Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: KARNATAKA – Secrets Of Angels

Posted on April 5, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
KARNATAKA - Secrets Of Angels

Immrama [Release date 30.03.15] To be blunt, the first impressions of Secrets Of Angels – played live at Bury Met in February – weren’t great.  The band blamed the venue and the lack of an adequate sound check, but as … Continue reading →

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Album review: TODD RUNDGREN – Global

Posted on April 4, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
TODD RUNDGREN - Global

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 13.04.15] I think it’s fair to say that with the release of a new Todd Rundgren album no-one – not even his hardcore fans – quite know what to expect. In the case of ‘Global’ Rundgren … Continue reading →

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News: DEBORAH BONHAM and KIKI DEE interview features – Sunday 5 April 2015

Posted on April 2, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Deborah Bonham - Giants Of Rock, February 2015

Kiki Dee, The Eclectic Mix, Sunday 5 April, 16:00 GMT Deborah Bonham, Favourite Tracks from Favourite Artists, Sunday 5 April, 22:00 GMT Two ladies of pop/rock are featured on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 5 April. David Randall … Continue reading →

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Album review: ANNABELLE CHVOSTEK – Be The Media

Posted on March 31, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
ANABELLE CHVOSTEK - Be The Media

Those expecting a folk roots album from former Wailin’ Jenny singer songwriter Annabelle Chvostek can think again. After releasing two albums on Canada’s most foremost folk label Chvostek has gone back to her independent roots, picking up a 1957 Kay … Continue reading →

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Album review: PISTOLS & VULTURES – Seven

Posted on March 31, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
PISTOLS & VULTURES - Seven

It’s rare that a PR blurb says so little, and it takes some digging to discover that Pistols & Vultures are an Ipswich/Colchester based ‘alternative’ rock band formed in 2009 whilst Carnell Cook: (vocals), Alex Green (guitars, bass, percussion and … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE PRETENDERS – Reissues (Box set)

Posted on March 31, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Pretenders

Edsel [Release date 16.02.15] ‘Icon’ is an overused word in the entertainment industry.  But not so in the case of Chrissie Hynde the driving force behind, and in all but name, The Pretenders – one of the most successful bands … Continue reading →

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Album review: LESOIR – Luctor Et Emergo

Posted on March 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
LESOIR - Luctor Et Emergo

The PR blurb for their latest release would have you believe Transience received rave reviews beyond their homeland.  If that’s true, they’re well hidden from Google’s search engine. The sessions for Luctor Et Emergo sees the band (Maartje Meessen – … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY, DANNY SCHMIDT

Posted on March 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY One

NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY One You might well ask why GRTR! is reviewing a Celtic / Breton fiddle album? And it would be a reasonable question to ask.  But there are ‘rock’ connections.  Firstly, one half of the main … Continue reading →

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Gig review: ROBIN TROWER – The Lowry, Salford, 29 March 2015

Posted on March 30, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
ROBIN TROWER - The Lowry, Salford, 29 March 2015

Forty years might separate Robin Trower’s biggest success and Joanne Shaw Taylor’s latest album, but both tap into that deep vein of soulful, heart-felt blues rock.  Only this month Trower has become a fully certified elder statesman of rock, celebrating … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 3)

Posted on March 29, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 3)

Day 3 Despite two hard days of partying the wasted souls came out to play early today and made it for the first band on the Stoner stage.  At every festival you can usually find a new band that really … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 2)

Posted on March 28, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Kamelot, HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 2)

Day 2 Friday starts with a much drier morning with a bit of sun to burn those retinas open, also no doubt some massive hangovers as the over-indulgent among us get over their first night adrenaline/drinking sessions.  Theycan be no … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HAMMERFEST VII – Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2015 (Day 1)

Posted on March 28, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
HAMMERFEST - Pwllheli, Wales, 12 March 2015 (Day 1)

So once again it’s time for the Pirate hordes to invade and take over the Hafan-Y-Mor site and by the amount of water falling out of the sky arriving on the Black Pearl wouldn’t have been out of place. This … Continue reading →

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Gig review: WILKO JOHNSON – Ritz, Manchester, 18 March 2015

Posted on March 28, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Wilko Johnson, Giants Of Rock - 9 February 2014

For the second time in as many years I have the pleasure of watching a show by Wilko Johnson, by now I’m sure everyone knows of his incredible journey in the past two years which has taken him from being … Continue reading →

