Quick plays: VINDICATA, REVOLUTION HIGHWAY, ROCKICKS

VINDICATA Beneath The Surface

VINDICATA Beneath The Surface Grooveyard Records [Release date 23.11.18]

The “secret weapon” on this debut album might be construed as early Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland (who handles most of the solos) but in actual fact it’s vocalist Mary Magill who provides the major attraction.

Against a full metal onslaught, Magill’s vocals shine through.  It’s the strength of the songs that determine repeat playability and the album is filled with the catchy choruses including on ‘Death Defying Years’ and ‘Carry My Dreams Away’ whilst ‘Would You’ and ‘Fragile’ are groove-laden standouts where guitarists Jim McCrostie and Brett Pedersen provide relentless metal riffage throughout.

Play this loud.  ****1/2

Review by David Randall

REVOLUTION HIGHWAY

REVOLUTION HIGHWAY Grooveyard Records [Release date 23.11.18]

Let’s be honest, this isn’t going to win any prizes for originality.  It mines a deep vein of hard rock previously well trodden by Messrs. Coverdale, Rodgers and Plant.

This is plainly evident on the opener ‘Renegade’ which reminds of ‘Black Dog’ and sums up this band’s meld of Zeppelin via early Whitesnake and latter-day Bad Company. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as the songs are well constructed and the playing exemplary.  And thankfully this self-titled debut does meet these exacting requirements.

With main-men, vocalist David Fefolt and Savros Papadopoulos (guitar), eleven riff-driven, ballsy tracks have been fashioned with a high quotient of memorable choruses (including ‘Young And Wild’ and ‘Rollin’ Train’) whilst the longer ‘Sister Of The Devil’ provides suitable respite but is no less impressive.

If melodic hard rock is your thing, you’ll certainly like this.  ****

Review by David Randall

ROCKICKS Keep On Rockin’ (A Retrospective Anthology)
Grooveyard Records [Release date 23.11.18]

This retrospective set from Rockicks might have been distilled to a more impressive single disc, celebrating a band who flourished briefly in late 1970s Los Angeles.

The first disc is impressive, the band’s brand of southern rock purposeful and well executed.  The second disc seems to be culled mainly from demos with several alternate versions and the sonic quality doesn’t really do the band justice.  However, there’s plenty of evidence of the band’s quality, fast forwarding to 1991-1992 when’Jesse James’ and ‘Get The Lead Out’were recorded.

The band were originally signed to RSO and probably didn’t sit easily in that label’s roster (with the likes of Yvonne Ellman and Bee Gees).  They released one album – Inside – in 1977 which is featured on Disc One in its entirety together with other tracks which may have been destined for a follow-up.

This package is let down by the complete lack of historic information, given also the lack of band visibility over the years.

Yes, we’ve never heard of Rockicks and maybe one clue to their ultimate lack of success lies in the rather naff name.  This leads you to have perhaps lower expectations but stick with it, this a slice of forty year old classic melodic hard rock that demanded – and still demands – a wider audience.  ***1/2

Review by David Randall


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



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 on 25 February 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 27 February 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 4 March 2024

COLLATERAL Glass Sky (Big Shot Records)
THE ZUTONS Pauline (ICEPOP)
THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS Rise Above It All (Mascot)
MATT PEARCE & THE MUTINY From Here To The Moon (indie)
THE BLACK VULTURES Never Say (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 4 March 2024

09:00-12:00 LEE AARON Tattoo Me (Metalville)
12:00-13:00 THE END MACHINE The Quantum Phase (Frontiers)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply