Yearly Archives: 2021

Gig review: LIFESIGNS – The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes, Tuesday 23 November 2021

Posted on November 25, 2021 by jason

Blackheart Orchestra are garnering quite a reputation for themselves, especially on the live circuit. So, unfamiliar as I was with them I was keen to catch their short support slot. The Manchester duo treated a pretty full room to a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Blackheart Orchestra, gig, John Young, Liesigns, melodic, Milton Keynes, progressive, review, rock, The Craufurd Arms, Tuesday 23 November 2021 | Leave a comment

Album review : CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – Sleeping Martyr: 2000-2005 (3 CD digipack)

Posted on November 25, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 26.11.21] The Sleeping Martyr digipak is a cleverly selected three album package from one of the world’s coolest metal bands, Corrosion Of Conformity. All three – America’s Volume Dealer (2000), Live Volume (2001) and In The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album. boxset, Cherry Red, COC, heavy metal, John Custer, Metallica, Pepper Keenan, Reed Mullin, Soundgarden, southern rock | Leave a comment

Rising Stars: WAX ON WATER

Posted on November 25, 2021 by jason

Maya Damaris from Wax on Water answers GRTR! Q&A… Wax on Water -The Sting in the Raw – YouTube 1. Your new EP ‘The Drip -Part 1′ is out now – what has the reception been so far ? What … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged alternative, classical, indie, interview, Maya Damaris, melodic, Rising Stars, Wax On Water | Leave a comment

Album review: JIM PETERIK & WORLD STAGE – Tigress – Women Who Rock the World

Posted on November 23, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 05.11.21) Jim Peterik’s World Stage project, whether live or in the studio, is characterised by the Survivor founder using the widest array of musical chums to sing his songs. ‘Tigress’ (what is it with his obsession … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Cathy Richardson, Chez Kane, Chloe Lowery, Janet Gardner, Jim Peterik, melodic rock, Survivor, World Stage | Leave a comment

Gig review: PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS – Thekla, Bristol, 18 November 2021

Posted on November 23, 2021 by jason

First of all, what a venue, for the uninitiated, the Thekla is a floating music venue, it was a cargo ship in days gone by. It well and truly commands its place in Bristol’s thriving music scene. The staff are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 18 November 2021, Bristol, Florence Black, gig, guitarist, live music, metal, Motorhead, NWOCR, Phil Campbell, review, The Bastard Sons, Thekla | Leave a comment

Album review: GROUNDBREAKER – Soul to Soul

Posted on November 23, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 12.11.21) Groundbreaker’s debut album was a Frontiers Records project to reunite Steve Overland with the pure AOR sound of early FM. That was a collaboration with Work of Art’s Robert Sall, but the latter is not … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, AOR, FM, Groundbreaker, melodic rock, Steve Overland, Sven Larsson | Leave a comment

Gig review: WISHBONE ASH – Islington Academy, London, 18 November 2021

Posted on November 21, 2021 by andynathan

Sitting out live action during the pandemic must have been particularly galling for Wishbone Ash who always keep up a punishing live schedule. So there was a relief for both band and audience seeing them back in their familiar habitat … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Powell, Bob Skeat, classic rock, gig, Mark Abrahams, Mike Sturgis, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

EP review: BIG BIG TRAIN – Proper Jack Froster

Posted on November 21, 2021 by jason

Digital only [Release date 19.11.21] A seasonal release from Big Big Train, ahead of their new album ‘Welcome To The Planet’ due in January next year. The single is expanded into a digital EP as they add the previously released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Big Big Train, EP, folk, prog rock, Proper Jack Froster, review, rock | Leave a comment

EP review: TOM WEBBER – Stop and Think About It

Posted on November 21, 2021 by jason

Facebook [Release date 16.10.21] Debut release by Oxfordshire based singer songwriter Tom Webber. Despite his youthful age his music takes the listener back to the late 50’s/early 60’s when artists like the Everly Brothers, the Drifters and Sam Cooke were … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, EP, pop, review, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, soul, Stop and Think About It, Tom Webber | Leave a comment

Feature: Call Collect – An introduction to GIANT

Posted on November 20, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Giant are rightly revered in melodic rock circles, another of those bands who for a short period at the turn of the 1980s delivered two of the finest albums in the genre. The band formed in 1987 after the two … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Call Collect, FEATURES | Tagged Dan Huff, feature, Giant, hard rock, melodic rock, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOM WEBBER – Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, Friday 19 November 2021

Posted on November 20, 2021 by jason

First in a series of gigs promoted by the Music Box and tonught was a three solo artist showcase, headlined by local lad Tom Webber. Nicely staged with round tables and chairs providing a relaxed atmosphere, especially as appearing solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, alt pop, Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, Friday 19 November 2021, Genevive Miles, gig, John Otway, NINE BELOW ZERO, pop, review, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, Thom Lucas, Tom Webber | Leave a comment

Album review: ASIA – The Official Live Bootlegs (10 CD Boxset)

Posted on November 20, 2021 by brianmc

BMG UK [release date 26/11/21] Asia : In 1997, Paul Stump wrote in “A History Of Progressive Rock” that the band’s “links with the genre were as tenuous as George Formby’s links with Mozart”. It is a memorable quote. And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, AOR, Bootlegs, boxset, Carl Palmer, ELP, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, King Crimson, live, progrock, Steve Howe, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: ESKINA – We Were The Moon

Posted on November 18, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Challenge Records [Release date 19.11.21] www.eskinamusic.com Has the music world gone all reflective? Or maybe it is just a coincidence that in the past few weeks we have received several releases that seem to chime with the times. Or maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ambient, chill-out, classical, Eskina, instrumental, review, We Are The Moon | Leave a comment

