Album review: BLACK STAR RIDERS- Wrong Side of Paradise

BLACK STAR RIDERS- Wrong Side of Paradise

Earache Records (Release date 20.01.23)

Black Star Riders first album in over three years marks a turning point in the life of the band. It is the first recorded without Scott Gorham, leaving only singer Ricky Warwick from the original line up that mutated from a reformed Lizzy exactly a decade ago. With the departure of the last Lizzy member also goes the trademark twin guitar line up- at least in the studio, but that is another story! The sense this album is overdue is accentuated by the way a number of singles have been released over several months.

A Stonesy riff kicks off a very decent opener in the title track, though the Lynott-isms are still very much there in Ricky Warwick’s delivery, if not the same melodic sensibility, while the guitar solo from the now departed Christian Martucci had an original-sounding twist to it. But ‘Hustle’ is the first example of how the change in line-up has allowed them to go in a different direction, with a less conventional song structure and an R’n’B feel particularly in liberal use of the blues harp.

More familiar is ‘Better Than Saturday Night’ with those Lynott-isms reminiscent of some of Lizzy’s mellower moments like ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ and ‘Riding Out the Storm’ is also unexpectedly melodic. There is less emphasis than before on guitar solos of any description, and yet both songs are excellent. Lest we think BSR have wimped out, ‘Pay Dirt,’ complete with autobiographical references to Belfast and Glasgow, comes closest to the rough and ready style more associated with Ricky Warwick dating back to his days with The Almighty.

The album takes an odd turn for the worse in the middle with ‘Catch Yourself On’, whose guitars have an almost indie feel, as disjointed as its rather odd title suggests and a faithful cover of ‘Crazy Horses’ rather pointless.

‘Burning Rome’ is much better and though the chords in the verses are very Noel Gallagher-esque, as the song progresses the guitars sing in gaelic fashion like a cross between Lizzy and Big Country, while ‘Don’t Let the World Get in the Way’ is a more typical rousing BSR anthem. However the insidious Big Country-style guitar is even more prominent on ‘Green and Troubled Land’, one of many songs where Ricky’s lyrics have a touch of what the Germans call ‘weltschmerz’, unsettled  with the state of the world today.

‘This Life Will Be the Death of Me’ is another mellow song to close the album, even with a flavour of Van Morrison while an excellent wah-wah solo as the song winds to a conclusion process to be a fitting requiem for Christian Martucci’s tenure in the band.

I will freely admit that when Scott Gorham’s departure was announced my interest in the band dropped by at least 50%. But I actually have ended up very impressed with this new album, taking a few chances to broaden their range while retaining enough of their signature sound , making it a very promising start to their new era.  ****

Review 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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: TEN – Something Wicked This Way Comes

Frontiers [Release date: 20.01.23]

Here’s another Ten album title that will again appeal to the literati or the cinephiles among the band’s fans. It’s their sixteenth studio release since 1996.

Ever present founder/ writer/ singer, Gary Hughes has gathered a decent set of musicians around him, and has brought in Denis (Pink Cream69/ Khymera) Ward to mix the album.

And while the band clearly have not set out to reinvent the wheel – an upgraded retread is what they had in mind – they’ve wisely maintained the idea of the designer song title. Like ‘Tidal Wave’, ‘Fire And Rain’ and ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’. Such smarts add a surface gloss to the pomp and the AOR.

You have to say that the crackly, nasally tones of the spoken word intro on opener ‘Look For The Rose’ owe more to Gollum than the “Macbeth” witches. That’s not to play down the high minded songwriting that is generally the staple diet of Ten’s music, but it’s an indication that the music sometimes gets overwhelmed by its own deadly seriousness.

‘Brave New Lie’ and ‘Something Wicked…’, the title track, are strong songs. The twinned up axework of Dann Rosingana and Steve Grocott work hand in glove with the vocal sections. Both are punchy, dramatic and wordy slices of edgy melodic rock, with Hughes’s emotional tones often well up in the mix.

Here and there we are reminded of artists from the melodic rock era.

‘The Only Way Out’s blast of AOR harmonies and up tempo radio friendly tones are reminiscent of Christian Rock giants, Liaison. ‘Parabellum’ (Prepare For War) acknowledges the world’s sad state of affairs without risking controversy or blowback, and that’s bizarrely but very skillfully matched with an AOR / Pomp Rock style redolent of Rick Springfield’s mid eighties persona.

Strangely (OK, perhaps not), the album’s standouts are much closer to MOR.

Framed in a lush strings and a sweetly romantic piano setting, ‘New Found Hope’, a sophisticated ballad, and ‘When Darkness Comes’, a tightly constructed and evenly layered song of regret and lost opportunities, are the album picks.

No chest beating here. The restraint in Hughes’s vocals is perfectly tailored for a wider market.

Maybe that signals the way ahead. ***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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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)


Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Waking The Witch

Get Ready to ROCK! - 20th Anniversary - 2003-2023Jason Ritchie charts the rise and demise of a favourite band…

Waking The Witch initially consisted of Rachel Goodwin, Patsy Matheson, Jools Parker, and Michelle Plum, with Becky Mills replacing Plum in 2005, all of whom also worked as solo artists, and they took their name from a song on the Kate Bush album ‘Hounds of Love’.

They told us more about their origins in a 2007 Rising Stars interview for this site –

“We all knew each other, or at least of each other, before forming the band, even Becky the newest member. We’d bumped into one another on and off doing solo gigs, mainly in the North. Everybody was tired of slogging it out alone, which can be really hard work and not a lot of fun – especially when you’re setting up your own PA every night! – and we wanted to do something based around vocal harmonies. We figured it would be more fun. And so ‘Waking the Witch’ was born.

It was a bit hairy scary with the band name. None of us could agree on a name for weeks and then suddenly, without any discussion that that was what we were going to do, two of us went home and raked through our album collections and completely independently came up with the name, ‘Waking the Witch’ , a song from Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds of Love’ album. Spoooooooooky. We just had to go with it.

Up until recently, our style of music has been really difficult to categorise – kind of rootsy/folksy/bluesy/acousticy – but since we did the new CD and teamed up with the producer, Dave Creffield, it’s been tagged ‘indie acoustic’, which is pretty cool.”

They received airplay from BBC DJ’s including Bob Harris, Janice Long, and Charlie Gillett, along with appearances at several major UK festivals including Glastonbury, Trowbridge and Cambridge, and headlining the Holmfirth Festival of Folk in 2006.

They released three albums — Like Everybody (2004), Hands and Bridges (2005), and Boys from the Abattoir (2007).

Waking The Witch | Spotify

Their ‘Boys from the Abattoir’ was this reviewer’s introduction to their music and it remains a firm favourite all these years later. The review summary still stands true –

“Put simply if you like harmony filled acoustic music then BUY THIS NOW! If you like bands like Shaw/Blades, the Thorns and Joni Mitchell this will amaze and delight your ears.”

Reviewing their Windsor gig in 2007 they more than matched their promise in the recording studio –

“An excellent night of acoustic/vocal based music and both artists are well worth checking out, especially Waking the Witch who are simply one of the best female fronted folk/acoustic bands out there today.”

Waking the Witch split up in 2008 after a farewell tour, although there was a reunion show in February 2010 (without Jools Parker) raising funds for the Haiti earthquake appeal.

Becky Mills is still active on the folk scene with her latest album ‘Tall Tales and Home Truths’ is worth tracking down. She teamed up with Patsy Matheson for a tour in 2012 which this reviewer caught at their stop at Farnham Maltings.

Patsy Matheson released a couple of solo albums with ‘Stories Of Angels & Guitars’ a good place to start. She made a return to live performances at the end of last year with a couple of local gigs.

Michelle Plum went on to work with Chumbawamba, former Smokie singer Chris Norman and is currently half of the Plumhall duo.

Both Jools Parker and Rachel Goodwin appear to have quit music.

Waking The Witch never got the recognition their music deserved and if they would have certainly proved a big hit in the recent folk and singer songwriter revival of these past few years.

Waking The Witch

Becky Mills looks back at her time in Waking The Witch, her subsequent solo career and her plans for 2023…

What were your highlights of your time in Waking the Witch?

There were so many highlights belonging to a band like Waking the Witch. I was the lucky one who got to hear them live as an audience member. I supported them once in their early format and was just blown away by their sound so that was my first highlight. I always said to them, ‘I wish you could see Waking the Witch live like I did’.

Of course there were lots of lovely festivals, Glastonbury being the biggest and that was fun but my favourite thing of all was doing the rural arts tour which put us on in village halls around Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and even Dorset.

I loved those village hall gigs, we got to be in charge of our own sound, we got amazing home cooked food and stayed in strange peoples houses. Patsy and I loved strange people’s houses, we were always perving at property on Rightmove in whichever town we’d just played and fallen in love with. I still get to tour village halls in the Midlands with Ashley Hutchings doing a very similar scheme called Live and Local. Oh the food is so good at these gigs.

Why did the band decide to call it a day in 2008?

By 2008 we’d made Boys From The Abattoir and were at the top of our game and it felt like we’d peaked I think, speaking for us all. We were stuck between the genres Folk and Roots and we just couldn’t break in to the next level, our audiences just weren’t getting any bigger and although we were getting pretty well known we didn’t have the strength to give ourselves that last shove. I was preggers, Rach and Patsy had missed a lot of their kids Easters and sports days and all that stuff and it’s such a short time your kids are that age isn’t it. Both Jools and Rach already had their own businesses that were just taking off and we kind of mutually agreed that Waking the Witch was brilliant but had run its course.

Is there any chance of a reunion and/or re-issues of the albums?

I can’t see any reunion happening, sadly. I mean, I absolutely loved the noise we made and the fun we had but we’ve all moved on. To get together and remember all those songs, the rehearsal time it would take just to remember our chords and words, it makes my brain hurt! Just for a couple of gigs, it wouldn’t be worth it and then we’d be slack as a bag of knackers because you really need to be in the groove of a tour. You’re never at your best on the first few gigs, my god we were tight after a month.

Re-issue wise, personally I’d not mind if someone re-released our albums. It would be interesting to see what the listeners would make of our style today. Will it have aged well? It might not have aged enough to be vintage cool? You know how awful 80s music sounded in the 90s maybe our 00’s sound might not translate in the 20’s if you know what I mean?

Hardly anyone is buying actual albums anymore seemingly. Sales at gigs have gone right down because no one has a CD player it’s all digital now. I love to have an actual CD, I like looking at it while I play the music.

BECKY MILLS - Tall Tales And Home Truths

How different/difficult was it to start recording and touring as a solo artist?

Speaking for myself it was quite hard immediately after WTW. I had a baby and had lost my singing voice. It was the weirdest thing, I just couldn’t sing with feeling anymore.

Looking back I realise I was just knackered! Anyway, what happened was Ashley Hutchings and Ken Nicol asked me to do some backing vocals for them on their album Copper Russet and Gold, then asked me to go out and sing with them which was terrifying.

I was so out of practice and was suddenly reacquainted with the terror of standing on a stage, it was never an easy thing for me to do, in fact most musicians I know have that struggle. Ken Nicol wrote a thesis on stage-fright!

By the time my son Lou was a toddler Patsy was established as a solo performer again and asked if I’d like to go out as a duo with her, safety in numbers and much more fun. We were half of Waking the Witch so she got us some lovely bookings and we had the best fun playing from Devon to Scotland.

