Danny Vaughn and Dan Reed share a lot in common. Leaders of critically acclaimed bands at the turn of the decade (Tyketto and Dan Reed Network) who never quite had the mainstream success they deserved. People who quit the music … Continue reading
It takes a brave man to promote live gigs in the current climate with so many other demands on people’s time, and particularly so within commuting distance of the bright lights of London and its established scene. So hats off … Continue reading
The Who may have at least half failed in their mission statement to die before they got old, but a 50th anniversary is an extraordinary achievement. So it is a good moment to reflect on what a seminal band they … Continue reading
A co-headlining double bill of two of classic rock’s most currently prolific touring bands, both with new albums to promote, sounds like a value package made in heaven. However there were grumbles earlier on the Black Star Riders and Europe … Continue reading
Despite being chart regulars for most of the nineties, Gun are one of those bands time seems to have forgotten. However since reforming in 2008, albeit with a much changed line up, they not only continue to tour but record … Continue reading
To slightly misquote one of their own songs, Thunder are proof that you can’t keep a good band down. Their split in 1999 after a decade of success only lasted three years before they reformed to make another four albums, … Continue reading
For the second time in three days the Camden Underworld played host to a value triple bill of three up and coming melodic rock bands, on this occasion with home grown meat in a Swedish sandwich (or smorgasbord perhaps?) However, the … Continue reading
March is now an even busier month in the gig calendar with bands fitting mini tours around the Hard Rock Hell United extravaganza in North Wales, and this was a welcome London showcase for three of the current generation of … Continue reading
Bob Seger arguably ranks alongside Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty in the pantheon of all-American rock legends. He shares with them the craft of forging a melting pot of influences from the last 60 years of popular music and combining … Continue reading
Frontiers Records [Release Date 20.02.15] In the crowded field of Scandinavian melodic rock hopefuls, Eclipse took a massive step forward with their fourth album in 2012, ‘Bleed And Scream’ which topped many end year best ofs. It was another triumph … Continue reading
earMUSIC [Release Date 20.2.15] 2014 saw young Swedish melodic rockers H.E.A.T. gain significant traction with their fourth album ‘Tearing Down The Walls’ (GRTR! critics’ best of 2014). They really seem to have a special relationship with the UK audiences, so it … Continue reading
Frontiers Records [Release date 20.02.15] Uriah Heep’s long career has been punctuated by regular live albums – 1973’s ‘Live’ with original singer David Byron, the Live In Moscow opus which opened up what was to become their longest-running line up … Continue reading
Frontiers Records [Release Date 23.01.15] Sweet and Lynch may sound like a firm of corporate lawyers, an image accentuated by the album cover of the pair suited and booted in front of a cityscape of skyscrapers, but it is the … Continue reading
The benchmark for live rock performance was surely set by Queen in their heyday, the way they stole the show at Live Aid perhaps being conclusive proof. While there were many aspects to Queen’s success, the larger than life routine … Continue reading
‘Dry January’ is a fashionable concept beloved of health professionals and those who may have overindulged over the festive season, but it might equally apply to the gig calendar. Sandwiched between the Christmas rush and spring tours, there are noticeably … Continue reading
This gallery contains 25 photos.
For Status Quo’s Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, 2014 has been one of the busiest of their 65 years. The ‘Frantic Four’ reassembled for a second round of well received tour dates, the band returned to a Donington stage after … Continue reading
Colourful Finnish glam metal revivalists Reckless Love have built quite a following in England despite a paucity of mainstream rock media coverage, and indeed the house full signs were up as I arrived at the Garage for the last stop of … Continue reading
Photo: Jim Templeton-Cross 2014 will go down for H.E.A.T. as the year when the young Swedes made their most significant breakthrough yet since exploding onto the scene with their debut album in 2008. For proof, look no further than GRTR! … Continue reading
Frontiers Records [Release Date 05.12.14] While never quite crossing over into mainstream success, few bands are talked of in such hushed tones in melodic rock circles as Harem Scarem. Having split in 2008 but reformed last year and included three … Continue reading
Fan worship is the bedrock of music industry economics, but it is rare to see it coming from the other side of the monitors. However Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott has for many years openly sung the praises of the … Continue reading
For someone whose live appearances have been sporadic in his home country over the years, it was a surprise to see Graham Bonnet doing a second tour of 2014. Unfortunately allied to timing it in the busiest period of the … Continue reading
Big Country’s sophomore album Steeltown has had the full treatment to mark its 30th anniversary, first a deluxe reissue and then a tour in which the album is played in its entirety. The band did a similar thing with their … Continue reading
A recent discussion thread on social media was to list 15 albums that in some way had changed your musical life over the years. Bryan Adams’ Reckless would have been one such for me. I well remember as a headbanging … Continue reading
Can it really be 30 years since the Overland brothers from Wildlife and former members of Samson and Diamond Head formed a new band, inspired by the then fashionable radio-friendly AOR sounds of the likes of Journey, Foreigner and Survivor, … Continue reading
A whole generation after grunge was supposed to have killed it, the sleaze and glam scene continues to thrive with younger Scandinavian bands leading a revival. The likes of Hardcore Superstar and Crash Diet have already made a mark and … Continue reading
GRTR! Facebook
GRTR! Radio – X
Radio Facebook
The Podcast Page
GRTR! Threads
YouTube channel
