Author Archives: jason

Gig review: JOHN OTWAY – Sub89, Reading, Wednesday 15 December 2021

Posted on December 16, 2021 by jason

Otway The Movie: Rock & Roll's Greatest Failure

Welcome to the Brave New World/1984 as this was the first gig I was asked to show my covid pass. Sign of the times but if it keeps live music and entertainment going then it is a small price to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged gig, John Otway, punk, reading, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Sub89, Tom Webber, Wednesday 15 December 2021 | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TAYLOR YOUNG BAND, AUTUMN’S CHILD

Posted on December 14, 2021 by jason

TAYLOR YOUNG BAND Mercury Transit Handrawn Records [Release date 08.10.21] Taylor Young drummed for the likes of The O’s, Young Heart Attack and Polyphonic Spree. Now he takes on the role of band leader and is joined by guitarist, vocalist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Autumn’s Child, Deep Blue Something, melodic rock, Mercury Transit, Mikael Erlandsson, pop rock, power pop, review, Taylor Young Band | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS FARLOWE & THE THUNDERBIRDS – Stormy Monday & The Eagles Fly On Friday

Posted on December 14, 2021 by jason

Repertoire [Release date 28.1.22] This 3CD set brings together more than 50 newly remastered tracks, recorded by the R&B/soul powerhouse Chris Farlowe between 1962 and 1969. It’s an eclectic mix of studio, radio session and live tracks, and a definitive … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Chris Farlowe, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, R&B, review, rock 'n' roll, soul, Stormy Monday & The Eagles Fly On Friday, the Thunderbirds | Leave a comment

Book review: NU METAL A DEFINITIVE GUIDE, ON TRACK…KORN by Matt Karpe

Posted on December 13, 2021 by jason

Nu Metal A Definitive Guide SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 24.09.21] Author Matt Karpe has been busy of late with two of his books published in quick succession. This Nu Metal guide is very comprehensive and a perfect introduction to a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Matt Karpe, metal, Nu Metal A Definitive Guide, On Track... Korn, review, SLIPKNOT, Staind, Tool | Leave a comment

Book review: On Track…ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA by Barry Delve

Posted on December 5, 2021 by jason

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 03.12.21] After a highly readable book on Queen a couple of years ago Sonicbond now publish a book based on my other all-time favourite band the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Wisely Barry Delve focusses solely on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Barry Dalve, Bev Bevan, book, classic rock, Electric Light Orchestra - Every Album, ELO, Every Song, Jeff Lynne, melodic, pop, pop rock, review, Roy Wood, Sonicbond Publishing | Leave a comment

EP review: THIRD LUNG – Dialogues Of The Fatal Few

Posted on December 5, 2021 by jason

Facebook [Release date 26.11.21] We enjoyed Reading four piece Third Lung’s 2019 EP ‘Sooner Or Later’ here at Ritchie towers and I was delighted to read they have a new EP out. The EP is a compilation of singles, plus … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Dialogues Of The Fatal Few, EP, indie, melodic, review, rock, Third Lung | Leave a comment

EP review: ROLY WITHEROW – Down By The River

Posted on December 2, 2021 by jason

Website [Release date 03.12.21] Roly Witherow is a prolific and acclaimed composer in the world of film, theatre and TV. Roly released his debut album ‘Ballads and Yarns’ in 2020, which he now follows-up with this new five-track EP. Roly … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged acoustic, Down By The River, EP. Singer songwriter, folk, review, Richard Thompson, Roly Witherow | Leave a comment

Gig review: FISH – Cambridge Junction, 18 November 2021

Posted on December 2, 2021 by jason

FISH – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 15 December 2017

After four decades, four studio albums with Marillion and eleven solo albums it’s drawing close to Fish winding down a long and storied musical career that has seen the towering Scotsman touch the hearts of countless thousands around the globe. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 November 2021, Cambridge Junction, Doris Brendel, Fish, gig, John Mitchell, Marillion, prog rock, review, rock, Weltschmerz | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES WHITE & THE WILD FIRE – Live at Saffron Hall

