Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Gig review: COLIN BLUNSTONE – Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, 19 April 2016

Posted on April 20, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Colin Blunstone - The Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, 19 April 2016

The first part of a two-part radio feature was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 3 April.  The second part is also available via Mixcloud It must be an age thing, but increasingly I am being … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: RAINBOW – Monsters Of Rock Live At Donington 1980

Posted on April 17, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
RAINBOW - Monsters Of Rock Live At Donington 1980

Eagle Rock [Release date 22.04.16] CD/DVD Is it me or are Rainbow – 35 years on – viewed through rose-tinted spectacles?  The studio albums are worthy but – live – there is excess, there is indulgence, and there’s a lot … Continue reading →

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

Album review: BAD COMPANY – Live 1977 & 1979

Posted on April 17, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
The Best of 2016 - Live Act

Rhino [Release date 29.04.16] It does seem strange that this is the first official live Bad Company album in 40 years, featuring the classic original line-up.  Angel Air Records released the Albuquerque gig from 1976 in 2006 but it was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best Of 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

News: DAUGHTRY UK Tour starts 21 May

Posted on April 16, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Daughtry 2016

In August 2014 Get Ready to ROCK! Radio chatted to Chris Daughtry who revealed that Rick Astley was an early influence… (7:10) Daughtry UK tour starts 21 May Due to phenomenal demand multi-platinum selling recording artist Daughtry have recently announced … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Competitions, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: NERINA PALLOT – Gorilla, Manchester, 14 April 2016

Posted on April 15, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
NERINA PALLOT - Gorilla, Manchester, 14 April 2016

Nernia Pallot was, by her own admission, ‘a little bit pissed’.  Not with life, the world, or Manchester.  No, it was a state induced by pre-gig drinks, and a steady influx of rose wine. Not that it affected a suitably … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Leave a comment

Album review: NERINA PALLOT – The Sound And The Fury

Posted on April 15, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
NERINA PALLOT - The Sound And The Fury

INgrooves/Idaho Records [Release date 11.09.15] It’s almost a decade since GRTR!’s last dalliance with the hugely underrated Nerina Pallot. 10 years ago it seemed that with her sophomore release, Fires, she was on the verge of becoming one of Britain’s … Continue reading →

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

Album review: SANTANA – Santana IV

Posted on April 13, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
SANTANA - Santana IV

Santana IV Records [Release date 15.04.16] In the early 1970s, Santana ‘III’ was the soundtrack of my youth, an album when the band consolidated their Latin Rock credentials and arguably one of their strongest offerings.  The album is awash with … Continue reading →

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

Gig review: HRH PROG – Pwllheli, Wales, 17-19 March 2016

Posted on April 9, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Arthur Brown - HRH Prog - Pwllheli, Wales, 17-20 March 2016

I remember the first time I attended the HRH Prog festival which was held at the ice cold Magna Centre in Rotherham; boy was it cold, even the artists had coats on whilst they performed! But it looks like we … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: HAMMERFEST – Pwllheli, Wales, 10-13 March 2016

Posted on April 9, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
HAMMERFALL - Pwllheli, Wales, 10-13 March 2016

Hammerfest is hard, it’s loud, and it’s brutal and yet again it threatens apocalyptic damage on the peaceful site in Pwllheli. Now in its 8th reign yet again it is being hosted under the HRH United umbrella along with HRH … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ANTHONY PHILLIPS – Private Parts & Pieces I-IV, Wise After The Event, Sides (reissues)

Posted on April 6, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Anthony Phillips - Private Parts & Pieces

This complete programme was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in March 2015.  Anthony Phillips chats to David Randall about his career, with tracks from his solo albums including “The Missing Links” series and his more recent collaboration … Continue reading →

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

Album review: SANDS HALL – Rustler’s Moon

Posted on March 31, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
SANDS HALL - Rustler

[Release date 01.08.14] Better known as a writer, theatre director, and actor, Sands Hall has played the guitar since the age of 16, but it’s taken her until her sixties to release her first album. Inspired since an early age … Continue reading →

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

EP review: DREAM ETERNAL BLISS, THREE DAYS FROM RETIREMENT

Posted on March 31, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
DREAM ETERNAL BLISS

DREAM ETERNAL BLISS DEB EP New Jersey debutants Dream Eternal Bliss deliberately bringing together the 80s pop of bands like Berlin, Roxette, and Duran Duran, and fuse it with the AOR melodic dexterity of bands like Toto on their debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: SPIRITUAL BEGGARS – Sunrise To Sundown

Posted on March 30, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
SPIRITUAL BEGGARS - Sunrise To Sundown

