Phoenix[Release date 2014]

Kickhunter are the kind of band that makes you realize globalization is right here on your door step. Hailing from Hamburg, they are essentially a southern rock band with classic rock influences and have have toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Deep Purple and Molly Hatchet.

They aim for pedal to the metal kick ass rocking but ultimately their big production numbers rely too heavily on gospel style backing vocals to make up for some obvious arrangements and derivative songs.

But when they do rock out, they sparkle in a classic rock meets southern rocking vein. The band who feature JC Wesenberg on vocals, Stefan Aurel and Matthias Lange on guitars, rely on AC/DC meets Whitesnake style influences with a big helping of southern rock.

They certainly have the harmonies and musicianship to cross over, but they are ultimately let down by the songs, which too often are rescued by a guitar break or big gospel bv’s from Melanie Black & Ela.

They double up the harmonies and explore recycled riffs on ‘Walls Come Tumbling Down’, on a powerful production that is everything the opening track should have been.

‘Shy Shy Shy’ has a good time Faces feel with a big vocal wall of sound and a barrel-house piano over some soaring bv’s and ‘Shine’ is a big sounding ballad with a gospel feel that suddenly shifts into big finale in the blink of an eye.

So far so good, but then they stumble into Quo’s ‘Caroline’, which reduces their already formulaic style to the realms of karaoke, while ‘Secretary Blues’ is both clichéd and instantly forgettable, save for an unexpected organ solo from Jean Jaques Kravetz.

The sweeping ballad ‘Feels Like Home’ is a much better and they are happiest on the riff driven ‘Aint Got Nothin’ Better’, the AC/DC influenced ‘Mine All Mine’, the power ballad ‘Good To Be Alive’ and best of all the frenetic ‘Boogie’.

You suspect vocalist JC Wesenberg might struggle without the bv’s as he doesn’t quite have the depth and range to nail southern rock. He’s much better on ‘Child Of Love’, a surprisingly cool groove, and the sub Iggy Pop/Bowie inflected ‘Call My Name’.

‘Southern Kicks’ is an uneven album that doesn’t quite have the songs to match it’s classy production, but when they do rock out, you can see why Kickhunter probably went down well in front of Skynyrd and Purple fans. ***

Review by Pete Feenstra

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

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 2 March 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

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

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

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

Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025

HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (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.