BREAD OVER BOMBS www.breadoverbombs.org

Interesting backstory to this band from Los Angeles in that they put the profits of the band’s music into providing food for food banks. They have to date provided over 10,000 meals for people via the Los Angeles Food Bank.

The band are Brad Mitchell (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Dean Butterworth (drums), Howard Ulyate (bass/guitar), James Henry (piano/organ/Moog) and Jun Falkenstein (bass). They share a love of the Beatles, Queen and David Bowie and it shows in their music. In fact Brad Mitchell’s vocals often remind you of David Bowie, particularly on ‘Under’ and then I am reminded off Donnie Vie and Enuff Z Nuff on the excellent pop rocker ‘Runway’.

Their love of the Beatles is never far away, loving the harmonies on ‘Over’, one of the gentler songs on the album. Good to see the band speaking out on their beliefs/views on ‘Revolution Now!’. Go along to their website, have a listen and I guarantee if you like any of the aforementioned artists you will enjoy Bread Over Bombs music. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

GONE DEAD TRAIN Just Drive www.gonedeadtrain.bandcamp.com

Three piece Gone Dead Train consist of vocalist Tony Smith, multi-instrumentalist Bruno Faderne and John Bentley on backing vocals (he has worked with Squeeze amongst others). A couple of musical guests are Sam Fylnn (ex-Eurythmics) on piano and sax player Martin Winning, who has worked with Van Morrison.

Love the album cover on this one and I was expecting maybe a blues rock or Americana album, wrong! It is in fact a mix of 90′s pop beats from the likes of the Charlatans and the Stone Roses, with a distinct pop rock flavour. Opener ‘Just Drive’ and the YouTube track ‘Sunshine’ definitely tip a hat to the Manchester sound.

‘Spirit’ benefits from some tasty sax playing from Martin Winning and you can drift away on the gentle bass/piano refrain on ‘Lost In The Wind’. Tony Smith has a distinct vocal, sometimes part spoken and having John Bentley adding his vocals on each song adds to the catchiness of the songs.

Impressive and an unusual mix of 90′s music, quality pop and a little blues/country. Have a listen over on their website. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

THE MIRROR TRAP Simulations

This young band from Dundee have had a little help in their career after being spotted by Placebo’s Brian Molko, with a subsequent invitation to support Placebo in Russia. This coupled with a warm reception to their debut album ‘Stay Young’, has helped them gain a decent foothold on the mountain to success.

Touch of Placebo on ‘Piranhas’, an aggressive wee beast of a song. ‘Joyride’ builds nicely from a slow, keyboards refrain to an epic finish. The relentless riffery on ‘Second Life’ makes for another stand out song – like a mellower Pixies.

I will freely admit I am not the band’s target audience, yet they have enough here for many to enjoy and they certainly deserve the plaudits they have received to date. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

ROB MORATTI Transcendent (Escape Music)

Rob Moratti is back with his first solo album in five years and he is best known for fronting Final Frontier and Saga for one album (Saga’s Ian Crichton guests on one song on the album). Plus recently he sang vocals on the latest Rage Of Angels album.

This a top quality piece of melodic rock/AOR, with all the musical ingredients you need like soaring melodic vocals, keyboards, harmony filled choruses, keyboards, guitar riffs, oh and more keyboards. Tracks like ‘Midst Of June’ and ‘There’s No Denying’ are made for playing loud in the summer sun (or more likely here in the UK indoors on a rainy summer’s day).

On ‘To Be A Honest Man’ guitarist Torben Enevoldsen is all over this one with some very Toto/Steve Lukather like solos. Not to be outdone Tony Franklin lays down a nice bass intro on ‘Baby I’m Yours’ before those keys kick in.

If you enjoyed any of the previous bands and albums he has appeared on you will enjoy this one. Highly polished and enjoyable melodic rock from one of the best singers in the genre. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

THE BULLHOUNDS To Rock and To Serve (Rockbastard Records)

Fans of The Georgia Satellites- and of beer chugging, good time Southern Rock in general really- are gonna love The Bullhounds. With a line up comprising of Mauro Magellan on drums and Rick Richards and Keith Christopher, on guitar and bass respectively, all of whom were part of The Georgia Satellites (and in most cases Dan Baird &Homemade Sin too) – with long-time friend of the band Erling Daell on vocals, the band have recently released their second album “To Rock and To Serve “.

Opening with the tongue in cheek “Ain’t Easy Being Cool”, this sophomore effort pretty much picks up where 2014’s “Protector” let off, its business as usual for the band. Tracks worth checking out include “Inside My Head”, “Everybody For Themselves”, “No Control” and the American Dog like “Jack & No Spare”. The album’s ultimate highlights however are the slower “Peace of Mind” which you could imagine being sung by Chris Rea, “The Easy Way” which is reminiscent of Tom Petty, “Woman” and the out and out Southern Boogie feel of “Kickin’ The Can”.

“To Rock and To Serve” is a great album and should be played at every barbeque held this summer. ****

Review by Nikk Gunns

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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

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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.

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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)