Century Media [Release date 18.03.16] With so many bands taking the 1970s as their inspiration, it has become a crowded marketplace.  The worst case scenario is when the listener feels it is simply easier to go back to source.  But, … Continue reading →

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

News: BANG – U.S. 1970s Power Trio – European Tour incl. London date and Interview

Posted on March 27, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Bang - early 1970s U.S. power trio

Pete Feenstra chatted to Frank Gilcken, Frank Ferrara and Jake Leger for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  In this interview edit Pete finds out more about the band’s 40 year live hiatus… (4:12) More information (and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

News: JOE LYNN TURNER Interview feature and UK festival date

Posted on March 27, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Joe Lynn Turner - Hard Rock Hell AOR, March 2016

Photo: Darren Griffiths for GRTR! After his stunning performance at the recent Hard Rock Hell AOR event, melodic hard rock singer Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Deep Purple) returns to the UK this summer for the Rewind North festival, … Continue reading →

Posted in Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: LYRIAN – The Jester’s Quest In The City Of Glass

Posted on March 26, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
LYRIAN - The Jester

Medieval Records [Release date 01.04.16] Here’s a prog concept album that doesn’t take itself too seriously, judging by the lighter touch in the accompanying press release.  There is no doubt that a lot of effort and enterprise has gone into … Continue reading →

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

Album review: THE RAPTOR TRAIL – New World

Posted on March 26, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
THE RAPTOR TRAIL - New World

MBM Entertainment [Release date 11.03.16] It’s great when a new band takes its cue from anything other than early seventies blues rock.  The Raptor Trail major on well constructed songs, great playing and a definite – even if subconscious – … Continue reading →

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

Album review: JOE LYNN TURNER – Street Of Dreams – Boston 1985

Posted on March 24, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
JOE LYNN TURNER - Street Of Dreams - Boston 1985

A two-part special feature was broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Monday 28 March at 22:00 GMT with Joe Lynn Turner chatting about his career, including tracks from the 1985 live album and his solo and band work.  … Continue reading →

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

Album review: SONIFICADE – Despite All The Noise

Posted on March 23, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
SONIFICADE - Despite All The Noise

Circular Records [Release date 20.05.16] A four piece alternative indie rock band from the Midlands, who won an international unsigned band completion, Sonificade have signed to Scottish label Circular Records for the release their debut album. Recorded at Kasabian’s studio … Continue reading →

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

Quick plays: HORSE PARTY, ELIZA NEALS, CHRISTA COUTURE

Posted on March 23, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Horse Party - Horizons

HORSE PARTY Horizons REPEAT Records [Release date 01.04.16] Bury St Edmunds three-piece rockers, fronted by guitarist/singer Ellie Langley have been getting plenty of plaudits over the past 12 months from the likes of 6music, Radio One, and Radio X. Formed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: IN ISOLATION – A Certain Fractal Light

Posted on March 23, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
IN ISOLATION - A Certain Fractal Light

Nottingham based three piece In Isolation – vocalist/guitarist Ryan Swift, guitarist/bassist John Berry, and drummer Tony Ghost – wear their New Romantics influences very openly on their sleeves, but at the same time manage to create a vibrant and current … Continue reading →

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

Album review: SINDERINS – s/t

Posted on March 23, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Sinderins

Pledge Music [Release date 27.05.16] Scottish band Sinerins bring a new twist to the folk /cross over genre with their eponymous debut release.  I guess the first touchstone that sprang to mind was the shortly lived band Celtus who were … Continue reading →

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

Album review: THE INTERNATIONAL SWINGERS – s/t

Posted on March 23, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
THE INTERNATIONAL SWINGERS

In this hour special, Pete Feenstra chats to James Stevenson about his music (58:39) More at Mixcloud All The Cats Recordings [Release date 06.05.16] The main selling point, I guess, of The International Swingers (putting the Benidorm ‘swingers’ association to … Continue reading →

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

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2016 (Quiet Riot, Dan Reed Network)

Posted on March 18, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
Quiet Riot - HARD ROCK HELL AOR - Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2016

My first experience of any of the Hard Rock Hell festivals was HRH AOR in March last year, enjoying it so much I bought my own accommodation for this year’s event before any bands were announced.  You cannot imagine how … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, 10-11 March 2016 (Joe Lynn Turner, Tyketto)

Posted on March 18, 2016 by GRTR! HQ
HARD ROCK HELL AOR, Pwllheli, Wales, 10-13 March 2016

Thursday 10 March With a mass of indoor festivals throughout the year mainly at holiday camps out of season, Hard Rock Hell and it’s offshoots – AOR, Hammerfest,  Prog and  Blues – are fast becoming favourites, selling out in ridiculously … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment