Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

Album review: MOTT THE HOOPLE – Live 2013

Posted on June 4, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Concert Live 2-CD/DVD [Release date: 20.05.14] www.concertlive.co.uk Back in 2009 Mott The Hoople got back together for five dates at the Hammersmith Apollo. It was a resounding success but when I chatted to founder member Verden Allen in early 2013 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 17 November 2013, album, concert, Ian Hunter, Live 2013, Manchester Apollo, Martin Chambers, Mick Ralphs, Mott the Hoople, Overend Watts, reunion, review, rock, Verden Allen | Leave a comment

Album review: BILLY JOEL – A Matter of Trust: The Bridge To Russia

Posted on June 1, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Sony Music [Release date 19.05.14] As I was passing through HMV this week – in awe of the growing racks of 180 gram vinyl (you’d need a course of body building supplements to walk out with Purple’s 9 LP Made … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged A Matter Of Trust - The Bridge To Russia, album, Billy Joel, CD.DVD, concert, documentary, live, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

News: Chicago troubadour TOM FULLER plays exclusive GRTR! session

Posted on May 30, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Sunday, 1 June 2014, 21:00 (repeated Tuesday 16:00, Thursday 21:00 GMT) Listen in using the icons at the top of this page or via the dedicated website As part of our ongoing ‘In Session for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged 1 June 2014, acoustic, Freedom, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, live, radio, rock, session, singer songwriter, Tom Fuller | 1 Comment

Album review: TODD RUNDGREN – Reissues

Posted on May 29, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Edsel Records [Release date 19.05.14] Just when you thought it was safe to avoid further Todd Rundgren re-issues, along come another three. The first thing to say is that Edsel always do a marvellous job with their packaging. Yes these … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged A True Star, A Wizard, album, pop, reissue, review, rock, Something Anything, Todd, Todd Rundgren | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – June 2014 highlights

Posted on May 27, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

June 2014 Highlights More information at the dedicated website Check back here as we add new features throughout the month. All times, BST (GMT+1) Sunday 22 June 2014, 13:00 Dan McCafferty of Nazareth Dan chats about his career and the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged Asia, Europe, feature, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, highlights, interview, Jethro Tull, Joe Satriani, John Wetton, June 2014, Martin Barre, programmes, radio, Winger | Leave a comment

Gig review: ARTHUR BROWN – Robin 2, Bilston, 17 April 2014

Posted on May 27, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

‘I Am The God of Hellfire and I Bring You Fire’, the unmistakable line that has beguiled listeners since it first appeared on the album ‘The Crazy World of Arthur Brown’ back at the height of the psychedelic era and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Arthur Brown, Bilston, gig, Lifecycle, psychedelic, review, Robin 2, rock, Roz Bruce Infusion | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT – Manchester Academy, 23 April 2014

Posted on May 27, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

What? You haven’t heard of the The Temperance Movement? Have you had your head under a stone for the past few years? TTM have been taking the music scene by storm and selling out pretty much every venue they play. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 23 April 2014, Brothers And Bones, gig, Manchester Academy, review, rock, The Temperance Movement | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS BRAIDE – Fifty Dollar Planets And Twenty Cent Stars

Posted on May 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Cherry Red Records [Release date 05.05.14] Towards the end of 2012 Chris Braide and Geoff Downes released an album that may forever be termed “one that got away”. DBA’s ‘Pictures Of You’ was arguably one of the best albums of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Braide, DBA, Fifty Dollar Planets And Twenty Cent Stars, Geoff Downes, pop, review, rock, songwriter, The Producers | Leave a comment

Album review: CURVED AIR – North Star

Posted on May 24, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Curved Air Records [Release date 17.03.14] Another heritage band who for the past years have been re-acquainting audiences with their brand of quirky progressive art-rock. Sonja Kristina still retains her intriguing allure and the band is now bolstered by one-time … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Curved Air, Kirby, North Star, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Sonja Kristina | Leave a comment

Album review: FOCUS – Golden Oldies

Posted on May 24, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

In And Out Of Focus Records [Release date 14.04.14] They say rock is dead, the endless process of reinvention now limited, and the pioneers now ageing. There is no doubt that a great chasm will open within the next 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, compilation, Focus, Golden Oldies, Pierre van der Linden, prog, progressive, re-recording, review, rock, Thijs van Leer | Leave a comment

Gig review: JEFF BECK – Birmingham Symphony Hall, 20 May 2014

Posted on May 22, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

In my research recently for an interview with Steve Lukather I came across a 1986 video of him performing at a Japanese festival with Carlos Santana and Jeff Beck. Luke is arguably the least recognisable now, the poodle perm long … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 May 2014, Birmingham, fusion, gig, guitar, guitarist, Jeff Beck, Nicolas Meier, review, Rhonda Smith, rock, Symphony Hall | Leave a comment

News: STEVE LUKATHER chats to GRTR!

