Album review: T.S.O.L. – The Trigger Complex

Rise Records [Release date 27.01.17]

T.S.O.L. (True Sounds Of Liberty) have been around since 1978 and still feature original members Jack Grisham (vocals), Ron Emory (guitar) and Mike Roche (bass), who are joined by Greg Kuehn (piano/synths) and new drummer Chip Hanna. This is the band’s first album since 2007′s ‘Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Free Downloads’ and their eleventh overall.

Songs like the piano led ‘Don’t You Want Me’ bring to mind the Damned’s later work, whilst the instrumental ‘Bats’ is piece of pure melodic bliss, again the piano playing of Greg Kuehn takes centre stage. Then they hit you with a blast of New Wave on ‘Sometimes’ - a song made for radio - whilst ‘Strange World’ has a brooding lyric coupled with a bombastic chorus and one that won’t leave your head for days. Bit more retro action on ‘Right Side’ with a synth riff the Stranglers would be proud of and the bass rumbles along nicely behind it.

T.S.O.L. seem to be able to dream up catchy melodies on a whim as ‘Satellite’ again has a catchy chorus and a rip roaring guitar solo midway through. ‘Why Can’t We Do It Again’ recalls a former love and has a lovely laid back feel to the playing.

You can see why T.S.O.L. have ben such an influential band down the years as this album is a cornucopia of pop punk and pop rock delights. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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

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 2 March 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 4 March 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 24 March 2025

HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 24 March 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.