Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Gig review: JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – O2 Ritz, Manchester, 17 March 2019

Posted on March 18, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Releasing your sixth studio album right at the start of a UK tour may seem a little cavalier, especially given the inevitable lack of audience familiarity with new material, even though Sony have kindly uploaded most tracks via YouTube. ‘Reckless … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 17 March 2019. gig, Blackwater Conspiracy, blues rock, guitar, guitarist, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Manchester, O2 Ritz, review, southern rock | Leave a comment

News: ERJA LYYTINEN – UK tour starts 18 March and new album

Posted on March 13, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

ERJA LYYTINEN - The Bullingdon, Oxford, 27 March 2019

Pete Feenstra chatted to Erja Lyytinen in March 2016 for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. A further interview is available via Mixcloud (September 2017) with tracks from then current album ‘Stolen Hearts’. Award winning Finnish guitarist Erja Lyytinen will release … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Another World, blues rock, Erja Lyytinen, Finland, gigs, guitar, guitarist, March 2019, rock, Tour, uk | Leave a comment

News: BEARDED THEORY – Suede, The Cult and many more (23-26 May 2019)

Posted on March 11, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

BEARDED THEORY FESTIVAL - Catton Hall, Derbyshire, 26-29 May 2016

In this festival preview, tracks from The Cult, Bar Stool Preachers and Reef. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 14 April 2019 (13:19) One of the first major summer festival events – Bearded Theory – takes place in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 23-26 May 2019, Bearded Theory, Catton Hall, Derbyshire, Doves, Editors, festival, Little Steven, Suede, The Cult | Leave a comment

Gig review: KINGDOM OF MADNESS (Classic Magnum) – The Tivoli, Buckley, 1 March 2019

Posted on March 2, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Mark Stanway chatted to David Randall for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in February 2019 about his career including Magnum, Grand Slam and Kingdom of Madness. This two-part special includes many Magnum favourites. Part 2 Our first big musical disappointment … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged Buckley, Chris Ousey, Classic Magnum, gig, hard rock, I March 2019, Kingdom Of Madness, Laurence Archer, Mark Stanway, melodic rock, Micky Barker, Mo Birch, Neil Murray, North Wales, review, Richard Bailey, The Tivoli | Leave a comment

News: ZAL CLEMINSON SIN’DOGS – UK tour dates including summer festivals

Posted on March 1, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

In this exclusive edit Zal chats about Sin’Dogs and festival plans in 2019. The full interview is broadcast on Sunday 17 March at 18:00 GMT on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio (4:28) Full interview Legendary guitarist with The Sensational Alex … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged dates, festivals, gigs, news, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Sin’Dogs, Tour, uk, Zal Cleminson | Leave a comment

Album review: APE SHIFTER – II

Posted on February 28, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Brainstorm Records [Release date 29.03.19] This trio from Germany released their debut in 2017 . ‘II’ continues the guitar driven hard rock instrumental vibe. Opener ‘Gravity’ gives a fair impression of the album as a whole, decidedly retro with classic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Ape Shifter, guitar, hard rock, II. album, instrumental, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: KINETIC ELEMENT – The Face Of Life

Posted on February 25, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Melodic Revolution Records Great, just what we need – another bunch of old buffers, sorry, I mean proggers, flogging early Genesis/Yes inspired symphonic prog. The latter, in particular. To be fair, the Richmond, Virginia based band – formed by veteran … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Kinetic Element, prog, Progressive Rock, review, The Face Of Life | Leave a comment

Quick plays: KRISTINA STYKOS, DANNI NICHOLLS

Posted on February 25, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

KRISTINA STYKOS River Of Light Thunder Ridge Records [Release date 05.04.19] With many of the songs delivered in an enforced semi-spoken style (in 2017, she was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a disorder that makes speaking and singing difficult or even … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Americana, country, Danni Nicholls, folk, Kristina Stykos, Nashville, review, River Of Light, singer, songwriter, The Melted Morning | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MICHAEL McDERMOTT, DANNY SCHMIDT

