Author Archives: jason

Album review: SIGN OF THE WOLF

Posted on March 11, 2025 by jason
Sign of the Wolf

Escape Music [Release date 25.04.25] Sign of the Wolf’s debut album is an interesting one as it was created by Fireworks magazine’s Bruce Mee, who wanted to bring back that gloriously epic and melodic hard rock sound from the early … Continue reading →

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Album review: STEVE KNIGHTLEY – Positively Folk Street: Dylan, Carthy & Me

Posted on March 8, 2025 by jason
STEVE KNIGHTLEY – Positively Folk Street

Hands On Music [Release date 04.03.25] Seems the recent Bob Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ is inspiring quite a few artists to revisit the Dylan back catalogue, as Steve Knightley does on here, along with another one of his major … Continue reading →

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Album review: REG MEUROSS – Fire & Dust

Posted on March 8, 2025 by jason
REG MEUROSS – Fire & Dust

Hatsongs Records [Release date 14.03.25] Not an artist this reviewer had come across before, although Reg Meuross does have more than 15 solo albums to his name. This album was commissioned by the Who’s Pete Townshend (who produced the album) … Continue reading →

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Gig review: THE VAPORS Album Launch – The Water Rats, London, 27 February 2025

Posted on March 7, 2025 by jason
THE VAPORS – Wasp In A Jar

The return of Guildford New Wave Power Popper’s The Vapors in 2016 after thirty-four years away from the scene was cause for celebration amongst the sharper observers on the scene. Best known for the iconic hit ‘Turning Japanese’ and their … Continue reading →

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News: BILLY IDOL, RUSS BALLARD, PINK FLOYD (March 2025)

Posted on February 28, 2025 by jason
RUSS BALLARD- Nell

Russ Ballard (pictured) releases a double album entitled ‘Songs From The Warehouse/The Hits Rewired’, out on April 18 via Frontiers. The first CD contains new songs, while the second CD includes brand new recordings of famous hits he either penned or … Continue reading →

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Album review: JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE – Punk Rock Fiesta!

Posted on February 28, 2025 by jason
JIZZY PEARL'S LOVE HATE - Punk Rock Fiesta!

Kenyon Records [Release date 01.03.25] It is hard to believe that it is now 35 years since the release of debut album “Blackout In The Red Room” and frontman Jizzy Pearl is still flying the flag for Love/Hate, latest album … Continue reading →

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Album review: ERIC BASS – If I Had A Name

Posted on February 25, 2025 by jason
ERIC BASS - If I Had A Name

Independent Release [Release date 28.02.25] Eric Bass is best known as the co-songwriter, producer, and bassist for multiplatinum rock institution Shinedown. As the bassist, co-songwriter, and producer for Shinedown – a band renowned for headlining major festivals and holding the … Continue reading →

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Album review: GILLAN – 1978-1982

Posted on February 23, 2025 by jason
tGILLAN 1978-1982 (Box set)

Edsel/Demon Music Group [Release date 28.02.25] Formed by Ian Gillan, former Deep Purple vocalist, in 1978, Gillan were a solid energetic and successful rock band, albeit for a short period. And despite successful tours, albums, hit singles, the band’s lack … Continue reading →

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Album review: CHRIS BRAIN – New Light

Posted on February 22, 2025 by jason
CHRIS BRAIN – New Light

Big Sun Records [Release date 07.03.25] Third album from Chris Brain in nearly as many years with his debut, ‘Bound to Rise’, released in 2022, followed by ‘Steady Away’ released in the following year. Both are worth seeking out and … Continue reading →

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Album review: ANGELINE – Rhythm of One

Posted on February 21, 2025 by jason
ANGELINE - Rhythm Of One

Blow Your Fez Off Music [Release date 03.03.25] Angeline is not a band this reviewer has heard much from prior to this new album, their fifth since reuniting in 2010 (Angeline first started back in 1987). Fellow GRTR! reviewer Nikk … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 9 February 2025

Posted on February 13, 2025 by jason
BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 9 February 2025

The last twelve months have been nothing short of phenomenal for Brave Rival. They have taken the blues-rock world by storm, toured extensively and released their second album, ‘Fight or Flight’ to universal praise. Fronted by the twin vocals of … Continue reading →

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Album review: COLOSSAL STREET JAM – No Way To Live

Posted on February 11, 2025 by jason
Colossal Street Jam - No Way To Live

Website [Release date 14.02.25] Hailing from the renowned Asbury Park, New Jersey, Colossal Street Jam are back after a long road fraught with illness and a former management team letting them down. Colossal Street Jam consists of vocalist Gene Potts, guitarist/vocalist Sal Marra, … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE VAPORS – Wasp In A Jar