All this while I’d been crafting songs for my first solo album ‘dandelion’ and started recording it in 2012. I tentatively started doing solo shows and realised this was where I felt most comfortable. I loved the camaraderie of the duet but I never got in to my full stride. My shows have stories to them and need the continuity to make sense so all of a sudden I discovered that although I was bricking it, I was pretty good

Patsy lost heart with the gigging life and had a health scare as many know. She’s now working a very highbrow and creative job and smashing it! She’s still creating music and even taught herself how to play piano but has very little desire to go back to the slog of trogging down the motorway all day to wait around for 4 hours then do an hour and a half singing just to trog all the way back up the motorway. You have to really, really enjoy what you’re doing and Pats had stopped enjoying it. (stopping gigging seems to have brought the pleasure of music back to her)

I went on to meet my now husband and agent Gavin Stewart who started whipping me in to shape. Having someone to deal with the booking and business side left me to be creative and work on my show and writing plus he does all the driving. It’s great, I snooze all the way there and sip a miniature bottle of red wine on the way home.

My website has all my upcoming gigs and a shop. It also has photos and song nibblets to put you on with.

If you could give the younger you a piece of advice what would it be? (If that seems a bit Smash Hits please ignore!)

I do think about this every now and again, I’ve always had a really bad habit of hearing other people’s music and freaking out because I’m not as good as them. What I always failed to see was that I’m totally different to them and shouldn’t even be comparing myself. In a nutshell I’d tell myself to be true to me and never try and be anyone else.

And to never eat seaweed even if it’s wasabi flavoured.

What have you got planned for 2023?

2023 will see my third solo album being released, I’m really excited about this one. I have just started introducing some of the songs to my live shows and I love playing them.  It means I have three albums worth of material and I can chop and chose my favourites, it’s a nice feeling. The new album will be called Carols Out of Season and it’s sad, happy and a bit quirky. I’m really into it and I never say that about nuffin!


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: JOHN BLEK – Until The Rivers Run Dry

JOHN BLEK - Until The Rivers Run Dry

Bandcamp [Release date 17.02.23]

This is John Blek’s eighth album and an artist that had not crossed my musical radar until now. The album was recorded over ten days and features Cathy Davy (vocals) – who has appeared on albums from the Duckworth Lewis Method & the Divine Comedy, the Frames’ Colm Mac Con Iomaire (strings), BBC Jazz Award winner Kit Downes (piano), Davie Ryan (drums) and Chris McCarthy (double bass). Brian Casey produced the album with Blek, as well as mixing & mastering the album. Credit to both as the production on the album is top notch, be it the soothing string arrangements or gently picked guitar, an album perfect for headphone listening.

Hard to sinlge out individual songs as the whole album lends itself to a listen in one go. If push came to shove, ‘Restless Sea’ is a fine example of the album as a whole. The soothing singing of John Blek is easy on the ear, yet never bland, whilst the musical arrangements are a thing of beauty. Maybe it’s advancing age but this reviewer really appreciates the music and lyrics more, than say a instant, riff filled tune that would have appealed to my younger self.

‘Raven’s Cry’ and ‘Once In A While (21/07)’ follow close behind, where the piano and strings create a pefect accompaniment to Blek’s vocals and the ethereal vocals of Cathy Davey.

John Blek has produced an album that is a balm for the current times. The listener can loose themselves in the wonderous music within, aided greatly by the vocals of Cathy Davey. ***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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: RAIN – Radio Silence

RAIN - RADIO SILENCE

Giant Electric Pea    [Release date: 27.01.23]

Another release on the Giant Electric Pea label – they’re getting quite prolific…

For those not in the know, GEP is the label founded by IQ stalwarts Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1996 originally to release IQ material – but has kicked on since then to become a leading label in progressive rock releases.

And, low and behold, here we have ‘Radio Silence’, the second album by Rain, featuring ex-IQ drummer Andy Edwards and bass player John Jowitt – following up their well-received debut album from 2020, ‘Singularity’.

The IQ lads are joined by keyboard whizz Rob Groucutt and ex Hey Jester guitarist Mirron on an album that turns out to be a real miscellany of styles and not what I was expecting at all – it’s prog Jim, but not as we know it..

However, it’s this mix of genres that keeps the listener on their toes – there’s a surprise around every corner – where progressive rock meets the Funk Soul Brother and even, dare we say it, the jazzy overtones of big-hatted egoist Jamiroquai – but which coalesce to deliver a rather fine album.

Things get underway as they mean to go on with ’Bring It Back’ whose prog/funk dashes along like a runaway train. I thought it sounded like Rob Reed’s offshoot Kiama and, surprise surprise, Kiama’s drummer turns out to be Andy Edwards.

Throughout the album, the vocals sound very like Kiama’s Dylan Thompson.

‘Fear The Night’s gently strummed acoustic intro is kicked out of the way by a pounding electric riff which, in turn, gives way to some tasty jazzy acoustic and is finally resolved with a frenzied solo from Mirron.

Am I getting my point across here? The genre switches, the light and dark, the bewildering time signature changes – you literally don’t know which way any track is going to go.

And this continues throughout the rest of the album with tracks like ‘Hypnosis’ sounding like it was written under er, hypnosis, replete with an Eddie Van Halen-esque guitar break, the classic prog tropes of the title track and ‘Solid State’s staccato piano/guitar riff and repeated quotation from Rousseau – “man is born free but everywhere is in chains”.

The mesmerising madness is eventually concluded by closer ‘Winter Sun’ – a solo piano piece that sounds exactly like a piece called Winter Sun should sound like.

A lovely finish to an album of bewildering music – superbly played by consummate musicians, not least John Jowitt’s bass which is as brilliant as it always was in IQ – great to see he’s not lost his touch.

So many compliments one could pay to this exceptional album but probably best described as a cornucopia of the unexpected…  ****  

Review by Alan Jones

GRTR!@20 Primer: Progressive Rock


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: JD SIMO TRIO – Songs From The House Of Grease

Crows Feet Records [release date: 13.01.23]

An album of cover versions is always a risk. But the concept is no stranger to JD Simo. This is the guitarist chosen by renowned Film Director, Baz Luhrman to play all the guitar parts on the soundtrack of his “Elvis” biopic in 2022.

Any artist who can “mimic’ the guitar sound and style of the legendary James Burton, Scotty Moore and Tommy Tedesco has to be a singularly special talent.

Presley grounded his early singing style in the mould of African American artists like BB King, Fats Domino and others. You can hear the very same influences in Simo’s music, in this case he has chosen relatively obscure songs, some leaning further toward jazz and blues than rock.

Worth pointing out that Simo has collaborated with contemporary artists such as Blackberry Smoke and Jack White in recent years, his music is as much part of today’s popular culture as it is the past’s.

On opener, the trio… Simo, Todd Bolden on bass, and Adam Abrashoff on drums boldly change Mississippi Fred McDowall’s ‘Mortgage on My Soul’ up a gear, pushing it along with a non stop Afro beat. It’s a treat to hear Simo’s slide guitar singing and dancing its way through this fiery, rootsy blues shuffle, shaping the musical sounds in the lyrical style of the legendary jazz trumpeter, Miles Davis.

That jazz connection continues with ‘Afro Blue’, a Mongo Santamaria cover, made famous originally by legendary jazz saxophonist, John Coltrane (a member of Miles Davis’s band for many years).

There’s plenty of soul here too, the latter being flavoured with a distinct twist of Memphis.

Simo continues to assemble an album of significant craft and design, if not of original writings, with a moving cover of Blind Alfred Reed’s ‘How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live’. Indeed. A song for today if ever there was one.

And in closing with the Hendrixian, jam like thunder of ‘Higher Plane, Pts 1 and 2′, his emphatic vocals and wailing axework easily work up the passion needed to deliver such heartfelt opinion. ****

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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 title: BEYOND THE BLACK – Beyond The Black

BEYOND THE BLACK

Nuclear Blast [Release date 13.01.23]

Fifth album from Beyond The Black and the third since the 2014 revamped line-up which left vocalist Jenifer Haben as the sole original member. Beyond The Black is completed by lead guitarist Chris Hermsdörfer, rhythm guitarist Tobi Lodes and drummer Kai Tschierschky. This is a proper band effort too with all band members involved in the musical composition and lyrics

As Jenifer said ahead of this album’s release, “Many changes happened in the world and behind the scenes during the making of this album. We were confronted by our innermost fears and hopes while trying to do the right thing in turbulent times. This is what you call growth and this album gets to the heart of this process we all share.”

Opener ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’ is a perfect melodic metal song. Instant chorus and one for the live set. ‘Reincarnation’ sees Beyond The Black bring in the folk metal elements with pipes and throaty backing vocals. Another strong tune and little wonder it was released as a taster song for the album. Same applied to ‘Dancing In The Dark’, another instant hit featuring a stirring chorus and tasty riffage.

‘I Remember Dying’ is the big ballad. Nicely done and proof of what a fine vocalist Jenifer Haben is. At the other end of musical heaviness, ‘Not In Our Name’ is a fist in the air, call to arms anthem. The deeper male vocals complement Jenifer’s vocals perfectly. This is how you do symphonic metal with a crossover appeal.

Symphonic metal can sometimes be overegged (or overpomped?!), however, Beyond The Black define a classy symphonic metal album with big melodies, passionate singing, strong lyrical themes and plenty of tuneful metal. It is only January but this album will surely feature on many a best of list for 2023. Grab a copy now and enjoy! ****

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Nobody’s Fool

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR - Nobody's Fool

Keeping The Blues Alive (KTBA Records) [Release date 28.10.22]

Joanne Shaw Taylor has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, establishing herself as one of the most formidable blues/rock performers.  We’ve followed her rise and rise in the past decade and noted her growing maturity as an artist.

The main change has to be in her vastly improved vocal, so that now it wouldn’t attract much attention.  But she’s also not afraid to break out  of the sometimes blues straitjacket, enlisted significant producers, and no doubt widened her appeal in the process.  Regular touring is also helpful.  Now domiciled in the US, we shouldn’t also under-estimate her success on both sides of the pond.

‘Nobody’s Fool’ is very much business as usual with a raft of engaging tunes and ably steered by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith.  Bonamassa contributes guitar to ‘Won’t Be Fooled Again’ which is the most commercial/crossover tune on offer here on an album that incorporates R&B and even pop and Motown influences.

There’s no doubt that an artist’s best work is often made under duress and the songwriting in particular when influenced by loss – in love and life  – can often be incendiary.  Joanne pours it all out here and if somewhat visceral it is all rather compulsive.

The title track includes a George Harrison-patented slide motif, ‘Bad Blood’ brings in a twangy Western feel whilst ‘Just Getting Over You’ introduces a swinging horn section which returns on the more optimistic ‘New Love’.

‘Then There’s You’ has a bluesy rock groove and ‘Runaway’ is decidedly AOR.  And there are the touching ballads ‘Fade Away’ and ‘The Leaving Kind’.

What is it with ‘Missionary Man’?   Even Ann Wilson came up with a cover  in 2022.   JST’s  take on the Eurythmics song goes a step further and features her early mentor (and Eurythmic) Dave Stewart.  Anyway, in both cases,  it seems to encourage a good groove.

Whilst the blues percolates through this offering, it is perhaps the most accessible album Joanne Shaw Taylor has produced.  It should have made more ‘Best ofs’ in 2022 and not necessarily in the “blues” category.  Enough said.  ****1/2

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: ERJA LYYTINEN – Waiting For The Daylight

ERJA LYYTINEN - Waiting For The Daylight

Tuohi Records [Release date 07.10.22]

Recent Erja Lyytinen albums have seen the Finnish guitarist mixing up the genres and moving away from the more defined blues/blues rock that characterised earlier offerings.

Whether this is a natural development or a realisation that wider audiences await is a subject for debate.  We’ve seen this happen with several artists, including Joanne Shaw Taylor.   2019′s previous ‘Another World’ was a further step in this new direction and, in particular, with the standout title track.

