Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: PROG COLLECTIVE – Dark Encounters

Posted on March 11, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra Records [Release date 29.03.24] If this is “dark prog” then dark prog sounds to me like jazz/rock fusion. Once you are past the descriptors, a look at the cast list suggests this might be a rather tasty fusion … Continue reading →

Gig review: 10cc – Bristol Beacon, 7 March 2024

Posted on March 8, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Graham Gouldman about his career. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 12 August 2018. I worked out it’s nearly fifty years since I last saw 10cc live, and this was at the height of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 10CC, 7 March 2024, Bristol Beacon, gig, Graham Gouldman, pop, pop rock, review | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, Hanoi Rocks, hard rock, review, Sami Yaffa, Satan’s Helpers War Lazer Eyes And The Money Pig Circus | Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 29, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24 February 2024, acoustic, Cambridge, Emily Fraser, Fraser Anderson, gig, Junction 3, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 29, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Leave a comment

Album review: RAFAEL RIQUENI – Versatae

Posted on February 22, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, flamenco, guitar, Rafael Riqueni, review, Versatae | Leave a comment

Album review: BENJAMIN CROFT – We Are Here To Help

Posted on February 15, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Benjamin Croft, Frank Gambale, fusion, Greg Howe, jazz fusion, Jeff Scott Soto, Lynsey Ward, Marco Minnemann, review, Simon Phillips, Stuart Hamm, We Are Here To Help | Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 10, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9 February 2024, Buckley, gig, goth, horror, metal, North Wales, review, South Of Salem, The Tivoli | Leave a comment

Album review: SOUTH OF SALEM – Death Of The Party

Posted on January 28, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Death Of The Party, heavy rock, review, South Of Salem | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 8, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS | Tagged 2023, albums of the month, Ann Wilson, blues rock, Care of Night, December, Hanford Flyover, instrumental, melodic rock, November, October, prog, progressive, Robin Trower, rock, Sari Schorr, Trevor Rabin, Tripsitter, Will Pike | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 3, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Alan Holdsworth, album, classic rock, Colosseum, Jazz rock, Jon Hiseman, Living In Fear, Mark Clarke, Paul Williams, review, Tempest | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 2, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Atomic Rooster, classic rock, funk, Made In England, Nice 'N' Greasy, prog, progressive, reissue, review, Vincent Crane | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 1, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Charge!, classic rock, Paladin, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: JEFF AUG – Kiss Of The Liquid Moon

Posted on December 30, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, guitar, intsrumental, Jeff Aug, Kiss Of The Liquid Moon | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 29, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged 2024, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, Tour, USA | Leave a comment

Album review: MAE McKENNA – Reissues

Posted on December 14, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, country pop, Elliot Randall, Everything That Touches Me, Mae McKenna, MOR, pop, reissue, review, Walk On Water | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 11, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, NEWS, The Best of 2023 | Tagged albums, Best of 2023, blues rock, breakthrough, classic rock, live acts, metal, progressive, reissues, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 9, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

“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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, Bob Dylan, book, folk, Hawkwind, Humble Pie, Linda Ronstadt, Lou Reed, Progressive Rock, Ralph McTell, review, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, singer songwriter, Sonicbond, Suzanne Vega, The Byrds, The Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGNUM – Here Comes The Rain

Posted on December 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Bob Catley, Here Comes The Rain, interview, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp, radio, review, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged albums, band, Bob Catley, classic rock, gigs, interview, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp rock, radio, retrospective, review, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 27, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged Bob Catley, history, Magnum, melodic rock, news, pomp, radio, retrospective, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 23, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged Biff Byford, feature, Get Ready to ROCK!, heavy metal, heavy rock, news, November 2023, Saxon | Leave a comment

Album review: DISTRICT 97 – Stay For The Ending

Posted on October 20, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, DISTRICT 97, fusion, Jazz rock, prog, progressive metal, review, Stay For The Ending | Leave a comment

Album review: UNIFONY – Unifony III

Posted on October 20, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 →