Monthly Archives: May 2023

Gig review: FM/DARE/TYKETTO – Islington Academy, London, 25 May 2023

Posted on May 31, 2023 by andynathan

The package tour is growing in popularity in the current economic climate as a way of bands combining forces to save on overheads and play in front of maximum audiences. Announced just before Christmas, this particular triple header was most … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Chris Childs, Danny Vaughn, Dare, FM, Ged Rylands, gig, Harry Scott Elliott, Jim Kirkpatrick, Johnny Dee, melodic rock, Pete Jupp, Steve Overland, Tyketto, Vinny Burns | Leave a comment

News: RICK SPRINGFIELD, QUEEN, PHIL VINCENT (June 2023)

Posted on May 30, 2023 by jason

Aerosmith release a 44 track ‘Greatest Hits‘ on August 18 on various formats including 3CD and 4LP sets. Albany Down release their new album ‘Born In The Ashes’ on September 1. They have released the first single off the album … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, blues, folk, gigs, metal, news, Phil Vincent, Queen, Re-issues/special editions, Rick Springfield, RIP, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: FURY WEEKEND – Afterglow

Posted on May 29, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

FiXT Music [Release date 25.05.23] Presenting ‘New to GRTR!’ each week for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio I have become aware of the increasing number of bands combining electronica and rock. I have to say the FiXT label has much … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afterglow, album, ambient, Ars Nikonov, Fury Weekend, new age, Ollie Wride, review, synth pop, synthwave, The Anix | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID EDWARD BOOTH – All My Days

Posted on May 29, 2023 by jason

The Recording Booth [Release date 23.06.23] Derbyshire born David Edward Booth is a songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer based in rural Suffolk. David is also in-house producer and auxiliary writer/guitarist for The Knoydart Songwriting Retreat. He helped produce Kelly Bayfield’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, All My Days, David Edward Booth, folk, Kelly Bayfield, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: CONNOR SELBY – Amazing Grace, London, 16 May 2023

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Davoski

A new venue for this intrepid reviewer, and one that he will want to return to soon. The Church of St Thomas, dating from the 18th Century now hosts a small auditorium with something of a cocktail bar, modern jazz … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16 May 2023, Amazing Grace, blues, blues rock, Connor Selby, gig, live, Logan J Parker, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: WINGER – Bristol Academy, 21 May 2023

Posted on May 23, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Back in 2010 I reviewed Winger at Manchester Academy and took my son the guitarist Ben Randall. Ben is a big fan of the band but I couldn’t entice him to see their latest tour supporting Steel Panther. Whether it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 21 May 2023, AOR, Bristol Academy, gig, hair metal, hard rock, Kip Winger, melodic, Reb Beach, review, Winger | Leave a comment

News: Melodic Rockers FM enter The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness in June 2023

Posted on May 21, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

The latest inductees to “The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness” are melodic rockers FM. A major retrospective tracking FM’s comeback in the millennium will be published on 1 June by rock website Get Ready to ROCK! and throughout the month Get … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged AOR, classic rock, feature, FM, Grotto, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, retrospective, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: WEAPON – New Clear Power

Posted on May 21, 2023 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 19.05.23] There have been a few changes in the Weapon camp since their 2019 album ‘Ghosts Of War’, with original guitarist Jeff Summers leaving the band in 2021, and they can now revert to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Danny Hynes, hard rock, melodic metal, metal, New Clear Power, NWOBHM, review, Robert Majd, Steve Mann, Weapon | Leave a comment

Album review: ELEGANT WEAPONS – Horns For A Halo

Posted on May 21, 2023 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 26.05.23] Elegant Weapons may be releasing their debut album, however, the album’s line-up is a bit of a metal supergroup. It features Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, along with fellow Priest band mate, drummer Scott Travis. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Andy Sneap, debut, Elegant Weapons, heavy metal, Horns For A Halo, Judas Priest, metal, MSG, Nuclear Blast, Pantera, power metal, Rainbow, review, Richie Faulkner, Ronnie Romero, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: ROSS THE BOSS – Legacy Of Blood, Fire And Steel

