MelodicRock Records [Release date 09.03.15]
The first thing that hit me about Tonk is that how awful their name is! I remember Tonka toys…but Tonk…well according to Urban dictionary it is US customs slang for an illegal immigrant…
Sorry we digress…”Ruby Voodoo” is the second album from these Canberra based Australian lads…debut “Sister Switchblade” was released way back in 2007.
The PR describes “Ruby Voodoo” as “a fantastic old-school hard rock record” and this description is actually not too far off the mark for a change but maybe we’ll leave out the “fantastic”. The band consists of Jinks, Steve, Ben, Matt and Mikey…who does what I haven’t got a clue…but then again…thanks to their Facebook pages we can assign them to vocals, guitars, guitars, bass and drums respectively…still no surnames though.
None of the songs featured on here really stands out from the crowd but then again only one fails to reach the standard of the rest. Opener Pleasure and Pain starts things as they mean to go on with a blend of classic Y&T and Van Halen. Voodoo reminds me of The Rainmakers during the verses before the Georgia Satellites kick in for the chorus.
Both Last Goodbye and 9 Lives can have their roots traced back to classic UFO with the former being a slow burning rock ballad and the latter a true bluesy rocker.
The one track that lets things down is Scene Queen…there is no proper tune or memorable chorus…should have been left as a b-side.
“Ruby Voodoo” deserves to be played loud…lots of riffing, authentic raw emotive vocals and a great production from Nick Didia.
If you like Wolfsbane, Wolfmother, Screaming Jets, early Guns N’ Roses or any of the aforementioned bands you will find something to appreciate here.
One of MelodicRock Records better releases of late….still a crap name though… ***½
Review by Phil Berisford
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)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
