Album review: YES – Talk

YES - Talk

Spirit Of Unicorn/Cherry Red Records [Release date: 24.05.24]

Originally released in 1994 and remastered here for its 30th anniversary, ‘Talk’ is very much the lost album of the Yes canon (not helped by the Victor record company going bust not long after its release) but is well worth a reappraisal.

Following the success of the Trevor Horn produced ‘90125’ in 1983 and the horribly gestated, but commercially successful ‘Big Generator’ album in 1987, Yes attempted to revive their ‘70s glory with the ‘Union’ album – generally considered to be underwhelming despite its high charting position.

Following the band’s umpteenth collapse, post-‘Union’, guitarist Trevor Rabin re-assembled the ‘90125’ Yes – but with himself in the producer’s chair.

The result is a kick-ass progressive / AOR album, criminally ignored by the Yes cognoscenti at the time, but revealing itself on this re-issue to be essential listening for lovers of great rock music – regardless of genre.

Released as a 4CD box set with alternative versions and a live concert from June 1994, a double, coloured vinyl LP and as a single CD. As we had only the single CD to review I can’t comment on the quality or otherwise of the extra material but I’m sure it will be of the usual high standard – these guys don’t mess about.

With Rabin producing there’s much more riffing and power-chording here alongside Alan White’s fiery drumming – which is well to the fore. Chris Squire’s bass is simply sublime (what a miss he is) and with Tony Kaye releasing his inner Wakeman and Jon Anderson’s vocals sounding as strong as they ever have, success was guaranteed.

With only one track clocking in at less than five minutes and album-closer ‘Endless Dream’ touching 16 minutes, the prog credentials of one of the genre’s finest exponents are firmly re-established.

Things get underway with the crackling rifferama of ‘The Calling’ – a real calling card that Yes were back – and the anthemic guitaring of ‘I Am Waiting’ soothed by the balladry of Anderson’s vocal.

The pounding bass intro of ‘Real Loves’ introduces a mysterious ear-worm of a keyboard riff from Kaye before drums and guitar up the volume.

There’s more light and dark on ‘State Of Play’ and wonderful chiming guitar with the chorus pedal in full effect on ‘Walls’ whereas ‘Where Will You Be’ is the antidote to the raging all around with some nice Rabin acoustic work.

But all this leads inevitably to ‘Talk’s crowning glory; ‘Endless Dream’, whose three parts feature a frenzied keyboard / power-chord instrumental intro, a piano-led middle section and a completely Yes closing segment featuring a great speaker-to-speaker wah-wah section that will fry your brain if listening on headphones. An epic up there with Yes’s finest work.

So, the great “lost album” returns and with it the opportunity to re-evaluate and compare to Yes’s exceptional output over the years – and it stands up well.

And to all you old Yes fans who reckon the music stopped with ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ and hit the depths of despair with ‘90125’ – get over yourselves and give ‘Talk’ the listening it deserves – a hidden gem if ever there was one.    *****

Review by Alan Jones

Get Ready to ROCK! - The Best of 2024

 


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review : KURT FROHLICH – 1977

Golden Robot Records [Release Date : 07.06.24]

Kurt Frohlich, currently vocalist with Riley’s LA Guns, has already fronted Faster Pussycat and Mark Ramone’s band.

Limited as that pedigree might be, it lets us know where he’s coming from.

1977 is the title of his debut solo album.

Deep inside a decade of transformative music, it was the year that saw the raw energy of Punk takeover the airwaves. The Clash, Television and the Sex Pistols all released their debut albums in that year.

Frohlich is obviously a devotee, who shows awareness throughout his album of just how subsequent decades continued to shape and form the genre, and its spinoffs.

‘I Don’t Want It’ and ‘Another Heartbreak’ fuse power chords with anthemic lyrics, effectively creating original material by percolating his punk tendencies through eighties Glam Rock.

And, with a knowing nod to punk culture and attitude, Frohlich fills songs, like ‘Sick In The Head’ and ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ with punchy tunes, spring loaded guitars and sneering vocals, a stripped down cultural response to semi permanent social concerns and anxieties.

Then, on other tracks, like ‘I Wanna Live In Space’ and ‘I Don’t Want It’, he has clearly taken the lessons learned by Weezer and Green Day in the nineties, when they preached melodic economy to any band trying to make a break through.

His zest for confrontational lyrics on the subversive, gonzo rock of ‘Fish Head’ sees the song’s infectious, poppy immediacy butting up against a much much deeper unease, bringing all of Frohlich’s musical and lyrical strengths together in a single track.

Album standout by a considerable distance. ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


EP review: MOON CITY MASTERS

Website  [Release date 31.05.24]

More new music from the Moon City Masters – namely twin brothers, Jordan (vocals, bass) and Talor Steinberg (vocals, guitars). Digital only at the moment, although you can buy and download it via iTunes and Amazon.

Five songs with one big summer song, the brass enhanced ‘Stuck On You’. This one deserves to be all over the radio and streaming playlists. The Moon City Masters are adept at tapping into that 70s West Coast vibe too, as the glorious ‘So Many People’ amply illustrates.

‘You’re Not Alone’ sounds like Boston jamming with Nelson – another set of twins who know what a good melody is. ‘Ride On’ is pretty decent, nothing special, however, ‘Keep Dreaming’ is a wonderful mix of 70s rock with a funky backbeat (with a hint of cowbell?!) and that guitar – loving it!

Surely the Moon City Masters will be due their big break soon? They keep on producing songs that last the test of time and leave the listener in an upbeat mood. A decent support slot or two in the US should see them, deservedly, become better known. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: NESTOR – Teenage Rebel

NESTOR - Teenage Rebel

Napalm Records [Release date 31.05.24]

Album number two from Nestor sees the band signed to a big label, namely Napalm Records, home to fellow lovers of a good 80′s melodic rock riff, the Night Flight Orchestra. According the band’s bio they have been around since 1989, falling into ‘slumbering hibernation for three decades’ before releasing their debut album in 2021.

The intro ‘The Law of Jante’, featuring actress Freya Miller, leads into the album’s first melodic rock delight, ‘We Come Alive’, although the riff of the album award goes to the single ‘Victorious’. An aural treat of big guitar riffs, swirling keys, catchy chorus and the melodious vocals of Tobias Gustavsson. Stonking guitar solo on this one too courtesy of Jonny Wemmenstedt.

The middle of the album brings out more treats in the shape of the rocky ‘Caroline’, the Chicago approved ballad ‘The One That Got Away’ (its the bombastic bits and piano/vocal mic that recalls 80′s Chicago) and the simple, but effect chorus on ‘Addicted To Love’. ‘Unchain My Heart’ sees the album’s quality dip a little, although the heartfelt ballad ‘Daughter’ sees the album out in style. The song builds nicely to a satisfying power ballad finale.

Nestor have now released two strong albums in three years and judging by this album they are not running short of musical ideas.

Close run thing between Nestor and Remedy for Scandi flavoured melodic rock album of the year. Over to you Eclipse… Until then, this one will be on repeat play for many a melodic rock lover. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


EP review: RED VOODOO – Red Voodoo

Website [Release date 07.06.24]

Red Voodoo is a four piece from California, formed in 2019 the band has a sound that brings to mind all the great parts from 70’s and 80’s rock music that is missing today. The band are about to release their new self-titled EP, and very good it is too.

There is a great energy running through this 5 track EP and the guitarwork throughout is outstanding, “Mystery Girl” and “KSA” being fine examples of this. “Hourglass” in particular has echoes of Sammy Hagar to it, and it is no surprise to find that man himself champions the band (they have previously supported him live, his producer Jaimeson Durr also produced the EP and the band more than likely took their name from one of his solo albums).

People are worried that all the great bands will soon stop playing but with the likes of Red Voodoo coming through the ranks, I would say we have nothing to worry about. The band has already played shows with the likes of Sammy Hagar, Y&T and Slaughter and you can bet your last dollar that they picked up new fans at every stop. *****

Review by Nikk Gunns


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: RICK ESTRIN AND THE NIGHTCATS – The Hits Keep Coming

Rick Estrin And The Nightcats - The Hits Keep Coming

Alligator Records [Release date 08.03.24]

It’s five years since Rick Estrin & the Nightcats cut an album signifantly called ‘Contemporary’.  And as if too illustate his almost unique standing as a conduit between old school blues and his current groundbreaking band’s contemporary approach, ‘The Hits Keep Coming’ provides the perfect balance between hipshaking rhythms, gospel flourishes and Estrin’s sense of a groove.

Indeed ‘The Hits Keep Coming’ finds the blues harp veteran at the top of his game with arguably the best Nighcats line-up he’s ever had.

He revels in the art of blues songcraft – from the humorous to the sombre and back again – and expressive blues harp playing on a groove laden album.

And when he does indulge himself on 2 covers, his reading of Leonard Cohen’s darkly filtered ‘Everybody Knows’, serves to highlight his own lyrical abilties, as its sound as if it could have come from his own pen.

Estrin’s raspy baritone and cartoon character style phrasing has long been an acquired taste, but it has always facililated humour which remains an integral part of his oeuvre.

And such is his standing in the blues world that that he can sing the blues the way he feels them, with total conviction, integrity and real feel.

He frequently glides effortlessly from an emotive vocal phrase to a deep expressive harmonica break, which sounds like an extension of the same conversation.

The fact that his band matches him everystep of the way, complete with frequent gospel bv’s from Sons Of The Soul Revivers and an intuitive production by the celebrated Kid Anderson, makes this easily his best release.

The album opens with hip shaking ‘Somewhere Else’, which is powered by the relentless drive of drummer Derrick D’Mar Martin.

It’s topped by Estrin’s ironic vocal phrasing and killer harp and is framed by an intuitive production. The latter achieves that rare thing of capturing spark within a polished whole.

The title track packs a lyrical surprise, being about the vacillations of life rather than commerical success. Estrin is at his emotive best here, supported by emotive gospel bv’s , while his tension breaking harp both supports the song and gives it extra depth.

He adopts a tone of almost ironic bewlderment on the autobiogrphical “The Circus Is Still In Town (The Monkey Song)”, a tune about addiction with a sting in the tail. Though you’d hope having come this far,  blues would be his only consuming vice:

“The monkey’s off of my back, But the circus ain’t gone, Clowns and the side show freaks live on, The monkey is laying low as far as I can tell, But I know he’s out there waiting and he’s still alive and well.”

