EP review: THE HOWLING TIDES – Blue Moon

Website [Release date 18.11.22]

The Howling Tides are made up of Rob Baynes (lead vocals/guitar), Hayden Kirk (guitar/backing vocals), Adam Brewell (bass/backing vocals) and Steven ‘Herbie’ Herbert (drums). They’ve built their reputation and momentum with a series of releases and festival appearances at Steelhouse, Planet Rockstock, Rock and Blues and Bloodstock.

As for this new EP, the Howling Tides commented “As a band, we really feel that our new EP is the next exciting step in our journey and will help make the statement we really want to make.We feel it’s important to always build on what we’ve done, and because our ethos is to always be comfortable pushing boundaries, we really feel that our newest music is building on the sounds and vibe of our first EP and is pushing it skyward in terms of writing and musicianship. We don’t really want to be the kind of band that just keeps delivering the same song with different lyrics, we feel we have much more to offer…and this is just the start.”

‘Thalia’ and ‘Cut Your Loses’ certainly serve up enjoyable hard rock. Loving the percussion and guitars on ‘Thalia’, which undertsandbly has been released ahead of the EP.

The band hit their stride on the slower ‘Fortune Never Favoured Me’, complete with a rather tasty guitar solo. The EP’s title track has a Sabbath/stoner feel to it, something a bit different from the rest of the EP.

With the Answer back in action next year perhaps we will see a resurgance in interest in classy, blues based hard rock and the Howling Tides certainly deserve to be at the front of any revival. Confident, assured and most of all, stands up to repeated plays, the Howling Tides have found their mojo. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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.