Monthly Archives: January 2024

Book review: Hello Tolworth, I’m Ziggy by Tim Harrison

Posted on January 31, 2024 by petefeenstra

Good Life Publishing [Publication date:17.09.21] ‘Hello Tolworth, I’m Ziggy, The life And times of the Toby Jug pub, and the launch of David Bowie’s most famous character’ is a meticulously researched book that is at its best when covering Bowie … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged and the launch of David Bowie's most famous character, book, Chicken Shack, David Bowie, Edgar Broughton, Family, Fleetwood Mac, Free, Gary Brewer, Hello Tolworth, I'm Ziggy: The life and times of the Toby Jug pub, Jethro Tull, JOE COCKER, Led Zeppelin, Little Sister, review, SavoyBrown, Stray, TASTE, Ten Years After, The Groundhogs, The Toby Jug, The Yardbirds, Tim Harrison | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBERT HART – Circus Life

Posted on January 30, 2024 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 26.01.24] A new solo album by former Bad Company and Distance singer Robert Hart is always a ‘must listen’ for any melodic hard rock fan. On this album he is joined by Heartland’s Steve Morris and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bad Company, blues rock, Circus Life, FM, hard rock, Harry James, Heartland, Lonerider, melodic rock, review, Robert Hart, Solo, Steve Morris, Steve Overland, Thunder | Leave a comment

Album review: PATTERNS ON THE WINDOW – The British Progressive Pop Sounds Of 1974 (3 CD Boxset)

Posted on January 30, 2024 by brianmc

Grapefruit (Cherry Red) [Release date : 16.02.24] 1974. The UK seemed to be locked into an endless cycle of political and economic crises. The 3 day week. Fuel shortages, and an unheralded post war recession in full swing. Hardly a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1974, British Progressive Pop, Bryan Ferry, Marc Bolan, Nazareth, Procol Harum, Recession, review, Richard Thompson, Rod Stewart, Roxy Music, SPARKS, Thin Lizzy, Three Day week, UFO | Leave a comment

News: ELLES BAILEY, HEART, BON JOVI (February 2024)

Posted on January 30, 2024 by jason

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR - O2 Ritz, Manchester, 17 March 2019

Lee Aaron will be releasing a covers album ‘Tattoo Me’ via Metalville Records on April 26. Ayreon release ’01011001 – Live Beneath The Waves’ through Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group on May 17. Elles Bailey releases a new EP ‘The Night Owl & the Lark’ on February … Continue reading →

Posted in 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, AOR, blues, Bon Jovi, Elles Bailey, folk, gigs, Heart, melodic rock, metal, news, prog rock, reissues, RIP, rock, tour dates | Leave a comment

Gig review: JANUARY BLUES FESTIVAL (Laurence Jones, Ben Poole) – The Forge, Camden, London, 23 and 24 January 2024

Posted on January 29, 2024 by andynathan

January Blues Festival, blues rock, Laurence Jones, Ben Poole, Guy Smeets, gig, festival

For many years now the January Blues Festival has given the traditionally quiet gig calendar a welcome boost in that most depressing of months and showcased a variety of artists old and new. The 100 Club was its traditional habitat … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ben Poole, blues rock, festival, gig, Guy Smeets, January Blues Festival, Laurence Jones | Leave a comment

Album review: SOUTH OF SALEM – Death Of The Party

Posted on January 28, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Spider Party Records [Release date 19.01.24] Back “in the day” UK national radio would ensure that if a band crafted three or four minute ear candy there was a good chance it would be playlisted. Back then – 1970s and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Death Of The Party, heavy rock, review, South Of Salem | Leave a comment

Album review : ALCATRAZZ – Rock Justice : The Complete Recordings 1983-1986

Posted on January 24, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 26.01.24] The Yngwie Malmsteen, Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo writing team on debut album No Parole From Rock’n’Roll (1983) was much more than the sum of the parts. Hard rock melodramas, ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Hiroshima Mon … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alcatrazz, Alice Cooper, David Lee Roth, Eddie Kramer, Graham Bonnet, Jan Uvena, Jimmy Waldo, New England, Percy Sledge, Rainbow, review, Richie Podolor, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen | Leave a comment

Album review: LITTLE LORE – Seven Stories (Parts one and two)