On this, her twelfth studio album (including two collaborations), the opener ‘Bad Seed’ is a case in point, showcasing Erja’s characteristic slide guitar but worked up into an infectious – and rocky – frenzy whilst the title track introduces proggy elements.  Both are real standouts.

‘Last Girl’ and ‘Run Away’ maintain the consistency – and the rockiness – whilst ‘Never Really Had You’ is an excellent slow blues that early fans will relate to.  ‘Diamonds On The Road’ is another bluesy groove and the frenetic ‘You Talk Dirty’ keeps up the more familiar blues rock quotient .

A track like ‘Love Bites’ is also quite arresting and reflects the passion which Erja has put into her songwriting even if it doesn’t quite chime with the rest of the album.

Throughout there’s good backup from her band including Harri Taittonen on Hammond.

Quite how the current direction of travel squares with her older fans, I’m not sure.  If full daylight is not quite revealed for the uninitiated, her next album should confirm her triumphal trajectory and further attest a fiery, feisty and – yes – frequently dazzling performer.  ****

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: HEROES AND MONSTERS

Frontiers [Release date: 20.01.23]

Heroes and Monsters is Todd Kerns, Stef Burns and Will Hunt.

Their names will be familiar to you. They are three gifted rock’n'roll craftsmen – highly motivated musicians whose CVs in themselves make great reading.

A brief career snapshot shows Kerns playing bass and backup vocals previously with Faster Pussycat, Michael Monroe, Michael Sweet, and others. He’s currently doing that job for the Slash/Myles Kennedy band.

Stef Burns has played guitar for Alice Cooper and Huey Lewis, but is best known for his 4 album stint with Y&T.

Perhaps most interesting is the in-demand Will Hunt. He’s commanded the drum stool for Staind, Black Label Society, Slaughter and others. And nowadays keeps that all important rhythmic beat for Evanescence.

So, quite a line up. A lot of history there.

And that’s part of the problem with the album. It’s content to look at the music via the rear view mirror. It’s totally immersed in the past.

Still, that will delight many rock fans. The down and dirty riffing of ‘Locked…’, ‘Raw Power’ and ‘Break Me’ smokes and smoulders with funky, bluesy trimmings, without ever truly igniting. But all three have got a certain Led Zeppelin / Great White charm, and an ambition to be something just as good.

The music’s sonic character doesn’t alter much, track to track, so while the arrangements are solid, a song needs to be something special to make a real impression.

‘Blame’s slowly grinding contemporary metal sound, punctuated and paced by a stuttering bass heavy riff ensures it meets the “something special” cut. As does the initially balladic ‘Angels Never Sleep’, a song that jumps from a pedestrian start into what could fairly be called a mini hard rock opera.

Something of a mixed bag then, topped up with a generous smattering of really good stuff. ***

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: DEWOLFF – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Thursday 5 January 2023

New Album – Love, Death & In Between (Album Launch Party Gig)

DeWolff

GRTR! has been trumpeting the extraordinarily versatile southern rock, psychedelic/blues uber-combo, DeWolff, for years now and they have really excelled themselves with their new album, “Love, Death & In Between” which hits the stores 3rd February.

Hailing from the Dutch Delta, the brothers van de Poel (Pablo on guitars/lead vocals and Luka thumping the tubs AND vocals) and the man with easily the best hair in rock music, Robin Piso, (hammering the Hammond (AND vocals) sold out Amsterdam’s iconic Paradiso for the album launch gig.

Joined on stage by the Broken Brass power-trio horn section, percussionist Marnix Wilmink, former-Dawn Brothers bass man/songster, Levi Vis, and the outrageously-synchronized, cat-suited backing vocalists….let’s christen them the “Delectable DeWolff Dolls”….the ten musicians brought back memories of Leon Russell’s Asylum Choir and put on a stunning show.

The trajectory of this band is stellar – from the wham-bam excellence of 2018’s “Thrust” album, through the individually-supreme offerings, “Tascam Tapes” and “Wolffpack”, to live performances with the Metropole Orkest, their Double Cream soul collaboration with The Dawn Brothers and 2022’s European tour support slot with the Black Crowes, DeWolff are focused, ridiculously-talented and just fucking great. (Having seen two of those shows, I happen to know they were hugely appreciated by the fans AND the headliner alike).

If you are at all moved by Chicago’s classic 25-or-6-to-4, the big band-sounding blues rock of the late ‘60s/early ‘70s (think Big Brother and the Holding Company, Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Blood, Sweat and Tears), then “Love, Death & In Between” is the album you’ve been waiting for maybe fifty years.

There is really so much to dig in this album – that full-to-bursting sound of horns and back-up vocals complementing Pablo’s sumptuous blues licks and riffs as heavy as a concrete hippo (oh yeah, and he high-kicks like Dave Lee Roth !).

Piso caresses his Hammond keys, sometimes adding texture and warmth and then, at times, manically attacking the deck as if to throw the whole rig down the stairs. Probably the most multi-talented drummer since Queen’s Roger Taylor, Luka van de Poel drives the band and also features on lead and backing vocals – right and left brain ? No, a musicians brain.

Opener “Night Train” has a frenetic horn/vocal and ear-worm of a riff – essential foreplay for the whole album. “Message For My Baby” sees Pablo channelling his inner Hendrix and morphing the track into a James Brown funk-out finale.

There is orgasmic, reach-for-the-heavens gospel, time-changes that will spin your mind and jammed outros that could finish a Tarantino movie. “Jacky Go To Sleep” would have been number one in 1975. New Orleans swing and I think I heard Bossa Nova at one point.

One whole side of the album, and the Paradiso gig’s closer, is hard to describe but here goes; “Rosita” is a 16 minute epic (which was 19 minutes long at the gig – lucky us !) mixing up Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, a flavour of Meatloaf, the guts of a Free/Skynyrd riff, and an Allman Brothers vibe, this is DeWolff’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Hard to believe ? I know. I mean you gotta see these guys to believe it. Be there on 2nd March at the 100 Club. I got my album signed last week for my Gandchildren because – trust me – people will be talking about DeWolff long after I’m gone. With friends like these, who needs help? *****

Review by Mark ‘Mad Dog’ Shaw


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: DUST RADIO – Problem & Remedy

Dust Radio - Problem & Remedy

Bandcamp [Release date: 23.11.22]

‘Problem & Remedy’ is that rare thing, a beautifully crafted single and a succinct slice of acoustic blues.

It’s a delightful old fashioned single with real cinematic presence on which the music evokes the lyrical imagery and draws us into the kind of timeless sepia-tinged narrative that the duo have made their name with.

Dust Radio presumably take their name from the Chris Whitley track, though happily their tale of woe is not autobiographical.

The duo comprises Paddy Wells on expressive vocal and deep-toned ethereal harp and Tom Jackson’s percussive acoustic, electric and dobro.

They enjoy a symbiotic relationship with which they spin a beguiling tale built on lyrical contrast and cool dynamics.

We’re drawn into the short tale of ‘Sleepy Old Slim’, ‘Lisa sad Lisa’ and a slippery doomed gonzo style narrator, who is more a problem than a remedy: “I used to make gold wherever I roamed. Now it’s only grieving I see.”

At 1.54 Tom shifts from acoustic guitar to a short electric into dobro burst. He then slips back into the acoustic groove in a subtle example of tonal contrast in a minimalist context.

Wells’s southern-tinged vocal doesn’t compromise on diction and a result we’re drawn into the ironic humour of the narrative. His belated deeply wrought harp solo is the perfect foil for the repeated two line refrain and provides a cathartic release leading to the perfunctory foot stomping outro.

All that’s missing is a producer with a megaphone to shout; “That’s a wrap.”

*****

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: RETURNED TO THE EARTH – Fall Of The Watcher

RETURNED TO THE EARTH - Fall Of The Watcher

Giant Electric Pea [Release date: 27.01.23]

Written and recorded through lockdown between 2019 and 2021, ‘Fall Of The Watcher’ is Returned To The Earth’s fourth foray into the studio.

Originally released in 2022 on BandCamp, Giant Electric Pea, the exemplary progressive rock label created by IQ’s Mike Holmes and Martin Orford with Thomas Waber (founder of Inside Out Music), obviously liked what they heard, signed the band and have re-released it with new packaging and, I think, a new running order.

It’s easy to see the attraction – RTTE epitomise the very ethos of the label – but I suspect they have signed perceived potential rather than the finished article here as ‘Fall Of The Watcher’, whilst a very good album, with exemplary playing throughout, just lacks that certain je ne sais quoi that turns a good album into a great album.

Robin Peachy, RTTE’s main-man, vocally sounds like a cross between IQ’s Peter Nicholls and musical maven Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, et al) – but vocally is where the similarity ends I’m afraid, with ‘Fall Of The Watcher’ being a bit too “safe” and the ‘wow’ quotient being at a premium.

Things get off to a good start with the classic prog lead-in of swirling keys on ‘April Sky’ but it’s not until the flanged guitar appears towards the end of the track that things pick up – in fact the album almost takes this as its starting gun.

‘Drowning’ is much more like it with its upbeat guitar and complementary keys and the title track takes things a notch higher with an ear-worm of a bass riff, a dreamy vocal juxtaposed with powerful riffage and an acoustic interlude replaced with searing fretwork. Shades of Porcupine Tree here and a definite highpoint.

Things take a downward turn though with ‘Lack Of Information’ (could be ‘Lack Of Excitement’) and ‘Sacrificed In Vain’s dirge-like tropes, although the latter is rescued to an extent by wonderful chiming guitar.

Closer ‘White Room’ is the most IQ-like track with swirling keys (RTTE like swirling keys) but it all ends up a being a bit too close to the Cocteau Twins for comfort.

The whole album is very pleasant on the ear but really needs an injection of adventure and an element of surprise. Perhaps signing for GEP will push RTTE to greater things – a listen to label-mates IQ would point the way forward.

Shows great promise – just needs that spark that all great prog bands have. ***

Review by Alan Jones

GRTR!@20 Primer: Progressive Rock


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: KING KRAKEN – MCLXXX

KING KRAKEN - MCLXXX

 Website [Release date 27.01.23]

King Kraken are a 5 five piece from South Wales, formed in September 2018, who are taking the metal scene by storm, festival by festival, gig by gig. Their new album entitled ‘MCLXXX’ is just about to hit us squarely between the eyes, be under no illusion that their warm Welsh tones bely the heavy Kraken sound that is about to be unleashed as the follow up to their self-titled EP from 2019.

As legend goes, MCLXXX is the year (1180) of the first ever sighting of the Kraken, please make a note that 2023 is the year that King Kraken arose and truly claimed the metal scene as their own. Produced by none other than Romesh Dodangoda (Those Damn Crows, Inglorious, Motorhead), this is an album that will clear any post-Christmas blues and have you head banging in no time!

From the heavy opening riffs of ‘Devil’s Night’ you know that this debut album is incredibly accomplished, heavy groove orientated, melodic songs with sublime guitar work, heavy bass and drum beats that compliment Mark’s vocals perfectly.

MCLXXX takes inspiration from horror and sci-fi films with cleverly crafted, story-telling lyrics that will entice you in. The album has 10 tracks all of which are monstrously good! Absolute standout tracks for me are ‘Bastard Liar’, ‘Haddonfield’78’, ‘Man-Made Monster’, ‘Chaos Engine’ and the epic closer, ‘Castle of Bone’ but I could easily have picked more!

‘Green Terror’ is the latest single, maintaining the accomplished musicianship standard with sublime riffs, heavy rhythm and a catchy chorus. The ‘Halloween’ inspired single ‘Haddonfield 78’ (with a Michael Myers style video to accompany it) is superb and includes a rather magnificent guitar solo borne out of a fit of pique as a result of a rather frustrating house purchase.