Posted on May 21, 2023 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 28.04.23] (LP, ref vinyl, gatefold sleeve) Guitarist Ross The Boss is best known as a founder member of both The Dictators and later Manowar, and has an extensive discography with both, as well as Shakin’ Street, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AFM Records, album, best of, Fire And Steel, guitarist, Legacy Of Blood, Manowar, power metal, review, Ross the Boss | Leave a comment

Album review: RAVEN – Faster Than The Speed Of Light

Posted on May 21, 2023 by jason

Cherry Red Records [Release date 26.05.23] One of the finest speed metal bands to come out of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, three piece were formed in the early 70s and grew up listening to (and playing) classic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, athletic rock, box set, Faster Than The Speed Of Light, metal, RAVEN, review, speed metal, thrash metal | Leave a comment

Album review: LAZARUS HEIGHTS – Strangers

Posted on May 20, 2023 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release Date 22.03.23] Lazarus Heights is an experienced Anglo-French quartet based in South West France, who put the emphasis on undulating melodies, memorable hooks and fine musicianship that always supports the song. The band comprises the rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Calvin Russell, Chanson Francaise, Christophe, David Bowie, David Gilmour, Dick Grisdale, Fanny Lassagne, French, Jean Michel Jarre, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Jeff Gautier, Lazarus Heights, Michale Stipe, Paul Mouradian, Paul Personne, prog, REM, review, rock, Simon Pearson, Simple Minds, U2 | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOE SATRIANI – London Palladium,17 May 2023

Posted on May 20, 2023 by jason

There’s never been much doubt that Joe Satriani is from another solar system, his skill with a guitar like nothing on this Earth. Always one the most outstanding players out there, his literally jaw dropping skills have been the envy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 May 2023, Deep Purple, gig, guitar instrumental, guitarist, Joe Satrian, Kenny Aronoff, London Palladium, metal, review, rock, The Elephants Of Mars | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOE BONAMASSA – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, 14 May 2023

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Davoski

Joe Bonamassa is a regular visitor to these shores. Having wrapped up a short tour last Spring, he was back with his band for another five UK dates playing venues he skipped last time. Indeed this was his first gig … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14 May 2023, Birmingham, blues, blues rock, gig, guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, live, Reese Wynans, review, rock, Utilita Arena | Leave a comment

Album review: KRIS DREVER – Best Of

Posted on May 18, 2023 by jason

Website [Release date 19.05.23] Kris Drever has now made five solo albums (debuting in 2006 debut with ‘Black Water’), as well as five studio albums with the folk trio Lau, and recordings with various collaborators including Fine Friday, Roddy Womble … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, best of, Boo Hewerdine, folk, Kris Drever, Lau, review, Roddy Womble, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: BIG COUNTRY – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 5 May 2023

Posted on May 15, 2023 by andynathan

For Big Country, their debut album ‘The Crossing’ is rightly regarded as a classic, spawning three hit singles and countless other fan favourites, and establishing that signature bagpipe style guitar sound. For the current line up it is also the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 5 May 2023, Big Country, Bruce Watson, gig, Islington Assembly Hall, Kirk Brandon, London, Simon Hough, Spear of Destiny, The Crossing | Leave a comment

Gig review: JIM KIRKPATRICK- The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 4 May 2023

Posted on May 14, 2023 by andynathan

Guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick seems to have been everywhere recently. After FM’s December tour with the Dead Daisies and January dates with Band of Friends, his third solo album ‘Dead Man Walking’ was released to critical acclaim including in these pages … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 4 May 2023, blues rock, FM, gig, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, Leon Cave, London, melodic rock, Ollie Collins, Raynes Park, The Cavern | Leave a comment

Album review : V/A Let’s Stomp (Merseybeat 1962-1969) 3 CD set

Posted on May 14, 2023 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 26.05.23] Heavily influenced by US Blues and Rock, Merseybeat was a sixties pop music phenomenon, originating in Liverpool, that swept all before it. First the UK, then Europe, ultimately invading the USA and the ROTW. Across … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, Beatles, Billy J Kramer, Cilla Black, Doc Pomus, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Jackie DeShannon, Joe Meek, Lennon & McCartney, Let's Stomp (Merseybeat 1962-1969), Liverpool, Merseybeat, Mojos, Mort Shuman, pop, review, rock, Shel Talmy, Swinging Blue Jeans, The Fourmost, The Merseybeats, The Searchers, The Sixties, US Blues | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROCKNYTT CRUISE- Viking Line ‘Cinderella’, Stockholm, 21-22 April 2023

