Album review: KENTUCKY RUCKUS – Space Is A Place

KENTUCKY RUCKUS – Space Is A Place

Website [Release date 29.04.22]

Kentucky Ruckus, as their name suggests, hail from Kentucky featuring the Reed brothers – guitarist Kelly and drummer – vocalist Matt Red Moore and bassist Mack Keiffer. The album was recorded and engineered by Tom Tapley (Mastodon, Blackberry Smoke, Larkin Poe). Kentucky maybe known for being bluegrass country but Kentucky Ruckus prefer their music to rock louder and harder.

One thing that sticks out upon listening to the album is the space given to each instrument, from the suitably spacey intro on ‘Astro 99’ (where you can hear the drum sticks!), through to the funky bass/keys trade off on ‘Code Red’. The latter has a psychedelic/stoner vibe, channelling perhaps Monster Magnet via Wolfmother.

‘The Flood’ taps into the psychedelic sound giving a chance for Matt Red Moore to show his vocal prowess. He has an earthy tone that grabs the listener’s attention. The song also features THE guitar solo of the album from Kelly Reed. Plenty of style, no unnecessary flash.

Those after quick fire, kick ass southern rock look no further than ‘Gator’ and ‘Hit Song’, which features the great lines ‘Well I wrote your hit song, got a headstone big enough to fit the lyrics on’.

They apparently kick up a storm live with a raucous show, so hopefully some UK shows will be in the offing soon. They’d be ideal touring with the likes of Robert Jon & the Wreck or Black Stone Cherry. Until then we can all enjoy this assured, kick ass slab of southern rock. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie


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 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 7 April 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 2 April 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 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


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



Popular (last 10 days)


Please log in/register