Be under no illusion that this band can’t pull this sound off live, if you have caught them at HRH Metal, Bloodstock m2tm, Hammerfest, HRH Roadtrip, or headlining Quarantune Rocks, you’ll know it is one hell of a party delivering full-on rock, they undoubtedly can and do raise the roof, catch them on the road soon.

What an album, it is hard to believe that it is a debut, but it is, I am sold! King Kraken, a legend is born, first album review of 2023, love it and already added to my best of 2023! *****

Review by Karen Clayton

Get Ready to ROCK! - The Best of 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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: HAMISH HAWK – Angel Numbers

HAMISH HAWK - Angel Numbers

Post Electric [Release date 03.02.23]

Hamish Hawk’s 2021 album ‘Heavy Elevator’ turned this reviewer into a firm fan and expectations are high for this new album. Hamish Hawk again works with Rod Jones of Idlewind on the album.

The title track is Hamish Hawk at his best, railing against the traps of modern life. He has a wonderfully rich vocal that grabs the listener’s attention from the off. This was one of three songs released ahead of the album’s release.

Another pre-released song was ‘Think Of Us Kissing’, one of the most instant on the album. As Hamish says of the song -

“‘Think of Us Kissing’ comes at you like a cannonball. It’s a tragic, romantic song about the music industry. It looks at the lengths an artist may or may not  go in order to have glory showered upon them. It’s about the pitfalls of success, the perils of fame and the curse of ambition. It’s the biggest song I’ve ever written.”

That just about nails it. As near to a pop anthem as he will get and if only it got more exposure it would be a streaming hit.

The most recent release was ‘Money’, a song that has a memorable chorus with barbed wire lyrics wrapped in a musical candy coating. Perfect.

‘Rest And Veneers’ takes an Americana route featuring guest vocalist Samantha Crain. A lovely song as both vocalists suit each other’s singing style perfectly. There is another guest, Anna B. Savage, who again is a perfect vocal fit on ‘Frontman’. A warm and inviting orchestral backing adds the cherry on top to this particular musical confection.

Also worthy of a special mention is ‘Elvis Lookalike Shadows’. A song where you are not overly sure what is going on lyrically but you can’t help but love the melody and song.

‘Angel Numbers’ must surely break Hamish Hawk into the next level of musical success? He set himself high standards with ‘Heavy Elevator’ and he exceeds them on here. Pop perfection with lyrics that linger on long after the final note of the album is played. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

February
1 The Cluny, NEWCASTLE
2 Brudenell Social Club, LEEDS
3 Gorilla, MANCHESTER
5 Scala, LONDON
6 Komedia, BRIGHTON
7 Joiners, SOUTHAMPTON
9 Thekla, BRIGHTON
11 Clwb Ifor Bach, CARDIFF
12 Hare & Hounds, BIRMINGHAM
13 EBGB’s, LIVERPOOL
15 Church, DUNDEE
16 St Lukes, GLASGOW
17 Cafe Drummond, ABERDEEN


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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)


Book review: On Track…PEARL JAM – every album, every song (Ben L Connor)

 Book review: On Track…PEARL JAM – every album, every song (Ben L Connor)

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date: 15.07.22]

Pearl Jam are the last band standing from the grunge explosion of the 1990’s. But there’s so much more to them than that. The quality of their music has shone like a beacon down the last 30 years. They collaborate and share, promote new bands, and deliver spine-tinglingly good live shows.  And if that’s not enough, they are a band with a voice about social causes.

This book in the ‘On Track’ series by Ben L Connor explores all this and more. It rightly starts with the roots of Pearl Jam through their founders, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament in the bands Green River and Mother Love Bone. A few more pages are dedicated to the excellent and seminal ‘Temple of the Dog’ album recorded by members of Soundgarden with the future Pearl Jam in tribute to Mother Love Bone’s charismatic singer Andrew Wood, who had died in 1990.

The early history is important and Connor describes how Pearl Jam had not simply come out of nowhere when debut album ‘Ten’ went mega, as it might have appeared particularly to a UK audience. In describing ‘Ten’ as an important album, there’s further context setting in terms of the how the music scene looked and felt at that time of that release.

This relating of Pearl Jam’s material to other landmark albums and bands seeks to emphasise their place in rock n roll’s pantheon of greatness. It is a recurring theme throughout the book and arguably is a fraction overdone. As is the over-generalisation and segmentation of audiences into Baby Boomers, Gen-Zers, etc. But maybe that’s just my personal railing against pigeon-holers.

A wide range of quoted sources are used to provide informative descriptions of songs and albums, which together with Connor’s readable style and personal views (whether you agree with them or not) build to give a comprehensive sense of the band’s journey.

There’s a great quote to introduce the ‘Mirror Ball/Merkin Balll’ releases which sums this up: ‘By 1995 it seemed like Pearl Jam wanted to pick a fight with everybody – the music industry, concert promoters, record critics, their fellow bands and even their own fan base. But they managed to find one friend who was bull-headed and iconoclastic as they were: Neil Young’. The ‘Merkin Ball’ EP that resulted from this collaboration is one of the best in the band’s catalogue imho.

The post-grunge albums – from ‘Yield’ (1998) onwards – are given very fair treatment, if a little less space than the earlier material. The book makes a point of describing the narrative behind Eddie Vedder’s lyrics, where this is needed. Particularly on some of the more personal songs, but also exploring their relationship with, for example, global politics and organisaed religion. Connor weaves in informative detail about the circumstances which brought about recording of some songs, such as the ‘Leaving Here’ cover on the ‘Lost Dogs’ compilation.

The book wraps up with an overview of various live albums, videos, solo albums and a stab at ranking Pearl Jam’s best albums and songs, which serves as a discussion piece if nothing else. The bibliography is thorough.

There’s lots to like here, with plenty of material packed in to a brief volume. Amongst the many books and articles dedicated to Pearl Jam, this is worth a look.  ****

 Review by Dave Atkinson


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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)


Book review: On Track…THE KINKS – every album, every song (Martin Hutchinson)

Book review: On Track…THE KINKS – every album, every song (Martin Hutchinson)

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date: 01.04.22]

I remember picking up a 1970 Kinks double-vinyl compilation back in my student days from a junk shop and feeling like my horizons had been instantly expanded. I bought it for the string of mid 60’s hits I knew pretty well, but was taken aback by the quality and depth of writing on some of the material I was less familiar with such as ‘Dead End Street’, ‘Death of a Clown’ and ‘Do You Remember Walter’.

This was the mid-80’s and I began garnering their back-catalogue with undue haste. The Kinks were on their third re-invention by then – following the early chart success and then the concept album phase, the band was currently filling arenas in the US with pop-infused, theatrical hard rock. Ironically, for a band billed as quintessentially British, they had barely scratched the surface of UK charts for years.

The ‘On Track’ series captures theses twists and turns succinctly and accurately. Martin Hutchinson does a good job of narrating the essentials of the band’s varied, dynamic 30-odd year catalogue. There’s enough room to provide some detail about the early days such as the controversy around the recording of ‘You Really Got Me’, the mood of transience about the band’s early success and the emerging of Ray Davies’ quirks and frustrations.

Perhaps the most interesting content is around, roughly speaking, the band’s middle period from ‘…Village Green Preservation Society’ to ‘Schoolboys in Disgrace’, when Ray Davies wrote and directed a series of concept and thematic albums. This period includes possibly my favourite album, ‘Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)’, dealing in nostalgia, class commentary and emigration. Hutchinson pulls out the motivations behind Ray’s narratives for each of the albums.

The book describes the band’s subsequent change in musical direction and Ray’s relocation to the US, which saw them release a series of much more hard-rock infused album from ‘Sleepwalker’ onwards. There’s also commentary on the coming and goings within the band during this period.

The band were incredibly prolific right through to the early 90’s – sometimes two albums a year –  and there’s a lot to pack in to only 150-odd pages. The narrative does become a little cursory in places, challenged with such a wealth of material. Though it is worth saying that the book is not intended to be an in-depth biography of The Kinks or Ray Davies. Fans need to look elsewhere for that and a (brief) bibliography is included at the end. Instead, the book serves as an easily accessible, comprehensive and well-written introduction to the band’s outstanding back catalogue. ***½  

Review by Dave Atkinson


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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)


Feature: GRTR!@20 – The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – THE DARKNESS (January 2023)

The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness - The Darkness (January 2023)

The band that put the fun back into rock…

The Darkness - Planet Rockstock - Trecco Bay, South Wales, 6 December 2015
Photo: Darren Griffiths

Launching our anniversary series in January 2023, a band whose rise we followed from 2003 when they released their debut album ‘Permission To Land’.  A year later the band had scooped three Brit Awards for Best British Group, Best British Rock Act, and Best British Album.

In an early interview for our ‘Rising Stars’ series in 2003 Justin Hawkins confirmed the band’s influences – “Aerosmith, and in particular Steven Tyler changed my life back in ’89, whilst AC/DC have provided years of inspiration.”

When asked about the state of rock music he exclaimed:

Rock music is kicking arse again – it’s a sign of the times that the forthcoming Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Aerosmith and Kiss tours are among the most anticipated music events for ages.

People are beginning to cherish the old values, and thanks to ‘BUSTED’, Nu-metal is croaking it’s last death rattle, even as we speak. With a bit of luck, The Darkness will be driving the next bandwagon that everybody jumps on – but don’t forget, we were around before classic rock was fashionable, and we’ll still be around when it goes out again.

The Darkness

Classic album – it has got the catchy hooks, big production and riffs a plenty – just don’t play it to your kids as there a stack of swear words! There are two key elements to this album’s success, the guitars (simple, driving rhythms with tasty solos on top) and the vocals (not all high and good use of layered harmonies on the choruses). Let a little Darkness into your life! Jason Ritchie

Album review (Permission To Land, 2003)

Reviewing the band’s Wembley Arena gig in 2004 (one of three nights) Jason Ritchie noted “The audience is a mixture of ages, parents with kids, birthday party outings and plenty of Darkness T-shirt wearing teenagers. You either love or hate this band but at least they are getting the young `uns into rock…”

Jason also had his doubts: “The Darkness show no signs of losing their appeal just yet but that second album I feel will be their make or break. As a live act they get better each time, although it’s a bit like Van Halen and Dave Lee Roth in that Justin Hawkins has all the limelight, whilst the band are fairly anonymous playing away behind him.”

In 2013 Andy Nathan noted:“A decade ago they divided opinion like no band before.  In one camp (pun intended?), those, myself included, thrilled that a band that combined Queen, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and Boston influences became huge so quickly (I remember my incredulity that such a band even existed when a friend first told me they were playing the clubs in North London) and suddenly brought the music we love and old fashioned rock spectacle back right back into the pop mainstream.

On the other, those turned off by Justin Hawkins’ falsetto and ridiculous costumes and antics, thinking they had heard it all before, dismissing them as a flash in the pan and wondering why they had succeeded where more deserving bands had failed.

The pop world moved on, as it does, to the next big thing, and the multi-million selling Permission to Land became a fixture in every charity shop in the land and their second album One Way Ticket to Hell and Back proved sadly prophetic with the effects of snorting too much ‘showbiz sherbet’ documented in the title track…”

The Darkness

Overall it is even more OTT then their debut with sitars, bagpipes and synths all added into the mix. The only long term problem the band face is that no way in ten or so years can you see Justin Hawkins still hitting these dog bothering high notes.

Taking the piss or serious rockers who just want to put the fun back into rock music? It’s a personal choice but I am a fan and with this album they have proved they can still write good rock songs. Jason Ritchie

Album review (One Way Ticket To Hell…And Back, 2005)

The band’s onward progress was abated by the departure of bassist Frankie Poullain and frontman Justin Hawkins’  alcohol and substance abuse.  The band were dropped by their label Atlantic in late 2006 after poor sales of their sophomore release ‘One Way Ticket To Hell…And Back’.

