Yearly Archives: 2022

Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Royal Albert Hall, London, 9-11 May 2022

Posted on May 25, 2022 by andynathan

Of all those gigs I’d already booked when the pandemic started, it was the trio of Bryan Adams shows at the Royal Albert Hall, playing an album in its entirety each night, that I’d most looked forward to seeing and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Bryan Adams, Cuts Like A Knife, Gary Breit, gig, Into The Fire, Keith Scott, melodic rock, Pat Steward, residency, Royal Albert Hall, Sol Walker, Waking Up The Neighbours | Leave a comment

Album review: RAVEN – Rock Until You Drop (the 4CD Over The Top Edition)

Posted on May 24, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red/Sanctuary [release date : 27.05.22] Raven, the legendary heavy metal band from England’s industrial North East, have the perfect resume. They have recorded for six different labels (and never been without one) including major and major-ish imprints like Atlantic, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged 4 CDs, albums, Atlantic Records, boxset, Brute Force, John Gallagher, John Tucker, Lead Weight, Mark Gallagher, Megadeath, Megaforce, Metallica, Motorhead, Neat Records, NWOBHM, Proto Thrash, Sasso Marconi, SPV | Leave a comment

Gig review: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE – Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, Saturday 21 May 2022

Posted on May 23, 2022 by jason

So, my daughter aged 14 likes My Chemical Romance (MCR) and I wanted to introduce her to the sort of things the world has to offer. I managed to get tickets to Stadium MK to see MCR and support on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged alt rock, Barnes Courtney, Charlotte Sands, emo, gig, MCR, melodic, Milton Keynes, MK Stadium, My Chemical Romance, Placebo, review, rock, Saturday 21 May 2022 | Leave a comment

Album review: STRANGEWAYS – Complete Recordings Volume 1, 1985-1994

Posted on May 22, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red/HNE [Release date: 27.05.22] The clamour for reissues of the first 3 Strangeways albums rose to fever pitch in the late 90s, as AOR made an attempt to get back on its feet. All 3 had been received with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, And The Horse, AOR, Bonaire, Complete Recordings Volume 1 1985-1994, Hangdog Records, Hard RoxX, Ian Stewart, John Lee, John Punter, Kevin Elson, melodic rock, Mike Shipley, Native Sons, review, Strangeways, Terry Brock, Walk Into The Fire | Leave a comment

Album review: LAZARUS DREAM – Lifeline

Posted on May 22, 2022 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 17.06.22] Second album from Lazarus Dream, which was put together by vocalist Carsten “Lizard” Shulz (Evidence One, Domain, Devoid) and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer (Scarlett, Winterland). Drummer Markus Kullmann (Sinner, Glenn Hughes), percussionist Thomas Rieder, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Carsten Lizard Shulz, Derek Sherinian, hard rock, Lazarus Dream, Lifeline, Markus Pfeffer, melodic hard rock, Pride & Joy Music, review, rock | Leave a comment

Book review: MOTORHEAD (Duncan Harris), BLACK SABBATH (Chris Sutton)

Posted on May 22, 2022 by jason

MOTORHEAD – On Track … every album, every song by Duncan Harris Sonic Bond Publishing [Publication date 15.04.22] Two more books that give an insight into these legendary classic rock bands, and like others in the series they act as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, book, Classic Albums, Doom Metal, Geezer Butler, heavy metal, metal, Motorhead, On Track, Ozzy Osbourne, review, rock n roll. Lemmy, Sonic Bond Publishing, Tony Iommi | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES LABRIE – Beautiful Shade Of Grey

Posted on May 22, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

InsideOut Music [Release date 20.05.22] The latest solo offering from James LaBrie stems from his involvement on the Eden’s Curse track “No Holy Man’ (a real highlight on their 2011 album ‘Trinity’) and a subsequent support slot for the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Beautiful Shade Of Grey, classic rock, Dream Theater, Eden's Curse, James LaBrie, Marco Sfogli, Paul Logue, review | Leave a comment

