Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Gig review: FIREWIND – Manchester Academy, 16 February 2017

Posted on February 17, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

You wonder: now that Ozzy has ended “The End”, in his dotage will he revive his solo career? And does that mean there’s another job for Gus G? The Greek guitarist was drafted in for the album ‘Scream’ in 2010 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 16 February 2017, Bob Katsionis, Firewind, gig, Gus G, heavy, Manchester Academy, metal, power metal, review, rock | Leave a comment

News: DAN REED NETWORK UK Tour starts 1 March 2017

Posted on February 15, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Dan Reed Network, London, 15th June 2016

In this interview edit Dan Reed chats about the forthcoming UK tour starting 1 March. (2:56) This is extracted from a recent interview for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in its ‘Favourite Tracks from Favourite Artists’ series. Dan chooses a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged album, Dan Reed, Dan Reed Network, Fight Another Day, funk, gig, hard rock, March 2017, melodic rock, metal, news, Tour, UK tour | Leave a comment

Album review: RICK WAKEMAN & TONY ASHTON – Gas Tank

Posted on February 11, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Gonzo Multimedia [Release date 03.03.17] Where can you hear Rick Wakeman accompanying Rick Parfitt, Alvin Lee and Phil Lynott and – no – it’s not at the Pearly Gates. Back in the early 1980s there was a Channel 4 TV … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alvin Lee, box set, Channel 4, Chris Farlowe, Eric Burdon, Gas Tank, John Entwistle, Maggie Bell, Phil Lynott, review, Rick Wakeman, series, Tony Ashton, TV | Leave a comment

Book review: GEORGE HARRISON – I Me Mine (The Extended Edition)

Posted on February 8, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Genesis Publications [Publication date 21.02.17] It’s probably not a book you would want to take on holiday, fearing that Ryan Air would charge excess baggage. Similarly it may break your coffee table. But ‘I Me Mine – The Extended Edition’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged autobiography, book, Derek Taylor, Genesis Publications, George Harrison, guitar, guitarist, I Me Mine, review, The Beatles, The Extended Edition | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST – Live Tokyo International Forum Hall A

Posted on February 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Inakustik [Release date 24.03.17] Surely, not another Michael Schenker live album and Bluray? The propensity of live releases – including a focus on Japan where he remains popular - is really a testament to Schenker’s great revival in recent years. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Chris Glen, classic rock, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, guitar, guitarist, heavy rock, Live Tokyo International Forum Hall A, McAuley Schenker Group, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Group, MSG, review, Robin McAuley, Steve Mann | Leave a comment

Singles review: STATUS QUO – The Vinyl Singles Collection 1972-1979

Posted on February 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

UMC [Release date 10.03.17] The Quo reissue campaign continues with a set of singles covering the years 1972-1979. We’ve already had a corresponding box set featuring that decade’s albums. This is the first of five limited editions covering a decade … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged box set, collection, Francis Rossi, Limited Edition, review, Rick Parfitt, rock, singles, Status Quo, The Vinyl Singles Collection 1972-1979 | Leave a comment

News: VANGELIS 13-CD Box Set released via Universal on 3 February – win a copy! (Competition)

Posted on February 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Modern music visionary Vangelis has announced the release on 3 February of a new 13-disc box set entitled ‘Delectus,’ featuring a chosen selection of his early discographic work. The mammoth collection will include all of his albums on Vertigo and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Competitions, NEWS | Tagged album, ambient, box set, CD, competition, Delectus, instrumental, Jon Anderson, new age, retrospective, soundtrack, Vangelis | Leave a comment

News: New website for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio launches 10 February

Posted on February 5, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Friday 10 February sees the launch of an exciting new website for the internet-based radio station Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. The station was launched in late-2008 as an audible companion to the popular reviews-based website www.getreadytorock.com The station has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged 10 February 2017, classic rock, featured artists, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, launch, radio, rock, website | Leave a comment