Posted on February 11, 2025 by jason
THE VAPORS – Wasp In A Jar

Website [Release date 28.02.25] The Vapors formed back in 1978 and readers of a certain vintage will recall the band’s biggest hit, ‘Turning Japanese’, released a mere 45 years ago! They split in 1981, reforming many years later in 2016 … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: JENN BUTTERWORTH, PHIL VINCENT

Posted on February 7, 2025 by jason
JENN BUTTERWORTH - Her By Design

JENN BUTTERWORTH Her By Design Self-released [Release date 28.02.25] Debut album from Scottish musician Jenn Butterworth where the lyrical themes focus on women’s stories and their strength and struggles. Mention must be made of the beautifully illustrated CD booklet with blueprint technical … Continue reading →

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EP review: HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – Between Two Worlds

Posted on February 1, 2025 by jason
HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE - Between Two Worlds

Bandcamp [Release date 29.01.25] Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate – Malcom Galloway and Mark Gatland – have released this three song EP ‘Between Two Worlds’, ahead of their new album, ‘The Uncertainty Principle’, which is due in a couple of … Continue reading →

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Album review: PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS – Friend Of All Creatures

Posted on February 1, 2025 by jason
PATTERN SEEKING ANIMALS - Friend Of All Creatures

GEP [Release date 14.02.25] Pattern-Seeking Animals were formed in 2018 with this being their fifth studio album, and first for their new label GEP, having previously been signed to InsideOut Music. Pattern-Seeking Animals line-up remains that of Ted Leonard (vocals, … Continue reading →

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Album review: DAVID LEE ROTH – The Warner Recordings 1985-1994

Posted on January 31, 2025 by jason
David Lee Roth - The Warner Recordings 1985-1994

Rhino [Release date 21.02.25] Vocalist Diamond Dave came to fame in the late 70s and early 80s as the lead singer and frontman of the legendary Van Halen. And not only was he a fantastic vocalist in his day, he … Continue reading →

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News: RUSH, IQ, CANDICE NIGHT (February 2025)

Posted on January 29, 2025 by jason
Hawkwind, Giants Of Rock - 8 February 2014

Bryan Adams released the title track of his forthcoming album ‘Roll With The Punches’ on February 7. The album is due later this year and was co-written with Robert John “Mutt” Lange. Deko Entertainment release a 50th anniversary edition of Angel’s … Continue reading →

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Album review: JULIET’S NOT DEAD – This World Is Ours

Posted on January 28, 2025 by jason
JULIET’S NOT DEAD – This World Is Ours

TMR Records [Release date 07.02.25] Hailing from the North East, Juliet’s Not Dead are an adrenaline fuelled, driven band with the sole intention of thrilling their audiences at every show. Having just finished recording the follow up to the highly … Continue reading →

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Album review: THIN LIZZY – The Acoustic Sessions

Posted on January 13, 2025 by jason
THIN LIZZY – The Acoustic Sessions

Decca [Release date 24.01.24] The Irish legends’ first new album in 40 years and it takes us back to the early 70s, when the band were a three piece. Back then, before guitarists Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham came on … Continue reading →

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Album review: TIMSON AOR – Next Level

Posted on January 12, 2025 by jason
TIMSON AOR - Next Level

Website [Release date 28.02.24] Timson AOR are back with their second album, released almost a year after their enjoyable debut ‘Forever’s Not Enough’. Timson AOR consists of Mark Timson (guitars, bass, keys, synths, drum programming) and Lukky S (vocals, lead … Continue reading →

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Rising Stars: ANDRY (interview)

Posted on January 10, 2025 by jason
Rising Stars: ANDRY (interview)

Andry Lagiou, an Athens-born vocal powerhouse, describes herself as “the missing link between Ronnie James Dio and Christina Aguilera.” A former runner-up on The Voice of Greece and the frontwoman of The Harps, she has made a significant mark on … Continue reading →

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Rising Stars: SPLEEN (interview)

Posted on January 10, 2025 by jason
SPLEEN – Making Plans For Nigel

SPLEEN ARE: Samuele Riccucci – Guitar and Vocals, Matteo Innocenti – Drums and Backing Vocals, Olmo Fantini – Guitar and Backing Vocals, Alberto Sanna – Bass Spleen are a fierce and feisty Italian four-piece. Earlier this year they signed with renowned rock … Continue reading →

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Album review: RINGO STARR – Look Up

Posted on January 10, 2025 by jason
RINGO STARR – Look Up

Decca Records [Release date 10.01.24] Being a member of the biggest band of all time seems to be the weightiest of dual edged swords. Whilst the expectation of any new material from a former Beatle is hugely anticipated, it’s inevitable … Continue reading →

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EP review: LEADFEATHER – Roll The Dice

Posted on January 8, 2025 by jason
LEADFEATHER – Roll The Dice

Website [Release date 14.02.25] With so many of the so called ‘heritage’ bands hanging up their spurs and retiring, fans old and new seek acts that tick the boxes of loud guitars and huge 1970’s swagger. In recent years the … Continue reading →

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