Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

News: RUSS BALLARD interview feature, Sunday 26 July 2015

Posted on July 26, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged 26 July 2015, AOR, Argent, feature, guitar, guitarist, interview, melodic, prog, progressive, radio, rock, Roulettes, Russ Ballard, Unit 4 + 2 | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Argent, interview, It's Good To Be Here, Kiss, review, rock, Russ Ballard, singer, songwriter, Three Dog Night, umumusic, Unit 4 + 2 | Leave a comment

Album review: FREDDIE STEVENSON – The Darkening/The Brightening

Posted on July 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

[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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, Freddie Stevenson, Mike Scott, review, singer, songwriter, The Brightening, The Darkening, The Waterboys | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 20, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, Conflict Tourism, country, folk, Gilmore & Roberts, Hip Hatchet, Hold You Like A Harness, Let It Be, Mark Brown, Myriads, Officer, pop, review, rock, roots, Sam Lewis, Simon Murphy, singer, Skin & Bone, songwriter, Waiting On You | Leave a comment

Album review: SUPERTRAMP – Live In Paris ’79

Posted on July 19, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, DVD, Live In Paris '79, pop, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Rick Davies, Roger Hodgson, Supertramp | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged 17-19 July 2015, Blaze Bayley, Furyon, heavy rock, Manchester, metal, Radcliffe Civic, rock, Skarlett Riot, SOS Festival, The Amorettes, Triaxis | Leave a comment

Album review: WATKINS FAMILY HOUR

Posted on July 8, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt country, Americana, bluegrass, country, Fiona Apple, folk, Nickel Creek, review, roots, Sara Watkins, Sean Watkins, Watkins Family Hour | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Quick Plays, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Aim, EP, Fire, mod, Mono, pop, rock, The Standard Lamps, THE WHO, Two Beats Apart | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Live Germany ’78

Posted on June 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

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

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

Posted on June 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Band Of Horses, Covers, folk, Iron And Wine & Ben Bridwell, pop, review, Sing Into My Mouth, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged AOR, Fee Waybill, interview, Johnny Bugger, June 2015, punk, Quay Lewd, radio, rock, The Tubes, UK tour | 1 Comment

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

Posted on June 24, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19 June 2015, Equation, Fairport Convention, folk, Fotheringay, Gerry Conway, gig, Jerry Donahue, Kathryn Roberts, Little Johnny England, London, Pat Donaldson, PJ Wright, review, rock, Sally Barker, Sandy Denny, Sean Lakeman, The Dylan Project, The Poozies, The Voice, Trevor Lucas, Under the Bridge | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Access All Areas, album, AOR, Asia, Canterbury, CD, Daevid Allen, Dave Cousins, DVD, folk, Gong, Jah Wobble, Pat Thrall, Pip Pyle, pop, progressive, review, rock, The Strawbs | Leave a comment

Quick plays: STEVE LOGAN, MRS FRIZZLE, DEADLOCK NCHC

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Deadlock NCHC, Deliverance, Hardcore, metal, Mrs Frizzle, pop, Queen, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Steve Logan, The Fill-In's | Leave a comment

Album review: VONDA SHEPARD – Rookie

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

[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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ally McBeal, AOR, pop, review, Rookie, singer, songwriter, television, TV, Vonda Shepard | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged documentary, DVD, Elliott Smith, Heaven Adores You Tthe Life & Music of Elliott Smith), review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

DVD review: THE WHO – Live At Shea Stadium 1982

Posted on June 22, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged DVD, John Entwistle, Kenney Jones, Live At Shea Stadium 1982, Pete Townsend, review, rock, Roger Daltrey, THE WHO | Leave a comment

Album review: JOE SATRIANI – Shockwave Supernova

Posted on June 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, guitar, guitarist, interview, Joe Satriani, Mike Keneally, review, rock, Shockwave Supernova | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN WETTON – Anthology The Studio Recordings Vol.1

Posted on June 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

In this interview extract from April 2009 John Wetton tells David Randall about his early influences, and the immediate aftermath of his departure from Asia in 1991 which led to the release of his second, and favourite, solo album ‘Battle … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, anthology, Asia, Billy Sherwood, Dick Wagner, Family, Geoff Downes, Greg Bisonette, interview, John Wetton, King Crimson, Martin Barre, Michael Landau, review, rock, Roxy Music, Steve Hackett, Steve Lukather, The Studio Recordings Vol.1, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Album review: LUCIFER’S FRIEND – Awakening (featuring John Lawton)

Posted on June 12, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

This is an extract from a John Lawton Special, broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in November 2012. (6:13) More information Lucifers Records [Release date 13.04.15] 2-CD When I interviewed John Lawton in 2012 I was fascinated with his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Awakening, compilation, heavy rock, interview, James Last Orchestra, John Lawton, Lucifer's Friend, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TOM MORIARTY, WE GHOSTS, SOLEY MOURNING

Posted on June 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

TOM MORIARTY The Road Driftwood Records [Release date 03.08.15] London-based singer songwriter Tom Moriarty released his debut album Fire In The Doll’s House (2012) to critical acclaim garnering Radio 2 play listing and 4 star reviews from the mainstream press. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Decade, pop rock, review, singer, songwriter, The Road, Tom Moriarty, We Ghosts | Leave a comment

Album review: BIRDPEN – In The Company Of Imaginary Friends

Posted on June 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Fintage House [Release date 11.05.15] Birdpen are duo guitarist and keyboard player Mike Bird, and singer, guitarist and keyboard player Dave Pen who’s also a programmer and engineer. Formed in Southampton in 2003 their 2009 debut On/Off/Safety/ Danger was frequently … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Birdpen, In The Company Of Imaginary Friends, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

DVD review: SLASH feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – Live At The Roxy 25.9.14

Posted on June 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Armoury Records/Eagle Rock [Release date 15.06.15] Also available as 2-CD and Bluray Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Live At The Roxy finds Slash and pals onstage at the Roxy Theatre on Sunset Strip shortly after the release of their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged ALTER BRIDGE, Bluray, Conspirators, DVD, Guns 'N' Roses, hard rock, live, Live At The Roxy 25.9.14, Myles Kennedy, review, Slash, Velvet Revolver | Leave a comment

Album review: BOB MOULD – Reissues

Posted on June 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

Bob Mould - Workbook (25th Anniversary Edition)

Edsel Records [Release date 25.05.15] Ex-Hüsker Dü guitarist Bob Mould’s debut solo album Workbook 25 (1989) and the follow up Black Sheets Of Rain (1990) get the ’25th anniversary’ treatment courtesy of Edsel Records. Workbook gets a bonus track (‘All … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 25th anniversary edition, album, Black Sheets Of Rain, Bob Mould, grunge, Husker Du, live, review, Workbook | Leave a comment

Album review: BOB WAYNE – Hits The Hits

Posted on June 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

People Like You Records [Release date 01.06.15] Hits The Hits is outlaw county singer Bob Wayne’s irreverent take on some of the world’s biggest hits. Inspired by Johnny Cash’s ‘American Recordings’ Wayne side-stepped the ‘acoustic’ reinterpretation route and deployed a … Continue reading →