Gig review – ROBERT JON & THE WRECK – The Garage, London, 15 May 2022

Posted on May 21, 2022 by andynathan

One of my most special London gigs of last year was Robert Jon & The Wreck’s show at the 100 Club, for a number of reasons- they were one of the very first American acts to make it over after … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, gig, Henry James, Laura Evans, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Robert Jon Burrison, southern rock, Steve Maggiora | Leave a comment

Album review: LEE ROGERS – Gameblood

Posted on May 21, 2022 by jason

Zenith Café/Membran [Release date 13.05.22] This is Carrickfergus based Lee Rogers long awaited second album (his debut album, ‘Clocks’, was released way back in 2006). Produced by Gareth Dunlop (who also plays guitar, piano, synth and percussion on the album), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Foy Vance, Gameblood, Lee Rogers, pop, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL WALKER & KAREN PFEIFFER – Auf Wiedersehen, Me Duck

Posted on May 19, 2022 by jason

Crazy Moose Records [Release date 30.04.22] Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer are a folk duo who have been writing and performing since 2012. Karen is originally from Stuttgart, however, her southern German accent is already tinged with a ‘Staffordshire oatcake … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Auf Wiedersehen Me Duck, folk, Joan Baez, Karen Pfeiffer, Paul Walker, Potteries, review, traditional | Leave a comment

Single review: JESSIE DIPPER – Where Do I Go

Posted on May 18, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 20.05.22] ‘Where Do I Go’ is taken from Jessie Dipper’s forthcoming new album ‘Sticky Floors’. Jessie Dipper has successfully self-released five singles, two EPs and an album over the last five years. Sehe describes her music as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged folk, grunge, Jessie Dipper, pop, review, Scouting For Girls, single, Where Do I Go | Leave a comment

Gig review: WHITESNAKE, Foreigner, Europe – Hydro, Glasgow, 2 May 2022

Posted on May 17, 2022 by david.wilson

For any rock fan old enough to remember the 70’s and 80’s the music of Whitesnake has been a constant soundtrack. The band may have had a revolving door installed in their tour bus for ease of access as members … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 12th May 2022, 80s, AOR, ballads, blues, David Coverdale, Europe, Foreigner, gig, Glasgow, Glasgow Apollo, Here I Go Again, Hydro, I Want To Know What Love Is, Ian Haugland, Is This Love, Joel Hoekstra, Joey Tempest, John Norum, Juke Box Hero, Kelly Hansen, live, Mick Jones, Reb Beach, rock, Rock The Night, Slide It In, Still Of The Night, The Final Countdown, Tommy Aldridge, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: WINTER IN EDEN – Social Fake

Posted on May 17, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Firestreak Media [Release date 25.03.22] This is Winter In Eden’s fourth studio album and you may well be thinking: “I’ve never heard of them before”. You’re not alone. Although to be fair we were aware of their previous release ‘Court … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, progressive, review, rock, Social Fake, symphonic metal, symphonic rock, Winter In Eden | Leave a comment

Gig review: WHEN RIVERS MEET- The Garage, London, 12 May 2022

Posted on May 16, 2022 by andynathan

Not many can say this about themselves, but When Rivers Meet arguably had a good ‘lockdown’. The husband and wife team of Grace and Aaron Bond suffered the rotten timing of giving up their jobs to pursue music full-time just … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Aaron Bond, blues rock, gig, Grace Bond, Jamie Fox, Roger Inniss, Troy Redfern, When Rivers Meet | Leave a comment

Album review: BRIDEAR – Aegis Of Athena

Posted on May 16, 2022 by brianmc

Setsuzoku Records [Release date 13.05.22] All girl band, Bridear, from Fukuoka, Japan has created a global fanbase since its inception in 2014. Aegis of Athena is its third album. The band’s skilful merge of Melodic Metal and J-Pop might not … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Amaranthe. Operatic, Epica, Evanescence, heavy metal, J-Pop, melodic metal, progrock, review, rock, symphonic metal, Within Temptation | Leave a comment

EP review: THE LICKERISH QUARTET – Threesome Vol. 3

Posted on May 15, 2022 by jason

Lojinx [Release date 20.05.22] The Lickerish Quartet – ex-Jellyfish members Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Beck, Imperial Drag), Tim Smith (Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The Finn Brothers) and Eric Dover (Imperial Drag, Slash’s Snakepit, Alice Cooper) – release their third … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged ELO, EP, Jellyfish, pop rock, power pop, review, rock, Supertramp, the Lickerish Quartet, Threesome Vol. 3 | Leave a comment

