up. Andy is such a driving force and wrote all of the tracks and generated the art work so it was very much created by just the four of us and we were delighted to have a CD but no idea what to do with it. That’s when No Remorse contacted us about releasing it on vinyl. Our suggestion was give us a few more weeks and we’ll record more songs and give them a full album. This all happened so fast that we just didn’t even consider other options.

How was received your EP “Only the Strong”? Would you say that it convinced you to go further and record the album? Did you change anything in the songs from the EP when you recorded tem for the album?

“Only the Strong” was well received as it found its way out into the public domain. It was available directly from us and then a few distributors and then we had the call from No Remorse. The songs on the EP were all remixed and also some subtle changes were made before inclusion on the album.

Why did you name the album “Fallen” while it is really a resurrection for the band?

Great point actually! The name was based around some original artwork that Andy had created and it’s a track on the album. No Remorse weren’t keen on the artwork and provided an alternative which we all really love and the original name remained.

I’d love to ask about certain songs and their lyrics though I understand that it’s a reign of Andy and Sy. What influenced the band to write “Mean Streets”, “Sign of the Cross”, “Homeland” and “Fallen”? They seem to have some political or social messages or statements.

You are right in that all of the songs are Andy’s visions. I contributed to the lyrics of “Edge of Destruction” but beyond that Andy has written everything. He really has been so important in what has been as you say a resurrection. There is a theme and I think Andy has been able to evoke some basic ideas of good and bad without preaching or losing sight of the fact that listening to the album should make you happy!

By the way, were all the songs on the album new or did you use some old ideas? If you did, could you name them please?

Everything was written for the album and when the three of us turned up and played together for the first time in 20 odd years the style and sound of Traitors Gate just happened within minutes which gave Andy all he needed to write like a madman! I live around 3 hrs away from the rest of the band so Andy would record ideas upload them and message me. This was happening at least once a day as Andy continued to write — he was in the zone and would often record all night so the rest of us would awake to another song idea. It was a very exciting and stimulating time.

Didn’t you want to re-record some of the older songs to show how great the new line-up is?

Those earlier songs sound great as they are and it wasn’t as if we didn’t have enough to move forward with so we love and respect them as they are and playing them live with Sy just takes them to another place.

The album sounds like you recorded it in a top studio with n acclaimed producer. How did you get such an awesome sound production?

Thanks — that’s very kind of you to say. I’m sure you will have picked up that Andy is an incredible musical force and as such we had a lot of pre-production finished and ghost tracks already recorded before we entered the studio. Add that to the incredible production talent that is Dan Angelow, whose studio we used. It also helps that at our ages we know our instruments well (I use “Spector” basses that I know just sound awesome — ask Ian Hill from Judas Priest or Eddie Jackson from Queensryche).

“Fallen” has an incredible cover as well. What was your idea with it? Was it a reference to the “Devil Takes the High Road” EP (especially that bridge on the background)?  Who are these skeletons in the sky?

As mentioned earlier the cover came to us directly from No Remorse and the minute we saw it we loved it. It’s never been discussed but the references are all there but it moves the story forward and creates a great platform to let your mind go wild.

The band played shows with Eden’s Curse and Power Quest last year. How did the crowds react of you, especially younger fans?

We have had some fantastic shows and played to all sorts of audiences who all seemed to have taken to what we are now. As well as Eden’s Curse and Power Quest we also played with Anvil and Diamond Head and each time the response has been overwhelming. Our songs live hit you right between the eyes and people of any age can’t help but be impressed with Sy’s vocal range as he comfortably performs everything that has been recorded in the live arena.

How do you view the situation with live shows overall? Do people still attend them in healthy quantity? Is it hard to get attention from the clubs and the promoters?

We have been blessed to be able to play some great festivals that show there is a strong interest in heavy metal as these sell out. Keep it True was mind blowing as was Up the Hammers in Athens. The UK gigs have all had a healthy turnout but it is a lot harder to pull a decent crowd. The circuit is smaller and promoters are looking for bigger names to pull a crowd. The result is what has just happened to Eden’s Curse calling it a day. I saw them a few weeks ago on tour with Mob Rules and Degreed. Three fantastic bands that only managed to pull 42 people into one of the gigs!!

The band announced sad news about Andy D’Urso who was diagnosed with cancer. How things are going for him?

We are all supporting him and he is currently undergoing an aggressive course of treatment. There is some good news in that he is well enough to manage a rehearsal because as you might expect from him he is not lying back and taking it but he is fighting with every ounce of his strength and as such has written a number of new songs that we are planning to go through in a few days time with a view to getting album number two underway.