Posted on May 15, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio: “The Guitarists” Sunday 18 May, 22:00 GMT (repeated Mon 19 and Fri 23, 22:00 GMT) Legendary guitarist Steve Lukather chats about his career, including sessions, solo and Toto. GRTR!’s David Randall caught up with him … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged All Starr Band, career, guitar, guitarist, interview, Live In Poland, May 2014, radio, Ringo Starr, session, Solo, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

DVD review: TOTO – 35th Anniversary Live In Poland

Posted on May 15, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Steve Lukather interview on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Sunday 18 May 2014, 22:00 See website for details Eagle Rock [Release date 28.04.14] Having sold over 35 million records across 17 studio albums, Toto toured last year to celebrate their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 35th Anniversary, AOR, Bluray, David Paich, DVD, Joseph Williams, Live In Poland, melodic rock, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Gig review: RICK WAKEMAN – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 9 May 2014

Posted on May 10, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Rick Wakeman is perhaps better known these days for being a “Grumpy Old Man” and a tetchy consumer champion via his appearances on BBC’s ‘Watchdog’. But back in the day, with his flowing cape and musical theatrics, he defined progressive … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9 May 2014, English Chamber Choir, gig, keyboards, Liverpool, New World Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Hall, prog, progressive, review, Rick Wakeman, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: IAN ANDERSON – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 2 May 2014

Posted on May 3, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

It amazes me how, generally, the reaction to Ian Anderson’s latest opus is warm, and welcoming. There seems to be a lack of critical faculty in some quarters. Perhaps, in my case, I’m just too old to rock ‘n’ roll. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 May 2014, gig, Homo Erraticus, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall, prog, progressive, review, rock, Thick As A Brick | 1 Comment

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL BLUES – Pwllheli, 21-22 March 2014

Posted on May 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Pontus Snibb - Hard Rock Hell Blues, Pwllheli, 21-22 March 2013

Friday 21 March Kicking off the blues stage properly for the festival was Crowsaw, a hard hitting 3 piece blues outfit from South Wales whose riff driven blues rock sparks a glimmer of life in the bleary eyed yet enthusiastic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Band Of Friends, blues, Graine Duffy, Hard Rock Hell Blues, March 2014, Pontus Snibb, Pwllheli, rock, Simon McBride, Vargas Blues Band | Leave a comment

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL PROG – Pwllheli, 21-22 March 2014

Posted on May 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

The Flower Kings - Hard Rock Hell Prog, Pwllheli, 21-22 March 2014

Thursday 20 March Amongst the highlights on the first night Synaesthesia only had a few gigs under their belts but gave us a great keyboard driven modern prog rock set. With most of their music being written by 20 year … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Fish, Flower Kings, Focus, gig, Hard Rock Hell Prog, Hawklords, March 2014, progressive, review, rock, The Enid | Leave a comment

Gig review: HARD ROCK HELL AOR – Pwllheli, 21-22 March 2014

Posted on May 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Bonafide - Hard Rock Hell AOR, 21 March 2014

Friday 21 March Hailing from Stoke on Trent, I was eager to see how Lawless were to be received by the HRH family, playing live on the Friday as part of their Mad March Tour, which already had seen a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Leave a comment

Gig review: CARAVAN – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 13 April 2014

Posted on May 1, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Tonight the Rescue Rooms are playing host to Caravan, a name synonymous with the early British Prog/Canterbury music scene, I’m sure one of the founding members Pye Hastings won’t mind me reminding him that this is their 46th year and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 13 April 2014, Caravan, Geoffrey Richardson, gig, Nottingham, progressive, Pye Hastings, Rescue Rooms, review, rock, Tristan Mackay | Leave a comment

Album review: NAZARETH – Rock ‘N’ Roll Telephone

Posted on April 29, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

In this interview extract, Dan McCafferty talks about stopping touring and the new album (3:21) The feature version of the interview will be broadcast on Sunday 22 June at 13:00 GMT on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio Union Square Music … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, bonus, Dan McCafferty, hard rock, live tracks, Nazareth, Pete Agnew, review, Rock 'N' Roll Telephone | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN ANDERSON – Homo Erraticus

Posted on April 29, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Calliandra/KScope [Release date: 18.04.14] Ian Anderson has certainly been getting around in recent times. A Prog God in award ceremonies and of course we now know why he reserves his firmest handshakes for trusted members. Of his inner circle that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, concept, Homo Erraticus, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – May 2014 highlights

Posted on April 29, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

May 2014 Highlights More information at the dedicated website All times, BST (GMT+1) Tuesdays 19:00 Pete Feenstra Rock & Blues In the first hour of our Tuesday blues rock marathon, Pete signposts upcoming and established artists who need your attention … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged Andy Fraser, archive, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, highlights, interviews, John Lawton, Judie Tzuke, Maggie Reilly, May 2014 | Leave a comment

Album review: LACUNA COIL – Broken Crown Halo

Posted on April 28, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Century Media [Release date 01.04.14] I’d like to say I liked this new album from Italian metallers Lacuna Coil. It’s got a huglly powerful sound, an exciting production, the songs are good and Cristina Scabbia’s vocals are pretty damn fine. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Broken Crown Halo, Lacuna Coil, metal, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BREW – Control

Posted on April 28, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Jazzhaus [Release date 24.02.14] It’s sort of ironic that The Brew’s latest album should be released within spitting distance of the re-release of the Zeppelin catalogue. The Brew – a blues/rock band from Grimsby, have been around since 2006 and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Control, review, rock, The Brew | Leave a comment

Album review: HANNAH ALDRIDGE – Razor Wire

Posted on April 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Trodden Black Ent. [Release date 13.05.14] ‘Dark Americana’ is how Hannah Aldridge – daughter of esteemed Muscle Shoals/ Nashville songwriter and producer Walt Aldridge – describes her gritty, uncompromising debut. Recorded in analogue (naturally) in Nashville (where else?) she’s backed … Continue reading →