Category Archives: BOOK REVIEWS

Book review: HOGGIN’ THE PAGE – Groundhogs The Classic Years by Martyn Hanson

Posted on March 13, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 07.02.25] Sonicbond have been well featured at GRTR! with their “On track…” and “Decades” imprints amongst a plethora of publications since 2018. The publisher has now taken to resurrecting books out of print or giving these … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged blues, blues rock, classic rock, Groundhogs The Classic Years, history, Hoggin' The Page, Tony McPhee | Leave a comment

Book review: On track… DAVID BOWIE, GERRY RAFFERTY, TALKING HEADS, THE BEATLES, DEEP PURPLE

Posted on March 12, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication dates Feb.-Mar. 2025] The On track… series continues and the first of 2025 includes David Bowie 1983-2016, the perfect complement to the earlier tome covering 1964-1982. This time Don Klees reflects the genre-changing nature of Bowie, especially … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, classic rock, David Bowie, Deep Purple, Gerry Rafferty, On Track, Porcupine Tree, review, Talking Heads, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…SPARKS, ROXY MUSIC, DAVID BOWIE

Posted on November 17, 2024 by jason

On Track…Sparks 1969-1979 by Chris Sutton (Sonicbond Publishing. 2024) Chris Sutton has penned a few titles previously for SonicBond including a couple on Alice Cooper and an AC/DC one. Unlike some titles in the series this Sparks one features interviews … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged art rock, book review, Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry, Carl Ewens, Chris Sutton, Classic Albums, classic rock, David Bowie, electronic pop, glam rock, Michael Kulikowski, On Track, pop, rock, Roxy Music, Sonicbond Publishing, SPARKS | Leave a comment

Book review: THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE ROCK SOUND SYSTEMS, VOLUME 4 by Chris Hewitt

Posted on October 17, 2024 by petefeenstra

Chris Hewitt -The Development Of Large Rock Sound Systems,Volume 4

Dandelion Books [Publication date 23.10.24] You might imagine that this being Volume 4 of ‘The Development of Large Rock Sound Systems’, that there would be a natural chronology at play. Not so, for having dealt with the history of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bill Kelsey, book, Charlie Watkins, Chris Hewitt, David Bowie, ELP, Grateful Dead, Jim Marshal, Nick Mason, Pete Watts, Pink Floyd, review, Ricthcie Blackmore, The Developement of Large Rock Sound Systems, THE WHO, Volume 4 | Leave a comment

Book review: GET YER ‘AIR CUT by Alan Clayson

Posted on October 16, 2024 by petefeenstra

Oldcastle Books [Publication date 17.09.24] They say you should always try and start a book with a bang, or at least a significant event. Alan Clayson’s ‘Get Yer Air Cut’ most certainly does that, opening with a 15 year old’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Ace Keffor, Alan Clayson, Black Sabbath, book, Dave Berry, Dick Taylor, Frank Zappa, Get Yer 'Air Cut, Jim Simpson, John Lennon, Lennart Wrigholm, Mick Pini, Phil May, PJ Proby, review, Screaming Lord Such, The Beatles, The Move, The Pretty Things, The Rolling Stones, The Walker Brothers | Leave a comment

Book review: DANCE WITH THE DEVIL – The Cozy Powell Story by Laura Shenton

Posted on September 22, 2024 by jason

Wymer Publishing Drummer Cozy Powell, famed for his work with Jeff Beck, Rainbow, MSG, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath and Bian May, has a CV longer than most could ever wish for, with success and obscure sessions and a family tree that’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged classic rock, Cozy Powell – A Life In Vision, Dance With The Devil – The Cozy Powell Story, drummer, Laura Shenton, Rainbow, rock, Solo, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Book review: Rock Classics – MEAT LOAF – BAT OUT OF HELL by Geoffrey Feakes

Posted on September 16, 2024 by andynathan

Sonicbond Publishing (Publication date: 26.04.24) Having issued numerous tomes in their two series of ‘On Track’ song by song analysis, and looking at a band in a particular decade, Sonicbond take this to a fresh level of detail with a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bat Out Of Hell, book, Geoffrey Feakes, Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf | Leave a comment