For a time the band members split into two camps – Stone Gods and Hawkins’ Hot Leg.  But, by 2011, The Darkness announced their reunion and played Download and a year later the Isle of Wight Festival.  They also released a third album ‘Hot Cakes’.

Three more albums followed until 2021′s ‘Motorheart’ with a UK tour in November and December of that year.

In the early years The Darkness were slated by some for exaggerating the more extreme aspects of rock music, the band described by our News and Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie as “the band you either love or hate”.


Photo: Steve Goudie

There was a seven year gap between the band’s second and third album.  For most this would have almost certainly scuppered their chances of more durable success.  Not The Darkness.  Live Editor Dave Wilson reviewing the band in November 2011 stated they put on a show that is guaranteed to put a smile on the grumpiest of mugs. and concluded “a first class rock show with the emphasis firmly on fun, something that is lacking all too often at gigs.

And it is in the live arena that GRTR! has mainly reviewed the band.  Two years later, Melodic Rock Editor Andy Nathan reviewed the band at what was to become an increasingly regular gig  – the Hammersmith Apollo – and enthused “this gig proved beyond all doubt that The Darkness are simply a fine, straight ahead, if slightly tongue in cheek, rock band who have few peers when it comes to spectacle and entertainment and leave you with a big grin over your face.

The Darkness - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL - Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 24 July 2016
The Darkness, Steelhouse Festival, July 2016 (Photo: Darren Griffiths)

Echoing our early comments about the potentially divisive impact of the band’s music, in 2015 Darren Griffiths stated “I found myself waiting more for the comedy moments than the music.  But even Justin’s japes had worn a little thin by the time he appeared in a red coat holiday blazer and white tennis shorts.”

Hawkins’ sartorial elegance was later described by Karen Clayton in December 2021: “Justin’s legendary taste in catsuits continues with a cheeky gold version that looks like it was fashioned out of 1970’s curtains – you can’t knock him for being out there!”


we were around before classic rock was fashionable, and we’ll still be around when it goes out again.  Justin Hawkins, 2003


In 2016, at the inaugral Stone Free Festival, Andy Nathan confirmed he was in the “love them” camp and commented: “Their hair may be shorter and more foppish these days but Justin and brother Dan remain a meaty guitar duo, a fact which Darkness-haters conveniently ignore…

Justin remains as eccentric as ever, notably when bizarrely picking out audience members to guess their name.  He was matched in the quirkiness stakes by bassist Frankie Poullain’s resemblance to a seventies Open University Maths lecturer…”

The Darkness - RAMBLIN' MAN FESTIVAL - Mote Park, Maidstone - Day 1 - 19 July 2019
Photo: Andy Nathan

In one of his ‘bon mots’ Justin bemoaned that they have continued to make albums “but none of you c***s have bought them”

2016 was a Festival-filled year for the band with appearances also at Steelhouse (July) and Weyfest (August).  Three years later the band appeared at the fifth Ramblin’ Man Fair in Maidstone when confirmed fan Andy Nathan concluded “With his improvised and often bizarre stream of consciousness asides and changes of outfit, Justin divides opinion (and we haven’t even mentioned his falsetto) but I view him quite fondly as a genuine English eccentric.”

 THE DARKNESS – Easter Is Cancelled

In 2019 Jason Ritchie reviewed their album ‘Easter Is Cancelled’ and thought: “Rock ‘n’ roll needs The Darkness and The Darkness need rock ‘n’ roll. Quite possibly the band’s best since that debut which came out sixteen years ago now!

Album review (Easter Is Cancelled, 2019)

In recent years we’ve reviewed the band several times including, in 2022, Download and Cornbury.

in November 2021 when they were promoting the latest album ‘Motorheart’ Andy Nathan recognised thast they had moved into the Christmas gig space usually occupied by bands such as Status Quo and “a disgraced seventies glam rocker”.

Indeed Andy summed up the band’s precarious longevity in the millennium:

…to see them as just a novelty joke would be a great mistake – they have stood the test of time and without losing that eccentric and quirky edge, albeit turned down a notch these days, as serious musicians they are playing as well as ever.

Jason Ritchie updates his 2003 encounter with Justin Hawkins chatting to fashionista Frankie Poullain ahead of the UK tour with Black Stone Cherry

The upcoming UK tour with Black Stone Cherry and Danko Jones will see three bands playing who love and put on a good live show. Does having similar bands on stage who share The Darkness’s love of the stage spur you all on? I would also imagine backstage will be a lively place!

Very lively, we’ve had silk monogrammed dressing gowns made especially for the occasion, it will be a veritable banquet where every flower reveals itself. We are spurred on by time, which let’s not beat about the bush here, is a polite way of saying death. In a good way of course…

Will you and BSC take it in turms to headline on alternate nights or are BSC the headliner?

We have an expression, ‘FHB’ or ‘Family Hold Back’, and since we are hosts to our Kentucky cousins, we simply insist on giving them the glory slot.

When the Darkness reformed in 2011 was there trepidation as to whether the band would still be able to make their mark on the music scene?

I don’t know, we weren’t evolved enough back then to have those types of conversations. I was just confused. Reality simulators do that to a man.

THE DARKNESS, O2 Academy, Glasgow 10 November 2011

Photo: Steve Goudie

‘Permission To Land’ celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year. Are there any plans to re-issue it with bonus material and/or a tour playing the whole album?

Anything is possible. Nothing is impossible.
Except for world peace.

Since Rufus Taylor joined in 2015 the current line-up is the longest running for the band. Do the four of you work more as a team now and does his dad ever come along to watch the band?!

Yes we are a team and yes our parents come to see us play, bellowing encouragement from the sidelines, sandwiches and a flask of tea at the ready – a knuckleduster too sometimes for when things kick off.

When The Darkness first started did you ever think you’d be still making music and touring over twenty years later? What do you think is the driving force that keeps the band so popular and putting on such good live shows?

Never ever did I imagine this. Maybe I have no imagination. We self sabotage so often that this feels like a miracle. Perhaps our fans are all self saboteurs and that’s how it works. The driving force? Death.

Along with Justin Hawkins you must be the most sartorial elegent member of the band. Any fashion tips for budding rock star bass players?

That’s not very hard to be honest but if I was going to offer a tip I would say just try to be really insecure about your appearance and immerse yourself in Italian culture pre 1990. If you’re a guy dress like an Italian Grandfather. If you’re a woman don’t wear low slung black jeans or leggings – try high waisted and flared adidas or a 70’s tennis skirt.

Message for your fans…

Don’t be safe


Story coordination: David Randall
Contributors: Dave Atkinson, Karen Clayton, Darren Griffiths, Andy Nathan, Jason Ritchie, Dave Wilson

Gig review (London, 4 February 2023)

Search The Darkness @GRTR!

Official website

The Grotto (Home Page)

The Darkness 2023 Tour Dates
Sat, JAN 28, 2023 Cardiff International Arena
Sun, JAN 29, 2023 M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Mon, JAN 30, 2023 OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Tue, JAN 31, 2023 Resorts World Arena, Birmingham
Thu, FEB 2, 2023 AO Arena, Manchester
Fri, FEB 3, 2023 First Direct Arena, Leeds
Sat, FEB 4, 2023 OVO Arena Wembley, London


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: SKERRYVORE AND MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

This gig was another that felt a bit like being an extra in an episode of Dr Who, you know it’s 2022 but you are handing over a ticket for a show in 2020! Yup, this show has been hit by Covid on two occasions, so it was a very relieved capacity crowd that packed the hall for a long overdue ceilidh. Up until Covid hit this double header had become a bit of a post-Christmas fixture in Stirling and tonight both bands had 70 minute sets with Skerryvore kicking off the hoolie.

The guys took to the stage and set their stall out early with ‘Put Your Hands Up’ which the crowd duly did. They then took us on a ‘Trip To Modera’ with pipers Scott Wood and Martin Gillespie blowing up a storm. Frontman Alec Dalglish then introduced the very aptly titled ‘Together Again’ which is a celebration of being able to get together and party again with friends and the Albert Hall crowd did just that.

SKERRYVORE – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

The Ginger Grouse then made an appearance with the band raising the roof once more with ‘The Ginger Grouse Jigs’. This saw the first of tonight’s celtic rock ‘mosh pits’ with random outbreaks of ‘Strip The Willow’ style dancing breaking out across the hall!

Things were then taken down a notch with the slow lament of ‘At The End Of The Line’ with a heartfelt vocal from Alec Dalglish and some help from the assembled crowd with many a mobile phone light held aloft.

SKERRYVORE – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

 Alec then reintroduced the dynamic duo on the pipes for ‘The Showman’ with the twin bagpipe attack leading the driving melody and a tasty guitar solo from Dalglish in the mid-section. The full pelt closing section once again had the crowd on their toes and dancing along. ‘Live Forever’ then gave Alec a chance to show off his fretboard skills with the crowd again providing backing vocals on the chorus.

SKERRYVORE – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

 More jigging then ensued with ‘The Exorcists’ before the pace was dropped again with ‘Waiting For The Sun’ with the crowd once again in good voice on the chorus.  ‘The Rut’ then provided another full-on stomp, ably demonstrating the musical talent in the band.

Recent single ‘You & I’ followed which went down well before Craig Espie took the spotlight with his violin blazing for the ‘Angry Fiddler’. Unfortunately, the track had to be cut short due to a medical emergency in the hall which saw a short hiatus to proceedings, fingers crossed it was nothing too serious and best wishes to those involved.

SKERRYVORE – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

That only left time for one more track, and only one song could close out the set. ‘Take My Hand’ provided the crowd with another opportunity to raise their voices and sing along which they did willingly. The band left the stage to well deserved cheers and a feeling that the long wait had been well worth it.

MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

The last time both Skerryvore and Manran appeared on the same stage was a few weeks prior to tonight’s show at the Hoolie In The Hydro, billed as Scotland’s biggest ceilidh. The show was the dream of Manran mainstay Gary Innes and proved to be a huge success, so much so that there is already a date in the diary for 2023. I may have to look out my dancing shoes for that one!

Tonight may not be a hoolie of such magnitude, more like a stramash in Stirling, but the packed hall was more than ready for part two and Manran were more than ready to provide the soundtrack. In the two year enforced hiatus Manran kept themselves busy with recording and releasing a new album ‘Urar’ which is the first to feature new vocalist Kim Carnie.

MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

The band opened with Kim at the mic for ‘Ailean’, the opening track on the afore mentioned album. That then led into the familiar strains of old favourite ‘Oran na Cloiche’ with Ewan Henderson stepping up for vocal and fiddle duties.

MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

The set proved to be a good mix of older tracks and songs from the new album and it was another new song which was up next. ‘The Loop’ is a fast paced instrumental that once again had the crowd jigging for all they were worth.

‘Alpha’ then kept the dancefloor full before we returned to the new material, the highlight being the haunting ‘San Cristobal’ with Kim on lead vocals. The pace then rose once again with ‘MSR’ which went down a storm.

One of the highlights of the new look band is the vocal sparring between Ewan and Kim on the fast Gaelic sections with both voices well suited, in perfect harmony and used to good effect over the course of the set.

MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

More new tracks followed with ‘Crow Flies’ and ‘Crossroads’ both keeping the pace and temperature up. Ryan Murphy then took centre stage on the Ullieann pipes for a rendition of ‘Speybay Switch’ which once again saw the ‘reel pits’ open up across the hall!

MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

‘Puirt Urar’ found Kim back on vocals and the track built from a slow, quiet start into another dance floor filler of epic proportions. It was then back to the band’s debut album for the closing duo of ‘Chasing Daylight’ and ‘Puirt’ which rounded of a great set in fine style.

