Yearly Archives: 2013

Gig review: HARD ROCK CALLING (Bruce Springsteen, Black Crowes et al) – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 30 June 2013

The international world saw two sides of British life last summer. On the good side, we made a stunning success of hosting the Olympics. But a few weeks before, across town at Hyde Park came the farcical jobsworthery of pulling … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION, Asheville,NC,2 July 2013

Whether you’re family/friends or just a person that reads my write-up’s with any regularity, you’re likely already aware of my undying love and affection for almost all things Frank Zappa. With minimal research (if you’re bored enough to do it … Continue reading

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Gig review: BONNIE RAITT, Liverpool Empire, 22 June 2013

Bonnie Raitt, Liverpool Empire, 22 June 2013

Bonnie Raitt brought some sunshine of her own to a grey and rainy Saturday night at Liverpool’s old Empire Theatre.  Armed with her famous worn Stratocaster Bonnie played songs from her new ‘Slipstream’ album plus all the old classics and … Continue reading

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Gig review: BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – Wolverhampton Grand, 1 July 2013

Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore -  a name synonymous with rock guitar since the late 60′s has played with some of the biggest bands and co-written some of the most well known rock tracks of all time. Since 1997 he has being writing … Continue reading

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Gig review: X-UFO – Merton Manor Club, 29 June 2013

When is a tribute band not a tribute band? Well, X-UFO make no pretence to be a rival to Phil Mogg’s evergreen UFO, but the collective pedigree of the members exceeds many bands who trade under a  name with only … Continue reading

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Album review: UFO – At The BBC 1974-1985

UFO - At The BBC 1974-1985

EMI [Release date 25.03.13] UFO have been well served by EMI in recent years with the Official Bootleg Box  giving fans the chance to sample the band’s live delights in various forms and quality – but at least officially – … Continue reading

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DVD Review: AEROSMITH – Rock For The Rising Sun

Eagle Rock [Release date 22.06.13] Much like the Stones who are 10 years their senior, Aerosmith pop up on this DVD like cartoon characters come to life. They rock and roll and charm their way round the post-tsunami Japan on … Continue reading

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Gig review: IAN ANDERSON – Royal Albert Hall, London, 30 June 2013

Ian Anderson

It’s 45 years since Ian Anderson first trod the boards at the Albert Hall with Jethro Tull at a charity show. And now with the apparent departure (temporarily or otherwise) of long time guitarist Martin Barre, he’s shed the Tull … Continue reading

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Quick plays: JAMES YOUNGER, THE CAPSULES, APESKULL

JAMES YOUNGER – Feelin’ American This may sound like a classy piece of US heartland rock, yet James Younger comes from Manchester! He nails that classic US rock sound with the lead single ‘Monday Morning’ and the other album stand … Continue reading

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Album Review: POOR GENETIC MATERIAL – One Day In June

Poor Genetic Material

QuiXote Music  [Release date 31.05.13] In the last couple of years or so the number of progressive rock concept albums released has been going through the roof. Always known as a genre that spawned over-indulgence on an epic scale – … Continue reading

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Album review: THE TANGENT – Le Sacre Du Travail

Inside Out – Out Now. The Tangent is one of those bands that have only recently come to my attention and after I realised what Andy Tillison and his highly skilled colleagues are capable of achieving, especially on the strength … Continue reading

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News: SOS Festival – Radcliffe Civic, Manchester, 20-21 July 2013

SOS Festival 2013

Excerpt from radio show promotion, 30 June 2013, with three tracks from featured bands STEEL THREADS, 4BITTEN and DAVE EVANS (www.getreadytorockradio.com) The sixth SOS Festival takes place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July 2013 at Radcliffe Civic Hall, Manchester … Continue reading

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Interview with ANDY TILLISON (The Tangent)

Andy Tillison is a man of an mission! Two years after the release of the amazing “COMM”, and with his progressive sensibilities in full swing, the British composer came up with  another mind-blowing album in the form of “Le Sacre … Continue reading