Posted on January 21, 2024 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 23.02.24] Tricia Duffy, aka Little Lore, release the second part of her album in two parts/EPs. This version collates all seven songs together and is also available on CD, as well as download and streaming. Producer and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Americana, folk, Little Lore, pop, review, Seven Stories (Parts one and two), singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PLEASURES – The Beginning Of The End

Posted on January 20, 2024 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release Date 04.08.23] The Pleasures are an Australian duo comprising Catherine Britt and Lachlan Bryan, supported by a fine rhythm section who always serve the song. The duo are the focal point throughout on 11 uncompromising, finely crafted … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Catherine Britt, country, Elton John, Guy Clarke, Hatfitz and Cara, Howlin Wolf, Lachlan Bryan, Monophonics, review, rock, roots, Samantha Fish, singer, singwriter, Steve Earle, The Band, The Pleasures | Leave a comment

Single review : KMFDM – Let Go

Posted on January 20, 2024 by brianmc

Metropolis Records [Release date : 12.01.24] For some musicians, a band name that describes their political aspirations takes precedent over commerciality. And so in 1984 Sascha Konietsko’s “performance art project” became Kein Mehrheit Für Die Mitleid, quickly abbreviated to KMFDM. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Cultural, KMFDM, performance art, political, review, Sascha Konietsko, single, social | Leave a comment

Album review : MAMA’S BOYS – Runaway Dreams 1980-92 (5 CD boxset)

Posted on January 20, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 26.01.24] CD1: Official Bootleg (1980) CD2: Plug It In (1982) CD3: Turn It Up (1984) CD4: Relativity (1992) CD5: Singles, B Sides and Rarities Three boys from Co. Fermanagh conquer the world. Well no, it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Belfast, boxset, eighties, Hawkwind, Irish Folk Music, Kerrang!, Mama's Boys, melodic rock, Nazareth, Phil Lynott, review, Slade, Sounds, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Album review: DAN PATLANSKY – Movin’ On

Posted on January 20, 2024 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Dan Patlansky for Get Ready to ROCK! radio. First broadcast 21 January 2024. Virgin Music Label And Artist Services [Release Date 01.03.24] It’s tempting to say that South African guitar slinger Dan Patlanksy is back with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, Dan Patlansky, funk, guitar, interview, Jimi Hendrix, Movin On, radio, reggae, review, rock, singer, singer songwriter, Stevie Ray Vaughan | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Hell, Fire and Damnation

Posted on January 18, 2024 by andynathan

Silver Lining Music [Release Date 19.1.24] The fact that Saxon were one of the inductees in GRTR!’s ‘Grotto of Greatness’, marking significant acts from our first 20 years, tells you all you need to know about the ability of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Biff Byford, Brian Blessed, Brian Tatler, Doug Scarratt, Hell Fire and Damnation, metal, Nigel Glockler, Saxon | Leave a comment

Album review: DYMYTRY – Five Angry Men

Posted on January 18, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date : 26.01.24] Second English language album from Czech Power Metal band, Dymytry, (their sixth overall). The arrival of vocalist, Alen Lubic has made all the difference in creating an international appeal. Musically, this new album is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Alen Lubic, Czech Republic, Dymytry, Five Angry Men, Goth Rock, NDH, Oppenheimer, power metal, review, social media | Leave a comment

Singles review: NIGHTMARE, ALTERIUM

Posted on January 15, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date : 12.01.24] Formed in 1979, Power Metal French band, Nightmare have been worshipping the mighty riff for 11 albums now. Ex Songbird frontwoman, Barbara Mogore, is the band’s new vocalist, subsequently showing off her vocal versatility on a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Single and EP reviews | Tagged Alterium, Barbara Mogore, French, Italian, Nicolletta Rosselini, Nightmare, power metal, review, singles | Leave a comment

Album review: GOTUS – Gotus

Posted on January 15, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 19.01.24] Debut album from Gotus, an international rock/metal collective. That said, it doesn’t seem quite right calling an album recorded by ex Krokus and ex Gotthard musicians, fronted by an increasingly famous vocalist, a “debut”. (and personally … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/DC, album, Coverdale, Gotthard, Gotus, hard rock, KROKUS, Mandy Meyer, review, Ronnie Romero, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: RICHARD THOMPSON BAND – Live In Nottingham 1986

