IT BITES ‘Map Of The Past’
Inside Out (2012) www.itbites.com
The press blurb states this is the band’s first concept album but it is a very loose one based upon ‘the discovery of an old family photograph’ and going into the past to fix things that went wrong.
With bassist Lee Pomeroy now firmly encased in the band’s line-up the band have a settled feel and this doubtless helps in producing an album like this that is more progressive and less of an instant hit than their excellent comeback album ‘The Tall Ships’. You need to stick with the album and you will be amply rewarded. Songs like ‘Cartoon Graveyard’ (superbly catchy chorus with lots of guitar and keyboard runs) and ‘Wallflower’ have a fast and melodic pace to them. ‘Meadow And The Stream’ sounds like It Bites meets Kino, although that’s hardly surprising given the shared members in both bands. If bands like It Bites could still have hit singles then this would be one. Both John Mitchell and John Beck have some excellent guitar and keyboards interplay respectively throughout the album.
The ELO/Jeff Lynne approved strings that usher in ‘Send No Flower’ are simply immense and lead into a reflective song with a stop/start vocal. ‘Flag’ is a straight forward number, the nearest to the band’s 80’s/90’s output.
This is definitely more progressive and in parts a much more relaxed musical affair than the band’s previous albums, and I am sure it will prove a hit with the band’s fans.
****1/2
Jason Ritchie
10 Q’s with John Mitchell
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
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Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.
This is the first show broadcast on 27 September. Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.
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 27 September 2026.
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Power Plays w/c 26 October 2026
BLACK RIVER DELTA Shame On You (Despotz Records)
DAYTONA Listen To The Silence (Escape Music)
SUCKERTRAP Sacred Lies (indie)
WOOD BURNT RED Count My Blessings (indie)
BLACKLIST UNION Heavy Is The Crown (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 26 October 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)
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