Author Archives: GRTR! HQ

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, country, Hannah Aldridge, Nashville, Razor Edge, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – The Complete Albums 1979-1988

Posted on April 24, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Parlophone/Warner Music [Release date 17.03.14] Saxon get the “complete albums” treatment with a 10-disc set, essentially the 2009/2010 remasters in facsimilie sleeves. All of Saxon’s albums have appeared on CD before, some on different labels, including the strange 2-on-1 packages … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Biff Byford, bonus tracks, box set, Crusader, Denim And Leather, Destiny, Innocence Is No Excuse, Paul Quinn, Power & The Glory, reissue, review, Rock The Nations, Saxon, Strong Arm Of The Law, The Complete Albums 1979-1988, The Eagle Has Landed, Wheels Of Steel | Leave a comment

Album review: UFO – The Complete Studio Albums 1974-1986

Posted on April 23, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Chrysalis/Warner Music [Release date 17.03.14] A growing trend in recent times is for labels to re-package a band’s albums in facsimilie sleeves. Invariably these are fairly basic, with no bonus tracks, credits, or enlightening essay. As a quick fix, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, box set, Force It, heavy rock, Lights Out, Making Contact, Mechanix, Michael Schenker, Misdemeanour, No Heavy Petting, No Place To Run, Obsession, Paul Raymond, Pete Way, Phenomenon, Phil Mogg, review, The Complete Studio Albums 1974-1986, The Wild The Willing And The Innocent, UFO | Leave a comment

Gig review: MAGNUM – The Tivoli, Buckley, 20 April 2014

Posted on April 21, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

With an unexplained delayed start it was a little like being back in the seventies. A crowd that snaked around the block and a cool nip that knived them. The support – or perhaps more accurately on this occasion “warm … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20 April 2014, Al Barrow, Bob Catley, Buckley, gig, Harry James, Magnum, Mark Stanway, melodic, Neonfly, North Wales, review, rock, The Tivoli, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

Gig review: HAMMERFEST – Pwllheli, Wales, 13-15 March 2014

Posted on April 20, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

It’s been a long cold wet winter but now is the time for the Hammer Horde to rise up and make their way to the first of the HRH festivals of the year, Hammerfest VI Book Of The Dead. Now … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 13-15 March 2014, Book Of The Dead, COC, Death, Enthroned, Extreme, Grand Magus, Hafan Y Mor, Hammerfest VI, Kreator, metal, Monster Truck, Overkill, Pwllheli, Thrash, Unleashed, Vintage Caravan, Wales | Leave a comment

Gig review: WITHIN TEMPTATION/Delain – Manchester Apollo, 11 April 2014

Posted on April 17, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Within Temptation - Manchester Apollo, 11 April 2014

As I arrive at the venue tonight a full hour before it opens the draw of the bands is evident as the queues are already stretching up the road for this rearranged show. The tour originally due to be in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews | Tagged 11 April 2014, Delain, gig, Manchester Apollo, review, symphinic metal, Within Temptation | Leave a comment

Gig review: HALESTORM, HMV Forum, London, 9 April 2014

Posted on April 13, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

The popularity of Halestorm in the UK is on a rapidly rising curve. Each headline show seems to be at a larger venue, and in 18 months they have progressed from the Islington Academy to the 2400 capacity Forum where … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9 April 2014, gig, Halestorm, HMV Forum, London, metal, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT – The Complete Albums Collection

Posted on April 9, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

The Alan Parsons Live Project, news, interview, radio feature (February 2015) Sony Legacy [Release date 31.03.14] Alan Parsons almost redefined the idea of the concept album in 1976. Parsons was famously the assistant engineer at Abbey Road and got his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Alan Parsons, Ammonia Avenue, box, boxed set, Chris Rainbow, Colin Blunstone, Eric Woolfson, Eve, Eye In The Sky, Gaudi, I Robot, Pyramid, Stereotomy, Tales Of Mystery And Imagination, The Alan Parsons Project, The Complete Albums Collection, The Sicilian Defence, The Turn Of A Friendly Card, Vulture Culture | Leave a comment

Gig review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, Manchester Academy, 1 April 2014

Posted on April 9, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Manchester Academy 1 is about to get its roof well and truly ripped off tonight as Five Finger Death Punch hit town, these American heavy groove metallers are eager to entertain the legendary Manchester crowd but before they get their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 1 April 2014, Five Finger Death Punch, gig, Manchester Academy, metal, nu-metal, Pop Evil, review, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TOM FULLER BAND, BRIGITTE DEMEYER, P.J.PACIFICO, MARY SARAH

Posted on April 9, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

TOM FULLER BAND Freedom The last, and third, album from the Chicago based Tom Fuller Band – Ask (2011) was a mixed affair. Radio friendly American rock packed with echoes of many of the greats – an unlikely combination The … Continue reading →

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

Gig review: FOREIGNER, Europe, FM – Manchester Apollo, 3 April 2014

Posted on April 4, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Foreigner - Manchester Apollo, 3 April 2014

Spoiler alert. Mick Jones doesn’t appear on stage until four songs in. Whether this is to allow for preparation of his Horlicks, who knows, but for a moment it was a little disconcerting. An evening of melodic rock/AOR without one … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Leave a comment

News: CHERRY RED label showcase in April – win featured albums!

Posted on April 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

The latest showcase for the Cherry Red group of record labels offers listeners a chance to win six of the featured albums! Listen in and then follow the link (below) to our competition page. Competition closes 23:59 BST (GMT+1) 19 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, NEWS | Tagged albums, April 2014, Barclay James Harvest, Cherry Red Records, collectible, competition, Curved Air, Hawklords, Jack Bruce, Record Store Day, Vinyl, win | Leave a comment

Gig review: DAUGHTRY – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 26 March 2014

Posted on April 2, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Huge in the States, Chris Daughtry and his eponymous band finally seem to be on the verge of a big UK breakthrough. This Shepherds Bush Empire show was apparently his biggest UK solo show to date, but sold out within … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 26 March 2014, American Idol, Charming Liars, Chris Daughtry, DAUGHTRY, gig, London, review, rock, Shepherd's Bush Empire | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! Radio – April 2014 Highlights

Posted on April 1, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

April 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 Ann Wilson, April 2014, blues, features, Fish, Focus, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, highlights, interviews, prog, progressive, rock, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE STRANGLERS – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 8 March 2014

Posted on March 31, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Something very strange must have happened. Having managed to sadly miss most of Nine Below Zero’s set for reasons best undisclosed, I’m secreted daahn the front at good old ‘Ammasmiff, waiting for the Stranglers to celebrate their 40th anniversary, and … Continue reading →