The Band
"Traitors Gate" was formed in 1921, an amalgamation of several bands. Below are some details about the members.
Dave Hewitt - Bass/Vocals
Dave started out in music way back in 1977 joining the legendary Warrior as vocalist. The band recorded what is said to be one of the most important NWOBHM albums ever, "Let Battle Commence", still achieving critical acclaim today.
In 1988 Dave formed the Metal outfit Das Raaven (having only been playing Bass for 1 year!), the bands name was changed quickly due to a following of Neo Nazis! The new name was Stormwatch, this time the band went on to achieve great local success recording a very well received album "Patriot" and supporting bands such as Saxon, Budgie and Wishbone Ash.
Stormwatch was a bit of a stepping stone for some former members, Nick Barker (drums) went on to join Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgier, John Slater joined ex Iron Maiden frontman Blaze Bailey and of course Dave joined the reformation of Wytchfynde.
Equipment: Dave uses 2 AH300 Trace Elliot Amps, Marshall 7200 series speakers, Gibson Thunderbird basses exclusivley.
Albums: Warrior "Let Battle Commence", Stormwatch "Patriot", Wytchynde "The Awakening"
Paul Rowbottom - Drums
Pauls career in music started in the early 1980s with the Worksop based "Freeloader", gigging massively till the bands demise in 1990.
Paul joined Stormwatch in 1992 and was the bands mainstay drummer till the end of Stormwatch in 1999.
He helped out with Wytchfynde till a permanent drummer was found (the excellent Terry Brown).
Paul was the obvious choice when Traitors Gate was formed.
Equipment: Paul uses a double Premier kit consisting of 14 drums!
Albums: Albums: Stormwatch "Patriot"
Graham Brown - Lead Guitar
Bit of an enigma is Graham.... he was in a band 20 years ago, it finished and he never bothered joining another one!
He obviously kept on playing but his skills were kept under wraps (till now), recording and writing in his home studio.
Dave heard a demo he had done purely by chance and was blown away by Grahams blistering solo work, the final piece of the jigsaw fell into place!
Equipment: Graham uses Marshall JPM900 amp, Marshall speakers, Ibanez RG series Guitars
Ollie Caddie - Lead Guitar
Ollie is a renowned bassist as well as one of Derbyshires brightest new stars on the 6 (and now 7!) stringer. His audition blew us away, Steve Vai must be proper worried!! This is even more remarkable as he is still only 17 years old...sickening isnt it! Olly uses Engle amps and cabs, Ibanez 6 and 7 string guitars
Rick Gilliat - Vocals/Guitar
Rick has been on the music scene for at least 15 years.
He was founder member of Mansfields rock outfit Frontier for 10 years where he was on lead guitar.
After the demise of Frontier he joined Luther Beltz and his reformation of Wytchfynde on rhythm guitar and backing vox.
On the ending of Wychfynde Rick "retired" from the music scene till Daves phone call, its worth mentioning Rick has never been lead vocalist in any band before Traitors Gate, in a short period of time he has become one of the most charismatic and vocally talented singers in the North, many saying he is THE best vocalist they have ever heard on the local scene.
Equipment: Rick uses Marshall JPM800 amp, Marshall cabs, Ibanez Iceman and Tokai Love Rock guitars
Albums: Frontier "Dont just do something, stand there", Wytchfynde "the Awakening"