On ‘I Finally Hit The Bottom’, his titular lyrics work their way from the bottom up towards some sort of salvation, though given his ambivalent style of phrasing, you are never quite sure.

In fact it’s left to his own blast of earthy harp, Farrell’s sweeping organ break and Andersen’s stringing guitar to provide the musical confirmation.

The key to the album as a whole is the exilerating way Estrin attacks an array of blues styles, as he heads down different musical avenues while exploring his own versatile vocal and harp styles.

There’s dark humour to be found on the jump blues reading of a Muddy Waters outing called ‘Diamonds At Her Feet’.

He’s more upbeat on the harp led Lazy Lester style ‘I Ain’t Worried About Nothin’, while the Latino influecned  ‘Learn To Lose’, sounds almost perfunctory, until being offset by a clarity of diction and dirt toned harp that drips with feel. Lorenzo Farrell adds a telling organ sweep while Andersen provides the perfect sinewy guitar counterweight, to underpin Estrin’s observations.

“You gonna be in for a shock, When that other shoe drops, Everybody got to learn to lose.”

He’s at his most sombre on the beautifully crafted ‘It’s Time For Me To Go’, a co-write with Lorenzo Farrell. It’s a deep blues on which the band’s sparkling playing illuminates a dark place with heartfelt lyrics:

“And most of the folks I used to know, They split the scene a while ago, I guess I better pack my stuff, ‘Cause it’s time to wrap this show
But man, I sure don’t wanna go.”

And just when it feels as if he’s turning the pages of a blues diary, he steps out of character for a soulful intrumental ‘Sack O’ Kools’, on which his harp playing is closer to the country feel of Van McCoy on a Memphis Soul track.

Everything flows mellifuously right through to ‘Whatever Happened to Dobie Strange’, which provides a memorably surreal bookend.

The song references Dobie Strange an early 90’s Nightcats drummer, on another cartoon character outing with comic backing vocals, on which the narrator recalls a frequent case of mistaken identity between himself and the late band leader Charlie Baty.

It’s like Estrin is voicing some the kind of inane post gig questions, and working them Zappa style, into a completely unique song which finishes with a funny funky rap bathed in period vocoder.

Just like the album as a whole, it’s marvellous! ****

Review by Pete Feenstra


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Two years ago, I was present all three nights as Bryan Adams played a memorable residency at the Albert Hall, playing a classic album each night (subsequently released in less than satisfactory fashion on DVD).

I thought that was a glorious one off but last autumn he announced a further trio of dates,  again focusing on a specific album- ‘18 Till I Die’, the belated and patchy follow-up to multimillion selling ‘Waking Up the Neighbours’, his most recent release ‘So Happy It Hurts’ and, of course, ‘Reckless’.

This was the first album he ever played in full when touring its 30th anniversary in 2014, but as one of my favourite ever albums and the soundtrack to my life since I bought the cassette in WH Smith as a 17 year old, that was always going to be the night for me this time. Luckily after the shows originally sold out in minutes, tickets became available a week or two before the show, so it was time for a coda to that original memorable trio of gigs.

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Bryan Adams’ everyman nature has always been part of his appeal, so there was no big stage show as he and his band took the stage bathed in a purple light not unlike the passage of the Aurora Borealis which had so been exciting people in the days previous. As on record, he opened with ‘One Night Love Affair’: the strength of this song that was never a single a good indicator of what a special album this is, and it was encouraging to see people clapping along.

From then on the order was varied as ‘Somebody’ followed with a slightly different arrangement, the only complaint at this point being that the sound was initially too quiet. Indeed there was room for a couple of tracks that didn’t make the cut, including the title track that never was, ‘Reckless’, later retooled as ‘Dangerous’ by Loverboy, though I noticed a similarity to ‘Run To You’.

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Talking of which the track itself, with just a few tweaks from the original, was as rapturously received as you would expect the biggest UK hit from the album would be, and the band milked it with a big pause between the bridge and Keith Scott cranking out his riff that leads into the final chorus. ‘Heaven’ had a rather greater makeover with a keyboard rather than piano intro from Gary Breit and a more modern and stripped back feel,  but still with space late on for an emotive solo from Keith.

‘Kids Wanna Rock’ demonstrated that the album did exactly that, then in contrast Bryan recounted how another offcut in ‘Let Me Down Easy’ was donated to Roger Daltrey- indeed I remember buying the ‘Under the Raging Moon’ album in 1985  purely for its two Adams-Vallance songs, the other being ‘Rebel’. It was a solo acoustic version and yet that only highlighted what a strong song it is.

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

‘She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancing’ featured more audience clapping and participation, while in days gone by Bryan would tease Tina Turner’s non appearance. This time ‘Its Only Love’ was preceded by a more sombre tribute to her, reflecting on how she had given him a big break as a young artist.

After Keith had gone to the ragged edge with his closing solo, it was followed by the bluesier ‘Long Gone’ with Bryan on harmonica and the least known and frankly weakest track ‘Ain’t Gonna Cry’ which turned into a garage-like, even almost punky jam with Keith writhing on the floor of the walkway into the standing area while the others turned towards drummer Pat Steward.

The ‘Reckless’ set ended, as it surely had to, with a joyous ‘Summer of 69’ and I noticed quite how cleverly the band made it even more of a live anthem with pregnant pauses for people to clap along or sections turned over to audience singing.

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

After a half hour break, my love for Reckless meant the second set would invariably be an anti climax for me. It was a ‘best of the rest’, but having used up those songs was like opening up a packet of assorted biscuits to find the chocolate ones already taken.  However it started in impressively rocky fashion with ‘Kick Ass’ (minus the kitsch John Cleese introduction) and ‘Can’t Stop This Thing We Started’ which is always a fun live track with plenty of band movement. The excellent if rather telegraphed power ballad ‘Please Forgive Me’ was a slight surprise while the Ed Sheeran penned ‘Shine a Light’ had an impressive number of people waving their phone lights.

There was a preponderance of newer stuff: they were not all ballads by any means but I do find that his more up tempo recent material owes more to old fashioned fifties and sixties rock’ n’ roll than my preferred styles: examples were ‘On The Road’, ‘Go Down Rocking’ with its ‘Glad All Over’- like riff and the rockabilly of ‘You Belong to Me’ which had Bryan and Keith going down the walkway, accompanied by Sol Walker, surprisingly nimble given he was carrying a double bass.

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Cleese may have been absent, but now it was time ‘for something completely different’ as the London Community Gospel Choir, their white robes in stark contrast to the band’s all-black outfits, joined for a couple of songs in ‘Never Gonna Rain’, as R’n’B as Brian has ever got, and a touch of funk on ‘You Lift Me Up’.

His most recent album ‘So Happy It Hurts’ was getting the whole album treatment the following night, yet he obviously believes in it as several songs made it into this set as well, including ‘I’ve Been Looking For You’, ‘Always Have, Always Will’ and the title track which was an enjoyable romp with a big inflatable of the sports car from the album cover dangling from the ceiling.

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

‘When You’re Gone’ worked surprisingly well as a solo acoustic (then again in my view most things sound better for the absence of a Spice Girl), while ‘Everything I Do (I Do It For You)’ was never my favourite- millions of record buyers disagree!- but always works better live especially when Keith has the space to stretch out for a melodic solo.

Having reluctantly had to miss ‘18 Till I Die’ night I rather hoped its best cuts might make this set – sadly the title track did not, but a fun ‘The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You’ was some consolation while ‘Cuts Like a Knife’, as ever, featured   bad jamming and more   audience participation on the ‘na- na- na’s.

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

At this point, as is the form at his gigs these days, the band took their leave to allow Bryan a solo spotlight for the encores, and I was braced for a lengthy one. Introduced by an anecdote about being written on a piano his mother had given the young songwriting hopeful, the simple but universal ‘Straight From the Heart’ gave way to the more personal sentiments of a poignant ‘These Are The Moments That Make Up My Life’ from his last album. I was fully expecting a climax of ‘All For Love’ to finish but instead he rather abruptly took his bow, this being the shortest of the three residency shows.

The ‘Reckless’ segment had naturally been the highlight, but this was still a memorable night, proving how the apparently ageless 64 year old and his band have a catalogue full of great songs and the stage craft to keep an audience enthused without the aid of gimmicks.

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: FOCUS – Focus 12

David Randall chatted to Thijs van Leer for his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from the new album.  First broadcast 9 June 2024 and featured in the second hour.

FOCUS - Focus 12

Spirit Of Unicorn Music [Release date 04.07.24]

Back in 1972/4 Focus almost burned themselves out, constantly touring on the back of major international success. Most importantly they had cracked the U.S. market. This was particularly unique for an all-instrumental band. After 1978’s Focus Con Proby, when the band had become somewhat directionless using a session drummer and weird choice of vocalist, they split.

It wasn’t until the late 1990s that word was getting out that Thijs van Leer was reconvening the band, this time with his stepson Bobby Jacobs on bass and Jan Dumee on guitar. It wasn’t until 2004 that “classic line-up” drummer Pierre van der Linden returned to the fold and by 2016 the new line-up was settled with Menno Gootjes firmly holding the coveted guitar position.

Since that time the band have released eight albums and toured fairly constantly. They are now a mainstay on the UK classic rock festival circuit and we should be really grateful for their regular sorties. We could even take them for granted.

In truth the millennium albums can be patchy but they are usually injected with humour and style. The opening title ‘Fjord Focus’ is a good example. This suggests that Van Leer has lost none of his prowess on flute and indeed when he comes in for the first time there is a feeling of “I can relax now, the master is here”. The track is also a great vehicle for Gootjes.

In summary, thankfully the band have moved on. They are not trying to ape their original sound and whilst there are stylistic comparisons to their later jazzier offerings, if not already the ghost of Akkerman is firmly laid to rest. They do persist, though, with the latest iteration of the self-titled piece, this time ‘Focus 13′.

Overall, the album is actually a mix of jazz rock and more classically inclined pieces such as ‘Born To Be You’ or a mixture of the two in ‘Nura’. This has the phrases that remind me of Van Leer’s wonderful magnum opus ’Dona Nobis Pacem’ with Pedal Point in 1981.

Focus 12 is a really good listen if not perhaps as rocky as some would like.

