News: Rock journeyman JAMES STEVENSON plays first solo gig, Thursday 17 December (Water Rats, London)

James Stevenson

Guitarist/songwriter James Stevenson plays his first solo gig at Water Rats, King’s Cross, London on Thursday 17 December (19:15).

James Stevenson has been an in-demand session player since his earliest outings with punk/new wave band Chelsea in the late 1970s. In late-2013 he released his debut solo album ‘Everything Is Closer To Being Over’ to wide general acclaim. It has been a staple on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio ever since with several singles released from it.

James started 2015 by playing at The Gathering, the annual event in North Wales hosted by Mike Peters and THE ALARM. He also played his first solo set in front of 2,000 people.

In June he appeared at the Isle Of Wight Festival and on a full UK tour when legendary David Bowie bandmates, producer/bass player Tony Visconti and drummer Woody Woodmansey, reunited and performed together for the first time since 1971 with Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 and Marc Almond on vocals with their band HOLY HOLY.

James also found time to do some gigs with his first band CHELSEA in support of their new album entitled ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’.

As part of looking back at punk rock, James made a series of nine short videos looking at London’s lost punk clubs. You can see these on his YouTube channel along with the videos to singles from his solo album.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/jamesonguitars

James also toured California in a punk rock supergroup made up of Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) Clem Burke (Blondie) and on vocals Gary Twinn (Twenty Flight Rockers). This outfit is known as The International Swingers and they recorded their debut album in Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in LA.

James spent the majority of 2013 and 2014 on the road with THE CULT as their second guitarist.

James Stevenson and the West London All Stars play Water Rats, King’s Cross, London on Thursday 17 December (Support: The Rebelles, Spizzology).

Ticket information
Album review

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

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 6 April 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 8 April 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 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 April 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.