News: THUNDER – New album, tour and radio interview (February 2017)

Posted on February 5, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Melodic hard rockers Thunder release a new studio album ‘Rip It Up’ on 10 February via earMUSIC. The band’s eleventh studio album follows the successful ‘Wonder Days’ and last year’s performances at Ramblin’ Man and Steelhouse Festivals. The band ‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Danny Bowes, February 2017, hard rock, interview, melodic, radio, Rip It Up, Thunder, Tour | Leave a comment

News: JOHN WETTON 1949-2017

Posted on January 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

In this interview extract from April 2009 John Wetton tells David Randall about his early influences, and the immediate aftermath of his departure from Asia in 1991 which led to the release of his second, and favourite, solo album ‘Battle … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, Radio interview, RIP | Tagged Asia, Death, John Wetton, King Crimson, Roxy Music, uk | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 27-30 January 2017

Posted on January 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Steve Hackett - Giants of Rock, Minehead, January 2017

David Randall sets the scene… Giants of Rock. Geriatrics of Rock? It’s where we’ve ended up. The bracing sea air, the faded resort town, the surfeit of hand-wash. These events as much remind us of our own mortality as that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Atomic Rooster, Bernie Marsden, Butlins, Dare, Eric Sardinas, Focus, Giants Of Rock, gig, Ian Anderson, January 2017, John Lees Barclay James Harvest, Minehead, Oliver Dawson Saxon, Popa Chubby, Rebecca Downes, review, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PRS BAND – Time To Testify (Paul Reed Smith)

Posted on January 26, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Pete Feenstra chatted to Paul Reed Smith for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, first broadcast 5 March 2017. Favored Nations [Release date 10.02.17] www.prsband.com/music (hear samples) He’s been designing guitars for any number of name guitarists … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, guitar, guitarist, Paul Reed Smith, review, rock, soul, The PRS Band, Time To Testify | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MIKE GROGAN, PELE, THE MOST UGLY CHILD

Posted on January 23, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

MIKE GROGAN Too Many Ghosts Poacher Records [Release date 10.02.17] Having paid his dues in the punk explosion of the 70′s, and a six piece Springsteen-esque band in the 80′s, South of England based multi-instrumentalist Mike Grogan has settled into … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays, Reissues | Tagged album, Copper And Lace, Fireworks, folk, Mike Grogan, Pele, pop, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The Most Ugly Child, Too Many Ghosts, Torgeir Waldemar | Leave a comment

Album review: VANGELIS – Delectus (Box set)

Posted on January 23, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Win the box set!! (Comp. closes 19.02.17) UMC [Release date 03.02.17] Just too late for Xmas, comes this mammoth 13-disc box set of Vangelis’ albums on Vertigo and Polydor, remastered from the original first generation tapes under the big man’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, ambient, boxed set, Delectus, instrumental, Jon Anderson, new age, orchestral, reissue, review, rock, soundtrack, Vangelis | Leave a comment

Album review: ASH WILSON – Broken Machine

Posted on January 23, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Wilson Brothers Music [Release date 21.04.17] There’s nothing ‘broken’ about this debut from Lincolnshire based singer-songwriter/ blues guitarist Ash Wilson. One of a growing band of a new blues generation, with brother Phil not only contributing drums and percussion, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ash Wilson, blues, blues rock, Broken Machine, review, rhythm & blues | Leave a comment

Album review: JO HARMAN – People We Become

Posted on January 23, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Sands Foley Entertainment [Release date 03.02.17] So who the hell is Jo Harman? Her 2013 debut album Dirt On My Tongue blended rock, soul, blues and jazz with a maturity way beyond her tender years. Get Ready To ROCK!’s Pete … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Jo Harman, Michael McDonald, People We Become, pop, review, rock, soul | Leave a comment

Album review: STATUS QUO – Don’t Stop, Under The Influence, The Party Ain’t Over Yet…