EP review: ANDY PARTRIDGE – My Failed Songwriting Career Vol. 2

Posted on May 15, 2022 by jason

Ape House [Release date 8.4.22] Following on from 2021’s excellent first volume, here are four more gems from Andy Partridge’s post-XTC period as a songwriter for hire. This is a great addition to what is building into a fascinating series. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Andy Partridge, EP, My Failed Songwriting Career Vol. 2, power pop, quirky pop, review, songwriter, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review : SKILLS – Different Worlds

Posted on May 14, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date: 13.05.22] Skills … “Supergroups” often deflate our expectations pretty quickly. Good to to be able to say that this bunch of seasoned professionals – Brad (Night Ranger) Gillis, David (Giant) Huff, Billy (Mr Big) Sheehan plus … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Billy Sheehan, Brad Gillis, David Huff, Electric Mob, Frontiers, Giant, melodic rock, Mr Big, NightRanger, Renan Zonta, review | Leave a comment

Album review: KENTUCKY RUCKUS – Space Is A Place

Posted on May 13, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 29.04.22] Kentucky Ruckus, as their name suggests, hail from Kentucky featuring the Reed brothers – guitarist Kelly and drummer – vocalist Matt Red Moore and bassist Mack Keiffer. The album was recorded and engineered by Tom Tapley … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, Kentucky Ruckus, review, rock, southern rock, Space Is A Place | Leave a comment

Interview: Mark Kelly (Marillion) – In Conversation with my Uncle

Posted on May 13, 2022 by jason

MARILLION - Manchester Academy, 8 November 2017

You all know him as the keyboardist of Marillion, his solo project Mark Kelly’s Marathon, and as of this year, published author of his autobiography Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons: The Life and Times of Mad Jack. I knew him, before … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged book, Caitlin Kelly, Classic Albums, classic rock, interview, keyboards, Marathon, Marillion, Mark Kelly, melodic, prog rock, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: LETTUCE – Unify

Posted on May 13, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Round Hill Records [Release date 03.06.22] I have to again confess a weakness for jazz funk and fusion. And when I sometimes wrestle with the possible ignominy of such a statement on a rock-oriented website I recognise that it probably … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bootsy Collins, funk, fusion, intsrumental, jazz funk, Lettuce, review, Unify | Leave a comment

Gig review: CRAZY LIXX – Islington Academy, London, 6 May 2022

Posted on May 12, 2022 by andynathan

For some 15 years now, Swedes Crazy Lixx have been flying the flag for the American style glam rock they were too young to remember in its late eighties heyday. This is no knowing irony, and you can sense the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Chez Kane, Crazy Lixx, Danny Rexon, gig, glam rock, melodic rock, sleaze rock | Leave a comment

Album review: GRAHAM BONNET BAND – Day Out In Nowhere

Posted on May 12, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date 13.05.22] Bonnet’s back catalogue gets frequent outings via the world’s ever popular reissue/ remaster labels. So it’s good to hear some new material from him and this “elegant, late career outfit”, The Graham Bonnet Band. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alcatrazz, Conrad Pesinato, Graham Bonnet, melodic hard rock, metal, MSG, Rainbow, review | Leave a comment

Album review: JEFF SCOTT SOTO – Complicated

Posted on May 11, 2022 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 06.05.22] Like his last solo album, 2020′s ‘Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)’, Jeff Scott Soto has teamed up with Frontiers ‘go to’ songwriter/musician Alessandro Del Vecchio. Del Vecchio also adds keys, bass and backing vocals, being joined … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Complicated, Frontiers, hard rock, Jeff Scott Soto, Journey, melodic rock, review, rock, Sons Of Apollo, Talisman, WET | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOE BONAMASSA – Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 May 2022

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Davoski

There’s a palpable sense of anticipation amongst the faithful in a full Royal Albert Hall. The stuttering recovery of the live scene after Covid feels like it might hit a more purposeful stride tonight. Joe Bonamassa loves a grand stage … Continue reading →