Yearly Archives: 2021

Album review: MARCO MATTEI – Out Of Control

Posted on October 28, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

7D Media/Third Star Records [Release date 19.11.21] There seems to be a trend amongst aspiring proggers to acquire the services of the “prog-whores” who – in the nicest way possible – lend their talents to any number of albums. In … Continue reading →

Album review: ASTRAL DRIVE – Astral Drive (Orange album)

Posted on October 27, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Phil Thornalley for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast Sunday 31 October 2021. Lojinx [Release date 24.09.21] ‘Astral Drive’ is the musical vehicle for producer, singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist Phil Thornalley. The ‘Astral Drive’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Radio interview | Tagged 10CC, album review, Astral Drive, Bo Hewerdine, Brian Wilson, Bryan Adams, David Bowie, Duran Duran, interview, Jimi Hendrix, Natalie Imbruglia, Nazz, Orange, Phil Thornalley, Prefab Sprout, Prince, soul, The Cure, The New Radicals, The Psychedelic Furs, The Thomson Twins, Todd Rundgren, Weezer, Wings, XTC | 1 Comment

Album review: ORGAN FAIRCHILD – Brewed In Buffalo

Posted on October 27, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Organ Fairchild Records [Release date 15.09.21] Here at GRTR! Towers we are privileged to receive any number of albums from aspiring or jobbing musicians, some obviously hitting the mark more than others. Occasionally a real gem emerges and in Organ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brewed In Buffalo, funk, instrumental, jazz fusion, Organ Fairchild, review, soul jazz | Leave a comment

Gig review: REBECCA DOWNES – 100 Club, London, 19 October 2021

Posted on October 26, 2021 by andynathan

Just before the pandemic struck, one of the artists I was looking forward to seeing more of was Rebecca Downes, a very enjoyable support slot to Brian Downey’s Live and Dangerous at the Underworld proof that she was successfully diversifying … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues, blues rock, gig, Nigel Darvill, Rebecca Downes, Steve Birkett, The 251's, The Mojo Preachers | Leave a comment

Album review: NAKED RAYGUN – Reissues

Posted on October 26, 2021 by jason

Audio Platter / Plastic Head Chicago punk band Naked Raygun formed in 1980 and their style strongly dipped into post punk and hardcore. They have been an influence on the likes of Dave Grohl and Blink192, and they have toured … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged All Rise, Jettison, Naked Raygun, punk rock, punkm, reissues, Review. album, Throb Throb | Leave a comment

Album review: HEARTLAND – Into The Future

Posted on October 25, 2021 by andynathan

Escape Music [Release date 15.10.21] I assumed Chris Ousey had kicked the long career of Heartland on the head with their last album of new material coming back in 2007. However, after his time with Snakecharmer and also fronting Kingdom … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Ousey, Heartland, Into The Future, melodic rock, Mike Slamer, review | Leave a comment

Book review: ERUPTION – CONVERSATIONS WITH EDDIE VAN HALEN by Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill

Posted on October 25, 2021 by andynathan

Hachette Publishing [Publication date 28.10.21] When Eddie Van Halen lost his prolonged struggles with cancer last autumn the rock world mourned – the number of Facebook friends who put his ‘Frankenstein’ guitar patterned design as their cover photo in memoriam … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Brad Tolinski, Chris Gill, Eddie Van Halen, review, Van Halen | Leave a comment

Album review: ECLIPSE – Wired

Posted on October 25, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 08.10.21] Eclipse have been on one the hottest streaks in melodic rock of recent years- even last year’s stop-gap live album ‘Viva la Victouria’ being a reminder of quite how many anthems they have written. And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, interview, Magnus Henriksson, melodic rock, review, Wired | Leave a comment

Album review: THE FOREIGN FILMS – Starlight Serenade

Posted on October 25, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Bill Majoros for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 21 November 2021. Curve Music [Release date 30.07.21] What’s the significance of a band’s name? In the case of The Foreign Films (aka Canadian singer songwriter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Bill Majoros, Phil Spector, pop, psychedelia, Ray Davies, review, rock, Roy Wood, Starlight Serenade, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Byrds, The Foreign Films, The Hollies, The Zombies, Todd Rundgren, Wizzard | Leave a comment

Album review: LOVERBOY – Loverboy and Get Lucky (Remasters)

Posted on October 24, 2021 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [release date 24.09.21] Selling 6 million between them, Loverboy’s self titled debut (1980) and follow up, Get Lucky (1981), have now had the treatment from Rock Candy Records. Forty years of remastering evolution has brought us to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bob Rock, Bruce Fairbairn, Canada, Get Lucky, Loverboy, melodic rock, remasters, review, Rock Candy Records | Leave a comment

Album review: BURNING POINT – Arsonist Of The Soul

Posted on October 24, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date: 22.10.21] Finnish band, Burning Point have never found their way into the vanguard of European Power Metal. To their credit, despite being handicapped by lacklustre albums and personnel changes, they’ve kept moving forward. Now, five years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album, Burning Point, Finnish, Luca Sturniolo, Pete Ahonen, power metal, review | Leave a comment

Rising Stars: FURBABY & THE TIGHT SPACES

Posted on October 21, 2021 by jason

Featuring past and current members of bands including The Last Vegas, The Steepwater Band, Urge Overkill, The Cynics, Warrior Soul, Abbarama and Tyla & Dogs D’Amour, Furbaby & the Tight Spaces were dreamed up during 2020 quarantine, their debut album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged Adam Arling, alt rock, Furbaby & the Tight Spaces, interview, Joe Winters, new music, Rising Stars, rock, the Last Vegas | Leave a comment

Gig review: KING KING – Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion – 19 October 2021