Posted on January 22, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Edsel [Release date 20.01.17] These three Quo re-issues are given more poignancy now by the passing of Rick Parfitt whose ill health is bookended by the original albums. A year after the covers album he had quadruple by-pass heart surgery … Continue reading →

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

News: Ramblin’ Man Fair announce more acts and headliners

Posted on January 21, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Extreme - Manchester Academy, 5 July 2014

Following the second successful year in 2016, the two-day Ramblin’ Man Fair returns 29-30 July. In addition to the main stage there is the Prog In The Park Stage, Outlaw Country Stage Blues and Grooverider Stage. Headliners already announced include … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 29-30 July 2017, Extreme, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kansas, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Kent, Maidstone, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man Fair, Rival Sons, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Album review: ALIVE IN THEORY – Abandon

Posted on January 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 03.17] With gothic cover art make-up and parental advisory labelling I was expecting something angular and edgy from the debut release by Alive In Theory – a Manchester based duo comprising of song writer and singer Kirsty Mac, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Abandon, album, Alive In Theory, electro, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: WILLE AND THE BANDITS – Steal

Posted on January 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Jigsaw [Release date 20.01.17] With three self-released albums to their name, hardworking three piece Wille And The Bandits have built a reputation way beyond their Cornish roots, with extensive touring, including with the likes of Deep Purple, Quo, and Bonamassa … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, review, rock, Steal, wille and the bandits | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEVE ROTHERY BAND – Band On The Wall, Manchester, 12 January 2017

Posted on January 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

This hour special was broadcast in the first hour of David Randall’s weekly show ‘Assume The Position’ on Sunday 18 September at 22:00 GMT on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. With an opening set provided by the Dave Foster Band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12 January 2017, Band On The Wall, Dave Foster, gig, guitar, guitarist, instrumental, interview, Manchester, Marillion, prog, progressive, review, Steve Rothery, Steve Rothery Band | Leave a comment

News: GORDON GILTRAP releases new album and radio interview (January 2017)

Posted on January 10, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Gordon Giltrap may be best known for his 1978 hit single ‘Heartsong’ but his 50 year-plus career has positioned him as one of the most influential and progressive acoustic guitar players. Gordon was influenced by the sixties folk greats Bert … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged acoustic, album, folk, Gordon Giltrap, instrumental, interview, January 2017, Paul Ward, radio, rock, The Last Of England | Leave a comment

News: First big UK rock festivals of 2017 – GREAT BRITISH ROCK & BLUES and GIANTS OF ROCK (January 2017)

Posted on January 9, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

STEVE HARLEY - Giants Of Rock, Minehead, Somerset, 29-31 January 2016

In his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 8 January, David Randall previewed the Butlins Big Weekends: The Great British Rock & Blues Festival and Giants Of Rock Two major rock events get 2017 underway in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged blues, Cockney Rebel, festival, Giants Of Rock, Great British Rock & Blues Festival, Ian Anderson, January 2017, Jethro Tull, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Lincolnshire, Minehead, rock, Skegness, Somerset, Steve Hackett, Steve Harley | Leave a comment

News: DEBORAH BONHAM plays 100 Club, London – 20 January 2017

Posted on January 9, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Deborah Bonham, Giants Of Rock - 9 February 2014

In this hour special David Randall chatted to Deborah Bonham about her music and influences. (First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 5 April 2015). Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Featured Artist Deborah Bonham plays London’s 100 Club (Oxford … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 100 Club, 20 January 2017, concert, Deborah Bonham, gig, interview, live, London, Paul Rodgers, Robert Plant, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: GORDON GILTRAP & PAUL WARD – The Last Of England

Posted on January 2, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

On Sunday 15 January 2017 at 18:00 GMT David Randall chatted to Gordon Giltrap on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, with tracks from the new album. Angel Air Records [Release date 20.01.17] Gordon Giltrap? Where do you start? This veteran … Continue reading →