When Focus were recording ‘Focus III’ in 1972 in the next studio was Bowie working on ‘The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust…’. Focus recorded their album in four days. It took Bowie many months.  ‘Bowie’ is actually one of Van Leer’s grandchildren who also get a mention in ‘Bela’ and ‘Gaia’.

Akkerman always praised Van der Linden as the greatest ever rock drummer and he excels on this – he’s 78 dammit! – together with Van Leer’s fluid Hammonding and bassist Udo Pennekeet’s solid rhythm.

I’ve recently been listening back to a 1990 interview I did with Van Leer prior to the publication of a Focus feature in ‘Record Collector’. He is a real gentleman, a great raconteur, and I reminded myself also that his tenacity and perseverance over 50 years has ensured the continuation of the Focus “brand” of musical excellence. ****

Review by David Randall

Feature: Introduction to Focus (2020, including interview feature)


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: PSYCH! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues 1966-1973 (3-CD)

PSYCH! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues 1966-1973 (3-CD)

Decca/Universal [Release date 21.06.24]

This 64-song 3-CD/2LP collection highlights a halcyon period for British psych rock and folk stretching from the mid sixties to the early 1970s. During that time Deram was the leading purveyor of the genre and this release will bring back many memories of collecting obscure bands and vinyl during this period.  And not least of flamboyant shirts and loon pants.

With an informative liner note from author Mike Barnes, the 3 albums start with the folky/pop roots of psych (Disc 1) and progress to progressive and beyond (Discs 2 & 3). If Disc 1 is a bit primeval for most, unless you are tracing musical lineage for bands like Yes (presaged by The Syn) and The Faces (Small Faces) or The Moody Blues the second and third discs will be of most interest.

Thankfully not the most obvious tracks have been selected. And where else would you get bands called Crocheted Doughnut Ring or Tinkerbell’s Fairydust, or titles like ‘Treacle Toffee World’?

Barnes’ sleeve note reflects that bands developed from playing R&B and soul covers in the sixties to more original material but there is no doubt that much psych of the period was influenced by the U.S. West Coast albeit with an English whimsical twist.

The collection of proto prog is a veritable pot-pourri of the good, the great and the not easily remembered. It is good hearing again bands like Egg which featured Clive Brooks on drums (later with Groundhogs) and Dave Stewart (subsequently with Hatfield And The North).

Jan Dukes de Grey and Aardvark bring back memories of fusty smelling record shops, distinctive album covers and a realisation if the originals were in your collection you’d be sitting on £500.

All the tracks will have some listeners seeking out the original albums, an inevitably expensive hobby, but here at GRTR! we would recommend Mellow Candle and Khan for starters.  Or maybe Room, a short-lived jazz rock band whose 1970 album now sells for over £1000.

This collection is available as a 3-CD or 2-LP highlights. It’s a shame the full set couldn’t have been released as perhaps a limited edition vinyl for collectors.  The real constraint is truly illustrating prog rock over a 3-CD selection; each track barely reaches four minutes so the connoisseur may feel short-changed.

Psych! is a veritable time-capsule of a creative era in music history, propelled by a great label who were prepared to invest in the weird and the wonderful. Only a handful of artists are still plying their trade now, so hats off to Darryl Way and Caravan. Best enjoyed with an incense stick, bean bag and bong. ****

Review by David Randall

Get Ready to ROCK! - The Best of 2024


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


News: AL ATKINS, NEONFLY, HEART (June 2024)

SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS- Wembley Arena, London, 5 April 2024

News - Album News

The Angels have announced their first album in a decade. Entitled ‘Ninety Nine’ it will be released via Bloodlines on June 28.

Former Judas Priest vocalist Al Atkins has revealed a 50th anniversary edition of Judas Priest’s ‘Rocka Rolla’, as well as a reissue of his solo album ‘Victim Of Changes’, is being planned for the autumn. The reissues will be handled by Sleasy Rider Records, with producer Tom Allom remastering ‘Rocka Rolla’.

Blur release Live At Wembley Stadium’ on July 26 via Parlophone, as well as a documentary film, ‘Blur: To The End’, released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on September 6.

Coldplay release their new album ‘Moon Music’ on October 4, which is rumoured to be the band’s final studio album.

Crimson Glory have signed with BraveWords Records.

Crobot release their latest album ‘Obsidian’ on September 13 via Megaforce Records.

The Damned release ‘AD 2022 – Live In Manchester’ on September 13.

Destruction have released a new song, ‘No Kings – No Masters’, with an album due next year.

Dim Gray plan to release a live EP in the autumn.

Niji Entertainment and BMG will release ‘Dio – The Complete Donington Collection’ as a limited-edition five-LP box set on July 19.

Electric Temple will release a five track EP on 24 August. The band’s line-up consists of guitarist Tony Childs, W.A.S.P. bassist Mike Duda, drummer Matt Starr (Mr. Big, Ace Frehley) and vocalist Andrew Freeman (Last In Line).

Ensiferum release their new studio album, ‘Winter Storm’, on October 18 through Metal Blade Records.

Fire Action have signed with SPV/Steamhammer who will release the band’s debut album later this year.

Fish has announced that he will reissue his first two solo albums, 1990′s Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors and 1991′s ‘Internal Exile’, through his Chocolate Frog Record Company label on July 22.

Frost* are set to release their new album ‘Life in the Wires’ in October. It will be a double album and a concept one.

Steve Hackett is to have his first two classical albums reissued on vinyl. Bay Of Kings’ (1983) and ‘Momentum’ (1988) will be reissued on both black and limited coloured vinyl editions through InsideOut Music on August 2.

Intense plan to start work on their fifth studio album this year for a planned 2025 release.

Tony Iommi has confirmed he is working on his first ever solo album.

Jimi Jamison’s previously unreleased country album, ‘Jimmy Wayne Jamison’, gets a full released on August 23. Fellow former Survivor member Jim Peterik also features on the album.

Myles Kennedy (pictured) releases his third solo album ‘The Art of Letting Go’ through Napalm Records on October 11.

L.A. Guns have signed with Cleopatra Records.

Nick Lowe has announced his first new album in over a decade. Indoor Safari will be released on September 13.

Massive Wagons, release their seventh studio album, Earth To Grace’, on November 8 via Earache Records. They have released the first single of the album ‘Missing On TV’ on June 19.

MC5′s first new album in 53 years, ‘Heavy Lifting’, is released on October 18 via earMusic.

Mercury Rev release their new album ‘Born Horses’ through Bella Union on September 6.

Metal Church will release ‘The Final Sermon (Live In Japan 2019)’ via Rat Pak Records (US) and Reaper Entertainment (EU).

Neonfly release a live EP, ‘Master Tapes – 10 Years Live at Masters of Rock’, on June 19 via Noble Demon.

Nighthawk release their new album ‘Vampire Blues’ on August 30 through Pride & Glory Music.

Nile releases their tenth album ‘The Underworld Awaits Us All’ on August 23 via Napalm Records.

The Offspring will release  their eleventh album, ‘Supercharged’, on October 11 via Concord Records.

A new super deluxe, seven-disc box set of The Alan Parson’s Project ‘Pyramid’ album will be released through Cooking Vinyl Records on August 23.

The Police release a six CD set of their 1983 album ‘Synchronicity’ on July 26.

Primal Fear have signed with Reigning Phoenix Music.

Pure Reason Revolution have announced that they will release their latest album, Coming Up To Consciousness’, through InsideOut Music on September 6.

Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess releases his new album ‘Permission To Fly’ through InsideOut Music on September 6.

Michael Schenker releases ‘My Years With UFO’ on September 20 via earMUSIC. Guests include Slash, Axl Rose, Dee Snider, John Norum, Joey Tempest and Joe Lynn Turner.

Shed Seven are continuing their 30th anniversary celebrations with the release of a newly recorded, orchestral greatest hits album ‘Liquid Gold’ on September 27.

Skid Row release ‘Live In London’ on September 20.

Snow Patrol release their new album ‘The Forest Is The Path’ through Polydor Records on September 13.

Testament will release remastered versions of their albums ‘The Legacy’ and ‘The New Order’ both digitally and on vinyl via Nuclear Blast Records on July 12.

Pete Townsend is packaging nine solo shows into a 14CD set titled ‘Live in Concert 1985-2001′ which is due on July 26.

The Tragically Hip release a commemorative boxset of their debut album, ‘Up To Here’, on November 8 via UMe.

Former White Lion vocalist Mike Tramp releases ‘Songs of White Lion – Vol. II’ via Frontiers on August 23.

‘Van Stephenson – Same Pen, Different Voices’, a 2CD set will be released by MelodicRock Classics on July 26.

Vola have announced a new studio album, ‘Friend Of A Phantom’, will be released on November 1 via Mascot Records.

News - Tours and Gigs

Newly announced UK tours (2024 unless stated):

Frank Black (London Palladium, Thu 6 Feb 2025), Black Stone Cherry + Skillet + Ayron Jones (Nov), Joe Bonamassa (Apr 2025), Bowling For Soup + Wheatus (Feb 2025), Crowded House (Oct), Dropkick Murphys (Feb 2025), Enter Shikari (Nov, Dec), Craig Finn (Sep), the Flaming Lips (2025), Go West (2025), Myles Kennedy (Nov, Dec), Cyndi Lauper (Feb 2025 farewell tour), Paul McArtney (Dec), Pantera (Feb 2025), Francis Rossi (Apr-Jun 2025), Snow Patrol (Feb 2025), the Struts (Sep, Oct), Sum 41 (Oct, Nov farewell tour), Tangerine Dream (London Barbican Oct 7), the Waterboys (2025), While She Sleeps (Dec), Steven Wilson (Apr 2025),

Upcoming (Gigs – UK)

Newly announced US & European tours (2024 unless stated):

Airbourne (EU 2025), Apocalyptica + Nina Strauss (US 2025), Asking Alexandria (US), Baby Metal (US),  Black Stone Cherry + Skillet + Ayron Jones (EU), Cold Chisel (AU), the Cult (AU), Delain (US 2025), Dogstar (US), Dropkick Murphys + Alkaline Trio (AU), Exodus (US), Craig Finn (US, EU), Peter Frampton (US), Jane’s Addiction + Love and Rockets (US), Judas Priest + Sabaton (US), Myles Kennedy (EU), Cyndi Lauper (farewell tour – US 2024, EU 2025), Yngwie Malmsteen (US), Duff McKagan (US), Megadeth (US), Pantera (EU 2025), Pure Reason Revolution (EU), Queens of the Stone Age (US), Riot V (EU), Sepultura (farewell tour) + Obituary + Agnostic Front (US), Slipknot (EU 2025), Snow Patrol (EU), Soulfly + Eyehategod (US), Sum 41 (EU farewell tour), the Used (US), W.A.S.P. (US), Thom Yorke (JP, AU, NZ, SG),

Upcoming (USA/ROW)

Postponed/cancelled gigs & tours

Bruce Springsteen has cancelled a number of shows on his current European tour due to vocal issues. The tour will resume on June 12 in Madrid, with dates in Marseille, Prague and Milan all being postponed.

