Author Archives: andynathan

Gig review: MOONDANCE JAM – Walker,Minnesota,USA,18-20 July 2013

Moondance Jam, USA, July 2013

Few festival experiences can match the vibe of Moondance Jam. Set among the beautiful woods and lakes of Northern Minnesota, somehow the tiny town of Walker plays host to one of the Mid West’s premier rock festivals and draws crowds … Continue reading

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Album review: JAMES CHRISTIAN – Lay It All On Me

Frontiers Records [Release date 05.07.13] Having survived a brush with cancer, House of Lords singer James Christian is back with his first solo album in nearly a decade. Given that he is the only original member in the band these … Continue reading

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Gig Review: RAY DAVIES, ELVIS COSTELLO, JUSTIN CURRIE – Hyde Park,12 July 2013

Old hippies of a certain vintage reminisce fondly about the days of free festivals, which has been unthinkable to my generation,  once the corporate world cottoned on to the fact there was money to be made out of live rock … Continue reading

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Album review: MAGNUS KARLSSON’S FREE FALL

Frontiers Records [Release Date 14.6.13] He may not be a household name, but Magnus Karlsson has been one of European hard rock’s go-to people for some time, assembling critically acclaimed projects like Starbreaker and Allen-Lande, writing prolifically, and for the … Continue reading

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Gig review: HARD ROCK CALLING (Bruce Springsteen, Black Crowes et al) – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 30 June 2013

The international world saw two sides of British life last summer. On the good side, we made a stunning success of hosting the Olympics. But a few weeks before, across town at Hyde Park came the farcical jobsworthery of pulling … Continue reading

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Gig review: X-UFO – Merton Manor Club, 29 June 2013

When is a tribute band not a tribute band? Well, X-UFO make no pretence to be a rival to Phil Mogg’s evergreen UFO, but the collective pedigree of the members exceeds many bands who trade under a  name with only … Continue reading

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Gig review: RICK SPRINGFIELD – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 4 June 2013

Of all the acts big on American radio in the eighties who were no more than cult figures over here, Rick Springfield has been one of the most elusive. Despite the odd trip to Europe for the likes of Sweden … Continue reading

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Gig review: JOURNEY, WHITESNAKE, Wembley Arena, 28 May 2013

Thunder - Manchester MEN, 23 May 2013 - Photo by Steve Goudie

The package tours of two or three bands with similar appeal, popular in America for so many years, are now a regular feature in the UK.  Journey were last here on an AOR triple bill with Foreigner and Styx two … Continue reading

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Album review: BURNING RAIN – Epic Obsession

Frontiers Records [Release date 20.5.13] It may be his role as David Coverdale’s guitar slinger in Whitesnake that has brought him to wider attention, but Doug Aldrich has not forgotten his old band mates, as one of his former acts … Continue reading

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Gig review: MIKE TRAMP – The Star Of Kings, London, 22 May 2013

  Mike Tramp seems to be the embodiment of the old adage that you can’t buy happiness. He enjoyed two US top 10 hits and stadium tours as lead singer of White Lion, who I and many others thought were … Continue reading

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Album review: N.O.W. – Bohemian Kingdom

Frontiers Records (Release Date 03.13) In 2010, one of the year’s most pleasant surprises came from Brazil, hardly a rock n roll hotbed. The brainchild of bassist and songwriter Alec Mendocna, N.O.W. provided a thoughtful and at times original twist … Continue reading

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Album review: BURNING RAIN – Reissues

Burning Rain

Frontiers Records [Release date: 17.05.13] This is a real ‘before they were famous moment’. Burning Rain was the last in a series of bands (Lion, Bad Moon Rising) that brought guitarist Doug Aldrich critical acclaim if not commercial success, before … Continue reading

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Gig review: H.E.A.T. – The Borderline,London,11 April 2013

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H.E.A.T. - The Borderline, London, 11 April 2013

Belatedly, the word seems to be spreading in the UK about young Swedish melodic rock sensations H.E.A.T. Their reputation and talent was not matched by barely three figure turnouts at their London shows at the Underworld  and the Gaff three … Continue reading