Posted on February 25, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

MICHAEL McDERMOTT Orphans Pauper Sky Records [Release date 12.04.19] In Orphans, a set of songs that while not making earlier records refused to be left to collect dust, Michael McDermott has come up with perhaps his best album yet – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Americana, Danny Schmidt, Louise Lemon, Michael McDermott, Orphans, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Standard Deviation | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEELY DAN/Steve Winwood – Manchester Arena, 21 February 2019

Posted on February 22, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

STEELY DAN - Manchester Arena, 21 February 2019

Could it be that for the past six years, Steve Winwood has been resting on laurels? When we last reviewed him – in June 2013 – he was playing pretty much the same set. With no new album since 2008, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 21 February 2019, classic rock, Donald Fagen, funk, gig, Jazz rock, Manchester Arena, review, Steely Dan, Steve Winwood | Leave a comment

Gig review: KING KING/Sari Schorr – Manchester Academy, 15 February 2019

Posted on February 16, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

KING KING - Manchester Academy, 15 February 2019

Is it really 10 years? King King’s progress over the last decade has been fully chronicled by Get Ready to ROCK! from their tentative blues rock debut album in 2011 to the more mainstream rocking ‘Exile & Grace’. And, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 15 February 2019, Alan Nimmo, Ash Wilson, blues rock, classic rock, gig, King King, Manchester Academy, melodic rock, review, Sari Schorr, Wayne Proctor | Leave a comment

News: KINGDOM OF MADNESS – Classic Magnum dates in March and radio special

Posted on February 14, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

In this extended, exclusive edit Mark Stanway chats about Magnum and Kingdom of Madness (15:45) A two-part special is broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in February 2019 prior to the tour (see news item for details) The band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, Radio interview | Tagged Chris Ousey, Classic Magnum, interview, Kingdom Of Madness, Laurence Archer, March 2019, Mark Stanway, Micky Barker, Mo Birch, Neil Murray, radio, Tour | Leave a comment

EP review: MIKE DEKLEVA – Psychedelia

Posted on February 9, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

www. mikedeklevamusic.com [Release date 09.11.18] There are many guitar hero wannabees out there but frequently they fall down due to lack of production values, guitar tone, or craftsmanship. Mike Dekleva has all these qualities in spades. Mike who? Well to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, guitar, instrumental, Mike Dekleva, psychedelia, review | Leave a comment

Album review: DESIGN – Children Of The Mist – The Best Of

Posted on February 9, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Market Square Music [Release date 05.04.19] You may well ask: was there a Design flaw? This six-piece pop harmony group had great exposure in the early-1970s via several major TV shows but they never had a hit single. Their ultimate … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Children Of The Mist, Design, Harmony, pop, review, The Best Of | Leave a comment

Quick plays: VINDICATA, REVOLUTION HIGHWAY, ROCKICKS

Posted on February 9, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

VINDICATA Beneath The Surface Grooveyard Records [Release date 23.11.18] The “secret weapon” on this debut album might be construed as early Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland (who handles most of the solos) but in actual fact it’s vocalist Mary Magill who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A Retrospective Anthology, album, Beneath The Surface, Chris Poland, hard rock, Keep On Rockin', metal, review, Revolution Highway, Rockicks, Vindicata | Leave a comment

DVD review: CONNY PLANK – The Potential Of Noise

Posted on February 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

CONNY PLANK The Potential of Noise Cleopatra Entertainment (DVD) To be honest I hadn’t heard of Conny Plank before watching this film, and to be even more honest I don’t feel I know much more about him after watching this. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Conny Plank, DVD, KRAFTWERK, review, Scorpions, The Potential Of Noise | Leave a comment