After a quick trip off stage Manran then returned for an encore and were joined by Skerryvore for a set of jigs that really got the floor moving. With not a hand left unclapped or a foot left unstomped both bands took a well deserved bow from an appreciative crowd.

MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

This may have been a very delayed gig but it was well worth the wait. With the promise of more dates in the coming year from both bands and a new album, Tempus, due from Skerryvore in late April, it looks like a bumper year in store for celtic rock.

I recommend you grab your dancing shoes and hit the dancefloor with either band, you won’t be disappointed, or even better, head to the Hoolie In The Hydro in Glasgow at the end of the year, it’s sure to be one hell of a party!

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: TANGERINE DREAM – The Bootleg Box Set Vol.2 (7 CDs, Remastered)

Cherry Red [Release date 13.01.23]

As the instigators of sequenced electronica, and pioneers of German ‘Kosmische’ music, Tangerine Dream have no equal. Add to that their 60 plus movie scores – cultural statements as well as music to match the heightened emotions of psychological thrillers such as “Sorcerer”, “Near Dark” and the “Tatort” series. Plus the occasional shading of Progrock and New Age, and you have band who can rightly claim to be unique.

As fans already know, the beauty of the band’s live concerts was the deployment of improvisation. You could attend gig after gig, and never hear the same performance. It’s also well documented almost everywhere online that the band generally included large amounts of previously unreleased material in concert.

So, when you’ve got your unreleased material and you’ve got your improvised material you’re staring at a unique visual and / or audio experience. Thus the band’s bootleg recordings are very attractive and have considerable value.

This 7 CD boxset chronicles the band’s march across the western world during the late seventies and early eighties, recording five major concerts spread over two continents.

We’ll set it up with the primary logistics.

The best known band line up comprised of founder member, Edgar Froese (who died in 2015, RIP), Christopher Franke and Peter Baumann.

It is this line up who play on CDs 1, 2 and 3 – Nottingham Albert Hall, 1976 (£2.50 for a balcony seat) and Washington Lisner Auditorium, 1977.
The first CD includes no named material (that’s how they roll).

CDs 2 and 3 include class tracks like ‘Octagon’ and ‘Cherokee Lane’. These two, along with ‘Monolight’ were the foundation material for that series of international tours.

By CD 4 – Hamburg, in the winter of 1978 – Peter Baumann had gone. Steve Joliffe and Klaus Kruger were now on board. This gig has something of a reputation among fans as one of the band’s “most interesting” performances, in that much of the music went way off the New Age page. New influences, new (ish) sound.

CDs 5 & 6 – Back in the UK now, Newcastle City Hall, 1981.
This gig received a mixed reaction from fans. ‘Sobornost’ and ‘Bondy Parade’ were previously unreleased tracks that eventually found their way into the TD cannon, in a mutated but more attractive form. In fact several tracks here are clearly prototypes, being shaken and shaped on stage. No surprises there.

CD 7 – Recorded in Frankfurt in 1982, as a tribute to German actor/ director, Rainer Fassbinder, who had died that year.
It’s a short suite. The CD times out in a little over the half hour. More of a sampler in construction, with short versions taken from the band’s Poland and Logos live recordings plus some Of Froese’s movie material.

Bootlegs often get a bad press, for obvious reasons. The quality of sound across this batch of CDs is variable, though the remastering unquestionably helps.

More importantly perhaps, as a demonstration of a band’s artistry as played out in the live arena, there will be few better boxsets. ****

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III – 2 Classic Albums on 1 CD

Cherry Red [Release date: 13.01.23]

A musical family where each member is a successful, well known artist in their own right is very rare.

That’s the way it is with the Wainwrights… Loudon, daughters Martha and Lucy, son Rufus, and ex wife, Kate McGarrigle.

Father Loudon started the vinyl spinning in 1970 with a self titled solo album, (eventually released in CD form in 2006). It was the first of his 27 solo studio albums, the most recent, Lifetime Achievement, hit the shelves earlier this year.

Album I and Album II (1971), have now been bundled as a “2 Classic Albums on 1 CD” by Cherry Red.

Loudon Wainwright I

Wainwright has always been self admittedly interested in the “dynamics of the dysfunctional”. His songs reflect that, moreso in later albums, where much “hurting and healing” inside the family circle is chronicled.

The debut is a spare, acoustic affair, ranging from the the bittersweet ‘School Days’ to the darkly poetic ‘Hospital Lady’ to the whimsical ‘Central Square Song’.

Protest song, ‘Uptown’ carries an emotional weight that is exactly what is required for the story, and the sharply humorous ‘Glad To See You’ve Got Religion’ showed there was a lot more to him than observational acuity.

The album enlisted a sizeable fanbase and multiple invites to play live almost from the moment of release. ***

Loudon Wainwright II

Gaining in confidence (although that was something he never really lacked), Wainwright treated us to another album of songs recorded to the sparse accompaniment of an acoustic guitar – adding only a sprinkling of piano here and there.

His sardonic, occasionally cynical, sense of humour broke through big time on ‘Samson And The Warden’, and the much since covered ‘Motel Blues’.

The latter’s not so hilarious, life-on-the-road reflections struck a chord with many bands. Especially with Alex Chilton who covered it with Big Star in 1992. His solo version was released posthumously, in 2013.

Arguably, ‘Be Careful There’s a Baby in The House’ makes the most lasting impact. It led to further recognition of the artist in the UK, thanks to repeat plays by John Peel on his groundbreaking “Sounds Of The Seventies” Radio Show. It’s a noirish observation of parenthood and its consequent responsibilities, and will bring a knowing smile to the faces of mothers and fathers everywhere. ****

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: MR BIG, TREVOR RABIN, PINK FLOYD (January 2023)

Fleetwood Mac - Manchester Phones 4U Arena, 1 October 2013

News - Album News

A.C.T. release a new six song EP ‘Falling’ on March 3.

Bryan Adams releases a live version of his 2022 Royal Albert Show, where he played all of his ‘Cuts Like A Knife’ album, on February 3.

MVD Marquee Collection release ‘Anvil! The Story Of Anvil’ on DVD & Blu-ray on January 20. The band are also recording their latest album for a planned April release.

Asia release ‘Fantasia: Live in Tokyo 2007 ’ through BMG Records on February 24.

Belle & Sebastian release their new album ‘Late Developer’ through Matador Records on January 13.

Big Big Train release ‘Ingenious Devices’ on 30 June on CD & double vinyl and it will be available on all major streaming platforms from 28 July. The EP features new versions of ‘East Coast Racer’, ‘Brooklands’ and ‘Voyager’, which each feature a string section recorded at Abbey Road Studios. In addition, a previously unreleased orchestral piece ‘The Book of Ingenious Devices’ and a live version of ‘Atlantic Cable’ complete the EP.

Tony Iommi recently tweeted that the Black Sabbath IRS albums featuring vocalist Tony Martin, will be re-issued at some point this year. Iommi also plans to record a new solo album this year.

A 50th anniversary edition of David Bowie’s ‘Aladdin Sane’ album will be issued as a limited edition half-speed mastered LP and a picture disc LP pressed from the same master. Both are released on April 14.

Buckcherry plan to release their latest album in June.

Lindsey Buckingham (pictured) has started work on his next album.

Cattle Decapitation release their tenth studio album, ‘Terrasite‘, on May 12 via Metal Blade Records.

Cross Country Driver release their debut album ‘The New Truth’ on March 17 on Frontiers. The band’s line-up features Rob Lamothe (Riverdogs), James Harper (Fighting Friday) and Zander Lamothe (Logan Staats Band), plus guests including dUg Pinnick (King’s X) and Vivian Campbell.

Demons Down are a new band featuring vocalist James Robledo (Sinner’s Blood), guitarist Francesco Savino (False Memories), guitarist Jimi Bell (House of Lords, Autograph), drummer Ken Mary (ex-House of Lords, Alice Cooper) and bassist Chuck Wright (ex-Quiet Riot, House of Lords).  Their debut album ‘I Stand‘ is released on March 10 through Frontiers.

Fall Out Boy’s new album, ‘So Much (For) Stardust’, will be released on March 24 via Fueled By Ramen/DCD2.

Peter Gabriel plans to release a new single on every full moon from his new album ‘i/o’.

Garbage start work shortly on their next album.

Genesis release ‘BBC Broadcasts’ on March 3 in 5CD and 24-track three-LP versions, collecting sessions recorded by the band between 1970 and 1998.

Hawkwind’s late 70s era on the Charisma record label is featured on a ten-disc box set, Days Of The Underground – The Studio & Live Recordings 1977-1979′, which will be released through Cherry Red on March 31.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds release their new album ‘Council Skies’ in May.

The Hold Steady release their ninth studio album ‘The Price Of Progress’ on March 31 via the band’s own Positive Jams label.

Ian Hunter releases his new album, ‘Defiance Part 1′, on April 21 via Sun Records. It features many guests including Slash, Duff McKagan,Joe Elliott, Johnny Depp, Billy F Gibbons and Ringo Starr.

Jag Panzer have signed with Atomic Fire Records who will release the band’s latest album ‘The Hallowed’ in the spring.

Jethro Tull have released a new single, ‘Ginnungagap’. It is taken from the band’s upcoming album, ‘RökFlöte’, which is released on InsideOut Music on April 21.

Judas Priest are putting the finishing touches to their next album due in 2024.

Kamelot’s first album in five years ‘The Awakening’ is released through Napalm Records on March 17.

Last In Line’s third studio album is due at the end of March on earMUSIC.

Lifesigns plan to release a live CD/DVD this year and work on their third studio album for a late 2023 release.

Lordi’s new album will be entitled ‘Screen Writer’s Guild’.

Arjen Lucassen has teased a new musical project called Arjen Lucassen’s Supersonic Revolution.

Robin McAuley will release his new solo album, ‘Alive’, on 17 February via Frontiers.

Mr Big will commence work on a new album and an as yet to be announced drummer will be joining them replacing Matt Starr.

Mudhoney release their new album ‘Plastic Eternity’ on April 7 via Sub Pop.

Phantom Blue release their new album ‘Blue Blood’ on March 17 through Frontiers.

Trevor Rabin will release his latest solo album ‘Rio’ early this year.

Saxon release a second covers album ‘More Inspiration’ on March 24 through Silver Lining Music. A single, ‘The Faith Healer’, has been released this month.

Sparks have re-signed to Island Records who will release their new album ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’ on May 26. The band left the label back in 1976.

Stargazer release their new album, ‘Life Will Never Be The Same’, on March 3 through Mighty Music.

Former R.E.M. vocalist Michael Stipe plans to release his debut solo album later this year.

Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour) has started work on his second solo album.

Theory Of A Deadman release their latest album ‘Dinosaur’ on Roadrunner on march 17.

Mike Portnoy has confirmed Transatlantic’s upcoming live album due next month will be the final release from the band.

Tygers Of Pan Tang release a new single, ‘Edge of the World’, on January 20 and plan to release their new album in the spring.

U2 release a compilation album ‘Songs Of Surrender – 40 Songs Reimagined and Rerecorded‘ on March 17.

The Zombies release their new album Different Game’ through Cooking Vinyl Records on March  31.

