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WAKING UGLY Say Something Sweet EP www.wakingugly.com
If Kylie was going to make a ‘heavy metal’ album it would probably sound like this. Girlie vocals, some decent rock guitar, but ultimately fairly shiny ‘pop’. And that’s just what Waking Ugly, a pop/rock band from Melbourne, Australia deliver with their debut EP release Say Something Sweet.
Essentially a duo of Lydia Gardner (vocals) and Darren Pace (guitar), Gardner’s sweet vocals have been compared to P!nk, Katie Perry and Gwen Stefani, while Pace’s influences are home grown rockers AC/DC and INXS.
It’s a shame then, that Say Something Sweet doesn’t rock out a bit more. It’s a decent enough radio friendly first effort, with ‘Guess It’s Over’ – which marries aspects of John Waite’s ‘Missing You’ and the Police’s ‘Every Breath You Take’ to good effect – being the highlight.
But for Aus rock I thought the production – particularly on the vocals - a little lacklustre. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
VANITY RIOTS – Ambulance EP [Release date 25.05.13]
There seems to be a continuing spate of Aussie-based hard rock releases and they can be female-fronted as with Shadowqueen and, now, Vanity Riots.
The band formed in 2000 and have been playing in and around Sydney, releasing a debut EP in November 2011. This band have the distinction of having one of their videos “enhanced” by performances from some of Sydney’s top pole dancers.
Like similar bands they seem to be taking a cue from Halestorm but they are heavier and more metal in execution. (Their cited influences include As I Lay Dying and Avenged Sevenfold) There seems to have been a line-up change since this recording but the band remains fronted by the formidable Monica Strut. This is a very competent offering and bodes well for an album which must surely follow. ***1/2
Review by David Randall
CHRIS ADAMS Transformed CD single [Released 24.02.14]
Chris Adams is a guitarist whose Godfather Roger Newell was the bassist in Rick Wakeman’s band for a time, so he has already had a grounding in rock music. The single is a rock ballad and features some lovely guitar playing from Adams, along with a suitable vocal – reminded me of Mike & The Mechanics.
Adams’ big influences are Jimi Hendrix and Dave Gilmour, you can certainly hear the Gilmour influences as he draws the notes out in the solos. An impressive single and an artist to keep an eye out for. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
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). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
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More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
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