Book review: REMEMBERING LIVE AID by Andrew Wild

Posted on August 25, 2024 by jason

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 30.08.24] Although the fortieth(!) anniversary of Live Aid is next July, this book by Andrew Wild gets in early on any anniversary events/books and is a great way to jog the memories of those who were … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Andrew Wild, Bob Geldolf, book, charity, David Bowie, Ethiopia, metal, Midge Ure, Philadelphia, pop, Queen U2, Remembering Live Aid the Greatest Show On Earth, review, rock, Sonicbond Publishing, Status Quo, The Live Aid Trust, Wembley | Leave a comment

Book review: ULTRAVOX – Every Album, Every Song by Brian J Robb

Posted on August 4, 2024 by jason

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date: 26.07.24] Ultravox had 17 UK top 40 singles between 1981 and 1984, yet never had a number one single. ‘Vienna’ was famously kept of the top spot by Joe Dolce’s ‘Shaddap You Face’ (a song that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Brian J Robb, Chris Cross, Classic Albums, electronic, electronic pop, melodic, Midge Ure, pop, review, rock, Sonicbond Publishing, Ultravox - Every Album Every Song | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…THE DIVINE COMEDY by Alan Draper

Posted on May 11, 2024 by jason

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 29.02.24] At end of the 1980s Neil Hannon formed his first line-up of The Divine Comedy. In 1989, he signed a deal with independent label, Setanta Records, which led to The Divine Comedy becoming the label’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Alan Draper, alt pop, book, indie, indie pop, Neil Hannon, On Track...THE DIVINE COMEDY, pop, review, rock, The Duckworth Lewis Method, Thomas Walsh | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…OASIS, NEIL YOUNG, AC/DC, PROCOL HARUM (every album, every song)

Posted on May 9, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing www.sonicbondpublishing.com [Publication dates 26.01.24*, 29.02.24**, 05.04.24***, 10.05.24****] The wide spread of the On Track… series is confirmed by Paul Tornbohm’s dissection of Carpenters*. Surveying the pop duo’s output from 1969, Tornbohm approaches his task from the viewpoint of a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged AC/DC, book, Brit Pop, Carpenters, classic rock, hard rock, INXS, Neil Young, Oasis, On Track, pop, pop rock, Procol Harum, review | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…MAGNUM – every album, every song – by Matthew Taylor

Posted on April 27, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 26.04.24] The merits of these “On track…” books lie in the authors’ comprehensive trawling of sources as much as subjective opinion. Matthew Taylor’s expose of Magnum drives a balance between the two. He has used a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bob Catley, book, hard rock, Magnum, Mark Stanway, melodic rock, On Track, review, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…THE POLICE – Every Album, Every Song by Peter Braidis

Posted on April 14, 2024 by jason

The Police On Track Every Album, Every Song

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 12.04.24] Forming when punk was starting to become a force, The Police – drummer Stuart Copeland, vocalist/bassist Sting and guitarist Andy Summers – released five albums between 1978 and 1983, coupled with a succession of hit … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Summers, book, classic pop, classic rock, Every Song, Peter Braidis, pop, reggae, review, rock, Sting, Stuart Copeland, The Police On Track: Every Album | Leave a comment

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

Book review: On track…THE BEAT, DEPECHE MODE

Posted on December 10, 2023 by jason

On Track…The Beat, General Public & Fine Young Cannibals by Steve Parry Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 30.06.23] A fascinating read into how the Beat led to the creation of General Public (who many may ask and they once supported Queen!) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 80's pop, alternative, books, Depeche Mode, electronica, Fine Young Cannibals, General Public, On Track, pop, review, rock, synth pop, The Beat | Leave a comment

Book review: On track … BOB DYLAN, HAWKWIND, YES, LOU REED, THE JAM (Sonicbond Publishing)

Posted on December 9, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

“For the fan a chance to revisit songs and albums and for newcomers a roadmap to hopefully enhance their listening habits. Of course in an age of renewed vinyl interest these books may be the perfect complement.” We catch up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Bob Dylan, book, folk, Hawkwind, Humble Pie, Linda Ronstadt, Lou Reed, Progressive Rock, Ralph McTell, review, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, singer songwriter, Sonicbond, Suzanne Vega, The Byrds, The Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yes | Leave a comment

