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Bio:
Northern hard rock/heavy metal band whose sole single is inevitably offered for
sale as NWOBHM. The A-side is melodic hard rock, the B-side somewhat more
metallic. It's a decent record, more than worthwhile for genre collectors. It was
released on the band's own Strayed Records label but without an artist
credit on either label. This was corrected with a stamp of the band name
"RENEGADE" in block capitals in red ink on both A and B labels - most copies carry
this stamp.
Renegade rose in March 1982 from the ashes of several earlier bands that had split up
including Chalice,
a heavy rock/metal band featuring Graeme Boyd, Gary Grattan, Nigel Thompson, Declan Walsh and
Davy O'Neill.
Chalice played a mix of covers and originals. They enjoyed some local success supporting
the Mighty Shamrocks in Portstewart and Toejam
in Whitehead. Their set featured the epic "Blood From The Chalice".
University and work commitments led to their demise, and Boyd & Grattan went on to form
Renegade.
Renegade practiced in the same barn on a farm near the village of Straid, County Antrim which
had been used by Chalice. This is the source of the 'Strayed' label name for Renegade's
single. Rural metal rules!
Renegade gigged throughout Ireland and gained a good live reputation, especially
in the north.
Notable achievements early on included support slots for
Wishbone Ash and the Mamas Boys in Belfast and Dublin. They recorded a live session for
Downtown Radio in Belfast. In November/December 1983, the debut single was recorded
at the same studio, with production handled by the band themselves. By the time of it's
release in 1984, Laurence McKeown had been replaced by Paul Scott (drums) and
Gary Grattan by Brian Wilson (guitar).
We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.