Author Archives: andynathan

Album review: TWISTER- Cursed and Corrected

Posted on September 5, 2020 by andynathan

Off Yer Rocka Recordings: Release Date 13.11.20 Young North-Easterners Twister looked to have been building a name for themselves prior to lockdown with some high profile support slots and winning a Hard Rock Hell Battle of the Bands competition, so … Continue reading →

Album review: FORTUNE- The Gun’s Still Smoking Live (CD/DVD)

Posted on August 24, 2020 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 07.08.20) One of the most heart-warming and unexpected comebacks of the last few years has been that of cult eighties AOR sters Fortune. It’s fair to say their comeback in 2016 at Rockingham Festival stole the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, AOR, Fortune. live album, Larry Greene, Mark Nilan, melodic rock, Richard Fortune, Ricky Rat | Leave a comment

Feature: Gigs of the Millennium – ROCK FEST 2003, Wisconsin, USA

Posted on July 30, 2020 by andynathan

Andy Nathan has caused much teeth-gnashing and fist-clenching amongst the GRTR! team with his enviable sorties to the States sometimes taking in a couple of festivals in one visit. These include Summerfest and Moondance Jam. Here he recounts a particularly … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, Gigs of the Millennium | Tagged .38 Special, 2003, Alice Cooper, Boston, Def Leppard, Dokken, Eddie Money, festival, Firehouse, gig, gig of the millennium, Grand Funk Railroad, Heart, Jackyl, Loverboy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, melodic rock, Night Ranger, Rick Springfield, Rock Fest, Sammy Hagar, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake, Wisconsin | Leave a comment

Album review: TOKYO MOTOR FIST – Lions

Posted on July 22, 2020 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 10.07.20) Tokyo Motor Fist’s second album is one of the most hotly anticipated melodic rock releases of the year. The 2017 debut of this East Coast supergroup was among the best of the year, while the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Danger Danger, Lions, melodic rock, review, Steve Brown, Ted Poley, Tokyo Motor Fist, Trixter | Leave a comment

Album review: MARK SPIRO- 2+2=5: Best of + Rarities

Posted on July 21, 2020 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 10.07.20) Mark Spiro is probably best known as one of those outside collaborators who in the late eighties and early nineties sprinkled their songwriting gold dust to give the added touches that turned potential singles into … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 2+2=5: Best of + Rarities, album, anthology, AOR, collection, Dann Huff, Julian Lennon, Mark Spiro, melodic rock, Michael Thompson | Leave a comment

Album review: KANSAS – The Absence of Presence

Posted on June 30, 2020 by andynathan

Inside Out Records [Release Date 17.07.20] Kansas are an object lesson in regeneration and renewal for veteran bands. Having been around since 1974, many feared for their future when lead singer Steve Walsh retired in 2014, but continuing with a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Kansas, Phil Ehart, Progressive Rock, Richard Williams, Ronnie Platt, Tom Brislin, Zak Rizvi | Leave a comment

Feature: Albums that time forgot – RANSOM – Trouble In Paradise

Posted on June 12, 2020 by andynathan

MTM (1997) As alternative sounds ruled the roost in the nineties, musical styles that had ruled the previous decade were out of fashion and none more so than the melodic rock/AOR scene which was driven completely underground. In pre-Facebook, YouTube … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums that time forgot, ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged AOR, Don Cromwell, Eddie Money, melodic rock, Ransom, Tommy Girvin, Trouble In Paradise | Leave a comment

Album review: BAD TOUCH – Kiss The Sky

Posted on May 29, 2020 by andynathan

Marshall Records [Release Date 19.06.20] For Norfolk classic rockers Bad Touch, a fourth album in five years, not to mention incessant touring, is testament to their hard work. It deserves to pay off, being their most accomplished to date. They … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bad Touch, blues rock, review, Rob Glendinning, Stevie Westwood | Leave a comment

Album review: VANDENBERG – 2020

Posted on May 25, 2020 by andynathan

Mascot Records [Release Date 29.05.20] Best known for a long if chequered stint in Whitesnake, before that guitarist Adrian Vandenberg led his own band through three albums in the eighties. Now he has revived the name and iconic logo, though … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adrian Vandenberg, album, melodic rock, review, Ronnie Romero, Vandenberg, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: ONE DESIRE – Midnight Empire

Posted on May 20, 2020 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 22.05.20) Three years ago young Finns One Desire suddenly emerged with a very impressive first album which made many people’s end of year melodic rock lists. It has taken a long time but they hope to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andre Linman, AOR, Jimmy Westerlund, melodic rock, One Desire | Leave a comment

Album review: DENNIS DE YOUNG – 26 East, Volume 1

Posted on May 19, 2020 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 22.05.20) This album marks a welcome rock comeback for former Styx singer Dennis De Young. For much of the time either side of his departure from the band he seemed more interested in Broadway inspired or … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Dennis De Young, Jim Peterik, Julian Lennon, melodic rock, Styx | Leave a comment

Album review: FM – Synchronized

Posted on May 18, 2020 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 22.05.20] It’s now a whole decade since FM returned to stay with their comeback album ‘Metropolis’. Though from time to time they look back, rerecording ‘Indiscreet’ and most recently celebrating ‘Tough It Out’s anniversary on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, FM, Jem Davis, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: VEGA – Grit Your Teeth

Posted on May 11, 2020 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release date 12.06.20] Vega have made a series of quality albums in the 2010’s, deserving full credit for perseverance as, despite dynamic live shows, they have yet to break into the big time for reasons unknown. Their sixth album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Grit Your Teeth, James Martin, Marcus Thurston, melodic rock, Nick Workman, Tom Martin, Vega | Leave a comment

