03 Apr A Tale of Terrance, Tape-Trading and a Full Circle Voivod Book Experience
Hello Freaks, it’s Jeff Wagner. I recently published my fourth book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod’ (always available at radicalresearch.org/voivod)
Throughout ‘Always Moving,’ I provide a multitude of reasons Voivod is so important to me, something not-so-subtly weaved through the band’s complicated tale. But I know I’m but one of thousands on this doomed planet to feel fierce passion for Quebec’s finest. In fact, throughout the writing, I felt the wind of the Iron Gang at my back, writing the book for ALL Voivodians as much as I wrote it for myself. We’re in this cult together. And amongst my favorite Iron Gang members is a gentleman named Terrance Gayles.
Terrance came to my attention in the early to mid ’90s, when I was seeking other Voivodians to trade live shows and demos with. This dude in Texas and I traded cassettes through the mail several crucial times, and I have warm, cozy memories of connecting cross country with this fellow Voivod-obsessive and awaiting the mail carrier who would assist in expanding my Voivod library. As the late ’90s and 2000s went on, I lost touch with Terrance. And, as is his way, he doesn’t populate social media, preferring a more private profile. (I did get his permission for this post.) I figured I’d never reconnect with the guy, and that saddened me.
As I wrapped up the book and sent it to the printer in autumn 2025, I flipped on a bat signal to Terrance in the Acknowledgements: “Terrance Gayles for all the tape trades back in the day (are you out there?).” Sure enough, here was out there. Amidst the huge batch of preorders I received, I spotted Terrance’s name. I immediately emailed him and sure enough, it was the same Voivod-obsessed Terrance Gayles in Texas. (there could only be one, but you never know.) I scribbled a special dedication in his copy of ‘Always Moving’ and sent that thing to Texas with a quickness.
A couple weeks ago, Terrance attended the Hell’s Heroes festival in Texas. Amidst other great acts like Enslaved, Blood Fire Death, Loudness, Sanctuary, and Aura Noir, Voivod played a special ’80s set. I couldn’t make the trip, unfortunately, but was surprised when Terrance emailed me the week after the festival and provided pictures of him meeting the Voivod dudes. He had each guy add their signature to my book, and these pics are included here. While this little anecdote may be nothing to you, the significance and the feeling something coming full circle within the Iron Gang community is something I’m extremely grateful for.
To Terrance, to Voivod, to the death!!! – JW