Operators for Towersey Festival – the UK’s longest-running independent music festival – have confirmed that this year’s festival will be its last due to spiralling costs.

Heart have cancelled their upcoming UK & European tour as Ann Wilson will undergo a medical procedure and needs six weeks recovery time.

Dan Patlansky’s August UK shows have been cancelled.

Robin Trower has cancelled his US dates set for September and October over health concerns.

Willie Nelson will sit out the first part of the Outlaws US tour (which also features Bob Dylan and Robert Plant) due to illness.

Dokken have postponed their upcoming European dates as Don Dokken continues to recover from physical issues.

Other Stuff

Peter Frampton has been named as the next recipient of the Annual Les Paul Spirit Award.

Sabaton will release ‘The Tour To End All Tours’ concert film in selected cinemas on October 11.

Cross-sector lobbying group UK Music has written to the leaders of the UK’s political parties urging them to pledge support for the music industry in the run up to the General Election on Jul 4. The letter calls for specific action on AI, touring and tax credits, as well as new investment in music education and a ban on for-profit ticket resale.

The HMV owned Fopp opened a new store in Nottingham this month.
Spotify has now formally added a new music-only subscription tier in the UK, which it’s calling Basic Individual. It will cost £10.99 a month, a pound less than Premium Individual, which includes fifteen hours of audiobook listening.

Queen have sold their recording and publishing rights to Sony Music in a deal worth over $1bn. The band still own the name for live purposes.

Scorpions biopic ‘Winds of Change’ is set for release next year.

Guitarist Dave Foster will leave Big Big Train after making his final appearance with the band at this year’s final Night Of The Prog Festival in Germany in July.

Guitarist Diego Cavallotti has left Lacuna Coil.

Vixen have recruited Rosa Laricchiuta (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Headpins) as their new vocalist.

News - RIP

Jonathan Perkins, first keyboards player with XTC and later a member of Stadium Dogs

Ed Mann, Frank Zappa’s long-time percussionist

Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson, co-vocalist of the Selector


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review : NIGHTMARE – Encrypted

AFM Records [Release date: 06.06.24]

Formed in 1979, French Power Metal band, Nightmare have been worshipping the mighty riff for 11 albums now.
Their 12th album, Encrypted, sees ex Songbird songbird, Barbara Mogore (a smart bit of recruitment by Yves Campion), fronting the band for the first time.

With this new album, Encrypted, the band hit the road to hell running, and they do so with a refreshing commitment to a powerful, timeless style of Power Metal, liberally mixed in with other strains of the Heavy Metal genre.

Opener, ‘Nexus Inferus’ mainlines us into a world of muscular Metal, where a towering cliff face of pounding rhythms constantly threatens to overwhelm the guitars, the keyboards and the vocals. It never does, but that’s the plan of course. Mostly thanks to Mogore, who rises above this metal maelstrom to deliver a considered, carefully calibrated vocal.

The band like to take their up-market Power Metal on a daring journey to the extremes at times.
Producer, Simone (DGM) Mularoni is a slick genre craftsman whose mix and match choices – as on ‘The Blossom Of My Hate’, where the harsh male vocals link death metal hands with Mogore’s beseeching counterpoint – feel more organic than mechanical.

And again with this reprogrammed version of ‘Eternal Winter’, the classic Nightmare song (from 2009), released last month as one in an advance guard of trailer tracks.
Its verse has been roughened up with harsh vocals, bleeding straight into Magore’s  smoothly vocalised responses. That calculated light and shade forms the perfect intro to the haunting, hymn like chorus.

Sinister marching metal song, ‘Voices From The Other side’ slows the pace. A welcome variation. The bell tolls as the guitars paint a darkly colourful soundscape in strong, sure, strident brushstrokes. Cool melody too.

There’s more, and the quality just doesn’t dip. Fine album. ****

Review by Brian McGowan


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: McCOY – The Sound Of Thunder (3 CD set)

Cherry Red [Release date : 31/05/24]

CD1: 1985: McCoy : Hard Thinking (incorporates 1982 EP)
CD2: 1998: McCoy : Brainstorm
CD3: 1977: McCoy : Live 1977

The real (John) McCoy, bass player extraordinaire, was as much known for his fearsome, bald headed, bearded appearance (not forgetting the dark glasses) as he was for his skill as a musician/writer/producer.

He’s probably best known for forming Gillan, the band, with ex Deep Purple front man, Ian Gillan.
And perhaps least known for his work behind the scenes, in writing and producing music that appeared on TV programmes like “The Bill”, “Band Of Gold” and “Space 1999”.

Gillan broke up acrimoniously after 4 years, with McCoy going on to form McCoy the band (and ultimately, Mammoth), dedicating one of the songs from their debut, ‘Because You Lied’, to Gillan. Say no more.

An EP and two albums followed, with studio musicians ranging from Paul Samson and Bernie Torme, to Al (Belladonna) Romano and Mike (From The Fire) Sciotto.

The 1982 EP has been packaged with 1985’s Hard Thinking album as one CD, with the McCoy name.

The second studio album, Brainstorm, forms CD2. It began life as a Mammoth recording, but became a McCoy release. As is the way in the music industry, it didn’t see the light of day until the nineties.

Cranking the machine back to the seventies, between bands, McCoy made a connection with Paul Samson and drummer, Roger Hunt. This like minded power trio created an impressive set of live material, most of which was cowritten by McCoy and Samson. It’s captured onstage at the Target, Reading - Live 1977 - with the songs ultimately forming the foundation of of Samson’s debut album, Survivors, produced by McCoy.
This rare live set is preserved on CD3.
It’s fleshed out by fiery covers of Jimmy Reed’s ‘Big Boss Man’ and ZZ Top’s ‘Nasty Dogs…’ which were an indicator of where this trio got their inspiration.

The Hard Thinking collection is kicked off by a seven and half minute cover version of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Oh Well’, lit up by blasts of awesome Torme axework. It’s condensed to a powerfully compact two and a half minute single edit later on the CD.
The commercial hard rock sound of ‘Night Lights’ and ‘Temporary Threshold Shift’ would have seen the band go toe to toe with UFO, but didn’t get the push or the airtime.

Brainstorm’s standouts, the rousing, tongue in cheek, cattle driving ‘Heavy Metal Cowboys’ and the US AOR influenced hard rock of ‘On And On’ both witness the band’s versatility, it’s ability to switch roles in the blink of an eye.

But yet again, it was a familiar story.

McCoy the band’s lack of recognition once again proved the arbitrary nature of the music biz. ****

Review by Brian McGowan


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Gig review: YES – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 24 May 2024

Tonight’s show was another date in the current ‘Classic Tales Of Yes’ tour, a celebration of 50 plus years of Yessong with an emphasis on the band’s ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ opus which turn 50 in 2023.  You could argue that some of the current Yes line up have been in the band for 50 minutes, relatively speaking, rather than 50 years. However, what we had on stage tonight was 5 consummate musicians with a passion for all things prog recreating some of the best Yes classics. Better that than no Yes at all surely?

The mainstay and anchor of the current line up is guitarist Steve Howe. At the ripe old age of 77 you could forgive him for taking the easy route and hanging up his guitar. Tonight, however, he proved he is far from a spent force and his playing throughout the set was spot on.

The stage setting was minimal, and the band chose to let the music do the talking. Taking to the stage to rousing cheers and the ‘Young Person’s Guide To The Orchestra’ blasting from the PA the guys kicked things off with ‘Machine Messiah’ from the band’s ‘Drama’ album. This 10 minute epic twists and turns with a very heavy edge in parts. ‘It Will Be A Good Day (The River)’ followed and kept the pace up, and things bubbling along nicely.

A pedal steel guitar being rolled on stage signaled a bit of a country music vibe with the classic ‘Going For The One’. At one point Steve Howe, mid solo, rolled the pedal steel to the side of the stage which gave the impression he was walking with a zimmer frame which made me laugh. Don’t think Steve is quite there yet!

Another crowd favourite was up next with ‘Seen All Good People’ which had the crowd singing along with frontman Jon Davison. He has been filling the Jon Anderson role for many years now and has made the centre spot his own. He then took a bit of a back seat as the band played an instrumental, rocked up, version of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘America’. The rhythm section of Billy Sherwood on bass and Jay Schellen on drums really showed their talents on this track.

‘Time And A Word’ took us back to 1970 and proved to be a timeless classic before Steve gave a bit of lecture on conservation which led into ‘Don’t Kill The Whale’. The first half was then rounded out with the acoustic led ‘Turn Of The Century’ which started with just Howe and Davison on stage before building to a rocking climax. A good end to an enjoyable first set then.

During the interval I went to stretch my legs in the foyer and bumped into a work colleague. Turned out his views on the first set were less complimentary than my own, just goes to show you can’t please everyone!

Settling back in for the second half, the lights dimmed and the sounds of thunder and lightening filled the air as the band started off with ‘South Side Of The Sky’. ‘Cut From The Stars’ followed before we got to the main part of the evening…

Condensing a two hour long album into a twenty minute piece was never going to be easy, however, the ‘Tales Of Topographic Oceans’ medley proved to be the highlight of the night. From ‘The Revealing Science Of God’ to ‘Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil)’ the playing was superb and Geoff Downes did a great job of recreating the pomp keyboard sections of Rick Wakeman. This set went down a storm with the crowd and they left the stage to huge cheers.

The guys returned for two crowd pleasing encores starting with ‘Roundabout’ which then led into ‘Starship Trooper’ which finished off a great night of Yessong.