Posted on December 1, 2021 by jason

Facebook [Release date 19.11.21] James White & The Wild Fire formed in 2020 and musically are a blend of country, bluegrass, indie and Americana, hailing from Saffron Walden, Essex. The group consists of James White (vocals and guitar), Brooke Bond … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, bluegrass, country, folk, folk rock, James White & the Wild Fire, live album, Live at Saffron Hall, review | Leave a comment

Album review: JULIAN LITTMAN – Goblin Market Music

Posted on November 30, 2021 by jason

Website [Release date 01.12.21] Steeleye Span’s Julian Littman has created a concept album based on Christina Rossetti’s famous 19th Century poem ‘Goblin Market’. In addition, author John Matthews set out to adapt the themes in the poem to create a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Christina Rossetti, concept album, folk, Goblin Market, Julian Littman, Maddy Prior, poetry, prog rock, progressive, review, Steeleye Span | Leave a comment

News: ELLES BAILEY, STONEDEAD, URIAH HEEP (December 2021)

Posted on November 30, 2021 by jason

Michael Schenker, photo by Simon Dunkerley

Tim Arnold releases his new album, ‘Maybe Magic’, on January 7 via Bandcamp. Pretty Maids vocalist Ronnie Atkins releases his new solo album ‘Make It Count’ on march 18 via Frontiers. Elles Bailey has opened pre-orders for her next album, ‘Shining in … 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 alternative, blues, blues rock, Elles Bailey, festivals, folk, gigs, indie, melodic rock, metal, news, pop, prog, rock, Stonedead, tours | Leave a comment

Gig review: SKERRYVORE – Arlington Arts Centre, Friday November 26 2021

Posted on November 28, 2021 by jason

Possibly the most tartan on display south of the border outside of an Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop, Celtic folk rockers Skerryvore were in town for a Friday night to remember. Skerryvore consist of Alec Dalglish (vocals, guitar & the band’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Arlington Arts Centre, Celtic rock, country, folk, folk rock, Friday November 26 2021, gig, melodic, review, Skerryvore | Leave a comment

Album review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Glory For Salvation

Posted on November 28, 2021 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 26.11.21] Italian symphonic metal legends Rhapsody (for that is what they were originally called) return with their 13th studio album and is the second in the The Nephilim’s Empire Saga concept series, and follows on from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album, Alex Staropoli, Glory For Salvation, metal, power metal, review, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: SKID ROW – The Atlantic Years

Posted on November 28, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 03.12.21] American rock band Skid Row, who formed in New Jersey in 1986, found fame in the late 80s and early 90s with their brand of hard rock that included elements of glam and sleaze. Signing to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged box set, classic rock. sleaze rock, hair metal, hard rock, reissues, review, rock, Sebastian Bach, Skid Row, The Atlantic Years | Leave a comment

Gig review: ELLES BAILEY – Cambridge Junction 2, Tuesday 23 November 2021

Posted on November 28, 2021 by jason

A natural born storyteller, Elles Bailey also has the sort of voice that could make angels weep and this combination is like a siren draw into her endlessly colourful and wonderful world. Back on the road now after an extended … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, blues, blues rock, Cambridge Junction 2, country, Elles Bailey, gig, review, Tuesday 23 November 2021 | Leave a comment

Gig review: LIFESIGNS – The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes, Tuesday 23 November 2021

Posted on November 25, 2021 by jason

Blackheart Orchestra are garnering quite a reputation for themselves, especially on the live circuit. So, unfamiliar as I was with them I was keen to catch their short support slot. The Manchester duo treated a pretty full room to a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Blackheart Orchestra, gig, John Young, Liesigns, melodic, Milton Keynes, progressive, review, rock, The Craufurd Arms, Tuesday 23 November 2021 | Leave a comment