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Gig review: SAXON, THE QUIREBOYS, Oxford Academy, 5 May 2013

Saxon - Oxford Academy, 5 May 2013

If only everything in life was as reliable as Saxon. You can set your watch by the fact the enduring Yorkshire stalwarts of the NWOBHM will be touring every spring, usually to coincide with St George’s Day. And you can … Continue reading

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Album review: PRETTY MAIDS – Motherland

Frontiers Records (Release date 22.3.13) I was reminded what a long career Pretty Maids have enjoyed when, a couple of years back, a well-oiled singer Ronnie Atkins burst into a curry house after Firefest and regaled us diners with tales … Continue reading

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Gig Review: HRH AOR, Magna, Rotherham, 6 and 7 April 2013

This gallery contains 39 photos.

Mia Klose, HRH AOR, April 2013

The crowded world of classic rock festivals, as with magazines, seems to be splitting into ever more sub genres. The Hard Rock Hell brand, which has become well established with their holiday camp weekenders already assuming legendary status, launched two … Continue reading

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Gig Review: STATUS QUO, Hammersmith Apollo, London, 15 March 2013

Status Quo, Hammersmith Apollo, 15 March 2013

It all began and ended in 1984. My very first gig was meant to be one of Status Quo’s last as they played two shows on what was called the ‘End of the Road’ tour. Already they were an institution, … Continue reading

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Gig review: GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS, Bush Hall, London, 13 March 2013

GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS, Bush Hall, London, 13 March 2013

It’s strange how some bands that have a big profile in the United States rarely cross the radar over this side of the pond. Vermont-based Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are one such and I admit to knowing little about … Continue reading

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Gig review: HALESTORM, Electric Ballroom, London, 8 March 2013

HALESTORM, Electric Ballroom, London, 8 March 2013

The rise and rise of Halestrom continues. Less than three years ago my first exposure to them was as the opening act on a three band bill with Theory Of A Deadman at this very venue, but the Pennsylvania rockers … Continue reading

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Gig Review: THE DARKNESS – Hammersmith Apollo, 7 March 2013

The Darkness, Hammersmith Apollo, 7 March 2013

Two years into their reformation and on the back of a  comeback album ‘Hot Cakes’ that is perhaps their most satisfying work yet,  perhaps time has lent some perspective to the Darkness phenomenon. A decade ago they divided opinion like … Continue reading

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Gig Review: FM Album launch, 02 Academy, Islington, 6 March 2013

FM Album Launch - London, 6 March 2013

FM have taken took their time to follow up their well received comeback album Metropolis, but after celebrating 25 years of their classic ‘Indiscreet’‘ debut with live shows last year,  the finest melodic rock band forged on this side of … Continue reading

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Album review: W.E.T.- Rise Up

W.E.T.- Rise Up

Frontiers Records [Release date 22.02.13] In a genre whose natural tendency is to look backwards, few new melodic rock acts have been as eagerly anticipated as W.E.T. Their 2009 debut, fusing the talents of prolific and versatile ex Malmsteen, Talisman … Continue reading

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Gig review: Uriah Heep, Islington Assembly Hall, 27 February 2013

Uriah Heep, 21 February 2013

Nearly 45 years into their career, Uriah Heep are seemingly indestructible, still treading the boards with an enthusiasm that puts younger bands to shame. Sadly bassist Trevor Bolder was absent recovering from a major operation (which oddly went unmentioned from … Continue reading

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Gig review: UFO – Oxford Academy, 24 February 2013

UFO - Oxford, 24 February 2013

Never the most prolific of touring acts, when UFO announced a full tour less than a year after their last one, it was a no brainer to go, even if a clash with the London date sent me 60 miles … Continue reading

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Gig Review: SNAKECHARMER, Islington Assembly Hall, 23 February 2013

Snakecharmer - London, 23 February 2013

Here’s a turn up for the books. When Snakecharmer first formed as Monsters of British Rock there was some cynicism at the latest version of ex- Whitesnake members Micky Moody and Neil Murray once again reliving the days of what … Continue reading

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