Single & EP reviews: THE DEAD DAISIES, DIAMOND DAYS

THE DEAD DAISIES – Face I Love EP

Spinefarm Records [Release date – Out Now]

The Dead Daisies are a musical collective with a rotating line-up of well-known musicians. In 2014 the line-up consists of founders Jon Stevens (vocals) and David Lowy (guitar) who are joined by Richard Fortus (lead guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass), Dizzy Reed (keyboard) and Brian Tichy (drums).

Face I Love is a four track EP, three original tracks and the final track is a cover version of ‘Helter Skelter’, a live favourite for the band.

Having seen The Dead Daisies play live on tour with Black Star Riders I was unsure what to expect from the EP as I found them a competent band but not a terribly convincing one. On reading their facebook page I discovered that when they first got together the band wrote twelve songs in six hours, hardly a sign of quality.

However on first listen I rather liked this EP and after four or five repeats I can say that this is a very good EP indeed, very accessible, mainstream rock and roll played magnificently.

Track one, ‘Face I Love’ is high octane, catchy rock ‘n roll, track two ‘Angel In Your Eyes’ is my favourite track, a bit more laidback, some interesting key changes, a bluesy feel and a great chorus. Track three, ‘Your Karma’, makes me think of Aerosmith, with plenty of keyboard action and a slight honky-tonk edge. ‘Helter Skelter’ is of course familiar to everyone, a good version here.

Overall this is a very good EP one I have thoroughly enjoyed, I might even try to catch them live again. ****

Review by CJ

DIAMOND DAYS – We’ve Come A Long Way EP

Self Release [Release Date 17.11.14]

Diamond Days are a foursome from the north west and ‘We’ve Come A Long Way’ is a four track EP. The band cite influences from Fall Out Boy, You Me At Six and Young Guns, amongst others. They describe themselves as alt-rockers and pop punksters, pushing it with the punksters bit if you think of punk as it used to be, and they play light, pleasant rock.

Later this year Diamond Days will be playing in support to The Blackout, William Control and Verses. On track three of this EP the band are joined by Harry Radford from Yashin.

We’ve Come A Long Way is full of catchy, well played music, very much on the lighter side of rock, you can easily imagine hearing them on a mainstream rock radio show, a touch of the boy band in places.

Track one, ‘Let Go’ is a sing-along, dance-along track with a bouncy chorus. Best track for me is ‘I Rewind’, featuring Harry Radford, which is a touch heavier and has a bit more substance to it, this is set to become their next single. Last track, ‘You’re Not Alone’ is a light, catchy number with melodic passages and chanted chorus.

I can see this EP appealing to younger rockers maybe not so much to the hardened fraternity. ***

Review by CJ

GRAND SLAM – Waiting For Tomorrow

www.grandslamsweden.com

What is in the water in Sweden? There have been so many melodic/hard rock bands from the country and yet the live scene is quite small in comparison. Step forward Grand Slam, who have a penchant for catchy glam flavoured hard rock. They tried their luck via Eurovision reaching fifth in the national contest to select a song, something the Poodles and Wig Wam had done before them. In fact it is the Poodles who this band remind me off, with the key change pre-chorus and massive choir like backing vocals on the chorus, as can be heard on the title track (which arrives on a glorious wave of keys) and ‘Get High’.

Based on this three song EP Grand Slam could well follow in the Poodles footsteps and have a decent level of success. Give them a try. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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

Next session: Sunday 19 January

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 1 December 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 3 December 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”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

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 again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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