Posted on October 20, 2021 by david.wilson

After numerous attempts at rescheduling during the Covid crisis, King King’s tour in support of their 2020 album finally gets under way. Venue availability, as a myriad of bands all attempt to simultaneously reschedule gigs that have been postponed over the last eighteen … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 October 2021, Aaron Bond, Alan Nimmo, Bexhill, blues, De La Warr Pavilion, gig, Grace Bond, King King, live, Maverick, Noble PR, rock, Steve Nimmo, Troy Redfern, When Rivers Meet | Leave a comment

Album review: SYLVAN – One To Zero

Posted on October 20, 2021 by alanjones

Gentle Art Of Music [Release date: 28.05.21] Sylvan are one of Europe’s finest progressive rock bands whose stock has been rising for some time, but particularly since they signed up to the Gentle Art Of Music label run by fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Kalle Walter, One To Zero, Progressive Rock, review, RPWL, Sylvan, Yogi Lang | Leave a comment

Album review: AVAWAVES – Chrysalis (Anna Phoebe/Aisling Brouwer)

Posted on October 19, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

One Little Independent Records [Release date 08.10.21] The return of Anna Phoebe!! She contributed a track to our Rising Stars sampler in 2007. She has performed with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She was special guest of Jethro Tull (2009) and gave Ian … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aisling Brouwer, album, ambient, Anna Phoebe, Avawaves, chill-out, Chrysalis, instrumental, piano, review, violin | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN McNABB – Ascending

Posted on October 19, 2021 by jason

Website In 1981 the Icicle Works released a cassette of their earliest demos., which went to John Peel and the like and was sold at gigs. As the band developed, songs would get left behind and replaced with newer ones. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ascending, Ian McNabb, Icicle Works, indie, indie pop, review, synth pop | Leave a comment

Album review: RACHEL FLOWERS – Bigger On The Inside

Posted on October 18, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

www.rachelflowersmusic.com [Release date 01.10.21] For an artist influenced by Coltrane and Zappa you may think that Rachel Flowers’ music will be a bit abstract, quirky and at times inaccessible. But, Rachel was mentored by Herbie Hancock and infuenced by the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bigger On The Inside, instrumental, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Rachel Flowers, review | Leave a comment

Album review: SANTANA – Blessings and Miracles

Posted on October 18, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 15.10.21] To gain insight into how Santana is well respected in the music industry, one need only take a quick glance at the varied list of collaborators he’s assembled on his new album. From his early 70s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blessings and Miracles, classic rock, guitarist, Kirk Hammett, Latino rock, pop, review, Rob Thomas, Santana, soul, Steve Winwood | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROBERT HART AND DAVE ‘BUCKET’ COLWELL – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 14 October 2021

Posted on October 17, 2021 by andynathan

There have been some enjoyable ‘evening with’ nights of songs and stories at the Cavern this year – including Spike, who opened his show in July bantering with Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell who was seated near him. In a neat piece … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Company, Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, gig, Humble Pie, Robert Hart, the Jones Gang | Leave a comment

Album review: LEVERAGE – Above The Beyond

Posted on October 14, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 15.10.21] AOR, Melodic Rock, Power Metal, Progmetal … Leverage are none of these yet they are all of these. On their 5th album now and the music gets harder to define and easier to admire. It’s perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Brother Firetribe, heavy metal, Kansas, Kimmo Blom, melodic rock, progrock, review, Robbie Steinhardt, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Album review: ASKING ALEXANDRIA – See What’s On The Inside

Posted on October 14, 2021 by jason

Better Noise Music [Release date 01.10.21] Formed in 2006, in York, North Yorkshire, by Ben Bruce, Asking Alexandria are now back to their original line-up as a 5 piece band. There’s no doubting that Asking Alexandria have achieved success over … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Asking Alexandria, metal. alt metal, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: VEGA – Camden Underworld, London, 9 October 2021

Posted on October 14, 2021 by andynathan

Vega are one of those bands with a lot of lost time to make up as live music resumes. Since the beginning of the pandemic one of the UK’s premier melodic rockers have recorded not one but two albums, with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Billy Taylor, Dan Byrne, gig, Hazel Jade Rogers, James Martin, Joanovarc, melodic rock, Nick Workman, Pete Newdeck, Revival Black, Shelley Walker, Tom Martin, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: THE GRANDMASTER – Skywards

Posted on October 13, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 15.10.21] Grandmaster is vocalist Nando Fernandez of Brazilian metal band, Sinistra, paired with incomparable metal guitarist Jens (Edguy) Ludwig. It’s a match made in Frontiers’ HQ. The songs have been written by, and the album produced by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alssandro DelVecchio, Edguy, Frontiers, Jens Ludwig, Nando Hernandez, power metal, review, Sinistra | Leave a comment

Gig review: Quarantune Rocks Party, The Old Dairy Farm, Cropredy, 9 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by jason

The Darker My Horizon - Quarantune Rocks Party, The Old Dairy Farm, Cropredy, 9 October 2021

6 Bands, 1 stage, 1 day: The Darker My Horizon Ryders Creed Shades Of Seattle King Awesome Skinny Knowledge More Human Than Human Quarantune Rocks was set up in March 2020 to support rock music fans, bands and venues in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Cropredy, festival, King Awesome, live music, More Human Than Human, Quarantune Rocks, Ryders Creed, Shades of Seattle, Skinny Knowledge, the Darker My Horizon | Leave a comment

Album review: THE HONEYRUNNERS – Everything Is On Fire

Posted on October 12, 2021 by jason

Gypsy Soul Records [Release date 22.10.21] This is the debut albums from The Honeyrunners, a four-piece Toronto group (expanding to eleven members for larger shows) consisting of singer/songwriter Dan Dwoskin (keys, lead vocals), audio-engineer/producer, Guillermo Subauste (bass, vocals), Conor Gains … Continue reading →