Tonight proved to be an excellent trip through the Yes back catalogue with a group of top notch musicians. Steve Howe looked in his element throughout proving there are no age barriers in rock, only the will to keep rocking! The hall may not have been filled to capacity tonight, but those in attendance witnessed something special.

Not too sure how much life there is left in Yes as a band, but they will leave one hell of a musical legacy as masterfully proved here tonight.

Review and photos by Dave Wilson


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review : RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Challenge The Wind

AFM Records [Release date : 31.05.24]

Fans of the Symphonic Metal genre will know ROF is a band big on concept. This new album, Challenge The Wind, is the third in their “Nephilim Empire Saga”. The second, Glory For Salvation, was enthusiastically reviewed by Joe Geesin on the site in 2021.

Challenge The Wind closes this song cycle.

Well up in the vanguard of symphonic metal, ROF have gone some way to codify the genre… the spine tingling orchestration, the sleek arrangements, the choirs and the hi-speed, hi-energy rhythms. And of course a talented vocalist, Giacomo Voli, who can bring a lyric to life.

The genre has such narrow bandwith that even now, arguably at its peak, it shows no sign of breaking out into the mainstream.

Surprisingly, 30 years on, ROF might be the band to change that.

Band leader, keyboard player, producer, Alex Staropoli isn’t called the ‘Film Score Composer’ for nothing. His production approach doesn’t depend on primal power any longer – those elements have been cleanly excised, giving way to a more evolved, richly melodic sound.

This has allowed the buffed up, epic musical sweep of songs like ‘Whispers of Doom’ and ‘Black Wizard’ to provide the dramatic intensity they were aiming for.

We reviewed the teaser / trailer single, ‘Brave New Hope’ last month, saying that it packed a considerable melodic punch, with Staropoli maintaining a strong producer’s grip on the soaring chorus. That can be said equally of ‘Bloody Pariah’, ‘Kreels Magic Staff’ and the title track. Each is urgent and anthemic, borrowing from Magnum’s and Bro Firetribe’s ability to match solid pomp rock melodies to galloping, quasi symphonic arrangements.

Centrepiece, ‘Vanquished By Shadows” is the fulcrum around which the album spins. It’s a 16 minute, gear shifting adrenaline rush. Roby DeMicheli’s fiery axework and Staropoli’s authoritative keyboards are the conductors, leading an exciting mix of harsh vocals and breathless, darkly lit symphonic metal to the finishing line.

The fact that the music is unrelentingly on fast forward might be a problem for some, but genre fans will love it. ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

Get Ready to ROCK! - The Best of 2024


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: CASEY MAUNDER – Get Out and Push

CASEY MAUNDER - Get Out and Push

Facebook [Release date 13.05.24]

Casey Maunder is back with the follow-up to his enjoyable debut album ‘Until Your Heart Stops Beating’. That album was jammed packed with riff led hard rockers and pleasingly ‘Get Out and Push’ follows on nicely.

Opener ‘Lately, Sarah Can’t See’ is made for blasting out on stage or your home speakers. Again Casey Maunder shows he is a songwriter with an eye on the times and world around us, as this song and ‘Put Me On TV’. Personal pick is ‘The Crow on the Branch’, a scathing takedown of online trolls and the like. Also, the guitar solo is rather fine too!

It is not all hard rocking as ‘Brooklyn in the Rain’ is a gentler affair and shows he can mix it up, both musically and vocally. Touch of the Manics on ‘Methadone, My Soul’, where James Weaver’s production comes into its own. The album’s sound is sonically loud, but never distorted and sounds great on headphones.

Plenty of songs on here would make ideal plays on rock radio (or better still, mainstream radio if they shook off their rigid playlisting) including ‘One More Stone In My Shoe’ – a chorus and a half – and ‘Hardwired’ with its nice guitar crunch and big chorus.

Casey Maunder is quite possibly the best melodic hard rocker you’ve yet to hear. What are you waiting for? Go grab a listen online or be more old school, buy a CD direct from the artist. Already looking forward to album number three. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: FM – Old Habits Die Hard

FM- Old Habits Die Hard

Frontiers Records (Release Date 03.05.24)

FM appear to be constantly on tour, and yet between that activity they somehow find time to consistently write and release a new album every two or three years.

‘Old Habits Die Hard’ actually marks their 40th anniversary – albeit with a 12 year hiatus in the middle – and I wonder if the cover picture of a skeleton is a self deprecating joke at their veteran status.

Recent live sets have seen a heavy focus on the more AOR side of their repertoire and it was hinted they may return more to this sound, but, as with its predecessors ‘Synchronised’  and ‘Thirteen’, this album sees the band, while never less than melodic,  confident enough to experiment with some varied sounds rather than follow a set template.

‘Out Of The Blue’ begins with a hi-tech intro and a trademark vocal opening from Steve Overland,  albeit in falsetto – laid back and soulful, it was an unusual choice to be the opening song and first single. ‘I Don’t Need Another Heartache’ is a bit grittier and a slow burner – on the choruses Steve  sounds uncannily like his hero Paul Rodgers with a bit of Davey Pattison mixed in, while Jim Kirkpatrick contributes with a typically  fine guitar solo.

On ‘No Easy Way Out’ his vocal approach is a little different, appearing  to strain harder on the chorus, yet the  delivery of the song, supported by immaculate backing vocals, is extremely melodic.

‘Whatever it Takes’ is the nearest they come to  vintage FM in pure AOR mode, with more big vocal arrangements and clean harmony guitars, yet it is bookended by two much more laid back tunes in ‘Lost’ which has a not overtly commercial groove to it and the brooding ‘Black Water’, boasting a fluid, languid solo from Jim.

There were a couple of songs in the second half of the album that I felt didn’t live up to these high standards, in the nondescript ‘Cut Me Loose’ which I found a little plodding, and the bland ‘Another Day In My World’.

However ‘Leap Of Faith’ has a livelier riff, melodic chorus and a clever ending while ‘California’ can be seen as a lyrical sequel to the classic ‘American Girls’. Oddly though, the vibe particularly with the  Black Crowes-esque intro and Jim’s guitar, is closer to the American south than the west.

The album ends with ‘Blue Sky Mind’, once again forging a slightly different sound:  sunny and poppier albeit with excellent guitar solo, it reminded me of Steve and drummer Pete Jupp’s SO project when the band dissolved in the nineties.

Though unexpectedly mellow, it’s an album that is on a par with the aforementioned previous two albums. If it lacks a stand out song which will have live staying power (like ‘Turn This Car Around’ from ‘Thirteen’) it nevertheless oozes pure class throughout.     ****

Review by Andy Nathan

Gig review (Newbury, 2024)

The Grotto of Greatness (FM, June 2023)


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: REMEDY – Pleasure Beats Pain

Remedy - Pleasure Beats Pain

Escape Music [Release date 24.05.24]

Remedy released their debut album at the tail end of 2022 and it earned rave reviews (including from this reviewer!), although being independently released it didn’t get the full coverage it deserved. Enter Escape Music who know a thing or two about top notch melodic rock & metal bands and it will ensure this release will get the coverage it deserves.

Remedy consist of Robert Van der Zwan (vocals, guitars), Roland Forsman (guitars, backing vocals)m Jonas Dicklo (bass, backing vocals), Fredrik Karlberg (drums) and Jonas Öijvall (keyboards). As with their debut this one is mixed and mastered by Eclipse’s Erik Martensson.

Unlike many a melodic hard rock band Remedy are out touring regularly, including their native Sweden and their UK live debut on June 29 as part of the Tower of Fire one day festival in Manchester.

Remedy do melodic hard rock meets metal with class on ‘Caught By Death’ and ‘Sin For Me’. They do like a good, crunchy guitar riff and more power to them for doing so. Those after a more melodic sound a la Eclipse or Brother Firetribe will love ‘Angelina’. Keys aplenty and those vocals of Robert Van der Zwan top it off nicely.

‘Bad Blood’ and ‘Hearts On Fire’ are a tad by numbers, however songs like ‘Crying Heart’ and ‘Poison’ (not an Alice Cooper cover!) keep the album on the right side of ‘essential’. ‘Poison’ would make a great next single. They even add a bit of sax appeal to ‘Moon Has The Night’ and I defy any lover of all things melodic not to be singing & humming this chorus after just one listen!

Ending with the soothing acoustic number ‘Something They Call Love’ gives the album a good flow as it is all get & up and go beforehand. A heartfelt number showing Remedy have plenty left in their songwriting locker.

Remedy are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in melodic rock circles and with the likes of H.E.A.T. not overly active of late, Remedy provide the perfect pick me up. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

tof


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – Are You The Person You’ve Always Wanted To Be / Photoshoot

The Mighty Bosscats - Are You The Person You Always Wanted To Be

Self release [Release date 29.09.23]

Richard Townend is an indefatigable singer-songwriter, guitarist and band leader of The Mighty Bosscats, who never let rust sleep.

His consistent output has the feel of a diarist who needs to get the minutiae of his existence down in the here and now.

Such is his exploratory output that I’m grouping together his last 2 album; 2023’s ‘Are You The Person You’ve Always Wanted To Be?’ with his brand new release called ‘Photoshoot’.

His trusty Essex band The Mighty Bosscats feature Matt Gillam on bass and vocals, Mark Hall on drums, percussion and vocals and Tony Sales on keyboards, and they contribute fully to the arragements on both albums.

Indeed, their input significantly helps move ‘Photoshoot’ on from the previous Knopleresque guitar and groove-led reflective songs, towards a more lyrically detailed direction. It’s populated by cool guitar tones and instricate percussion which gives the new album a clearer sense of identity.

Townend is the creative force,  a story teller who occasional dabbles in social commentary, with glimpses of the philosophical and more straight ahead tender love songs.

Last year’s enquiringly titled ‘Are You The Person You’ve Always Wanted To Be?’ is essentially a double album, which incorporates 2 bonus tracks making 17 in all.

He uses the familiar touchstones of Mark Knopfler’s early career piercing guitar tone with JJ Cale style grooves, to shape his own style, which is rooted in the late 70’s, but is given a contemporary lyrical feel.

That said, the opening ‘How ‘s It All Come To This’, evokes The Beatles ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, complete a Billy Preston style electric piano.