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Video interview: WAYNE KRAMER (MC5) – 27 June 2013

Wayne Kramer

The legendary MC5 guitarist talks to GRTR! Features Editor Pete Feenstra about his career on the eve of his appearance at Glastonbury. Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, Check … Continue reading

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EP review : FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS – We’re Not Losing, We’re Just Not Winning

      Self Release ( Release date – 26th August 2013) These pop punksters from Lincoln have only been together since the beginning of 2013, so they could be forgiven for producing substandard, badly written tracks. No such concessions … Continue reading

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EP Review: CIRCADIAN PULSE – In The Blink Of An Eye

      Self Release ( Release date – out now) This 5 track affair is the debut release from Melbourne prog metallers Circadian Pulse. Citing Dream Theater and Symphony X as influences gives you some idea of where the … Continue reading

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Album review: NIGHTGLOW – We Rise

      Logic(il)logic records (Release date – Out now) Nightglow formed back in 2003 in Italy and have been rocking hard ever since. The band are unashamedly metal to the core and at one point were the official Manowar … Continue reading

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Album review: STONE ORANGE – The Dreamcatcher

      Street Symphonies Records (Release date – out now) Stone Orange are the first band I have encountered from Slovenia and if this is the standard of rock in Ljubljana it may be worth further exploration. The four … Continue reading

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Album review: THE SUPER HAPPY FUN CLUB – All Funned Up

Throop Records (released August 5th) www.thesuperhappyfunclub.com This is the band’s second album and made after some difficult personal times for the band members. The album is full of mostly upbeat guitars and seriously addictive choruses and harmony vocals. ‘Move On’ … Continue reading

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Quick plays: VALENTIINE, NEVERSTAR, WHITE CLOUDS & GUNFIRE

NEVERSTAR I

VALENTIINE Valentiine Valentiine – Vanessa (guitars / vocals), Erica (bass/vocals) and Shelly (drums/vocals) – are a 3-piece all girl garage rock outfit from Melbourne, Australia.  And they come with attitude in abundance. Their laid back, almost nonchalant approach leans on … Continue reading

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Album review: LUNA ROSSA – Sleeping Pills & Lullabies

LUNA ROSSA - Sleeping Pills & Lullabies

Firefly Music [Release date 10.06.13] www.lunarossa.co.uk Panic Room have been one of my favourite bands to emerge over recent years, and Anne-Marie Helder one of the finest vocalists on the circuit.  So I was looking forward to this ‘side project’ … Continue reading

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EP review: JULIA KOSTEROVA – Springs Of Time EP

JULIA KOSTEROVA - Springs Of Time EP

[Release date 22.04.13] www.juliakosterova.com Heavyweight assistance in the form of Derek Sherinian and Brian Tichy doesn’t always translate to ‘stellar’ product. The only novelty here is that Russian-born guitarist Julia Kosterova looks very nice and there aren’t that many female … Continue reading

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Album review: GROUNDHOGS – United Artists Years 1972-1976

GROUNDHOGS - United Artists Years 1972-1976

EMI [Release date 20.05.13] ‘Split’ with its black and white glossy gatefold sleeve was a staple in the knowing rock fan’s early-1970s collection.  The Groundhogs, led by one-time John Lee Hooker sideman Tony ‘TS’ McPhee, were also a staple on … Continue reading

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Album review: MARILLION – The Singles Vol.2, 89-95

MARILLION - The Singles Vol.2, 89-95

EMI [Release date 22.04.13] This collection is a reissue of the now deleted 12-CD box set (2002) when all the singles had a nice repro card sleeve. The album charts the band’s more commercial Hogarth era from 1989 (and ‘Season’s … Continue reading

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Album Review: SPLIT SOFA – Coloured Dream

        Self-released – 3rd April 2013 Good news folks – dig out the kaftans, it’s 1967 all over again. If the so-called ‘Summer Of Love’ did it for you way back in the day when The Fabs, … Continue reading

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