Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: STATUS QUO – The Vinyl Collection 1972-1980

Posted on August 12, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
STATUS QUO - The Vinyl Collection 1972-1980

Universal [Release date 14.08.15] If  classic Status Quo were personified by denim rather than leather, they were also defined by vinyl rather than CD.  It may be somewhat bizarre that 40 plus years after the original release of the earliest … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE TUBES – Club Academy, Manchester, 8 August 2015

Posted on August 9, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
THE TUBES - Club Academy, Manchester, 8 August 2015

I really hope The Tubes don’t leave it another decade before their next UK tour.  I mean the 50th anniversary will be in 2025 and their oldest member will be nearly 80.  The band have always had a soft spot … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SOS FESTIVAL – Radcliffe Civic, Manchester, 17-19 July 2015

Posted on August 8, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SOS FESTIVAL - Radcliffe Civic, Manchester, 17-19 July 2015

It’s that time of year when the Civic Hall, Radcliffe gets its roof well and truly raised as the hordes of rockers and metal-heads gather for the annual SOS festival. Organized by Rocksector Records it showcases not only their own … Continue reading →

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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 2 – Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 26 July 2015

Posted on August 7, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Dee Snider - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 2 - Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 26 July 2015

Photo: Simon Dunkerley What a difference twelve hours can make, from beautiful blue skies to masses of mud, the lovely Welsh rain has made an appearance but, no matter, the show goes on. Skam had the unenviable task of starting … Continue reading →

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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 1 – Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 25 July 2015

Posted on August 7, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 1 - Ebbw Vale, S.Wales, 25 July 2015

Steelhouse is celebrating its fifth anniversary and I am proud to say I was there at the inaugral event on a cold and rainy windswept mountain … not a lot has changed weatherwise since then. In fairness to the Steelhouse … Continue reading →

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Album review: STONE THE CROWS – Stone The Crows/Ode To John Law (reissues)

Posted on August 7, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Stone The Crows/Ode To John Law

This is an exclusive extract from a longer interview with Maggie Bell which is featured in an artist special broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sunday 23 August  (5:00).  This is now available via Mixcloud (see above) Part 2 … Continue reading →

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Album review: TEN YEARS AFTER, THE BLUE AEROPLANES (Access All Areas)

Posted on July 27, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Ten Years After - Access All Areas

Edsel [Release date 29.06.15] CD/DVD Right up until his untimely passing in March 2013, Alvin Lee always bemoaned that he’d been typecast after Woodstock.  And this 1990 TV concert demonstrates that he still carried the albatross of ‘Good Morning Little … Continue reading →

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News: RUSS BALLARD interview feature, Sunday 26 July 2015

Posted on July 26, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Russ Ballard

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Part 1, Sunday 26 July, 16:00 GMT Part 2, Sunday 2 August, 16:00 GMT In the first of a two-part special rock writing royalty Russ Ballard chats to Get Ready to ROCK! Radio’s David Randall. … Continue reading →

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Album review: RUSS BALLARD – It’s Good To Be Here

Posted on July 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
RUSS BALLARD - It

umumusic.com The recent return of Russ Ballard – initially with Argent (reforming in 2010/13) – has been one of great rejoicing and relief.  He was perhaps thought to be exiled forever in some L.A. mansion spending his dotage peeling grapes … Continue reading →

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Album review: FREDDIE STEVENSON – The Darkening/The Brightening

Posted on July 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
FREDDIE STEVENSON - The Darkening/The Brightening

[Release date 18.09.15] Co-produced by Mike Scott, this release by British/American songwriter and guitarist Freddie Stevenson comprises 18 short stories written in the Scottish Borders and arranged in two song montages. Originally conceived as just The Brightening following breaking up … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: OFFICER, GILMORE & ROBERTS, HIP HATCHET, SAM LEWIS

Posted on July 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Officer - Myriads

OFFICER Myriads You’d think – in these digital days – if you were going to record under a pseudo name, you’d have the foresight to pick one that might be a little easier to find via Google.  But unless you’ve … Continue reading →

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Album review: SUPERTRAMP – Live In Paris ’79

Posted on July 19, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SUPERTRAMP - Live In Paris

Eagle Rock [Release date 17.07.15] This definitive Supertramp live set has been a long time coming.  Originally recorded as part of the band’s 10 month Breakfast In America tour, and released as a double LP in 1980 it included the … Continue reading →

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News: SOS Festival, Radcliffe, near Manchester, 17-19 July 2015 (Metal and Rock)

Posted on July 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Skarlett Riot

