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WHEN WE WERE WOLVES – Heartless EP
Self Release [Release date 22.09.14]
When We Were Wolves are a post hardcore fivesome from South Wales. They formed in 2011 and Heartless is their second EP. Later this year they will be supporting The Blackout on tour.
Heartless is a fairly ferocious offering with brutal bass riffs, pounding rhythms, excellent vocals by Mitch Block and some melodic, almost choral, chanted choruses.
The stand out tracks for me were ‘Dying On The Inside’ which has energetic, killer passages tempered with melodic passages all held together with dynamic rhythms, and final track, ‘Heartless’, which is another fine effort beginning in a more slow and indeed heartfelt manner, if I was to hear this on the radio I would be turning it up to eleven.
When We Were Wolves did well with their debut EP and I feel they deserve to do well with ‘Heartless’, it is a good example of melodic, catchy, post hardcore rock. ***1/2
Review by CJ
TEN PERCENTER – I Could Never Say… EP
Rainwood Records [Release Date 06.10.14]
Ten Percenter formed in Devon in 2006, ‘I Could Never Say…’ is their fifth release. The band play ‘thoughtful alt-rock’, hmmmm!
The sound is very light and poppy, upbeat and fairly tuneful. The first two tracks, ‘I Could Never Say..’ and ‘Against The Grain’ are ok, there are some unusual sounds as mandolin, banjo and even electric toothbrush noises incorporated throughout the EP.
The last two tracks are live but the whole EP is a bit lacking in oomph. Final track, ‘Riot’, in particular is a dreary dirge not at all likely to incite anyone to riot, unless the track was played on repeat!
Not an EP I will be returning to. *
Review by CJ
ASA Dead Again EP
If you’re not already acquainted with the young Bukola “Asa” Elemide, a Paris based French/Nigerian singer/songwriter, shame on you. Her second album Beautiful Imperfection, released in 2011, was an astonishingly accomplished piece of work that really should have established her as a world star.
Her new EP is a trailer for the release of her third long player Bed Of Stone from which its three tracks are drawn. Written with long standing collaborator Blair MacKichan, who has previously also produced albums for the likes of Lily Allen, Sia and Paloma Faith, it’s a neat synopsis of the broad range of pop, R&B and soul.
The title track, lyrically fuelled by the hurt of a close friend’s betrayal, is a consummate piece of modern pop but the real gem is ‘The One That Never Comes’ – her own favourite track from the LP and probably the most soulful number you’ll hear this year. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
Aşa will play London Union Chapel on October 2 2014.
SHAFT OF STEEL Shaft Of Steel EP
www.shaftofsteel.com
Not, as the name may suggest a Manowar tribute band or a power metal band, but a young band from London who play melodic hard rock. This four song EP gets a head start on other young bands out there as they have Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69/Khymera/Place Vendrome etc) mastering it and adding backing vocals, so fear not the production is very good.
The four songs on this EP show promise but possibly need a little trimming on the times of the songs to get that concentrated melodic rock ‘hit’.
‘Release The Lion Within’ is the pick for me, mainly as vocalist Robert Fenning shows his vocal range to good effect and the most instant song. Keep an eye on this band as they have the talent and songs to gather interest and some live gigs (they support Vega and Newman in November in London) will only help hone their sound. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
TIGERPUNCH Fight Of Your Life EP
[Release date 20.10.14]
Tigerpunch are a trio from Wolverhampton and Fight of Your life is their debut EP. The guys claim to have started the band when ‘their dreams of becoming Pokemon Masters fell through’, intriguing.
Citing inspiration from Audioslave, The Foo Fighters and Nirvana the guys play ‘heavy groove rock’. Fight of Your Life has five tracks and all are in a similar vein, heavy, pounding rhythms, lots of repetition and plenty of energy.
Opener, ‘My Pet Hate’ is the best track on the EP, fast, funky riffs and a few unexpected twists and turns, Rich Reynolds voice on this track is clear and changes between almost spoken lyrics and shouting. However on track 3, ‘I Am Alive’, Rich’s voice takes on an unpleasant nasal quality which very quickly has you reaching for the skip button.
An interesting EP with enough variety in the music to keep you listening however maybe the vocals could be worked on a bit more? ***
Review by CJ
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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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 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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