News - Tours and Gigs

Newly announced UK tours (2023 unless stated):

Cherrie Currie, Europe, Gallus, Billy F Gibbons, Gun (acoustic), Jools Holland, Kira Mac, Level 42, Suzi Quatro, Troy Redfern + The Commoners, Voivod, Wednesday 13,

Upcoming (Gigs – UK)

Newly announced US & European tours (2023 unless stated):

Anvil (US), Eric Church (US), Clutch (US), Coheed and Cambria (US), Coldplay (US), Alice Cooper (US), Disturbed (Eur), Eagles (US), Europe (Eur), Foo Fighters (Eur), Billy Idol (US), Kamelot (Eur), Kansas – 50th anniversary tour (US), the Korgis (Aus), Little River Band (US), Kenny Loggins - farewell tour (US), Mastodon + Gojira (US), Meshuggah (Eur), New Order (US), Nickleback (US), Stevie Nicks (US), Pantera + Lamb Of God (US), REO Speedwagon (US), Seal (US), Shinedown (US), Ringo Starr (US), Mike Tramp (US), Ugly Kid Joe + Fozzy + Pistols At Dawn (US), Vader (Aus), Steve Vai (Eur), Rick Wakeman (US), Y&T (US),

Upcoming (USA/ROW)

One Desire and Brother Firetribe have cancelled their UK & European joint headline tour scheduled for April.

Randy Newman has postponed his upcoming UK & European dates as he undergoes surgery

Steven Wilson says that Porcupine Tree will play its “likely final” gigs this year.

REO Speedwagon’s final remaining founding member Neal Doughty has announced his retirement from touring. Derek Hilland takes his place.

Soft Machine will introduce their new drummer Asaf Sirkis on their UK dates next month.

Founder member Myles Goodwin has announced he will no longer tour with April Wine, however, he will still write and record with the band. Goodwin’s last live performance with April Wine will be on March 2 in Nova Scotia.

Twisted Sister will be inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Thursday 26 January at The Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, California. It will be the first time the band have played live in seven years.

Other Stuff

Pink Floyd have revealed that their recent benefit single ‘Hey Hey Rise Up’ raised £500,000 for humanitarian charities aiding those affected by the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war.

Foo Fighters have confirmed they will continue following last year’s death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Queen’s Brian May has been knighted in the King Charles’s first New Year’s Honours list.

Inglorious have announced they are going on hiatus although various band members will continue with musical projects throughout the year.

Iron Maiden feature on a set of Royal Mail stamps which will be available from January 12.

After 50 years of legal wrangling for his songs, John Fogerty has regained ownership of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s discography.

British recorded music retail revenues – streaming, download, CD and vinyl sales – were up 3% last year to £1.98bn, according to the UK’s Entertainment Retailers Association. Vinyl sales were up 11% to £150.5m, while CDs were down 17.4% to £124m.

Kate Bush has her 2018 paperback ‘How To Be Invisible’ reissued on April 6 by Faber. The new edition features a new introduction by the musician and illustrations by Jim Kay. A limited number of signed copies will be available where Kate Bush has written a message in invisible ink in a small number of the signed copies.

Yes have sold have sold the recorded music rights and income streams from their Atlantic Records catalogue to the Warner Music Group.

Brendon Urie has announced that he is disbanding Panic! At The Disco after almost 20 years.

The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger and the estate of late keyboardist Ray Manzarek have sold their rights to the band’s catalogue to help charities.

In through the out door…line-up changes

Carly Bryant has left Big Big Train and is replaced by Oskar Holldorff (Dim Gray), who has been a touring member of the band since last year.

Guitarist Todd Winger has left Collateral…guitarist Dougie Archer has left Little Red Kings…drummer Chris Ogden has left Austin Gold

News - RIP

Former Overkill and Anvil guitarist Sebastian Marino

Former Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White

Alan Rankine guitarist with The Associates

Robbie Bachman, drummer with Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Yellow Magic Orchestra drummer Yukihiro Takahashi

Director Bruce Gowers who directed Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ video, along with ones for Prince, Journey and the Rolling Stones

Bassist Van Conner and co-founder of Screaming Trees

The Yardbirds guitarist Anthony ‘Top’ Topham

GRTR! reviewer and sleevenotes contributor Jim Henderson

Dean Daughtry, a co-founder of the Atlanta Rhythm Section

Television mainman Tom Verlaine

David Crosby, who helped set up two major bands in the 1960s – The Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, and had a successful solo career.

Jeff Beck, ground-breaking guitarist with The Yardbirds, Rod Stewart and later a jazz fusionist.  Most recently he appeared on album with Ozzy Osbourne and Johnny Depp with whom he toured in 2022.

Tom Verlaine, frontman of punk/art rockers Television.


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow – 10th Dec 2022

Christmas comes but once a year and you can be sure that there will be a date with Gun at the Barra’s with the same regularity. This annual event has now become part of many a Christmas schedule in the Glasgow area and the hall was rammed once again for an evening with Gizzi boys.

This year was more of a mini festival to be honest with no less than three support bands in tow. Unfortunately, Empyre had been and gone by the time I got in the hall which was a shame. However, Gin Annie made up for any disappointment.

I have been keen to see Gin Annie for a number of years, but our paths hadn’t crossed until tonight and it was worth the wait. The band were in full flight when I entered the hall and two things were quickly apparent, the band were going down well and the sound was LOUD!

Frontman David Foster looked in his element and had a smile plastered over his face. The set was short in order to fit in all the bands within the curfew but Gin Annie made the most of their slot and by the end they got a heartfelt cheer and left the stage with a job well done.

Next up were Birmingham rockers King Herd. The sound was still turned up all the way to eleven and the band’s grungier sound struggled with the muddy mix. Again, their set was brief but it contained a few highlights especially their latest single ‘Halo’, which had a lot of airtime on Planet Rock, and ‘Remedy’.

Bass player Ray Loverock kept on his parka and beanie throughout ready for a quick getaway and it turned out that I had seen drummer Karl Brazil in action a few weeks prior to this in Glasgow playing with Robbie Williams, small world! The guys rounded off the set with ‘I Used To Be Somebody Else’ which was interspersed with anxious people in the crowd glancing at their phones for the final score in England’s World Cup match with France, the Auld Alliance was alive and well in the hall!

Once King Herd had finished their set and the football result was in the hall filled to the max for Gun. Following a video intro the guys took to the stage and opened with ‘Backstreet Brothers’ from the recent Calton Sessions album. I was hoping that the sound might improve for the main act, but it wasn’t to be. It remained overloud and muddy all evening and my ears are still ringing two days later as I type!

The sound issues did detract a bit but didn’t dull the enthusiasm of both band and crowd. A couple of the guys had been under the weather prior to this show which led to a few gig cancellations and tonight you could see they were still suffering. You got the feeling though, that it would have taken wild horses to stop them making the Barrowlands stage.

‘Something To Believe In’ from the band’s first album was next on the set list before things were brought back up to date with ‘Here’s Where I Am’ from the last studio album ‘Secret Pleasure’. Over the last few years Dante has really grown into the frontman role and the banter flowed all night between stage and crowd.

Dante, following the football result, announced happily that it ‘wasn’t coming home’ before playing ‘Coming Home’ and it turned out the Barrowlands was full of French supporters, what were the chances…

‘Don’t Say It’s Over’ and ‘Word Up’ both went down a storm with the sprung Barrowlands floor working overtime with a couple of thousand bouncing Glaswegians putting it through its paces. The band were on top form with Jools guitar work supplemented by the return to the fold of original guitarist Dave Aitken who stepped in to help out at the eleventh hour and did a sterling job. Another returnee was Paul McManus on drums who had sat out the first few shows of the tour for personal reasons but stepped up to the plate once again when required.

‘Money To Burn’ and ‘Watching The World Go By’ both went down well and from there the setlist went into full on party mode with hit after hit to keep everyone dancing and singing along. It’s easy to forget how many crowd pleasers are in the Gun arsenal. The likes of ‘Better Days’, ‘Steal Your Fire’ and ‘Inside Out’ are timeless, top notch rock songs that put a smile firmly on your face and encourage you to sing along.

The afore mentioned ‘Steal Your Fire’ rounded off the main set but no one was ready to leave the party. Jools and Dante then returned to the stage for a heartfelt version of ‘Higher Ground’ which was dedicated to their friend Fiona who had recently passed away. Dante was so overcome with emotion that the crowd were left to carry the vocals which they were more than happy to do.

We then returned to the band’s first album for ‘Taking On The World’, again with the crowd taking on the main vocal duties. ‘Shame On You’, complete with video footage of the band on the Rolling Stones support tour back in the day, raised the tempo and the temperature once more before a blast through of ‘(You Gotta) Fight For The Right (To Party)’ brought the show to a close.

This annual blowout at the Barrowlands has become one of the hottest tickets of the festive period in Glasgow, and rightly so. The band and the crowd loved every minute of the show as the smiling faces at the end clearly showed.

Even the sound issues couldn’t dampen the atmosphere, my ears were ringing for days and it wasn’t with Christmas bells!

Review and pictures 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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: KELLY BAYFIELD – Wave Machine

Self-released [Release date 27.01.23]

‘Wave Machine’ is the debut album from Kelly Bayfield following on from the release of two singles, ‘Vapour Trails’ and ‘John Mahoney’. The songs gathered on this album arrived at some of the most significant points of her life, beginning with the birth of her children and ending with the death of someone incredibly dear to her, her family, and many others.

With each song on here, once complete, becoming a healing waymarker – a collaboratively lit beacon of warm light in the dark and uncertain landscape of grief and a global pandemic. The album also marks one of the final recordings of multi-instrumentalist Paul Sartin of Bellowheadand Belshazzar’s Feast fame, who sadly passed away in September.

Despite (or perhaps because of?) the sad events happening during the recording of Kelly Bayfield’s debut album the music is uplifting and lyrically both meaningful to Kelly and resonate with the listener. ‘Lullaby’ is a perfect example, where the song’s lyrics and melody can be used to soothe a young child to sleep or at the dying moments of a loved one.

Kelly’s vocals are soothing on the ears, capturing the listener’s attention from the first note to the last on the album. ‘Hitchhiker’ and ‘Bird Of Prey’ recall those Laurel Canyon singer songwriters. The latter song featuring Mats Hard’s wonderfully crisp trumpet playing, whilst the former is a perfect piece of Americana pop. The whole album has wonderful sonics thanks to the production of David Edward Booth.

One of the finest debuts you’ll hear in the folk meets Americana fields of music. Kelly Bayfield has been through a rollercoaster of life to bring out this album of her own musc, which deserves the plaudits and success it most certainly deserves. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

GRTR!@20 Primer: Eclectic


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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: THE DEAD DAISIES – 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

THE DEAD DAISIES- 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

The constantly revolving lineups of travelling supergroup The Dead Daisies, the plaything of rhythm guitarist and businessman David Lowy, seem to have reached some belated stability, fronted by the equally mercurial Glenn Hughes. They were back in London to promote their second album with the voice of rock on board in ‘Radiance’, just 13 months after playing Shepherds Bush Empire. The two shows shared the common thread of a healthy crowd bolstered by some discounted tickets in the run up to the show, and a strong three band bill.

First up was the Graham Bonnet Band. His hair allowed to go silver during the pandemic, the 74 year old scotched previous allegations of enhanced vocals as they were at times a little rough around the edges, though still as powerful as ever. With only 35 minutes to play with, the set was a dream for those of us who cut our musical teeth in the early eighties, beginning with a Rainbow double in the  epic ‘Eyes Of The World’, and ‘All Night Long’, though there was unscheduled drama when he lost his footing and fell flat on his face.

THE DEAD DAISIES- 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

‘Night Games’ remains one of the great lost hit singles and there were a couple of MSG classics in ‘Desert Song’ and ‘Assault Attack’, either side of a singalong to ‘Since You Been Gone’, always a bit special to hear sung by the man whose version will always be the definitive one. Guitarist Conrado Pesinato, well complemented by keyboardist Danny Martin, handled both his more natural Blackmore parts and those of Schenker with aplomb, and a rattling ‘Lost In Hollywood’ completed a thoroughly enjoyable, if at times flawed, set.