EP review: DOWNCAST, BLACK TREE VULTURES

Posted on February 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

DOWNCAST [Release date 11.01.19] This five track EP from British band Downcast is an interesting one as on the first listen you just think of the music, then it becomes apparent that the whole thing is one big break up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Black Tree Vultures, Downcast, EP, punk, review, rock | 2 Comments

Album review: CURVED AIR – The Second British Rock Meeting 1972

Posted on February 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Curved Air [Release date: 05.10.18] Dawn breaks grey on the last day of the 1972 Second British Rock Meeting at Germersheim, Germany. The festival has included sets from Pink Floyd, Humble Pie, The Strawbs, Savoy Brown, Lindisfarne and many other … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Curved Air, festival, Germany, Germersheim, live, prog, progressive, review, rock, Sonja Kristina, The Second British Rock Meeting 1972 | Leave a comment

Gig review: THUNDER – St.David’s Hall, Cardiff, 1 February 2019

Posted on February 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

When the Please Remain Seated album and tour was announced, it brought a mixed response from myself: on the one hand, it was interesting to see Thunder doing something different from their usual electric shows. What I was fearful of: … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 February 2019, acoustic, Cardiff, Danny Bowes, gig, Luke Morley, Please Remain Seated, review, rock, St.David's Hall, Thunder | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIANTS OF ROCK – Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Posted on January 29, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Zal Cleminson - GIANTS OF ROCK, Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Three more days of rock, roll and roast pork and “last man standing” is becoming an ever more recurring theme. “Last man” might mean, literally, the last remaining member of a particular touring band or maybe a sole representative plying … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Atomic Rooster, blues rock, Butlins, Carl Palmer, Cats In Space, Chris Slade, classic rock, Dare, Elliot Randall, festival, FM, Focus, Giants Of Rock, gig, H.E.A.T., January 2019, Martin Barre, melodic rock, Minehead, review, Skid Row, Sweet, Udo Dirkschneider, Vega, Zal Cleminson | Leave a comment

Album review: VARIOUS ARTISTS – Yesterday And Today (A 50th Anniversary Tribute to Yes)

Posted on January 18, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

RecPlay [Release date: 02.11.18] I once read of a Genesis tribute band that released an album in tribute to another Genesis tribute band. The only step up is to tribute yourself and in essence that’s what this is all about. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Leave a comment

Album review: JESS KLEIN – Back To My Green

Posted on January 17, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Blue Rose Records [Release date 22.02.19] With 11 albums over two decades to her name, native New York singer songwriter Jess Klein will have no better opportunity to broaden her appeal than with the seemingly insatiable current demand for Americana. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Leave a comment

News: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Cheap Trick added to Saturday line-up (19-21 July 2019)

Posted on January 17, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

FOREIGNER - Manchester Apollo, 12 May 2018

In this festival preview, tracks from Foreigner, Austin Gold and Elles Bailey. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 21 April 2019 (13:03) Ramblin’ Man Fair have announced their Saturday main stage headliners at this year’s event (19-21 July … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged Black Stone Cherry, blues, classic rock, country, festival, Foreigner, July 2019, Maidstone, Mote Park, Progressive Rock, Ramblin' Man Fair, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Album review: EXCALIBUR (Alan Simon) – Ladies Of The Lake

Posted on January 12, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Babaika [Release date: 02.11.18] Girl Power: albeit nary a Spice in sight, but the whiff of joss hangs pendulously over this female vocalist-fronted compilation trawl through the four Excalibur sword-and-sorcery releases by French composer Alan Simon. Alan explains in his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Simon, album, Celtic, Excalibur, Karan Casey, Ladies Of The Lake, Maddy Prior, Moya Brennan, new age, prog, progressive, review, Sonja Kristina | Leave a comment

Album review: THE WINDMILL – Tribus

Posted on January 8, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Apollon Records [Release date 15.11.18] ‘Tribus’ may be somewhat derivative as a lot of prog is these days. But you can’t deny the musicianship. This is the Norwegian band’s third studio album and it gets mixing and mastering treatment from … Continue reading →