Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: SAMI YAFFA – Satan’s Helpers War Lazer Eyes And The Money Pig Circus

Posted on March 1, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
SAMI YAFFA - Satan’s Helpers War Lazer Eyes & The Money Pig Circus

Livewire/Cargo [Release date 08.03.24] Friends will tell you that I am a huge fan of the Stones, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue or Def Leppard, and they are right, but for me there is one band that will always remain … Continue reading →

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Gig review: FRASER ANDERSON/EMILY FRASER – Junction 3, Cambridge, 24 February 2024

Posted on February 29, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
Fraser

Continuing my February foray to Cambridge’s acoustic gig offerings, the intimate club surroundings of Junction 3 – where the popular New Routes event has its home – hosts some of the very best acoustic and electric talent in the folk … Continue reading →

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Gig review: CONSTANT FOLLOWER – Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, 22 February 2024

Posted on February 29, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
CONSTANT FOLLOWER - Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, 22 February 2024

For those seeking refuge from a harsh world outside, there was no better place than Cambridge, its gleaming spires, ancient waterway, historic places of learning and the constant ring of bicycle bells in the town centre suddenly the epicentre of … Continue reading →

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Album review: RAFAEL RIQUENI – Versatae

Posted on February 22, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
RAFAEL RIQUENI - Versatae

Cleopatra Records [Release date 16.02.24] ‘Versatae’ marks something of a departure for the master flamenco guitar player who is held in the same esteem as players like Paco Pena and Paco de Lucia. Rafael Riqueni has lent his skills to … Continue reading →

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Album review: BENJAMIN CROFT – We Are Here To Help

Posted on February 15, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
BENJAMIN CROFT - We Are Here To Help

Galactic Receiver [Release date 03.05.24] www.benjamincroftmusic.com You could be forgiven thinking that Benjamin Croft is the latest U.S. fusion export. But Benjamin is British and this is his third solo album. He has worked in the States but relocated to … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SOUTH OF SALEM – The Tivoli, Buckley, North Wales, 9 February 2024

Posted on February 10, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
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South Of Salem could be construed as “old school” in 2024. Admittedly there’s nothing cutting edge in their Goth-inspired metal delivery but – by goodness – they deliver. We’ve been exposed to a series of singles from the band in … Continue reading →

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Album review: SOUTH OF SALEM – Death Of The Party

Posted on January 28, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
SOUTH OF SALEM - Death Of The Party

Spider Party Records [Release date 19.01.24] Back “in the day” UK national radio would ensure that if a band crafted three or four minute ear candy there was a good chance it would be playlisted. Back then – 1970s and … Continue reading →

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News: Albums Of The Month (October – December 2023)

Posted on January 8, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
231001_aom4

HANFORD FLYOVER Source (Fruits De Mer Records) There are several bands operating in the psych/blues rock space and female fronted such as Dead Feathers and Blues Pills, and even label mate Crystal Jacqueline. But Hanford Flyover are less late sixties Jefferson … Continue reading →

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Album review: TEMPEST – Tempest/Living In Fear (Remaster)

Posted on January 3, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
TEMPEST - Tempest/Living In Fear (Remaster)

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 06.10.23] The two albums released by Tempest in 1973/4 marked a musical departure for jazz rock drummer Jon Hiseman who – at the time – was best known for his work with Colosseum and to … Continue reading →

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Album review: ATOMIC ROOSTER – Made In England/Nice ‘N’ Greasy (Remaster)

Posted on January 2, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
ATOMIC ROOSTER - Made In England/Nice 'N' Greasy (Remaster)

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 06.10.23] The reconfigured Atomic Rooster have been a staple of many prog and classic rock festivals since 2016 when they received Vincent Crane widow’s blessing. Carrying the band’s flame are sometime members vocalist Pete French … Continue reading →

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Album review: PALADIN – Paladin/Charge! (Remaster)

Posted on January 1, 2024 by GRTR! HQ
PALADIN - Paladin/Charge (Remaster)

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 13.10.23] I have to say that I’ve only known Paladin from digging through crates of vinyl at record fairs and noting the Roger Dean artwork. It all looked a bit prog. Now the band’s only … Continue reading →

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Album review: JEFF AUG – Kiss Of The Liquid Moon

Posted on December 30, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
JEFF AUG - Kiss Of The Liquid Moon

Heavy Progressive Records [Release date 01.02.24] You can’t help thinking – listening to this seventh solo album from acoustic guitarist Jeff Aug – “when is he going to break into ‘Classical Gas’?” Just like that classic acoustic piece, ‘Kiss Of … Continue reading →