Album review: CHAMPLIN WILLIAMS FRIESTEDT – 2

Posted on May 5, 2020 by andynathan

Black Lodge [Release Date 15.05.20] In that genre of the softest and smoothest AOR given the shorthand ‘West coast’, CWF are something of a superstar collaboration. Former Chicago singer and keyboard player Bill Champlin and Joseph Williams, singer with Toto … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Champlin Williams Friestedt, Chicago, CWF, Michael McDonald, soft rock, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBERT JON & THE WRECK – Last Light On The Highway

Posted on March 29, 2020 by andynathan

Release Date 08.05.20 Robert Jon and the Wreck were an entirely unknown name to me until last year’s Ramblin’ Man Fair. I didn’t actually see their performance but a pair of writing Daves, Classic Rock’s Ling and my GRTR! reviewing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, country rock, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Robert Jon Burrison, southern rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA – Aeromantic

Posted on March 26, 2020 by andynathan

Nuclear Blast [Release Date 28.02.20] One of the unlikeliest phenomena in the rock world in recent times have been the Night Flight Orchestra, their reputation and exposure growing over what is now a five album career. Many artists have drawn … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aeromantic, album, AOR, Arch Enemy, Bjorn Strid, Night Flight Orchestra, soft rock, Soilwork | Leave a comment

Gig review: PAUL CARRACK – London Palladium, 14 March 2020

Posted on March 17, 2020 by andynathan

He may not be the household name his talent deserves, but after being a founder member of Ace, singing on some of Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics best loved hits, and a respected session musician with a long list … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Amy Meehan, Andy Staves, blue-eyed soul, gig, Mike And The Mechanics, Paul Carrack, Steve Beighton | 1 Comment

Gig review: ROMEO’S DAUGHTER – Nells Jazz and Blues, West Kensington, London, 29 February 2020

Posted on March 5, 2020 by andynathan

February 29th in a leap year is, by tradition, the one day where a woman can propose to a man. So there was a neat symmetry that a rare gigging opportunity on this day was for a band both named … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Andy Wells, AOR, Craig Joiner, gig, Leigh Matty, melodic rock, Romeo's Daughter, Steve Drennan | Leave a comment

Gig review: MYKE GRAY featuring Kim Jennett – Camden Underworld, London, 23 February 2020

Posted on February 29, 2020 by andynathan

I’ve been an admirer over the years of Myke Gray’s very fluent, technically accomplished guitar playing style, particularly so as he has always been complemented by powerful, bluesy vocalists, be it in Jagged Edge, Skin or Red White and Blues. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Colin Parkinson, gig, Glenn Quinn, Kim Jennett, Myke Gray, Neil Ogden, Skin | Leave a comment

Gig review: JARED JAMES NICHOLS/COLLATERAL – Gibson Brands Studio, London, 24 February 2020

Posted on February 25, 2020 by andynathan

One of the most common gripes on social media when bands announce tours is ‘why aren’t they playing anywhere near me?’. With Jared James Nichols and Collateral going on a nine date nationwide spring tour excuses will be thinner than … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24 February 2020, Angelo Tristan, blues rock, Collateral, Gibson Brands Studio, Gibson Guitars, gig, Jared James Nichols, London, melodic rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: OUTLAWS – Dixie Highway

Posted on February 12, 2020 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 26.02.20] The Outlaws are a too easily neglected part of southern rock history, enjoying success with a unique style that combined melodic, almost country-ish songwriting with the sonic attack of what became known as the ‘triple guitar … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, country rock, Dave Robbins, Dixie Highway, Henry Paul, Monte Yoho, Outlaws, southern rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: BETH HART – Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, 8 February 2020

Posted on February 10, 2020 by andynathan

Beth Hart has certainly established a large and loyal following in the UK, reward for the magnetic Californian’s intensive touring over here. Way back in 2008, on an early assignment for GRTR!, I saw her at a tiny club, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged beth Hart, blues, blues rock, gig, John Nichols, Kris Barras, soul, Tom Lilly | Leave a comment

Gig review: BERNIE MARSDEN/Deborah Bonham – Under the Bridge, London, 24 January 2020

Posted on January 27, 2020 by andynathan

You might say it was a case of ‘Blues is the colour’ as Under the Bridge, located beneath the East Stand at Chelsea FC, played host to one of London Blues Month’s highest-profile gigs. It lies squarely within the wealthiest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24 January 2020, Bernie Marsden, blues, blues rock, Bob Fridzema, Deborah Bonham, gig, Joe Bonamassa, London, London Blues Month, Peter Bullick, Under the Bridge, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Gig review: SAVOY BROWN – 100 Club, London, 18 January 2020

Posted on January 21, 2020 by andynathan

The marketing for the now traditional January London Blues Month is a mocked up, retro-style handbill. Someone who can remember those days is Kim Simmonds. He may not have the high profile of other guitar contemporaries of the British blues … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 100 Club, 18 January 2020, blues rock, Garnet Grimm, gig, Keith Boyce, Kim Simmonds, London, London Blues Month, Pat DeSalvo, Savoy Brown | Leave a comment

Gig review: COLLATERAL – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 10 January 2020

Posted on January 12, 2020 by andynathan

2020 promises to be a big year for Collateral, with their debut full-length album out in February to capitalise on the growing buzz around them. Indeed GRTR!’s writers voted the Kentish rockers the breakthrough act for 2020 in our end … Continue reading →