Rising Stars: WAX ON WATER

Posted on November 25, 2021 by jason

Maya Damaris from Wax on Water answers GRTR! Q&A… Wax on Water -The Sting in the Raw – YouTube 1. Your new EP ‘The Drip -Part 1′ is out now – what has the reception been so far ? What … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged alternative, classical, indie, interview, Maya Damaris, melodic, Rising Stars, Wax On Water | Leave a comment

Gig review: PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS – Thekla, Bristol, 18 November 2021

Posted on November 23, 2021 by jason

First of all, what a venue, for the uninitiated, the Thekla is a floating music venue, it was a cargo ship in days gone by. It well and truly commands its place in Bristol’s thriving music scene. The staff are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 November 2021, Bristol, Florence Black, gig, guitarist, live music, metal, Motorhead, NWOCR, Phil Campbell, review, The Bastard Sons, Thekla | Leave a comment

EP review: BIG BIG TRAIN – Proper Jack Froster

Posted on November 21, 2021 by jason

Digital only [Release date 19.11.21] A seasonal release from Big Big Train, ahead of their new album ‘Welcome To The Planet’ due in January next year. The single is expanded into a digital EP as they add the previously released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Big Big Train, EP, folk, prog rock, Proper Jack Froster, review, rock | Leave a comment

EP review: TOM WEBBER – Stop and Think About It

Posted on November 21, 2021 by jason

Facebook [Release date 16.10.21] Debut release by Oxfordshire based singer songwriter Tom Webber. Despite his youthful age his music takes the listener back to the late 50’s/early 60’s when artists like the Everly Brothers, the Drifters and Sam Cooke were … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, EP, pop, review, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, soul, Stop and Think About It, Tom Webber | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOM WEBBER – Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, Friday 19 November 2021

Posted on November 20, 2021 by jason

First in a series of gigs promoted by the Music Box and tonught was a three solo artist showcase, headlined by local lad Tom Webber. Nicely staged with round tables and chairs providing a relaxed atmosphere, especially as appearing solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, alt pop, Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, Friday 19 November 2021, Genevive Miles, gig, John Otway, NINE BELOW ZERO, pop, review, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, Thom Lucas, Tom Webber | Leave a comment

Album review: PEPPERKID2 – Adventures In Pepperland

Posted on November 16, 2021 by jason

Website [Release date 12.11.21] Pepperkid2 is the brainchild of FM’s keyboardist Jem Davis. Joining Jem is Mike Dyer (Grand Slam) as the main vocalist/co-writer. Also appearing on the album is Dyer’s fellow Grand Slam band member guitarist Laurence Archer, along … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adventures In Pepperland, album, Cats In Space, FM, Grand Slam, Jellyfish, Jem Davis, melodic, pop rock, power pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: RADIO STARS – Broadcasting To The Nation

Posted on November 15, 2021 by jason

Easy Action [Release date 3.12.21] Cherry Red’s superb 2017 “Thinking Inside The Box” set appeared to be the final word on Radio Stars, compiling both albums, singles/rarities and BBC sessions. The emergence of an unreleased third album on Easy Action … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Ellison, Broadcasting To The Nation, Marc Bolan, pop rock, Radio Stars, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: TRAGIK – Ultima Ratio

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

Rock Company [Release date 10.11.21] By my reckoning this is album number eleven by Tragik, who still feature Damian D’Ercole (Guitars, Percussion), Dirk Phillips (Drums, Keyboards) and Phil Vincent (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards). ‘Hunter’ and ‘Wet Dog’ (contender for Worst Song … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: COLIN JAMES – Open Road

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

Stony Plain Records [Release date 05.11.21] Since releasing his debut album in 1988 Colin James has been a stalwart of the blues scene, with trips into swing and rock ‘n’ roll with his Little Big Band and on this, his … Continue reading →