Author Archives: andynathan

Gig review: JACK J. HUTCHINSON – 02 Academy 2, Islington, London, 8 February 2024

Posted on February 15, 2024 by andynathan

Going somewhat under the radar, except for those in the know, Jack J Hutchinson has just put out his fourth album in the last few years, ‘Battles’, receiving a rave review from Jason Ritchie in the pages of GRTR! For … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Charlie Rachael Kay, gig, Jack J. Hutchinson, melodic rock, New Wave of Classic Rock, Phil Wilson, Skinny Knowledge | Leave a comment

Gig review: LUKE MORLEY- Islington Academy, London, 31 January 2024

Posted on February 4, 2024 by andynathan

With Thunder off the road for the foreseeable future, Luke Morley has been able to devote more significant time to his solo work. Last year’s ‘Songs from the Blue Room’, a mellow collection of songs sounding nothing like his main … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Chris Childs, Dean Howard, gig, Hillbilly Vegas, Jack Taylor, Luke Morley, Sam Tanner, Thunder | Leave a comment

Gig review: LEAFHOUND- Camden Underworld, London, 26 January 2024

Posted on February 1, 2024 by andynathan

Many of us would like to attend a gig by our favourite artists to mark a milestone birthday. Only a select few though have the contacts to actually put on a special concert, but Darius Drewe is one such. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Cosmo, Darius Drewe, Dave Winkler, Dominic French, gig, Heavy Metal Kids, Keith Boyce, Leafhound, Luke Rayner, Peter French, Peter Herbert, Simon Gordon, Star Circus | 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: 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

Gig review: HALESTORM – Wembley Arena, London, 9 December 2023

Posted on December 16, 2023 by andynathan

Halestorm have maintained a continuous but steady upward trend in popularity on the UK. Nearly 14 years after I first saw them open up for Theory of a Deadman and Heaven’s Basement at the Electric Ballroom, came a career highlight, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Arejay Hale, Black Veil Brides, gig, Halestorm, Joe Hottinger, Josh Smith, Lzzy Hale, Mothica | Leave a comment

Gig review: FM – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells, 1 December 2023

Posted on December 11, 2023 by andynathan

Yet another busy gigging year in FM’s ever hard working calendar ended in the unlikely surroundings of Tunbridge Wells, the genteel Kent town famous for its spa and the mythical disgusted letter-writing retired colonel. Its commutable from both the South … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Ben Christo, Diamond Black, FM, gig, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Merv Goldsworthy, Pete Jupp, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Gig review: ULI JON ROTH- The Garage, London, 28 November 2023

Posted on December 8, 2023 by andynathan

A regular on the gig circuit before the pandemic, this was Uli Jon Roth’s first UK tour since, and a particularly welcome return to the stage as he has recovered from major surgery earlier this year. Coming on relatively late … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged David Klosinski, Electric Sun, gig, Niklas Thurmann, Scorpions, Uli Jon Roth | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE NEW ROSES- Downstairs at the Dome, London, 26 November 2023

Posted on December 2, 2023 by andynathan

Despite rave reviews, German rockers The New Roses have yet to achieve the success they deserve in the UK. We can speculate about the reason for this- one being that though they defy pigeonholing, their sound is totally un-German! Hopefully … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Dizzy Daniels, Empyre, gig, Henrik Steenholdt, melodic rock, New Wave of Classic Rock, Norman Bites, the New Roses, Timmy Rough, Urban Berz | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE ANSWER – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 16 November 2023

Posted on November 23, 2023 by andynathan

It’s been quite a year for The Answer after breaking their five year hiatus to regroup and record a new album ‘Sundowners’. At a 100 Club gig in the Spring that largely showcased the new album I was initially unimpressed, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Cara Bruns, Cormac Neeson, gig, James Heatley, Kira Mac, Micky Waters, Paul Mahon, THE ANSWER | Leave a comment

Gig review: SUZI QUATRO – London Palladium, 15 November 2023

Posted on November 21, 2023 by andynathan

Celebrating a remarkable 50 years as a trailblazing woman in rock since ‘Can the Can’ became her first hit single and reached No 1, Suzi Quatro followed up last year’s superb one off Royal Albert Hall gig with a longer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Boy George, gig, glam rock, Glen Matlock, Jez Davies, Suzi Quatro, Tim Scott, Tommy Schneller | Leave a comment

Gig review: GRETA VAN FLEET – Wembley Arena, London, 14 November 2023

Posted on November 18, 2023 by andynathan

We’re always being told that rock, or at least classic blues based heavy rock, no longer appeals to young people and that limits the scope for the much needed new generation of bands to progress to mass market popularity. Michigan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Danny Wagner. Hannah Wicklund, gig, Greta Van Fleet, Jake Kiszka, Josh Kiszka, Led Zeppelin, Mt.Joy, Sam Kiszka | Leave a comment

Gig review: RUSS BALLARD- Nell’s Jazz and Blues, West Kensington, London, 9 November 2023

Posted on November 13, 2023 by andynathan

As someone for whom the PRS cheques roll in every time his famous songs are played, Russ Ballard has no need to go out in tour for the money, so his newly prolific touring in the UK must be for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Argent, gig, John Miller, Marc Rapson, melodic rock, PJ Phillips, Roly Jones, Russ Ballard, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DUST CODA- Dingwalls, London, 28 October 2023