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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2024)

Posted on December 29, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
nickelback 2

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 16/12/2024 UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2024) To search quickly within this page (“Find In Page”): Press Ctrl+F (on Windows PC, Chromebook, … Continue reading →

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Album review: MAE McKENNA – Reissues

Posted on December 14, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
MAE McKENNA - Reissues

BGO www.bgo-records.com [Release date 10.11.23] My first introduction to Mae McKenna was her 1991 album ‘Mirage And Reality’. Bob Harris on his overnight BBC Radio 1 show was a big fan and played the album regularly. I spotted it in … Continue reading →

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News: The Best of 2023 – The Get Ready to ROCK! Reviewer Selections (December 2023)

Posted on December 11, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
Get Ready to ROCK! - The Best of 2023

2023 marked the 20th anniversary of Get Ready to ROCK! This may not have been a vintage year for album releases but many artists consolidated their position with touring and the odd reissue. In spite of the economic crisis it … Continue reading →

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Book review: On track … BOB DYLAN, HAWKWIND, YES, LOU REED, THE JAM (Sonicbond Publishing)

Posted on December 9, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
On track...Bob Dylan 1962-1970

“For the fan a chance to revisit songs and albums and for newcomers a roadmap to hopefully enhance their listening habits. Of course in an age of renewed vinyl interest these books may be the perfect complement.” We catch up … Continue reading →

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Album review: MAGNUM – Here Comes The Rain

Posted on December 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
MAGNUM - Here Comes The Rain

David Randall chatted to Bob Catley and Lee Morris playing tracks from the new album. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 24 December 2023. SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 12.01.24] Magnum celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2022 when they finally … Continue reading →

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Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – MAGNUM (December 2023)

Posted on December 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

Photo: Darren Griffiths They nearly folded in 1983, played the arenas in the late 1980s, and nose-dived in 1995. But – fifty years on – Magnum remain magnificent Magnum have figured prominently in our coverage at GRTR! since 2003. This … Continue reading →

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News: Melodic pomp rockers MAGNUM enter The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness (December 2023)

Posted on November 27, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

Melodic pomp rockers Magnum are the latest inductees in “The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness” a year long promotion to celebrate 20 years of the popular rock website Get Ready to ROCK! The Midlands-based band have figured prominently in the website’s … Continue reading →

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Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – SAXON (November 2023)

Posted on November 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

The wheels of steel keep turning for the heavy metal masters, and have turned ever more quickly for Saxon in the millennium Photo: Darren Griffiths In April 2007 there was a reality TV show when Harvey Goldsmith hosted an attempt … Continue reading →

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News: SAXON are the latest entrants in The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness (November 2023)

Posted on October 23, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

Heavy metallers Saxon are the latest entrants to “The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness” a year long promotion to tie in with rock website Get Ready to ROCK!’s 20th anniversary. The band’s more recent ascendancy parallels the lifetime of the classic … Continue reading →

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Album review: DISTRICT 97 – Stay For The Ending

Posted on October 20, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
DISTRICT 97 - Stay For The Ending

Spirit Of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red [Release date 20.10.23] Now here’s something a little different. A prog metal band fronted by a female vocalist, an American Idol finalist to boot! I have been aware of District 97, not least when they … Continue reading →

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Album review: UNIFONY – Unifony III

Posted on October 20, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
UNIFONY - Unifony III

Volkoren [Release date 03.11.23] The great thing about GRTR! is our eclecticism over 20 years, very much reflecting the taste and preferences of our solid review team. We’re not bound by classic rock but the music has to move us. … Continue reading →

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Album review: STEVIE JONES AND THE WILDFIRES – Clarity In Dusk

Posted on October 20, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
STEVIE JONES AND THE WILDFIRES - Clarity In The Dusk

Wildfire Sessions Productions www.steviejones.com [Release date 13.10.23] This album was born out of solitary walks late in the day in the local countryside during Lockdown. That locality includes Helpston in East Northants where the artist Stevie Jones is a regular … Continue reading →

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News: Albums of the Month (July – September 2023)

Posted on October 19, 2023 by GRTR! HQ
230701_aom3

ALBANY DOWN Born In The Ashes (indie) Seven years is surely too long between releases, but whatever the reasons, this excellent album deserves to build some momentum and push Albany Down towards enduring and wide-spread success. **** Review by Dave Atkinson … Continue reading →

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