Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Gig review: HANNAH ALDRIDGE – Village Club, Thornton Hough, Wirral, 1 May 2019

Posted on May 2, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Could the Village Hall be the future of rock ‘n’ roll? Well, it worked for The Beatles. In years gone by we’ve seen James Grant (ex-Love & Money) in similar circumstances and Steve Tilston with full band – including Tull … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 May 2019, Americana, gig, Hannah Aldridge, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Thornton Hough, Village Club | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE KORGIS featuring James Warren – Bristol Folk House, 27 April 2019

Posted on April 30, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to James Warren in June 2017 for an hour special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. This includes tracks from all aspects of his career including Stackridge, The Korgis and solo. James Warren may well have channelled … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 27 April 2019, Bristol Folk House, eighties, gig, James Warren, pop, review, The Korgis | 1 Comment

Album review: TODD RUNDGREN’S UTOPIA – Live At The Chicago Theatre (CD/DVD/Bluray)

Posted on April 24, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra [Release date 26.04.19] CD/DVD/Bluray Utopia was Todd Rundgren’s progressive/pop fusion vehicle and can sometimes get overlooked or misunderstood in his varied back catalogue. The band had split by 1986 but there was a brief reunion nearly 10 years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Bluray, CD, classic rock, DVD, Kasim Sulton, Live At The Chicago Theatre, pop, Progressive Rock, review, Todd Rundgren, Utopia | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…JETHRO TULL, THE BEATLES

Posted on April 24, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 26.04.19] The On Track… series continues with some momentum, nearly 20 titles currently scheduled, spearheaded by prog aficionado Stephen Lambe. The idea is to discuss in some detail individual songs but that invariably means talking about … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, classic rock, George Harrison, guide, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, John Lennon, On Track, Paul McCartney, pop, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Ringo Starr, song, The Beatles | Leave a comment

News: STEELHOUSE – Thunder and Thin Lizzy headline Welsh classic rock festival (26-28 July 2019)

Posted on April 24, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Thunder - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL - Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 23 July 2016

This preview of Steelhouse was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 5 May. It features tracks from Hollowstar, Those Damn Crows and Thin Lizzy. (14:49) Melodic hard rockers Thunder and Thin Lizzy top the two-day Welsh … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 26-28 July 2019, classic rock, Ebbw Vale, festival, Gun, hard rock, Living Colour, Massive Wagons, Steelhouse, The Temperance Movement, Thin Lizzy, Thunder, Uriah Heep, Wales | Leave a comment

Quick plays: UNION DUKE, AUBURN, CARRIE TREE

Posted on April 23, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

UNION DUKE Golden Days [Release date 14.06.19] Bridging indie rock with bluegrass and country, and laden with three, four and even five voice harmonies, Toronto-based quintet Union Duke put the pedal to the metal with their third release. With banjo, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, ambient, Americana, Auburn, Carrie Tree, country, folk, Game Of Faith, Golden days, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Canoe, Union Duke | Leave a comment

Album review: WEEND’O – You Need To Know Yourself

Posted on April 23, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond [Release date 12.04.19] We were impressed by the sophomore release – Time Of Awakening – by French progressive metal band Weend’ô (pronounced Window) this time last year. With some heavenly vocals from singer/keyboardist Laetitia Chaudemanche, lovely, fluid, lead guitar … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, metal, prog, progressive, remixes, review, rock, Weend'o, You Need To Know Yourself | Leave a comment

Album review: MASSY FERGUSON – Great Divides

Posted on April 18, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

North & Left [Release date 17.05.19] Massy Ferguson plough a fairly industrial, ‘heavy duty’, furrow of country rock. Or as the PR sheet for the Seattle based band’s 5th album aptly describes it, ‘amplified Americana’. Driven by the song writing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, country, folk, Great Divides, Massy Ferguson, review, rock, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: DORJA – Gemini

Posted on April 18, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Dakini Records [Release date 21.06.19] Having recently reviewed JoanovArc’s sophomore album here at GRTR! it’s interesting to note that Dorja – another new, all female rock band – shared the stage with them in February. Also based in London, Dorja … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dorja, Gemini, hard rock, review | Leave a comment

EP review: ERICA DRIVE – The Hate, The Hurt, The Healing

Posted on April 18, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

ERICA DRIVE The Hate, The Hurt, The Healing “The Hate, The Hurt, The Healing” is the new four track EP from UK band Erica Drive. With the band having only been together since 2017, they have already developed somewhat of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged alternative rock, EP, Erica Drive, punk, The Hate, The Healing, The Hurt | Leave a comment

Book review: GARTH CARTWRIGHT – Going For A Song (A Chronicle Of The UK Record Shop)

Posted on April 8, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

As we approach another Record Store Day, it is timely to revisit one of the more recent tomes extolling the virtues or otherwise of the record shop. And also to compare and contrast with its antecedent which celebrates a 10th … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Garth Cartwright, Going For A Song, Graham Jones, history, Last Shop Standing, record shop, review | Leave a comment

Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) April 2019 – June 2019

Posted on April 7, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Compiled by Jason Ritchie January – March 2019 July – September 2019 April 5th ANIMAL DRIVE ‘Back To The Roots’ (covers EP) Frontiers BAD NEWS ’32nd Anniversary Box Set’ BRANT BJORK ‘Jacoozzi’ Heavy Psych Sounds Records DAVID BOWIE ‘Spying Through … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases) | Tagged 2019, album, AOR, April, Bluray, CD, DVD, heavy rock, June, May, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

News: SOS Festival features THE QUIREBOYS, A JOKERS RAGE, MASSIVE (Manchester, 12-14 July 2019)

Posted on April 5, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

The Quireboys - HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, Saturday 10 March 2018

In this festival preview, tracks from The Quireboys, Luke Appleton and Massive. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 14 April 2019 (14:57) The 12th annual SOS event will take place at Longfield Suite, Prestwich, nr. Manchester 12-14 July. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 12-14 July 2019, A Joker's Rage, hard rock, Longfield Suite, Massive, metal, nr. Manchester, Prestwich, Quireboys, SOS Festival | Leave a comment

News: CAMDEN ROCKS – over 400 acts over two days (1-2 June 2019)

Posted on April 5, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Skarlett Riot - Giants of Rock, Minehead, January 2017

In this festival preview, tracks from Skarlett Riot, The Virginmarys and Dig Lazarus. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 7 April 2019 (13:01) Camden Rocks Festival have finalised their line-up for this year’s event (1-2 June). Amongst the … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 1-2 June 2019, alternative, Camden Rocks Festival, Camden Town, Deaf Havana, Frank Turner, indie, London, rock, The Pigeon Detectives, The Ruts DC | Leave a comment

News: MAGNUM – UK dates in June 2019

Posted on April 5, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Magnum - HRH PROG VI - Pwlhelli, North Wales, 17-18 November 2017

w/c 10 June, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio replays two archive shows featuring Magnum. On Monday 10 June at 16:00 GMT “Vintage Rare Magnum” features rare tracks from the band. This sequence, originally broadcast to tie in with the band’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged Bob Catley, gigs, hard rock, June 2019, Magnum, melodic, pomp, Tony Clarkin, Tour, uk | Leave a comment

Album review: LAST FLIGHT TO PLUTO – A Drop In The Ocean

Posted on April 3, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

White Knight [Release date 28.03.19] They like their prog in the valleys, don’t they? There seems to be a never ending production line of female fronted bands emerging from secret facilities in deepest, darkest Wales. Or in the case of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Drop In The Ocean, album, Last Flight To Pluto, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: ERJA LYYTINEN – The Bullingdon, Oxford, 27 March 2019

Posted on March 28, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Like Joanne Shaw Taylor, who we reviewed recently, we’ve followed Erja Lyytinen since at least her major label album debut in 2006. Pete Feenstra is of course a great advocate: promoting her gigs, playing and reviewing her albums. And like … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Leave a comment

Album review: TAL WILKENFELD – Love Remains

Posted on March 23, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 15.03.19] If you want an album for late night listening, sustained by a favourite brew of something, this might be worthy of your attention. Australian Tal has lent her bass playing talents to any number of artists, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Love Remains, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Tal Wilkenfeld | Leave a comment

Album review: VERITY WHITE – Reclaim; Set Fire

Posted on March 21, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 08.03.19] There’s a slew of young British female rock artists emerging at present, all looking to get a foothold on that slippery ladder of fame, with this month seeing sophomore releases from two south-west based singers – Elles … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Pendragon, Reclaim; Set Fire, review, rock, Verity White | Leave a comment

Album review: BONNIE TYLER – Between The Earth And The Stars

Posted on March 21, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 22.03.19] Celebrating 50 years in the business and looking good (although the cover art has surely been subject to some diligent Photoshopping) Bonnie Tyler looks to bolster sales of her latest studio album with cameo duets from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Between The Earth And The Stars, Bonnie Tyler, Cliff Richard, Francis Rossi, pop, review, Rod Stewart | Leave a comment

Album review: KEVIN ARMSTRONG – Run

Posted on March 21, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Wishing Tree Records [Release date 22.03.19] Kevin Armstrong was a something of a ‘go to’ guitarist in the 1980′s working with Bowie, Iggy Pop, Morrissey, Prefab Sprout, Thomas Dolby and many more. A name that will have gone under most … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Kevin Armstrong, review, rock, Run | Leave a comment

Album review: FRANCIS ROSSI & HANNAH RICKARD – We Talk Too Much

Posted on March 21, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 15.03.19] With 50+ years in rock ‘n’ roll behind him, Francis Rossi shows no sign of slowing down, with an album, a book, and a tour in 2019. Looking for a sparring partner to explore his soft … Continue reading →

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

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

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 →