Stephen Colley

Now let’s get back in time to the early 80’s when the band was founded on the ruins of Cyron and Quest. What can you recall from those days? Paul House told me Cyron was his and Hugh’s band which recorded a song called “Warrior” and split, but what about Quest? Who else was in that band? Did it record anything?

That whole era was crazy and there were a pool of musicians changing bands on a weekly basis but that part is all correct. Quest was Paul, Hugh me and Andy Turner and also a huge selection of other vocalists most of whose names I can’t remember sadly. The songs that made it onto the reissued “Devil…” EP were all actually Quest demos.

Is it correct that you also was a member of Scimitar? Did you record anything with them?

Yes I was in Scimitar for a while playing rhythm guitar and did quite a few gigs with them. I think a demo was recorded while I was with them but not sure where that is.

How was the music scene in Pontypool in the late 70’s — early 80’s? Were you friends with Iona for example? Were local newspapers, TV channels, club owners friendly to rock bands? 

The whole scene at that time centered around Cardiff and specifically Bogiez club. It was an exciting time with Persian Risk, No Quarter and the start of Tigertailz. Iona I knew but when they were called GBH. As a band we started to play further afield and had support slots with Angel Witch, Marillion and Spider.

Were you aware of what was going on in London and other parts of the UK and all that NWOBHM mania? Did you consider yourselves as a part of that movement?

We were keen to play to anyone and as such linked up with some unusual bands in fact just as we split we are all set to do a full UK tour with The Enid. We spent quite a lot of time in London and pounded the pavements trying to find a way into record companies.

Who came up with the name Traitors Gate? Did you consider some other ideas? Were you aware of another Traitors Gate?

It was actually Bullet records who recommended the name change. We had sent them a demo as Quest and they offered to release it as it was but that we would get more attention overseas if we changed the name. It wasn’t a hard decision as we seemed to change our name quite regularly anyway. As far as I’m aware the other Traitors Gates that have been in existence all came after us.

The actual lineup on the EP
"Davil Takes the High Road"

Hugh Jones said that the band released a single prior to the EP. Was it really like that? If yes, what songs were on the single?

Nothing had been released prior to “Devil…”. I’m not sure if Hugh may have released something with one of his bands before but there’s nothing else that we were all involved with

Tell me about the band back then, please. What can you recall about Hugh and Andy Turner? How was it to work with them? Were they dedicated musicians or were they part-time rockers so to say?

The band back then for most of us was our life and it was all we did. Hugh’s a great singer and bass player but he did have other commitments whereas Andy Turner was probably more committed than anyone. Andy eventually joined Monro recording a great AOR album (1987) with them and followed his dream by moving  to California where he joined Calamity Jayne. As I mentioned earlier there was a great pool of musicians and back then I was in bands with Andy Turner and his brother Stuart, Andy D’Urso and Andy Davis (became the Drummer in Monro) Martyn Jenkins (Now doing vocals in Florida for AC/DC tribute “Highway to Hell”) Matt Blakout (Tigertailz Drummer)

How did you get the deal with Bullet Records? Was it a fair deal?

The deal came about as a result of recording a demo at studios in Bristol then sending it out to labels. Bullet actually gave us nothing. We were young and naive and just excited for anyone to be interested. Our only payment was a box of EP’s.

Tell me please everything you can recall about recording of “Devil Takes the High Road”! Where was it recorded? Did it take long to record everything? Was Bill Ferrier a competent producer/sound engineer? Did you have any technical issues during recording? What do you think about the EP now?

The EP was recorded at Cave Studios in Bristol and given the era it was recorded it was all done in a huge room with banks of equipment. I’m pretty sure that I now have more options on my laptop! It was all done in a few days and went very smoothly. We were all young to the point that our parents had to take us as we didn’t drive. It was the first time in a studio for us and we thought we could change the world. We tried a number of recording techniques including bashing a piano and then running the tape backwards and it wasn’t easy getting the wind for the start of “Devil Takes the High Road”. Bill understood his studio well and led us clearly through all the processes. Listening to it now I am incredibly proud of what we achieved at such a young age and it is still very listenable.

Were you satisfied with the cover of the EP? Was it exactly what you wanted?  

In the same way that the name was given us so was the look of the EP. Once again it wasn’t a problem as we really loved it.

Was the EP well promoted in press? Do you remember any reviews?

This is a time before the internet and as such we never knew if it was ever reviewed. Bullet planned to market in France and Scandinavia so we would never have known.

Is it true that the EP was delayed due to some financial troubles? Was the delay big enough to harm the band? 