Album review: BRITNY FOX – Britny Fox and Boys In Heat (Remasters)

Posted on November 17, 2021 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [release date: 29.10.21] Britny Fox’s first two albums at last get the hi-tech treatment from the UK’s reissue/ remastering specialists, Rock Candy Records . Thirty years later it’s not easy to look behind the band’s glittery Glam … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Britny Fox, Cinderella, Glam Rock / Hair Metal, John Jansen, Neil Kernon, remasters, review, Rock Candy Record, TOM KEIFER | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BREMER McCOY, L.SHANKAR, PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE, FREEDOM TO ROAM

Posted on November 16, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

BREMER McCOY Natten Luaka Bop [Release date 29.10.21] We all need some chill-out music, perhaps the more so as we enter the festive season. A perfect antidote (and respite from socks, Scotch and smellies) could be found in the hands … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Animals Reimagined; A Tribute to Pink Floyd, Bremer McCoy, chill-out, Christmas From India, classic rock, folk, Freedom To Roam, instrumental, L.Shankar, Natten, prog, progressive, review, The Rhythms Of Migration, world music | Leave a comment

Album review: INSANIA – V Praeparatus Supervivet

Posted on November 16, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 12.11.21] Few bands get back together after a 14 year breakup, but that’s what Sweden’s Power Metal band, Insania have done. Twin vocalists, twin guitars, bubbling bass and ahhh… that double kick bass drum thump on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts) | Tagged album, Frontiers, Helloween, Insania, Iron Maiden, power metal, review, Sweden | Leave a comment

Album review: PEPPERKID2 – Adventures In Pepperland

Posted on November 16, 2021 by jason

Website [Release date 12.11.21] Pepperkid2 is the brainchild of FM’s keyboardist Jem Davis. Joining Jem is Mike Dyer (Grand Slam) as the main vocalist/co-writer. Also appearing on the album is Dyer’s fellow Grand Slam band member guitarist Laurence Archer, along … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adventures In Pepperland, album, Cats In Space, FM, Grand Slam, Jellyfish, Jem Davis, melodic, pop rock, power pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ALAN PARSONS – The NeverEnding Show, Live In The Netherlands (DVD + 2CDs)

Posted on November 15, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 12.11.21] Lets face it, Alan Parsons showed good judgement and exquisite taste by recording with legendary bands, Ambrosia and Pink Floyd (but not together, though that would have interesting), back in the seventies. He could probably have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Parsons, album, Ambrosia, DVD, Frontiers, Jason Mraz, live, Lou Gramm, Mark Mikel, Netherlands, Pink Floyd, Progressive Rock, review, Utrecht | Leave a comment

Album review: RADIO STARS – Broadcasting To The Nation

Posted on November 15, 2021 by jason

Easy Action [Release date 3.12.21] Cherry Red’s superb 2017 “Thinking Inside The Box” set appeared to be the final word on Radio Stars, compiling both albums, singles/rarities and BBC sessions. The emergence of an unreleased third album on Easy Action … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Ellison, Broadcasting To The Nation, Marc Bolan, pop rock, Radio Stars, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DEAD DAISIES – Shepherds Bush Empire, 10 November 2021

Posted on November 14, 2021 by andynathan

To quote the title of one of their songs, in many ways the Dead Daisies are ‘like no other’, even to the extent that they have been described as a collective rather than a band. Line ups have regularly changed, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged David Lowy, Dead daisies, Doug Aldrich, gig, Glenn Hughes, Grand Slam, Guy Griffin, Quireboys, Spike, Tommy Clufetos | Leave a comment

Album review: TRAGIK – Ultima Ratio

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

Rock Company [Release date 10.11.21] By my reckoning this is album number eleven by Tragik, who still feature Damian D’Ercole (Guitars, Percussion), Dirk Phillips (Drums, Keyboards) and Phil Vincent (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards). ‘Hunter’ and ‘Wet Dog’ (contender for Worst Song … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: COLIN JAMES – Open Road

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

Stony Plain Records [Release date 05.11.21] Since releasing his debut album in 1988 Colin James has been a stalwart of the blues scene, with trips into swing and rock ‘n’ roll with his Little Big Band and on this, his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Bob Dylan, Colin James, guitarist, Open Road, Otis Rush, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review : BARRIE JAMES – Strange Desire

Posted on November 14, 2021 by brianmc

Vacancy Records [release date 12.11.21] Strange Desire is the third solo album from Glasgow’s ex Kassidy frontman, Barrie James O’Neil (now minus the surname). Barrie decamped to LA in 2016, motivated by the usual young-artist-seeks-wealth-and-fame ambition. A handful of years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ashely Campbell, Barrie James, Jeff Buckley, Kassidy, Lana Del Rey, Melancholy Melodic Rock, review, Vacancy Records | Leave a comment

Album review: SETH LAKEMAN – Make Your Mark

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 19.11.21] Seth Lakeman’s eleventh album, and his follow-up to 2020’s Mayflower-themed A Pilgrim’s Tale, was conceived during lockdown when, like countless other singer-songwriters the world over, he used the down-time from live performance to ponder the meaning … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Benji Kirkpatrick, folk, Make Your Mark, review, Seth Lakeman, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: RICHARD TOWNEND & THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – Short Stories

Posted on November 13, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Richard Townend for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 28 November 2021. Self Release [Release date 21.10.21] There’s a lovely song on Richard Townend’s new ‘Short Stories’ album called ‘Everyman’. It’s a punchy track full … Continue reading →