Posted on May 14, 2023 by andynathan

The rock cruise is now a well established business model in the world of classic rock, as fans of rock’s golden age reach their Saga-eligible years and are looking for new experiences and greater comfort than sleeping in tents and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 21-22 April 2023, AOR, Captain Black Beard, cruise, Dare, DEMON, Emotional Fire, Gathering of Kings, Grand Slam, Houston, melodic rock, Remedy, Rocknytt Cruise, Russ Ballard, Sweden, Weapon, Wildness | Leave a comment

Album review: MICK PINI & AUDIO54 – Way Ahead

Posted on May 14, 2023 by petefeenstra

House Of Happiness [Release Date 22.03.23] Described in some quarters as; “blues for the 21st century”, Mick Pini and Audio 54 (aka producer Craig Marshall) ‘Way Ahead’ album, is the strongest restatement of the view that blues is at its … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Audio 54, beats, blues, Captain Beefheart, Craig Marshall, dance, Dr John, dub-step, Fantastic Negrito, funk, jazz, Mick Pini, Miles Davis, Mothers of Invention, Prince, psychedelia, review, rhythm & blues, RL Burnside, swamp, Yerba Buena | Leave a comment

Album review: URIAH HEEP – Wonderworld, High And Mighty

Posted on May 14, 2023 by jason

BMG [Release date 26.05.23] BMG are continuing their fine picture disc reissue campaign by Uriah Heep, and what lovely items they are too. These British prog legends have had their catalogue reissued more times than I care to imagine, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, BMG, coloured vinyl, David Byron, High And Mighty, John Wetton, Ken Hensley, Mick Box, reissues, review, Uriah Heep, Wonderworld | Leave a comment

Album review: THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT – The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Blu-Ray Edition)

Posted on May 11, 2023 by brianmc

Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red [Release date; 26.05.23] The Turn Of A Friendly Card (1980) was Alan Parsons’ fifth long player, and if you will, a concept album. Parsons and Eric Woolfson, one a producer/songwriter and the other a songwriter/studio engineer, enjoyed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billboard, Blu-ray, Dark Side Of The Moon, Eric Woolfson, Esoteric Recordings, Lenny Zakatek, Let It Be, Pink Floyd, reissue, review, The Alan Parsons Project, The Beatles, The Turn Of A Friendly Card | Leave a comment

Album review : HANOI ROCKS – The Days We Spent Underground (1981-84)

Posted on May 10, 2023 by brianmc

Esoteric Records/Cherry Red [Release date: 26.05.23] CD1 Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks (1981) CD2 Oriental Beat (1982) CD3 Destruction Blues (1982) CD4 Back To Mystery City (1983) CD5 All Those Wasted Years (1984) In the 4 short years from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Andy McCoy, Bowie, boxset, Buzzcocks, Dale Griffin, glam rock, Gyp Casina, Hanoi Rocks, Kerrang!, LA Rock, Michael Monroe, Mott, Nasty Suicide, Overend Watts, punk, Sam Yaffa, Sounds, The Days We Spent Underground (1981-84), Undertones | Leave a comment

Album review: MIKE ROSS – Third Eye Open

Posted on May 10, 2023 by jason

Taller Records [Release date 28.04.23] This latest album Mike Ross certainly hits the listener like the proverbial musical freight train. Joining Mike Ross (vocals, guitar, organ) on engine’s footplate are Derek Randall (vocals, bass) and Darren Lee (drums). Jack Hutchinson adds … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, guitarist, hard rock, Jack Hutchinson, Mike Ross, review, rock, Third Eye Open | Leave a comment

Gig review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 23 April 2023

Posted on May 9, 2023 by david.wilson

It’s hard to believe that Kenny Wayne Shepherd was a mere 18 years old when he wrote and released ‘Trouble Is..’. A mature, complex blues rock album launched into the world as part of an exciting vanguard of fresh-faced US … Continue reading →