The cleverly observed ‘Several Ways To Replace A Lover’ crosses Knopfler style guitar with a Johnny Cash vocal, albeit Townend’s wry lyrical bent is as good as either of those influences.

And if the title is a distant reminder of Paul Simon’s ‘50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’, then the exclamatory  ‘It’s Over’ – an acoustic into a full band work-out with jangling guitar work – still reminds us of Roy Orbison’s similarly titled hit in the chorus.

The second bonus track ‘After Midnight’ also borrows a J.J. Cale title (another salient influence), on a reflective mid-tempo piece topped and tailed by shimmering guitar tones.

In between, there’s the sinewy lilting funk of ‘How Many Times?’ and an enquiring title track, which opens with powerful chords, and moves to intricate guitar work and thoughtful lyrics.

Sometimes it feels as if there’s a slight disconnect between his keen analytical lyrics and retro style music, but there’s no denying the frequent prosody when the two meet head on.

Listen for example, to the lovely drifting piano over crashing chords on ‘The River’, a song which draws us into the themes of an “unfulfilled dream” and a collection of “broken souls.”

It’s another reflective song which flows as eloquently as the song title, and benefits from a taut, uplifting and clean toned solo.

The poignant road song ‘Home With You’ is a withering reflection of a musician’s lot and the pull of home: “I waste more time than a man in jail” “there were good time and bad times, lonely times too when I’d rather be home, with you.”

The catchy ‘Pretty Boulevard’ is a highlight, as it marries the art of story telling with a commercial impetus. It’s underscored by a tinkling piano, brushed stroked percussion and darkly humorous lyrics, all topped by doowop bv’s.

He reverts to a sparser arrangement on ‘Weatherman’, on which the core trio is bolstered by a subtle organ, while he slips into Americana on ‘Why Oh Why’.

The dreamy slide and piano accompaniment give it a broader sonic depth, which frames more biting lyrics; “I guess we’re all pawns in a global game of chess, and some people play by the rules and some people make a mess.”

Deep into the album, he gives us the intricately woven ballad ‘A Little Bit Of Kindness’ on which his clean toned solo leads to Floydian slide finish with layered organ.

The topical ‘Ukraine’ benefits from perfect musical accompaniment and heartfelt lyrics which ring out loud and clear.

Richard Townend clearly understands the value of restraint and the art of knowing when to fill a chord with telling notes, and when to emphasize his expressive vibrato, always in the service of the song.  ****

The Mighty Bosscats - Photoshoot

Self release [Release date 04.05.24]

The thematically titled ‘Photoshoot’ is a metaphor for the narrator’s all pervasive gaze, as he approaches his subject matter with an analytical mind.

The album has a broader sonic and atmospheric feel, encompassing funky grooves and even a Latino feel to fill out the album’s photographic aesthetic.

The title track is a departure, as some very familiar opening chords give way too an acoustic-into-electric, pop-rock melodic sweep.

It neatly underpins his lyrical take on the symbiotic relationship between celebrities and the media: And at the end you know You got to take a judgement call Who’s making money from the photo Is it them or the press call.”

He also merges the atmospheric funk, throbbing bass and pinched harmonics of ‘Pray Harder’ with a reggae back beat, to usher some acerbic observations: ““With your modified moral beliefs All I can ask of you Don’t cherry pick the verses Which support your point of view.”

‘Next Big Thing’, is another reflective song with a familiar observation: “Each generation sings I want be the next big thing.”

He almost gets side tracked by his own negative concerns on ‘John Crow’ and the dark addiction narrative of ‘Pass The Favour On.”

But then he cleverly counterweights that brace of songs with the uplifting ‘Let It Go’, as the band adds sumptuous bass, acoustic guitar, close-to-the-mic harmonies, cooing bv’s and congas, to underpin more astute observations: “Better to concentrate on things you can change. Reality’s own device. And keep in check your passionate thoughts It’s not worth the sacrifice.”

He adds more percussion on the Latino rhythms of ‘Beat Of The Drum’ which has an 80’s Paul Simon feel and weary lyrics about social media: ““These computers they make us so brave on a page. Go out on the street and give us cou-rage We got to silence this beat of a drum.  The drummer boy he needs to go he’s had his fun.”

He’s almost playful on the Web Wilder style tremolo infused rockabilly of ‘I Want To Be In Love’. It provides an unlikely but very persuasive  backdrop to his own lyrical eclecticism ain which he explores the women behind historical and movie figures.

He returns to the catchy pop-rock of the title track on ‘I Can’t Ride With That’ which features a big trumpet-led flourish, and he rounds things off with a meditative love song called  ‘You Are My Love’ which basically restates his lyrical integrity.

And there you have it; the latest pit stop of The Mighty Bosscats ever evolving aesthetic neatly snapped in their own ‘Photoshoot’. ****

Review by Pete Feenstra


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review : LINDISFARNE – Brand New Day The Mercury Years 1978-79 (3 CDs)

Cherry Red [Release date : 24.05.24]

This is one of Cherry Red’s finer moments. A concise snapshot of Lindisfarne when they were at their best.

CD1: Magic In The Air (1978)
CD2: Back And Fourth (1978)
CD3: The News (1979)

Newcastle band, Lindisfarne folded after five albums. This was 1975. Dominishing returns after the huge success of their third album, Fog On The Tyne, led to intergroup bitterness and ultimately, an acriminious split.

The band’s resurrection, 3 years later, was engineered by NE music enterpreneur, Barry McKay. A lucrative, one off Christmas gig at Newcastle City Hall was on offer.

For Alan Hull, Rod Clements, Ray Jackson, Simon Cowe and Roy Laidlaw, who had all gone their different ways, it was clearly time to “put all grievances aside and concentrate on this opportunity”.

The gig was extended by two more nights and a repeat performance a year later. This became Magic In The Air – CD1 in this collection.

In turn, the huge success of these gigs led to a financially rewarding contract with Mercury Records.

Back And Fourth (1978) was the debut album on the new label, and forms the second CD in this collection. 9 bonus tracks have been added… a mix of edits, demos and unused recordings.

The follow up, The News (1979), is CD3, with 9 bonus tracks, all previously unreleased, all live, all cherry picked from subsequent Newcastle City Hall Christmas gigs.

Looking in the rear view mirror, it’s clear that leader and principle songwriter, Alan Hull was a highly talented musician, a perceptive artist whose lyrics adroitly mixed romance with politics and the struggles of everyday life.

The band’s big songs are all featured across these three discs, either in original form or done live, or both. Listen, and all of Hull’s skill as a craftsman becomes apparent.
‘Fog On The Tyne’: a bleary eyed, yet perspicacious look at life on the dole.

‘Run For Home’: shows off Hull’s lyrical prose, as a family man coming off a long tour.
‘Meet Me On The Corner’: some claim this song has drug taking connotations, and they may be right.

‘Lady Eleanor’: is a nod to the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. There are many interpretations, but in the end it’s just a great folk/rock song.

As with all of these songs, and more, Hull manages that difficult task of sounding authoritative without increasing the volume or toughness of his voice. He has that elusive ability to sound empathetic and dramatic at one and the same time.

That’s not to diminish the contribution of the other members of the band.

This “Geordie Genius” died in 1995 as the result of a coronary thrombosis. He was aged 50. RIP. ****

Review by Brian McGowan


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Gig review: MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

Midnite City gigs used to be quite rare down south, as the melodic rockers concentrated on the north and Midlands where that particular scene always seems more established. Yet in relatively short order, 11 months after they played Camden’s Black Heart, they returned to the capital and at the larger and rather better appointed Dome just up the road at Tufnell Park. It was a tough call with When Rivers Meet also playing in town, but memories of that show, plus the fact ‘In At the Deep End’ was one of my favourite albums of last year, influenced my decision.

There was a support slot from The Continental Lovers, a band with a punky feel and a degenerate glam image who reminded me of many of the bands I saw at the Marquee in late eighties and early nineties. They were not my scene personally, though theirs was still a dynamic and energetic performance.

MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

To an audience slightly larger than last time but still disappointingly failing to get into three figures, Midnite City opened with ‘Ready to Go’ with its anthemic chorus and ‘Atomic’ with singer Rob Wylde leading a clapalong. Unfortunately at this point some technical gremlins, mainly with Josh ‘Tabbie’ Williams’ bass, needed sorting and a blast of ‘Happy Birthday’ for Star Circus’ Dave Winkler who was in the audience helped fill time.

With those problems solved, ‘Girls Gone Wild’ was a typical feel good anthem, even with a little touch of ‘Livin’ On a Prayer’ on its strong chorus hook, while ‘Someday’ prominently featured the keyboards of Shawn Charvette, even though he and drummer Ryan Briggs were rather hidden from view on the dimly lit rear of the stage. The mid tempo ‘Hardest Heart to Break’ with its concluding ‘who-oahs’ was a real grower and ‘One Step Away’ from their debut album was a particular crowd favourite.

MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

As well as looking the part of a glammy rocker, I realised quite what a masterful frontman Rob is, constantly picking out individuals at the front to engage with. Another thing I noticed was quite how big a contribution ‘Tabbie’ makes with his backing vocals.

‘Good Time Music’ was a perfect summation of the band’s approach while another anthem in  ‘Summer of Our Lives’ had a few of us bouncing in the air. ‘You Don’t Understand Me’ was a brilliant mid tempo song, which had me thinking wistfully that it  would have been a sure fire MTV staple in the late eighties while Rob commended people to check out the video for latest single ‘Like There’s No Tomorrow’, filmed in Japan.

MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

Ever smiling guitarist Miles Meakin ensured his fluent and melodic solos were kept brief and in the context of the song, but he did get to show off his technical skills with a longer solo slot, entitled ‘Sonikku to Nakkuru’ apparently.

After the title track of the tour in ‘Raise the Dead’ was significantly heavier, the mock-horror ‘They Only Come Out at Night’ with its big ‘na na nas’ was one of my favourites, while ‘Girls of Tokyo’ was equally fun, reminding me of Reckless Love.

MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

‘Can’t Wait For The Nights’ was another anthem, Rob leading audience participation with a few pogoers at the front. Their stylishly delivered invocation of the sounds of the likes of Danger Danger, prime-time Bon Jovi, Nelson, Poison and Firehouse is a winner for me, and it is frustrating that their following is not greater in this country.

