HISTORY

  
   
     
 

History

 

Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IIII

In 1984 the UK Rock scene was about to re-invent itself out of it's Punk & Gothic roots, bands such as The Cult, Sisters Of Mercy & The Mission were reaching wider international audiences, whilst re-inventing the 'follower' phenomena  that came with Punk, which saw a network of hardcore fans travelling the country to every gig with their kit-bags and styles that although unrecognized, would become a huge influence right up to the grunge scene of the 90's and beyond into the new-rock of today.

This new audience created an opening for many bands that otherwise would have had little support beyond the independent scene, giving major record labels and promoters a new category to work with, 'Alternative Rock'.

One of those people who had followed bands since 'the Ruts' was Christian Riou, inspired by the power and passion of the new groups, he decided to form a band that could take it's ideas from the audience itself, it was christened the Claytown Troupe.

Over the next three years, and a variety of members, the band found it's feet with a line-up that would release two international albums on Island and EMI Records, 'Through The Veil' and 'Out There', then further singles including anthemic classics such as 'Prayer', 'Hey Lord', 'Ways Of Love', 'Real Life' and "Wanted It All'.

With a reputation as a brilliant and exciting live band, they toured all over Europe and into the US,  with sell out shows at the Marquee, Astoria Theatre and The Town & Country Club (the Forum) in London, supporting many well-known acts such as The Cult on their 'Sonic Temple' tour at major venues such as Wembley Arena and the NEC, the list also included Pearl Jam, The Wonder Stuff, The Damned, Julian Cope, The Godfathers and The Mission amongst others.

In 1992, after parting company with EMI, Andy, Paul and Ben decided to leave the band for pastures new,  Christian was back to where he had started in 1984 and  the Claytown Troupe has been on hold ever since.

Their sales were in the hundreds of thousands, but the band never made a chart entry higher than the top 50, becoming a 'cult bands-cult band'. Although  through their success, the Claytown Troupe gave a helping hand to other bands and individuals that would go on to work and influence the music industry, so their legacy can still be seen today. 

Interview with vocalist Christian Riou 28/10/06

" I first heard of Punk Rock as a 12 year old boy from my older brother in the summer of 1976, and was amazed at the passion that it awoke in a generation that was still hung over from Bowie and Roxy Music.

I would watch them travel from gig to gig wherever a new group was playing, from the 'Sex Pistols', 'The Damned' to 'The Clash', it was a voyage of discovery where they could connect with like minded people and feel that they were purposely setting themselves apart from the norm."

Within two years it was seen as an essential part of raising a bands' profile, to have a dedicated fan base which became known as a 'Following', this scene then created sub-groups and styles that showed affiliations with certain bands, from Punk to the emerging new wave that started with 'Joy Division'.

" I had a school Punk group in 1979, our first gig was supporting Bristol's 'Vice Squad',  I started going to as many gigs as possible, catching the tail end of Punk, but wanted to see the bands that were starting out, bands that I thought had the extra passion, and the first time I experienced this was seeing 'Theatre Of Hate' and 'Killing Joke' in 1980."

Between 1981 and 1984, there were some amazing new acts, from Bauhaus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Play Dead and Danse Society in the darker Gothic mould, through to the commercial vibes of 'New Order', 'Echo and the Bunnymen' and 'The Smiths' who were setting the mainstream alight.

Then there was an emergence of a new breed of fans that Christian gravitated towards, they were following 'The Southern Death Cult', 'Play Dead' & 'New Model Army', these groups embraced their audience and fashions, and were creating a new scene with it's own codes and faces, it was similar to the elements that had convinced him in the early Punk days.

" I visited a famed local clairvoyant who was uncannily accurate with her predictions, I went to see her for fun but was amazed when she informed me that I should form a band, call it the 'Clayton Troop', and it would have success, she said it would never be massive, but would take me to America and was part of my path in life, it was everything a 19 year-old wants to hear, so I re-christened it 'Claytown Troupe', and off I went on my new mission."

At the same time 'The Southern Death Cult' became 'The Death Cult', guitars were getting bigger, hair was getting longer, and the following were getting hungry. "

Part II - Part III - Part IIII

 

Discography

 

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