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News: ANTHONY PHILLIPS, ANNIE HASLAM and STEVE HACKETT interviews, Sunday 29 March 2015

Posted on March 27, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Renaissance in concert

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio has a “prog” theme on Sunday 29 March, with three special features including interviews with some of the genre’s significant movers and shakers. Original Genesis guitarist and founder member Anthony Phillips chats about his career … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 2)

Posted on March 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Nightranger - HRH AOR - Pwllheli, Wales, 14 March 2015 (Day 2)

Day 2 After a paltry 5 hours sleep and searching the little town of Criccieth for match sticks to keep my eyes open, and copious amounts of Pro Plus, I made my way back to the arenas where I like … Continue reading →

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Gig review: HRH AOR – Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015 (Day 1)

Posted on March 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Dare - HRH AOR - Pwllheli, Wales, 13 March 2015

After an early start and a four and a half hour drive, I arrived at Hard Rock Hell  and was immediately struck by how well organised the event was.  The site was immaculate and the staff were friendly and helpful. … Continue reading →

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News: Prog Rockers Renaissance return with UK tour in April

Posted on March 21, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Renaissance in concert

Annie Haslam chats to David Randall about Renaissance and the forthcoming tour.  This is an un-broadcast extract from a longer interview that will form the basis of an hour special on Sunday 29 March at 22:00 on Get Ready to … Continue reading →

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Album review: GILLAN – The Albums Collection

Posted on March 16, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
GILLAN - The Albums Collection

Edsel [Release date 16.03.15] Boxed set, limited edition, 6-disc It is evident from these albums that singer Ian Gillan had an amazing band that, for whatever reasons, worked incredibly well.  Several top 10 albums and singles for a start.  As … Continue reading →

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Gig review: SICK OF IT ALL – Sound Control, Manchester, 5 February 2015

Posted on March 15, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SICK OF IT ALL - Sound Control, Manchester, 5 February 2015

Headliners Sick Of It All are Lou, Pete Koller (guitar), Craig Setari (bass) and Armand Majidi (drums) and have been around the scene since 1986.  While having plenty of success they may not be known to many outside of the … Continue reading →

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Album review: IAN DURY/& THE BLOCKHEADS – Reissues

Posted on March 14, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Ian Dury - New Boots And Panties!!

Edsel [Release date 02.03.15] To most, Ian Dury will always be remembered as the cheeky chappy who – in 1978 – had a massive hit with ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’. Dury’s Blockhead-related albums are now collected and re-formatted … Continue reading →

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Gig review: EUROPE, BLACK STAR RIDERS – Manchester Academy, 13 March 2015

Posted on March 14, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
EUROPE - Manchester Academy, 13 March 2015

I am still not convinced that two- or three-way bills are the best way forward for some of our premier bands.  The last time I saw Europe was a three-way with FM and Foreigner and notwithstanding poor sound (for the … Continue reading →

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Gig review: KING KING – The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
King King - The Globe, Cardiff, 8 March 2015

A Sunday night can be a tricky one for any gig but thankfully  the fans came out in their droves for an almost full house at The Globe in what I can only describe as a masterclass in musicianship.  This … Continue reading →

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Gig review: LEVELLERS – Opera House, Buxton, 5 March 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Levellers - Buxton Opera House, 5 March 2015

Walking up to the majestic Buxton Opera House it was noticeable that the crusty old tour vans of years gone by have been replaced by posh tour coaches but were Levellers still true to their roots?  Well tonight we were … Continue reading →

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Gig review: ELEANOR McEVOY – Alexanders, Chester, 12 March 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
Eleanor McEvoy - Alexanders, Chester, 12 March 2015

Ten years ago we asked Eleanor McEvoy if she would continue in “acoustic” mode for the foreseeable future and whether she would ever consider going back to the more ‘electric’ format that she followed in the mid to late 1990s.  … Continue reading →

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Album review: SIMPLE MINDS – Sparkle In The Rain (box set)

Posted on March 10, 2015 by GRTR! HQ
SIMPLE MINDS - Sparkle In The Rain (box set)

Universal [Release date 16.03.15] 5-disc box set If New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) marked the beginning of Simple Minds departure from their new waves roots, Sparkle In The Rain – their 6th album, released in 1984 and produced by Steve Lillywhite … Continue reading →

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