Book review: Decades – MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND in the 1970s by John Van der Kiste

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Davoski

Book review: Decades - Manfred Mann’s Earth Band in the 1970’s (John Van der Kiste)

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date: 27.01.23] After seeing the Earth Band live this Summer and being very pleasantly surprised, I found this book in my pile of review material and so I’m following up that excellent gig in Budapest with a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 1970's, book, Manfred Mann, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, prog, review, Sonicbond | Leave a comment

Book review: ON TRACK… REO Speedwagon- every album, every song by James Romag

Posted on July 9, 2023 by andynathan

Sonic Bond Publishing (Release Date 28.04.23) The ever growing On Track series is now spreading its wings to bands with at best cult status in the UK, in this case REO Speedwagon who, despite three big power ballad hits in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, book, melodic rock, On Track, REO Speedwagon, Sonic Bond | Leave a comment

Book review: SLADE in the 1970s (Decades) by Darren Johnson

Posted on July 3, 2023 by jason

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 26.05.23] Slade were one of the biggest British bands of the 1970s, three UK number one albums (and one in Australia), six number one singles in the UK and Irish charts, numerous top 10 hit singles and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Classic Albums, classic rock, Darren Johnson, Dave Hill, Don Powell, glam, glam rock, hard rock, Jim Lea, Noddy Holder, review, rock, Slade, Slade in the 1970s (Decades), Sonicbound Publishing | Leave a comment

Book Review: DEFINITELY: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF DEF LEPPARD

Posted on July 2, 2023 by andynathan

Genesis Publishing [Release Date 09.05.23] Def Leppard’s profile is as high now as at any time since their eighties heyday. The Stadium tour travelled America and has hit the UK this summer, ‘Diamond Star Halos’ was released to general acclaim … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Def Leppard, Definitely: The Official Story of Def Leppard, Genesis Publications, review | Leave a comment

Book review: On Track….EAGLES- every album, every song by John Van der Kiste

Posted on May 3, 2023 by andynathan

SonicBond publishing (Publication date 03.03.23) For the latest in the ‘On Track’ series John Van Der Kiste has the unenviable task of saying something fresh about one of the best selling artists of all time, whose story has already been … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Eagles, John Van der Kiste, On Track | Leave a comment

Book review: MAGIC The David Paton Story (David Paton)

Posted on April 25, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 28.04.23] It seems to be a trend for musicians – some of whom aren’t exactly thrust centre stage in the pantheon of rock – to write their biographies. Perhaps it’s a Lockdown thing or a sense … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Alan Parsons Project, autobiography, bass, book, Camel, classic rock, David Paton, Elton John, guitar, Magic, Pilot, review, The David Paton Story | Leave a comment

Book review: QUEEN in the 1970s by James Griffiths

Posted on April 17, 2023 by jason

‎Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 30.03.23] This book scores highly on two counts. Firstly, the author is a big Queen fan and that comes through in the writing, as opposed to a dry biography written by a jobbing writer. Secondly, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Brian May, Classic Albums, classic rock, Freddie Mercury, James Griffiths, John Deacon, live albums, pop rock, Queen, Queen in the 1970s, review, rock, Roger Taylor | Leave a comment

Book review: On track….VAN HALEN- every album, every song by Morgan Brown

Posted on April 15, 2023 by andynathan

Sonicbond Publishing (Release Date 24.02.23) The latest in the ever expanding ‘On Track’ series finds author Morgan Brown with the unenviable task of saying something fresh about Van Halen, given how much has already been written, especially after Eddie Van … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Morgan Brown, On Track, Van Halen | Leave a comment

Book review: SKY TRAILS & PIE TALES – by Trev Turley

Posted on April 7, 2023 by petefeenstra

The Cherished Synapse [March 2022] Trevor Turley’s ‘Sky Trails & Pie Tales’ is described as an autobiographical memoir and for the most part that of a semi-pro musician. It’s a heart felt work that celebrates an ongoing musical heritage driven … Continue reading →