www.facebook.com/therocketdolls [Released 28.07.14]
The Rocket Dolls hail from Brighton and consist of vocalist and guitarist Nikki Smash, Benji Knopfler (son of a fairly famous guitarist!) on drums and bassist Tommy K. I reviewed their EP way back in 2009 and now they are set to unleash their debut album on us. In a word this album is…rifftastic!
They know how to pen a catchy riff like on the opener ‘Poisoned Speech’ with its immensely catchy chorus – like Alter Bridge with Slash laying down the riffs. In fact Alter Bridge and bands like Therapy? and early Buckcherry come to mind listening to this album.
There are plenty of fist pumping anthems on here from the single ‘Burning Up The Skies’ through to ‘Can’t Keep Him Down’, a song with a real up and at ‘em vibe. There is a little light(er) relief on ‘The Rope Pulls Sins’, although fear not it’s not a power ballad! The band supplement each other well and the vocals of Nikki Smash have the right attitude and strength to match the music.
This band have the tunes, they need a little luck to enjoy the success they certainly deserve based on this album. If they are this intense on record they will be a band to see live for sure. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
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Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.
This is the second show broadcast on 25 October Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 18 October 2026.
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Power Plays w/c 26 October 2026
BLACK RIVER DELTA Shame On You (Despotz Records)
DAYTONA Listen To The Silence (Escape Music)
SUCKERTRAP Sacred Lies (indie)
WOOD BURNT RED Count My Blessings (indie)
BLACKLIST UNION Heavy Is The Crown (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 26 October 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
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