In a tightly packed hour and a half, there was no encore as such but a set that had featured the most recent album heavily ended with a couple more of their best loved ‘oldies’ in ‘Give Me Love’ and ‘We Belong’. By the end of them, the smiles throughout of those present had grown even broader after a night of feel good anthems.

MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: CHRIS FARLOWE – Stormy Monday – The Blues Years 1985-2008 (3CDs)

Cherry Red [Release date: 24.05.24]

Born to sing the blues, Chris Farlowe recorded genre standard, ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ in 1965, to huge critical acclaim. With his band, the Thunderbirds, he became a lightning rod for blues fans, continually burning down the house at headline venues like The Flamingo, in Soho.

But it was pop hit ‘Out Of Time’, written and produced by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in 1966, that made his name.

Several more hits and many years later he returned to the blues.

This anthology chronicles Farlowe’s journey through his second chance romance with his first love genre.

CD1: Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds, Studio Recordings, 1985-86.
CD2: Chris Farlowe Studio Recordings 1988-91
CD3: Farlowe Live 1985-2004

There’s a unique authenticity to Farlowe’s vocal performances. A slow burning intensity that addresses timeless, universal themes of love won and love lost with conviction. He brands other artists’ work with a stamp of originality.

And there are many artist names worthy of dropping here. Not than any are bigger or better than Farlowe, but they are indicators of the company he kept.

Van Morrison, Elkie Brooks, Paul Jones, Clem (Humble Pie) Clempson added their not inconsiderable vocal and guitar talent to man’s music. And that’s not to mention the artists whose significant work he covers in the course of this collection.

Most notably Howlin Wolf (I Ain’t Superstitious), Bobby Bland (‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’), Pete Green (‘A Man Of The World’), BB King (The Thrill Is Gone) and Solomon Burke (Cry To Me).

CD1 draws large from Farlowe’s Out Of The Blue and Born Again albums, both produced by Mike Vernon, the man who produced Clapton’s and Mayall’s album of the same period.

CD2 cherry picks from Farlowe’s impressive solo albums Waiting In The Wings (1992), The Voice (1998), Glory Bound (2000), Farlowe That! (2003) and Hotel Eingang (2008). At random, his cover of the Small Faces’ ‘All Or Nothing’, and Stax classic, ‘Private Number’ are genuinely memorable. Among many others.

CD3 comprises 15 cherry picked live tracks from Farlowe’s fiery, powerhouse live performances over two decades, He’s variously backed up by The Norman Baker Band, The Thunderbirds and by The Rhythm’N’Blues Train.

Even when reconditioning his pop hits ‘Out Of Time’ and ‘Handbags and Gladrags’ (written by Mike d’Abo), that old blues black magic works its spell.

For anyone who remembers the old phone book adage… Farlowe could sing it and make it sound great. ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: OLIVER WAKEMAN – Anam Cara

OLIVER WAKEMAN - Anam Cara

Elflock Records/Spirit of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red [Release date 10.05.24]

Oliver Wakeman is best known as part of a veritable keyboard dynasty but out of the fatherly shadow he has been steadily making solid albums on his own terms. The latest has apparently been brewing since the time he joined Yes in 2008.

‘Anam Cara’ (Soul Friend) is a story-driven album and mines the deep furrow of Celtic tinged progressive rock (as practised by Karnataka, Chasing The Monsoon, Iona and even Blackmore’s Night).

Taking lead vocals is one time vocalist with Karnataka, and also now with her own band, Hayley Griffiths. As in other projects Hayley brings her West End sheen (ex-Riverdance) to proceedings. For some her pure tones may be a tad overwhelming (as in a theatrical style delivery – listen to ‘Instead Of My Fear’) and in a sense the album becomes an exceptional vehicle for her skills.

Only a handful of pieces really hit the spot and all have a distinct air of familiarity. ‘Here In My Heart’ is followed by ’1000 Autumns’ although the chord sequence that underpins the latter sounds very familiar. ‘In The Moonlight’ and ‘Miss You Now’ (with echoes of ‘Hotel California’) are also engaging if derivative.

Musically, Wakeman adds nice embellishments but not particularly showy and seems happy to defer to his fellow musos. These include that Celtic Rock mainstay Troy Donockley whilst David Mark Pearce instils some angular guitar to ‘Marble Arch’. Again the chorus melody does sound familiar.

A pleasant if somewhat predictable album. And with those vocals perhaps an acquired taste for some. ***

Review by David Randall


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Album review: MIRACLE MILE – East of Ely

Miracle Mile East of Ely

Order link [Release date 31.05.24]

‘East of Ely’ is Miracle Mile’s first album since 2012, so to say this was eagerly anticipated is an understatement! Miracle Mile comprise of Trevor Jones and Marcus Cliffe, where this record was largely written on the Suffolk coast and later recorded between London and Norfolk.

How to describe the music contained within? Mmm, sophisticated pop? Melodic bliss? A musical refuge? One things for sure ‘East of Ely’ is a classic headphones on, listen to in one sitting kind of album. The lyrics are things of beauty and the musical arrangements transport the listener off to marvellous places.

Trevor Jones has a wonderful way with words – “You taught me how to dance like no-one else was there I came as Eric Morecambe but left as Fred Astaire” on ‘Shivering Boy’, is a perfect example. The song itself is one of those wistful love songs Miracle Mile do so well.

The two singles released ahead of the album, ‘Night Wedding’  and ‘Butterfly Brooch’, give a good indication of what to expect. ‘Night Wedding’ is a lovely song, both lyrically and the piano & musical effects, which should be all over the radio. ‘Butterfly Brooch’ is a quieter affair featuring the soothing vocals of Trevor Jones and sublime lap steel guitar. ‘Chapel Flower Morning’ is another single in waiting with a sublime chorus.

The instrumentals ‘Postcard from Happisburgh’ and ‘Postcard from Walberswick’ feature what one assumes are natural sounds recorded at said locations. Two pieces of calm to keep returning to time and time again.

The spoken word and poetry on ‘Shorebound’ work to a treat. Not sure who joins Trevor on the spoken word parts but they fit the song like a glove.

You can often run out of superlatives for an album and this is case here, as just when you think Miracle Mile had used up their musical magic tricks, along comes ‘Silent Sigh’. Vocals that are literally spine tingling coupled with piano and guitar parts that would make other artists weep in envy.

Miracle Mile took their time on this album and it has been worth the wait with ‘East of Ely’ amongst their best, quite possibly over time and more listening pleasure, their finest. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Gig review: FM – Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury, 18 May 2024

Steve Overland, FM

To quote Led Zeppelin, “It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled”, and as much as I love music my live mojo has been in retirement, bar supporting local folk gigs. However, when a band as classy as FM are in town (well, Newbury which is near-ish to Didcot), you can’t resist the draw of seeing them one more time. Plus, they were playing their first ever gig at the Arlington Arts Centre, an oasis of live music and events in the heart of the countryside near Newbury and one of my favourite music venues.

The other bonus was a chance to see support band Collateral, a band who I have followed and reviewed since they started back in 2018. Led by flamboyant singer/guitarist Angelo Tristan, they won over many a new fan after tonight’s set.

Opening with the rifftastic ‘Glass Sky’ (where bassist Jack Bentley-Smith looked a lot like Cousin It from the Addams Family with his swirling long hair) from their new album, ‘Should’ve Known Better’, which is out on May 24, Collateral didn’t put a foot wrong.

Well paced set with a heartfelt ballad ‘On The Long Road’, which shows the band have upped their game both lyrically and musically. Then there are the rock anthems that are ‘About This Boy’, ‘Merry Go Round’ and set closer, ‘Midnight Queen’.

If the new album lives up to expectations and the rest of their live shows are as good as tonight, Collateral are definitely on the rise and rightly so.

FM are out on their longest tour for many a year as they celebrate their 40th anniversary. If my memory is correct this writer is celebrating thirty eight years since first seeing them play live at the Victoria Hall, Hanley with White Sister as support. When they take to the start after a suitably dramatic cinematic intro (including the Pearl & Dean jingle!), it is safe to say FM have aged well like a fine wine or cheese (although less smelly or mouldy).

Tonight’s set list was a good mix of a couple of songs from their recently released album, ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ and plenty of older songs, with a few lesser performed gems. Kicking off with ‘Digging Up The Dirt’, you soon realise how well this line-up perform together and the ease at which they relate to their audience. Luckily FM still make good new music and FM fans are appreciative – so long as some of the ‘must play’ songs are still included in any set list, which the next song, ‘Tough It Out’, belongs to.

Steve Overland is one of the few singers who lose none of their vocal prowess, and indeed could be said to sound better now. A more beautiful mix of rock and soul in a vocal you won’t hear this side of Paul Rodgers. With songs like ‘Someday (You’ll Come Running)’ and the newbie, ‘Don’t Need Another Heartache’, the audience is treated to vocal masterclass, although the vocal performance of the night is yet to come…

FM isn’t just Steve Overland, as each band member contributes to what has made them an enjoyable act, both live and on record, for all these years. The backing vocals of guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick and bassist Merv Golkdsworthy ensure the band capture their trademark harmonies in a live setting, none more so than on ‘Does It Feel Like Love’ and the aforementioned ‘Tough It Out’. Drummer Pete Jupp keeps the backbeat rock solid and keys player Jem Davis adds that little bit extra to the band’s sound. Plus he’s a bundle of energy switching between his banks of keyboards.

As we get towards the main set’s finale FM wheel out their AOR classics in the shape of ‘That Girl’ and ‘Bad Luck’, and a treat for long-time fans in ‘Hot Wired’, a song not performed live that often. Closing with what has soon become a ‘newer’ fan favourite ‘Turn This Car Around’, one of their finest tunes in recent times.

Encores start with Jem Davis tinkling the ivories before Steve Overland joins him onstage to perform ‘Story of My Life’, which certainly for this fan, was the vocal highlight of the evening. Steve Overland hits the notes with ease and like the rest of the band tonight, genuinely seems to be enjoying himself and performing to the fans. No perform by numbers from this band.

Full band back for ‘Dangerous’ (although my one change would have been to have ‘Frozen Heart’ instead, but hey it is still a great song) and the grand finale – you tell it is when Jem Davis dons his keytar – ‘Other Side of Midnight’. Sung with gusto by both the band and audience, this is how you end a fine gig by one the best bands out there.