FM seen to be a constant touring presence and this was the fourth time I’d seen them live this year, albeit in this case a terminated set of little over half an hour. I did wonder how their more polished brand of melodic rock would go down but they seemed to have a lot of fellow fans present. From his trademark ‘who oah’ that opens ‘Synchronised’, accompanied by a keyboard intro the golden tongue of Steve Overland was as usual their trump card although the cravat drummer Pete Jupp was sporting proved an equal talking point.

THE DEAD DAISIES- 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

To their credit the band mixed old favourites – ‘Bad Luck’, ‘Tough It Out’  and ‘I Belong To The Night’ with those irresistible hooks and choruses – with more recent material in ‘Killed By Love’ and set closer ‘Turn This Car Around’, a modern day classic from new album ‘Thirteen’ with prime time Bon Jovi-style dynamics and even a cheeky snatch of ‘Rocking All Over The World’  as the band were visibly having fun, ending another top quality performance in which not a note was wasted.

When the Dead Daisies hit the stage, just a few seconds of a long haired, shade wearing Glenn Hughes wielding his bass, and sporting a paisley velvet suit, was enough for me to turn to one of my gig partners for the night and say ‘that is what a rock star looks like’! More importantly that distinctive voice was still in fine fettle, showing no sign of his 70 years and other than repeatedly telling us how pleased he was to be back in the UK for Christmas he kept the chat to a minimum this time.

THE DEAD DAISIES- 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

Oddly, given that the bulk of the set focused on the last two albums, they opened with an older school Daisies favourite in ‘Long Way To Go’ before the likes of ‘Unspoken’ and the title track of the new album.

The sound was impressively uncompromising with  Doug Aldrich whipping up a storm on guitar and Brian Tichy, the one line up change, fairly attacking his drum.kit with  a big grin in his face. However, a significant reservation for me was a lack of hooks or interesting things going on in the songs, which were considerably inferior to those we heard from the support acts or indeed Glenn’s own solo career. The looser limbed grooves of ‘Bustle And Flow’ were the nearest to the latter, though ‘Holy Ground’ was a surprise omission from the set.

THE DEAD DAISIES- 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

Throughout their career the Daisies have often been more impressive when turning to cover versions and a souped up version of ‘Fortunate Son’ lifted my spirits, as did Brian’s drum solo, entertaining as far as those things go as he juggled sticks like a circus act. A dip into Glenn’s Purple past in ‘Mistreated’ was outstanding as those screams still hit the mark on a song Doug attacked with aggression, before returning to some increasingly heavy but rather samey Daisies originals culminating in ‘My Fate’ and ‘Shine On’.

The encores though were more convincing, the crowd roaring along to the ‘hey, hey hey hey’ refrain of ‘Midnight Moses’, one of the covers they have made their own  then, of course no Glenn Hughes show, solo or otherwise can end with anything other than ‘Burn’. Once again Doug attacked those Blackmore solos with fire and ensured the keys were not missed, and there were now outbreaks of headbanging and air guitaring at the front.

THE DEAD DAISIES- 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

Despite my reservations over the headliners own material, it was an excellent night of classic rock featuring  three of the best vocalists over the years, in which Graham Bonnet and FM brought the tunes and the Dead Daisies the intensity.

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 26 April 2026.


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 21 April 2026

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 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

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: BRICK BRISCOE – Found Footage

BLACK STAR RIDERS- Wrong Side of Paradise

Facebook [Release date 20.04.26] Brick Briscoe, what a great discovery. Hands up who’s heard of him. One or two at the back yeah. So I’d never heard of him either, but I’m damned glad I’ve been hipped to him now. … Continue reading

Album review: BLACK STAR RIDERS- Wrong Side of Paradise

BLACK STAR RIDERS- Wrong Side of Paradise

Earache Records (Release date 20.01.23) Black Star Riders first album in over three years marks a turning point in the life of the band. It is the first recorded without Scott Gorham, leaving only singer Ricky Warwick from the original … Continue reading

Album review: TEN – Something Wicked This Way Comes

ten something

Frontiers [Release date: 20.01.23] Here’s another Ten album title that will again appeal to the literati or the cinephiles among the band’s fans. It’s their sixteenth studio release since 1996. Ever present founder/ writer/ singer, Gary Hughes has gathered a … Continue reading

Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Waking The Witch

GRTR!@20

Jason Ritchie charts the rise and demise of a favourite band… Waking The Witch initially consisted of Rachel Goodwin, Patsy Matheson, Jools Parker, and Michelle Plum, with Becky Mills replacing Plum in 2005, all of whom also worked as solo … Continue reading

Album review: JOHN BLEK – Until The Rivers Run Dry

JOHN BLEK - Until The Rivers Run Dry

Bandcamp [Release date 17.02.23] This is John Blek’s eighth album and an artist that had not crossed my musical radar until now. The album was recorded over ten days and features Cathy Davy (vocals) – who has appeared on albums … Continue reading

Album review: RAIN – Radio Silence

RAIN - RADIO SILENCE

Giant Electric Pea    [Release date: 27.01.23] Another release on the Giant Electric Pea label – they’re getting quite prolific… For those not in the know, GEP is the label founded by IQ stalwarts Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in … Continue reading

Album review: JD SIMO TRIO – Songs From The House Of Grease

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Crows Feet Records [release date: 13.01.23] An album of cover versions is always a risk. But the concept is no stranger to JD Simo. This is the guitarist chosen by renowned Film Director, Baz Luhrman to play all the guitar … Continue reading

Album title: BEYOND THE BLACK – Beyond The Black

BEYOND THE BLACK

Nuclear Blast [Release date 13.01.23] Fifth album from Beyond The Black and the third since the 2014 revamped line-up which left vocalist Jenifer Haben as the sole original member. Beyond The Black is completed by lead guitarist Chris Hermsdörfer, rhythm … Continue reading

Album review: JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Nobody’s Fool

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR - Nobody's Fool

Keeping The Blues Alive (KTBA Records) [Release date 28.10.22] Joanne Shaw Taylor has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, establishing herself as one of the most formidable blues/rock performers.  We’ve followed her rise and rise in the … Continue reading

Album review: ERJA LYYTINEN – Waiting For The Daylight

ERJA LYYTINEN - Waiting For The Daylight

Tuohi Records [Release date 07.10.22] Recent Erja Lyytinen albums have seen the Finnish guitarist mixing up the genres and moving away from the more defined blues/blues rock that characterised earlier offerings. Whether this is a natural development or a realisation … Continue reading

Album review: HEROES AND MONSTERS

heroes and monsters

Frontiers [Release date: 20.01.23] Heroes and Monsters is Todd Kerns, Stef Burns and Will Hunt. Their names will be familiar to you. They are three gifted rock’n’roll craftsmen – highly motivated musicians whose CVs in themselves make great reading. A … Continue reading

Gig review: DEWOLFF – Paradiso, Amsterdam, Thursday 5 January 2023

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New Album – Love, Death & In Between (Album Launch Party Gig) GRTR! has been trumpeting the extraordinarily versatile southern rock, psychedelic/blues uber-combo, DeWolff, for years now and they have really excelled themselves with their new album, “Love, Death & … Continue reading

Single review: DUST RADIO – Problem & Remedy

Dust Radio - Problem & Remedy

Bandcamp [Release date: 23.11.22] ‘Problem & Remedy’ is that rare thing, a beautifully crafted single and a succinct slice of acoustic blues. It’s a delightful old fashioned single with real cinematic presence on which the music evokes the lyrical imagery and … Continue reading

Album Review: RETURNED TO THE EARTH – Fall Of The Watcher

RETURNED TO THE EARTH

Giant Electric Pea [Release date: 27.01.23] Written and recorded through lockdown between 2019 and 2021, ‘Fall Of The Watcher’ is Returned To The Earth’s fourth foray into the studio. Originally released in 2022 on BandCamp, Giant Electric Pea, the exemplary … Continue reading

Album review: KING KRAKEN – MCLXXX

KING KRAKEN - MCLXXX

 Website [Release date 27.01.23] King Kraken are a 5 five piece from South Wales, formed in September 2018, who are taking the metal scene by storm, festival by festival, gig by gig. Their new album entitled ‘MCLXXX’ is just about … Continue reading

Album review: HAMISH HAWK – Angel Numbers

HAMISH HAWK - Angel Numbers

Post Electric [Release date 03.02.23] Hamish Hawk’s 2021 album ‘Heavy Elevator’ turned this reviewer into a firm fan and expectations are high for this new album. Hamish Hawk again works with Rod Jones of Idlewind on the album. The title … Continue reading

Book review: On Track…PEARL JAM – every album, every song (Ben L Connor)

Book review: On Track…PEARL JAM – every album, every song (Ben L Connor)

  SonicBond Publishing [Publication date: 15.07.22] Pearl Jam are the last band standing from the grunge explosion of the 1990’s. But there’s so much more to them than that. The quality of their music has shone like a beacon down … Continue reading

Book review: On Track…THE KINKS – every album, every song (Martin Hutchinson)

Book review: On Track…THE KINKS – every album, every song (Martin Hutchinson)

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date: 01.04.22] I remember picking up a 1970 Kinks double-vinyl compilation back in my student days from a junk shop and feeling like my horizons had been instantly expanded. I bought it for the string of mid … Continue reading

Feature: GRTR!@20 – The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – THE DARKNESS (January 2023)

The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

The band that put the fun back into rock… Photo: Darren Griffiths Launching our anniversary series in January 2023, a band whose rise we followed from 2003 when they released their debut album ‘Permission To Land’.  A year later the … Continue reading

Gig review: SKERRYVORE AND MANRAN – Albert Hall, Stirling – 29th December 2022

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This gig was another that felt a bit like being an extra in an episode of Dr Who, you know it’s 2022 but you are handing over a ticket for a show in 2020! Yup, this show has been hit … Continue reading

Album review: TANGERINE DREAM – The Bootleg Box Set Vol.2 (7 CDs, Remastered)

tangdreamboot550

Cherry Red [Release date 13.01.23] As the instigators of sequenced electronica, and pioneers of German ‘Kosmische’ music, Tangerine Dream have no equal. Add to that their 60 plus movie scores – cultural statements as well as music to match the … Continue reading

Album Review: LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III – 2 Classic Albums on 1 CD

Loudon-Wainwright-_cover

Cherry Red [Release date: 13.01.23] A musical family where each member is a successful, well known artist in their own right is very rare. That’s the way it is with the Wainwrights… Loudon, daughters Martha and Lucy, son Rufus, and … Continue reading

News: MR BIG, TREVOR RABIN, PINK FLOYD (January 2023)

Fleetwood Mac - Manchester Phones 4U Arena, 1 October 2013

A.C.T. release a new six song EP ‘Falling’ on March 3. Bryan Adams releases a live version of his 2022 Royal Albert Show, where he played all of his ‘Cuts Like A Knife’ album, on February 3. MVD Marquee Collection … Continue reading

Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow – 10th Dec 2022

Christmas comes but once a year and you can be sure that there will be a date with Gun at the Barra’s with the same regularity. This annual event has now become part of many a Christmas schedule in the … Continue reading

Album review: KELLY BAYFIELD – Wave Machine

Kelly Bayfield - Wave Machine

Self-released [Release date 27.01.23] ‘Wave Machine’ is the debut album from Kelly Bayfield following on from the release of two singles, ‘Vapour Trails’ and ‘John Mahoney’. The songs gathered on this album arrived at some of the most significant points … Continue reading

Gig review: THE DEAD DAISIES – 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

THE DEAD DAISIES- 02 Forum, London, 6 December 2022

The constantly revolving lineups of travelling supergroup The Dead Daisies, the plaything of rhythm guitarist and businessman David Lowy, seem to have reached some belated stability, fronted by the equally mercurial Glenn Hughes. They were back in London to promote … Continue reading