Posted on January 13, 2024 by jason

Store For Music [Release date 26.01.24] An archive live performance released on CD for the first time (and with the blessing of Richard Thompson, which is not always the case with these live CDs), recorded on his 1986 tour. Angel … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Christine Collister, Clive Gregson, Fairport Convention, Gerry Conway, guitarist, Jethro Tull, live album, Live In Nottingham 1986, review, Richard Thompson, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: JIM CAPALDI – The Outside Years (4 CD Boxset)

Posted on January 12, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 26.01.24] CD1: Living On The Outside (2001) CD2: Poor Boy Blue (2004) CD3: 35 bonus tracks over 2 CDs, most of them unreleased until now. CD4: ditto The late Jim Capaldi, most famously a member … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged boxset, Gary Moore, George Harrison, Jim Capaldi, Paul Weller, review, Steve Winwood, Traffic | Leave a comment

Album review: EXIT EDEN – Femme Fatales

Posted on January 12, 2024 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 12.01.24] Exit Eden are down to the trio of Clémentine Delauney (Visions Of Atlantis), Anna Brunner (League Of Distortion) and Marina La Torraca (Phantom Elite), for this, their second album, after Amanda Somerville left the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged Amanda Somerville, Anna Brunner, Clémentine Delauney, Exit Eden, Femme Fatales, Heart, League Of Distortion, Marillion, Marina La Torraca, melodic metal, Napalm Records, Nightwish, Pet Shop Boys, Phantom Elite, symphonic metal, Visions Of Atlantis | Leave a comment

EP review: VALHALLA AWAITS – Perdition

Posted on January 12, 2024 by jason

Facebook [Release date 08.03.24] Having seen Phil Campbell and TBS perform at Hard Rock Hell festival a couple of times I was excited to hear Andrew Hunt featured on this EP by Valhalla Awaits, so was expecting nothing less than … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, hard rock, heavy rock, modern rock, Perdition, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, review, rock, Valhalla Awaits | Leave a comment

Album review: TIMSON AOR – Forever’s Not Enough

Posted on January 12, 2024 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 12.01.24] As the Bandcamp blurb states, Timson AOR are “A band landing 40 years late!! Reviving the classic 1980s Hard Rock, Power Ballad era we all love and miss.” To be fair, many artists have tried to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR. Forever's Not Enough, melodic rock, review, Timson | Leave a comment

Album review : GRAND – Second To None

Posted on January 10, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 19.01.24] With the DNA of eighties AOR coursing through its veins, Swedish band, Grand compete with outfits like Wigelius, Eclipse, HEAT and WET in recreating the genre’s past glories in a post Melodic Rock world. On their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1927, AOR, Australian Crawl, Eclipse, Frontiers, HEAT, Jakob, Mattias Oloffson, melodic rock, Svensson, WET, Wigelius | Leave a comment

News: Albums Of The Month (October – December 2023)

Posted on January 8, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

HANFORD FLYOVER Source (Fruits De Mer Records) There are several bands operating in the psych/blues rock space and female fronted such as Dead Feathers and Blues Pills, and even label mate Crystal Jacqueline. But Hanford Flyover are less late sixties Jefferson … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS | Tagged 2023, albums of the month, Ann Wilson, blues rock, Care of Night, December, Hanford Flyover, instrumental, melodic rock, November, October, prog, progressive, Robin Trower, rock, Sari Schorr, Trevor Rabin, Tripsitter, Will Pike | Leave a comment

Album review: METALITE – Expedition One

Posted on January 8, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date 19.01.24] Is this 15 track, high concept sci-fi metal album meant to be fun? Because it most certainly is. Not funny, but fun. It’s high energy, as well as high concept. It’s got a slick, sophisticated, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, concept, Edwin Premberg, Erica Ohlsson, Expedition One, Metalite, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE LONG RYDERS – Native Sons Expanded 3 CD Edition

Posted on January 6, 2024 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release Date: 19.01.24] Since its 1984 debut, The Long Ryders’ album, Native Sons has been regularly lauded by the music press. The album’s fusion of Garage, Folk and Country Rock has commonly drawn praise from high profile publications … Continue reading →