Posted on November 5, 2023 by andynathan

Rather more quietly than some of their other contemporaries in the New Wave of Classic Rock movement, The Dust Coda have been building a name for themselves, and 2023 has been a busy year, with a second straight top 40 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Adam Mackie, Doomsday Outlaw, gig, John Drake, New Wave of Classic Rock, The Dust Coda | Leave a comment

Gig review: GLENN HUGHES – Electric Ballroom, London, 25 October 2023

Posted on October 29, 2023 by andynathan

In Glenn Hughes’ distinguished and chequered career, his time in Deep Purple is a gift that keeps giving. Songs from his tenure with them have always formed a big part of his solo shows and indeed for many years (until … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ash Sheehan, Bob Fridzema, Deep Purple, gig, Glenn Hughes, Soren Andersen, The Damn Truth | Leave a comment

Gig review: DOM MARTIN – Cabbage Patch, Twickenham, 19 October 2023

Posted on October 24, 2023 by andynathan

Any blues rock guitarist emerging from Ireland will face invariable and daunting comparisons with the very best in Rory Gallagher (and that’s before we even get started on Gary Moore). One such, Dom Martin, has been receiving rave reviews and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Buried in the Hail, Dom Martin, Eel Pie Club, gig | Leave a comment

Gig review: THOSE DAMN CROWS- The Forum, London, 17 October 2023

Posted on October 21, 2023 by andynathan

This show had a lovely sense of symmetry for me. Just over five years ago my first sighting of Those Damn Crows was here at the Forum, opening a four band bill headlined by the Quireboys. I remember being struck … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged David Winchurch, gig, Ian 'Shiner' Thomas, Lloyd Wood, New Wave of Classic Rock, Shane Greenhall, The Cruel Knives, Those Damn Crows | Leave a comment

Gig review: KEITH ST.JOHN- Devonshire Arms, Camden, 9 October 2023

Posted on October 16, 2023 by andynathan

The measure of a singer can be found in the offers they get to fill the boots of famous predecessors. Best known as the frontman for Burning Rain- whose guitarist Doug Aldrich should recognise a good singer having worked with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Burning Rain, gig, Jack Frost, John, Keith St, Kingdom Come, Lynch Mob, Montrose, Myke Gray | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL RODGERS – Midnight Rose

Posted on October 13, 2023 by andynathan

Sun Records [Release date 22.09.23] I feared Paul Rodgers distinguished career might quietly be over when there was an ominous lack of activity in his camp either side of the pandemic, and indeed it has subsequently emerged that he has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bad Company, blues rock, Free, Midnight Rose, Paul Rodgers, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: WISHBONE ASH – Islington Academy, London, 5 October 2023

Posted on October 12, 2023 by andynathan

Wishbone Ash’s autumn tour with its London date at the Islington Academy has been a fixture on the gig calendar for many years, and more often than not these days seems to mark a significant milestone. I was one of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 5 October 2023, Andy Powell, Bob Skeat, gig, Islington Academy, Live Dates, London, Mark Abrahams, Mike Truscott, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY – Islington Assembly Hall, 29 September 2023

Posted on October 8, 2023 by andynathan

Black Stone Cherry have for the last decade been big enough to headline arenas in the UK- in contrast to their still middle ranking status back home. The Kentucky foursome are constantly on tour here and must be up there … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ben Wells, Black Stone Cherry, Chris Robertson, gig, John Fred Young, southern rock, Steve Jewell | Leave a comment

Gig review: KATRINA LESKANICH- Half Moon, Putney, London, 28 September 2023

Posted on October 4, 2023 by andynathan

Now only really remembered for two major singles, in the second half of the eighties Katrina and the Waves were one of my guilty pleasures. Their sixties inspired guitar based sound stood out among the then dominant synthesisers in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Darren Loveday, gig, Half Moo, Katrina and the Waves, Katrina Leskanich, Nicki French, pop rock, power pop | Leave a comment

Album review: SKAGARACK- Heart and Soul

Posted on September 30, 2023 by andynathan

Thunderstruck Records (Release date 25.08.23) Skagarack were, alongside Fate, the Danish standard bearers in the original Scandinavian melodic rock explosion of the late eighties. I was a big fan, seeing them at the old Marquee and even picking up albums … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Jan Petersen, melodic rock, Skagarack, TORBEN SCHMIDT | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROMEO’S DAUGHTER – The Garage, Highbury, London, 23 September 2023

Posted on September 30, 2023 by andynathan

With good timing, as their new album ‘Slipstream’ has just been released, Romeo’s Daughter played their first show in London since the pandemic. Indeed much of the pre show talk evolved around who had retained their tickets from an original … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Craig Joiner, gig, Highbury, Leigh Matty, melodic rock, Romeo's Daughter, Sweet Crisis, The Garage | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – 100 Club, London, 19 September 2023

Posted on September 25, 2023 by andynathan

In the fast rising career of Brave Rival this was a significant milestone for the South Coast-based band. As part of their heavy touring schedule they had played support slots at the 100 Club before, but this was their first … Continue reading →