Monthly Archives: June 2019

Gig review: STYX – London Palladium, 4 June 2019

Posted on June 10, 2019 by andynathan

It’s been eight long years since Styx last crossed the pond and on that occasion they opened a three way battle of the AOR behemoths with Foreigner and Journey, and for many observers stole the show. This belated return was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, gig, James Young, Lawrence Gowan, melodic rock, pomp rock, review, Styx, Tommy Shaw | Leave a comment

News: CORNBURY returns with headliners THE SPECIALS, KEANE and THE BEACH BOYS (5-7 July 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

The sixteenth Cornbury Music Festival is held in The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire 5-7 July. Joining headliners The Specials, Keane and The Beach Boys, artists include KT Tunstall, Elkie Brooks, Trevor Horn Band, Paul Cattack and Steeleye Span. Amongst the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged classic rock, Cornbury, Cornbury Music Festival, festival, July 2019, Keane, KT Tunstall, pop, singer, songwriter, Steeleye Span, The Beach Boys, The Specials, Trevor Horn Band | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (April 2019 – June 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

January-March 2019 July-September 2019 October-December 2019 ERJA LYYTINEN Another World (Tuohi Records) [Release Date 26.04.19] From the tension building intensity and a harmony guitar break of ‘Hard As Stone’ to the gently paced ‘Without You’, with its angst filled and … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2019, albums of the month, April, Big Big Train, blues rock, classic rock, Diamond Head, Erja Lyytinen, hard rock, Izz, June, May, melodic rock, Michael Thompson Band, Prince, Progressive Rock, Rebecca Downes | Leave a comment

Quick plays: ROYAL REPUBLIC, ROB MORATTI, FINE SOFT DAY, TRAGIK

Posted on June 10, 2019 by jason

ROYAL REPUBLIC Club Majesty Nuclear Blast [Release date 31.05.19] Royal Republic are on the up and up with their mix of rock, dance, disco, funk, rock n roll – heck they will put in any style of music into their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Club Majesty, dance, disco, Fine Soft Day, folk, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, Pink Floyd, pop rock, progressive, Quick Plays, review, Rob Moratti, rock, rock 'n' roll, Royal Republic, Saga, Survival Code, Tragik | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (January 2019 – March 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

April-June 2019 July-September 2019 October-December 2019 STEVE HACKETT At The Edge Of Light (Inside Out) [Release date 25.01.19] In his long and distinguished career at the forefront of everything that’s good about progressive rock, Steve Hackett has consistently delivered albums … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2019, albums of the month, blues rock, classic rock, DEL BROMHAM, Elles Bailey, February, hard rock, January, Keith Howe, March, melodic rock, Progressive Rock, RPWL, Steve Hackett, Wily Bo Walker | Leave a comment

Gig review: MAGNUM – Aberdare Coliseum, 5 June 2019

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

With more venues in South Wales falling by the wayside, it is refreshing to see someone taking a gamble, especially in the valleys and in the middle of the week, but the old adage of book them and they will … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 5 June 2019, Aberdare, Bob Catley, classic rock, Coliseum, gig, Hand of Dimes, Magnum, melodic rock, review, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

Album review: PRINCE – Originals

Posted on June 9, 2019 by jason

Warner Brothers Records [Release date 07.06.19 exclusively on Tidal, 21.06.2019 CD, vinyl, streaming] In this multi-platform, content driven age it would be hard to imagine an artist ever producing too much material but such were his prolific studio habits, that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, funk, Kenny Rogers, Originals, pop, pop rock, Prince, rarities, review, rock, Sinead O'Connor, synth pop, The Bangles, The Time | Leave a comment

Album review: NAZARETH – coloured vinyl reissues (July 2019)

Posted on June 9, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 05.07.19] Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, Nazareth are still going, albeit with just founder member and bassist Pete Agnew at helm. Last year BMG issued the amazing Loud And Proud box (33CDs, 3 7” 45s, LP, picture disc … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, blues rock, Classic Albums, classic rock, coloured vinyl, Dan McCafferty, LP, Nazareth, Pete Agnew, re-issue, review, rock, Zal Cleminson | Leave a comment

Gig review: SWEDISH AOR CONVENTION – Malmo, Sweden, 30 May-2 June 2019

Posted on June 9, 2019 by andynathan

Melodic rock and AOR is an unlikely addition to the list of things- ergonomic design, environmental awareness, and dark crime dramas- where Scandinavia leads the world. The scene is particularly strong in Sweden, home of many of my favourite bands … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Age of Reflection, Anette Olzon, AOR, Bad Habit, Care of Night, Coastland Ride, Creye, festival, gig, Hank Erix, melodic rock, Osukaru, Philip Lindstrand, Pretty Wild, Sapphire Eyes, Shape of the New Sun, State of Salazar, Swedish AOR convention | Leave a comment

Single review: TIGER & THE LIGHT SIDE – Somewhere Else

Posted on June 8, 2019 by jason

Website [Release date 24.06.19] A sparse ethereal atmosphere pervades the opening of ‘Somewhere Else’, a new single from barely a year old outfit, Tiger and The Light Side. Hailing from France, Tiger Finkel has assembled a distinctly international band coming … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Elbow, folk, indie, lo-fi, pop, review, singer songwriter, single, Somewhere Else, Tiger & the Light Side | Leave a comment

Album review: MYRATH – Shehili

Posted on June 8, 2019 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 03.05.19] Tunisian metallers Myrath have been around since 2001, gaining more rave reviews and fans after 2016’s ‘Legacy’ album, one which saw them embrace their Arabic sounds more and ditch some of the Eurometal clichés. On ‘Shehili’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, melodic metal, metal, Myrath, power metal, prog metal, review, Shehili, traditional music, Tunisian | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Regent Theatre, Stoke, 7 June 2019

Posted on June 8, 2019 by jason

When it comes to cult theatre, the grand daddy of them all refuses to go away. Fully some 46 years after it made its debut at a small upstairs space at the Royal Court Theatre in London, Richard O’Brien’s homage … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Blue, Duncan James, Frank N Furter, glam rock, Meat Loaf, musical, Regent Theatre, review, Richard O'Brien, rock, rock 'n' roll, Rocky Horror Show, Stoke-on-Trent | Leave a comment

Gig review: VINCENT FLATTS FINAL DRIVE – Kings Head Theatre, London, 7 June 2019

Posted on June 8, 2019 by petefeenstra

There ‘s something indefinable about the true spirit of rock and rock. And whatever it is, Vincent Flatts Final Drive front man Steve “Bertie” Burton has it in buckets. It’s not just the spontaneous humour, the belligerent phrasing, the way … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Birmingham, blues, boogie, Captain Beefheart, Edgar Broughton, Frank Zappa, funk, Gary Harper, gig, Joe Louis Walker, Michael Katon, Noddy Holder, review, Rich Shelton, rock, Russ Cook, southern rock, Steve "Bertie" Burton, Texas, Vincent Flatts Final Drive, vocals | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE BRINK, RESTLESS SPIRITS, ZEPHYRA

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

THE BRINK Nowhere To Run Frontiers [Release date 17.05.19] The Brink – Tom Quick (vocals), Lexi (lead guitar), Izzy Trixx (rhythm guitar), Gary Connor (bass guitar) and Davide Drake Bocci (drums) – are another up and coming band, part of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Leave a comment

Gig review: ERIC GALES – Nell’s Jazz & Blues, London, 5 June 2019

Posted on June 6, 2019 by petefeenstra

An evening with Eric Gales is like a rock-blues therapy session. Every song is analysed, the crowd’s response is measured, the autobiographical stories are analytical in nature and the short burst of incendiary guitar are the proof of his God … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Blue Oyster Cult, blues, Byron Carter, electronica, Eric Gales, funk, guitar, hip hop, jazz, Jimi Hendrix, LaDonna Gales, psychedelia, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: CRAZY LIXX – Forever Wild

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 17.05.19] “Forever Wild” is the sixth studio album from Swedish band Crazy Lixx, and could very well be their best to date. This is good, solid melodic rock n’ roll that is full of those ‘80’s style … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bon Jovi, Crazy Lixx, Def Leppard, Forever Wild, glam metal, hair metal, melodic rock, review, Skid Row | Leave a comment

Album review: THIS WINTER MACHINE – A Tower of Clocks

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

F2 Music [Release date 24.06.19] Second album by the Yorkshire based progressive rockers This Winter Machine, who are relative newcomers having formed in 2016. They consist of Al Winter (vocals), Mark Numan (keyboards, vocals), Graham Garbett (guitars, vocals), Scott Owens … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Tower of Clocks, album, Fish, Marillion, melodic, neo prog, prog rock, progressive, review, rock, This Winter Machine | Leave a comment

Album review: WARRIOR SOUL – Rock N Roll Disease

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

Cargo/Livewire [Release date 07.06.19] This is big ballsy rock n roll, just the way it should be, and Warrior Soul’s new album “Rock n Roll Disease” pretty much picks up where 2017’s “Back On The Lash” left off. With nods … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Kory Clarke, Lemmy, metal, punk, review, rock, Rock N Roll Disease, Warrior Soul | Leave a comment

Album review: DE WOLFF – Live & Outta Sight II

Posted on June 5, 2019 by petefeenstra

Mascot Records [Release date 14.06.19] Dutch rock band De Wolff is a contemporary cross-genre band who tap into the moment to produce a varied, but coherent live album with plenty of innovation and spark. Variously described … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged country, De Wolff, drums, Gov't Mule, Grateful Dead, Greta Van Vleet, guitar, Hammond, jam band, Jerry Garcia, Josh Kiszka, keys, Led Zeppelin, Live & Outta Sight 11, Luka van de Poel, Nektar, Pablo van de Poel, Prince, prog rock, Psychedelic Rock, Robert Plant, Robin Piso, rock, THE DOORS | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKIN THE BLUES 2019 – JONNY LANG/WALTER TROUT/KRIS BARRAS – 02 Forum, London, 4 June 2019

Posted on June 5, 2019 by petefeenstra

Johnny Lange, Walter Trout & Kris barras by rockrpix

Whatever Provogue records original vision was for their annual European Rockin’ The Blues’ tour, it could surely not have been much better than this. Put simply, in terms of passion, energy and balance, tonight’s triple bill delivers different shades of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Al Green, blues, Bruce McCabe, Gary Moore, gig, Hound Dog Taylor, Jimmy Dawkins, Jonny Lange, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kris Barras, Provogue, review, rock, Rockin' The Blues, Rory Gallagher, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Album review: JACK BRUCE – Live At Rockpalast 1980, 1983 and 1990 (CD/DVD)

Posted on June 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

MIG Music [Release date 26.04.19] 2 DVD/5 CD This multi-disc box set is a fine summary of Jack Bruce playing live from 1980 through to 1990. Culled from the legendary German TV show “Rockpalast” this 5-CD set also contains 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 1983 and 1990, album, Billy Cobham, blues rock, box set, CD, Clem Clempson, Cream, David Sancious, DVD, German, Jack Bruce, Jazz rock, Live At Rockpalast 1980, review, TV | Leave a comment

Gig review: BEARDED THEORY’S SPRING GATHERING – Catton Park, Derbyshire, 23 – 26 May 2019

Posted on June 3, 2019 by david.wilson

Life, Love and Unity. The Dreadzone motto of “Life, love and unity” has never been more perfectly exemplified than at Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering. It’s a philosophy that seems to be embraced by the Beardy tribe. Fields full of friendly folk, a fantastic line up, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2019, Bearded Theory, Catton Park, Dreadzone, Editors, festival, folk, Idlewild, Imperial Leisure, Little Steven, live, Pulled Apart By Horses, punk, Reef, Rev Hammer, rock, Suede, The Blinders, The Dreadnoughts, The Mahones, The Orb, The Slow Readers Club, Thw Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Gig review: MARTIN BARRE BAND (50 Years of Jethro Tull) – Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Wirral, 2 June 2019

Posted on June 3, 2019 by alanjones

The International Guitar Festival Of Great Britain, held annually for many years, has been a showcase for some of the world’s finest players. Sadly, it has lost its focus a little in recent years with acts appearing that have no … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 50 years, Clive Bunker, Dan Crisp, Dee Palmer, Floral Pavilion Theatre, gig, hard rock, Jethro Tull, Martin Barre, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DIVINE COMEDY – Office Politics

Posted on June 3, 2019 by jason

DC Records [Release date 07.06.19] Never one to do things by halves, Neil Hannon and the Divine Comedy return with a double album, three years after their last album ‘Foreverland’. As the album’s title suggests it has a loose theme … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, chamber pop, melodic, Neil Hannon, Office Politics, pop, power pop, review, The Divine Comedy, The Duckworth Lewis Method, Thomas Walsh | Leave a comment

Album review: TIM STAFFELL – aMIGO

Posted on June 2, 2019 by jason

Moscodisc [Release date 12.07.19] Tim Staffell’s 2006 solo album ‘aMIGO’ gets a timely re-issue, given the ongoing success of the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ film, plus Tim Staffell released his latest solo album ‘Two Late’ last year (the title a nod to … Continue reading →