A BAND from Newton-le-Willows is set to perform in their hometown this weekend.

Troyen, a heavy metal band from Newton who first formed in the 80s, will be performing at The Griffin in Earlestown on Saturday as their last show of their North West tour this year.

The five-piece band is made up of Steve McGuire, Jeff Baddley, Mark Nortley, Mark Walling, and Simon Lind.

Jeff, drummer of the band, told the Star of the different atmosphere that comes with performing in their hometown.

He said: "It’s always great to play locally. It’s very rare to get to play in our hometown; it’s about three years since we last played at home, so looking forward to it.

"We’ve played there several times before and it’s gone down really well; we play all over Europe and the UK, so it’s nice to see some friendly faces that we know."

The band have done the rounds and have performed in Europe, including an appearance at the Blast from the Past festival in Belgium, and the Headbanger’s Open Air festival in Germany earlier this year.

St Helens Star: A crowd gathered to see the band during the German festival A crowd gathered to see the band during the German festival (Image: Ric Pics)

In 1983, the band parted ways with one another, until Jeff, who was still in touch with one of his bandmates Steve, received an unexpected message more than 30 years later.

READ > Local band say farewell to drummer and 'brother'

The drummer added: "We went our separate ways, grew up and got proper jobs. I then got a Facebook message in April 2014, asking if I was the drummer in Troyen, and would I be interested to put the band back together.

"When we decided to do it, we tried to get a hold of the rest of the guys. We eventually got hold of everybody and met up in Warrington; we hadn’t seen each other for 30 odd years and after a couple of beers, we decided it was a good idea to do it.

St Helens Star: Troyen at a show in Newcastle in 2015 Troyen at a show in Newcastle in 2015 (Image: Jeff Baddley)

"Initially, we were only doing it for one gig, but we then started getting offers from other places, and here we are approaching 2023, and we’re still doing it – it was great.

"When we went on stage and started the first song, there were people who weren’t even born when we started, so when we finished the gig, they were singing along every word from every track, and that was just mind blowing."

During the band’s hiatus, Jeff, now aged 60, worked in the financial industry for 35 years, with the mention of his time as a member of the new wave of British heavy metal a punchline with his colleagues.

Troyen’s gig at The Griffin will take place on Saturday, November 19, and is free to attend.