To be this good after forty years is no mean feat (and to still feature three original members), but then we expected nothing less from FM, who really have found a purple patch since this line-up took shape in 2008. Get and see them on one of their gigs this year as AOR this classy doesn’t pass by that often nowadays.

Setlist: Digging Up The Dirt/Tough It Out/Killed By Love/Someday (You’ll Come/Running)/Don’t Need Another Heartache/Everytime I Think of You/Out of the Blue/The Dream That Died/Synchronized/Say It Like It Is/Closer to Heaven/Does It Feel Like Love/That Girl/Bad Luck/Hot Wired/Turn This Car Around/Encores: Story of My Life/Dangerous/Other Side of Midnight

Review by Jason Ritchie

Get Ready to ROCK! - The Best of 2024

Album review (Old Habits Die Hard, 2024)

The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness (June, 2023)

The Grotto of Greatness (FM, 2023)


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Single review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Addicted

std2

Website [Release date 17.05.24]

Kent based metal muthas Spreading the Disease have been on hiatus since late 2019, whilst undergoing a major line up, change, then Covid, Brexit and other reasons the band had to deal with. Now Spreading the Disease are back with a brand new single and video ‘Addicted’, as the lead single from an EP to be released soon.

Only bassist/backing vocalist Steve Saunders remains from the 2019 line-up, and he is now joined by vocalist Jonny P, guitarists Cedryk Guyenot & Chris Sconning, and drummer Peter Swindley.

They have certainly upped their melody, yet retain their bulldozing riffs and the hard as nails vocals of Jonny P are a definite plus. It’s metal with a Nu metal sprinkle and ‘Addicted’ is a good taster for the EP. The band’s time away has seen them up their musical game for sure.

Keep on Spreading the Disease and get ready for the EP later this year.

Review by Jason Ritchie

Addicted on YouTube


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio






David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 December 2025.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 25 November 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)


Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.  The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.


Recent (last 30 days)


Single review: THE MOTHERZ – Sweat

YES

Facebook With a name like The Motherz you’re not going to expect Abba are you. And how right you would be. To me they sound like the illegitimate offspring of Metallica and The Stooges. They claim to draw their influences … Continue reading

Album review: YES – Talk

YES

Spirit Of Unicorn/Cherry Red Records [Release date: 24.05.24] Originally released in 1994 and remastered here for its 30th anniversary, ‘Talk’ is very much the lost album of the Yes canon (not helped by the Victor record company going bust not … Continue reading

Album review : KURT FROHLICH – 1977

Kurt Frohlich image 150

Golden Robot Records [Release Date : 07.06.24] Kurt Frohlich, currently vocalist with Riley’s LA Guns, has already fronted Faster Pussycat and Mark Ramone’s band. Limited as that pedigree might be, it lets us know where he’s coming from. 1977 is … Continue reading

EP review: MOON CITY MASTERS

Moon City Masters

Website  [Release date 31.05.24] More new music from the Moon City Masters – namely twin brothers, Jordan (vocals, bass) and Talor Steinberg (vocals, guitars). Digital only at the moment, although you can buy and download it via iTunes and Amazon. … Continue reading

Album review: NESTOR – Teenage Rebel

NESTOR - Teenage Rebel

Napalm Records [Release date 31.05.24] Album number two from Nestor sees the band signed to a big label, namely Napalm Records, home to fellow lovers of a good 80′s melodic rock riff, the Night Flight Orchestra. According the band’s bio … Continue reading

EP review: RED VOODOO – Red Voodoo

Red Voodoo

Website [Release date 07.06.24] Red Voodoo is a four piece from California, formed in 2019 the band has a sound that brings to mind all the great parts from 70’s and 80’s rock music that is missing today. The band are … Continue reading

Album review: RICK ESTRIN AND THE NIGHTCATS – The Hits Keep Coming

Rick Estrin And The Nightcats

Alligator Records [Release date 08.03.24] It’s five years since Rick Estrin & the Nightcats cut an album signifantly called ‘Contemporary’.  And as if too illustate his almost unique standing as a conduit between old school blues and his current groundbreaking … Continue reading

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

BRYAN ADAMS- Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 2024

Two years ago, I was present all three nights as Bryan Adams played a memorable residency at the Albert Hall, playing a classic album each night (subsequently released in less than satisfactory fashion on DVD). I thought that was a … Continue reading

Album review: FOCUS – Focus 12

FOCUS - Focus 12

David Randall chatted to Thijs van Leer for his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from the new album.  First broadcast 9 June 2024 and featured in the second hour. Spirit Of Unicorn Music [Release date … Continue reading

Album review: PSYCH! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues 1966-1973 (3-CD)

PSYCH! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues 1966-1973 (3-CD)

Decca/Universal [Release date 21.06.24] This 64-song 3-CD/2LP collection highlights a halcyon period for British psych rock and folk stretching from the mid sixties to the early 1970s. During that time Deram was the leading purveyor of the genre and this … Continue reading

News: AL ATKINS, NEONFLY, HEART (June 2024)

SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS- Wembley Arena, London, 5 April 2024

The Angels have announced their first album in a decade. Entitled ‘Ninety Nine’ it will be released via Bloodlines on June 28. Former Judas Priest vocalist Al Atkins has revealed a 50th anniversary edition of Judas Priest’s ‘Rocka Rolla’, as well … Continue reading

Album review : NIGHTMARE – Encrypted

NIGHTMARE Encrypted 150

AFM Records [Release date: 06.06.24] Formed in 1979, French Power Metal band, Nightmare have been worshipping the mighty riff for 11 albums now. Their 12th album, Encrypted, sees ex Songbird songbird, Barbara Mogore (a smart bit of recruitment by Yves … Continue reading

Album review: McCOY – The Sound Of Thunder (3 CD set)

McCoy thunder 150

Cherry Red [Release date : 31/05/24] CD1: 1985: McCoy : Hard Thinking (incorporates 1982 EP) CD2: 1998: McCoy : Brainstorm CD3: 1977: McCoy : Live 1977 The real (John) McCoy, bass player extraordinaire, was as much known for his fearsome, … Continue reading

Gig review: YES – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 24 May 2024

mini_SAM_0293

Tonight’s show was another date in the current ‘Classic Tales Of Yes’ tour, a celebration of 50 plus years of Yessong with an emphasis on the band’s ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ opus which turn 50 in 2023.  You could argue … Continue reading

Album review : RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Challenge The Wind

RHAPSODY - Challenge The Wind

AFM Records [Release date : 31.05.24] Fans of the Symphonic Metal genre will know ROF is a band big on concept. This new album, Challenge The Wind, is the third in their “Nephilim Empire Saga”. The second, Glory For Salvation, … Continue reading

Album review: CASEY MAUNDER – Get Out and Push

CASEY MAUNDER - Get Out and Push

Facebook [Release date 13.05.24] Casey Maunder is back with the follow-up to his enjoyable debut album ‘Until Your Heart Stops Beating’. That album was jammed packed with riff led hard rockers and pleasingly ‘Get Out and Push’ follows on nicely. Opener … Continue reading

Album review: FM – Old Habits Die Hard

FM- Old Habits Die Hard

Frontiers Records (Release Date 03.05.24) FM appear to be constantly on tour, and yet between that activity they somehow find time to consistently write and release a new album every two or three years. ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ actually marks … Continue reading

Album review: REMEDY – Pleasure Beats Pain

Remedy - Pleasure Beats Pain

Escape Music [Release date 24.05.24] Remedy released their debut album at the tail end of 2022 and it earned rave reviews (including from this reviewer!), although being independently released it didn’t get the full coverage it deserved. Enter Escape Music … Continue reading

Album review: THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – Are You The Person You’ve Always Wanted To Be / Photoshoot

The Mighty Bosscats - Photoshoot

Self release [Release date 29.09.23] Richard Townend is an indefatigable singer-songwriter, guitarist and band leader of The Mighty Bosscats, who never let rust sleep. His consistent output has the feel of a diarist who needs to get the minutiae of … Continue reading

Album review : LINDISFARNE – Brand New Day The Mercury Years 1978-79 (3 CDs)

LINDISFARNE Brand New Day Mercury Years 150

Cherry Red [Release date : 24.05.24] This is one of Cherry Red’s finer moments. A concise snapshot of Lindisfarne when they were at their best. CD1: Magic In The Air (1978) CD2: Back And Fourth (1978) CD3: The News (1979) … Continue reading

Gig review: MIDNITE CITY- Downstairs at The Dome, London, 11 May 2024

P1110918 - Copy

Midnite City gigs used to be quite rare down south, as the melodic rockers concentrated on the north and Midlands where that particular scene always seems more established. Yet in relatively short order, 11 months after they played Camden’s Black … Continue reading

Album review: CHRIS FARLOWE – Stormy Monday – The Blues Years 1985-2008 (3CDs)

CHRIS FARLOWE Stormy 150

Cherry Red [Release date: 24.05.24] Born to sing the blues, Chris Farlowe recorded genre standard, ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ in 1965, to huge critical acclaim. With his band, the Thunderbirds, he became a lightning rod for blues fans, continually burning down … Continue reading

Album review: OLIVER WAKEMAN – Anam Cara

OLIVER WAKEMAN - Anam Cara

Elflock Records/Spirit of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red [Release date 10.05.24] Oliver Wakeman is best known as part of a veritable keyboard dynasty but out of the fatherly shadow he has been steadily making solid albums on his own terms. The latest … Continue reading

Album review: MIRACLE MILE – East of Ely

Miracle Mile East of Ely

Order link [Release date 31.05.24] ‘East of Ely’ is Miracle Mile’s first album since 2012, so to say this was eagerly anticipated is an understatement! Miracle Mile comprise of Trevor Jones and Marcus Cliffe, where this record was largely written … Continue reading

Gig review: FM – Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury, 18 May 2024

fm

To quote Led Zeppelin, “It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled”, and as much as I love music my live mojo has been in retirement, bar supporting local folk gigs. However, when a band as classy as … Continue reading

Single review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Addicted

std2

Website [Release date 17.05.24] Kent based metal muthas Spreading the Disease have been on hiatus since late 2019, whilst undergoing a major line up, change, then Covid, Brexit and other reasons the band had to deal with. Now Spreading the Disease are … Continue reading