The release was held up but not for long so had no real impact other than personally for us as this was a great achievement for a young band from Wales and we couldn’t wait to have it.  

Did the band tour actively back then? Is it true that you supported Marillion? If yes, when and where did that happen and what are your memories about the gig? What were other well known bands you shared the stage with?

Mentioned these previously but we were very keen to play anywhere. We were lucky enough to have made an impact on a Welsh Rock DJ, Gary Price, and as such he managed to get us as Support for Marillion in Swansea and also Spider. Our set at the Marillion gig was extended as they were late arriving due to recording Top of the Pops. I think it was the 1983 “Script” tour. We also put on a big show and would travel anywhere to play a pub. Even the pub gigs involved a drum riser, full Marshall stack backline and a number of costume changes.

Why did Hugh Jones and Andy Turner quit? How did you get in touch with Andy D’Urso? How did band’s chemistry change with his addition?

The end of Traitors Gate really came about as Andy Turner and I were offered different roles. Andy was lured away by the offer of joining Monro. They had label interest and money behind them so it wasn’t a hard decision. I was also offered a position in Kooga. Which really left Traitors Gate with nowhere to go. Andy D’Urso was the only guitarist in Traitors Gate for most of the 80’s and we had all been in school together so we already had great history and it was the obvious choice. Both the Andy’s had been in Traitors Gate together at one point so there was a lot that they had picked up from each other.

Dave Maclean is sat, Stephen Colley on right,
Andy D’Urso on left and Paul House next to him

It seems that the band was cursed with singers and changed many of them: Trevor Moulton, Chris Ellis, Dave Maclean? Why was that? Who was the best among them in terms of performing and entertaining people?

It is odd isn’t it. Seeing all of those names made me think how lucky we were as good singers are hard to come by and they were all great in different ways. Dave Maclean is an amazing showman and can still provide any crowd a great night out. Trevor was a bit older than us and had an incredible Roger Daltry type voice whereas Chris (who went onto Monro) had a great AOR voice — he actually popped up as an entrant for the UK Eurovision song contest entry later.

Chris  Ellis is sat in the chair, Stephen Colley on the left,
Paul House at the back and Andy D’Urso on the right

Traitors Gate managed to last until 1989 but never released anything during that period of time. Did you ever try to record something? If yes what was it like and what happened to that material?

Nothing more was recorded and sadly we all became too focused on trying to find something individually rather than realizing we had something great as a band and working with it. It didn’t help that there was nobody involved with the band who could deal with the business side of everything and I honestly believe that if we had found someone in London to champion our cause then it could have been a very different story.

Was the period from 1985 to 1989 eventful? Did you play shows, do proper tours, try to get a record deal? And why did you split eventually?

As above really. There was no extra support just a bunch of young lads who wanted to make metal but nobody to lead us through the business. We would wander around London literally knocking on doors to labels but very rarely managed to get in.

As far as I’m aware after Traitors Gate you played in Monro (with Andy Turner), in In Pursuit and in Kooga. Could you shad light on that period of your career? What kind of music did you play In Pursuit?

Quite a lot of confusion out there I’m afraid – Here is what happened:

I didn’t join Monro — they recorded a really good AOR album.

Andy Turner joined Monro and Dave Maclean was the original singer of Monro but then replaced by Chris Ellis. Pic below shows Andy Turner at the bottom and Chris Ellis on the left.

Me and Dave Maclean were in In Pursuit with Matt Blakout from Tigertailz (I only played one gig with this lineup at the Newport Centre)

Below is The Faith with Dave second from left and Andy D’Urso third from left.

I joined Kooga and recorded a single with them called “Don’t Break My Heart” and then toured the UK with them supporting Saxon on the 1988 Ride like the wind tour. That’s me at the back of the photo:

Do you stay in touch with Andy Turner and other former members of Traitors Gate? Did you get Andy’s blessing to resurrect the band?

Still very much in contact with Andy Turner and he loves what we are doing. He sent a great message when a video was posted of us playing Devil at Keep it True and just said “Nailed It”

If you want to say some words to your fans — the space below is all your!

We have been so humbled by the reaction we have had and it’s the fans reactions that continue to drive us to keep on going. I firmly believe that Heavy Metal is a uniting force and having been deeply involved within it for over 40 years it is overwhelming to see there is still life in it and indeed us! To see all ages at our gigs is so uplifting and regardless of titles and styles we are still putting out Heavy Metal that makes you want to move.

Who really knows the future but we are aiming for 2019 to close with a new album and a return to live work so look forward to seeing everyone and a million thanks for the support. Metal Forever!!

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