This preview of the SOS Festival was broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 12 July as part of ‘Assume The Position’ presented by David Randall (21:20) The 8th SOS Festival takes place 17-19 July at Radcliffe Civic … Continue reading →

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Album review: WATKINS FAMILY HOUR

Posted on July 8, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
WATKINS FAMILY HOUR

Family Hour Records [Release date 24.07.15] With Nickel Creek seemingly back on ice, Sara and Sean Watkins have gone back to one of their favourite live formats for their latest release. The Watkins Family Hour brings to record their long … Continue reading →

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Single and EP reviews: TWO BEATS APART, THE STANDARD LAMPS

Posted on June 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
THE STANDARD LAMPS - Mono EP

THE STANDARD LAMPS – Mono EP www.thestandardlamps.com A frustrating band name if you want people to find you on Google, The Standard Lamps are a three-piece band who have already landed support slots with The Who and in the autumn … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Live Germany ’78

Posted on June 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
THE BOOMTOWN RATS - Live, Germany

Gonzo Mulitmedia [Release date 07.08.15] A bit like a Roman candle, the Boomtown Rats burned brightly for a short period, spewing out several excellent albums before just as quickly fading and fizzling out. This particular ‘gig’ was for the TV … Continue reading →

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Album review: IRON AND WINE & BEN BRIDWELL – Sing Into My Mouth

Posted on June 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
IRON AND WINE & BEN BRIDWELL - Sing Into My Mouth

Black Cricket/Brown Records [Release date 17.07.15] Iron And Wine is a strange pseudo name for an individual – Samuel “Sam” Beam, an American singer-songwriter who’s released five studio albums, here teams up with Band Of Horses lead singer Ben Bridwell … Continue reading →

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News: Fee Waybill of THE TUBES interview and UK tour (June 2015)

Posted on June 25, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
The Tubes - Club Academy, Manchester, 8 August 2015

In this exclusive interview edit Fee Waybill of The Tubes chats to David Randall about the forthcoming tour and meeting audience expectations (14:58) Gig review: Manchester, 8 August 2015 The Tubes tour continues! The Tubes Anniversary Special Get Ready to … Continue reading →

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Gig review: FOTHERINGAY – Under The Bridge, London, 19 June 2015

Posted on June 24, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
FOTHERINGAY - Under The Bridge, London, 19 June 2015

The re-ascendancy of folk rock continues apace and unsurprisingly its antecedents are dusted down, peered at, prodded.  Most are faded, without light since the glory days of the early 70′s, some weathered but kicking hard at the traces. Scratch the … Continue reading →

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Album review: ASIA, JAH WOBBLE, STRAWBS, GONG (Access All Areas)

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Asia - Access All Areas

Edsel Records [Release date 08.06.15]  CD/DVD The latest batch of AAA releases run the full gamut from the melodic pop rock of Asia to the weird and wonderful meanderings of Daevid Allen’s Gong. All packages include a CD plus DVD … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: STEVE LOGAN, MRS FRIZZLE, DEADLOCK NCHC

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
MRS FRIZZLE Queen

MRS FRIZZLE  Queen German’s can’t do pop.  At least not convincingly.  Or if they can, I can’t think of a single one that has managed to cross over to the world market. Mrs Frizzle are not likely to be the … Continue reading →

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Album review: VONDA SHEPARD – Rookie

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
VONDA SHEPARD - Rookie

[Release date 07.08.15] Best known (obviously) for her association with the Ally McBeal, singer songwriter Vonda Shepard has released five albums and toured extensively in Europe since the five season TV series run ended 13 years ago. Rookie, her 14th … Continue reading →

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DVD review: Heaven Adores You (The Life & Music of Elliott Smith)

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Heaven Adores You (The Life & Music of Elliott Smith)

Eagle Vision [Release date 17.07.15] Several things are clear from this elegant documentary of the life and music of Elliott Smith.  Firstly, he was revered by those whose lives he touched, and secondly, as evidenced by some of the footage … Continue reading →

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DVD review: THE WHO – Live At Shea Stadium 1982

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
THE WHO - Live At Shea Stadium

Eagle Vision [Release date 29.06.15] Released for the first time as part of their 50th anniversary celebration, this DVD captures the second of The Who’s two nights at New York’s Shea Stadium on 13 October 1982.  It was part of … Continue reading →

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Album review: JOE SATRIANI – Shockwave Supernova

Posted on June 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
JOE SATRIANI - Shockwave Supernova

In this interview edit from May 2013, Joe Satriani tells David Randall how he approaches the making of his albums, and his thoughts on what makes a good instrumental guitar album (and guitarist) (5:54) Sony Music [Release date 24.07.15] If … Continue reading →

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