Author Archives: jason

Singles and EP reviews: THE YOUNG FOLK, AMY SIMPSON, UNISONIC

Posted on May 12, 2014 by jason

THE YOUNG FOLK – Way Home Pixie Pace Records [Released 26.05.14] www.theyoungfolk.com Dublin based alt-folk band The Young Folk release their debut UK single and feature Anthony Furey (son of George from the legendary the Fureys & Davy Arthur). This … Continue reading →

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Album review: ELVENKING – The Pagan Manifesto

Posted on May 12, 2014 by jason
Elvenking - The Pagan Manifesto

AFM Records [Release date 12.05.14] Hmm…folk power metal…well I do like Steeleye Span and I do like power metal so let’s see how Elvenking mix the two shall we! Elvenking were formed back in 1997 in Northern Italy and The … Continue reading →

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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2016)

Posted on May 12, 2014 by jason

Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Compiled by Jason Ritchie Updated 02/11/2016 ALTER BRIDGE Sat April 01 AUCKLAND Powerstation Mon April 03 BRISBANE Eatons Hill Hotel Tue April 04 SYDNEY Enmore Theatre Thu April 06 MELBOURNE … Continue reading →

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News: CELEBR8.3 Prog Festival 31 May and 1 June 2014

Posted on May 7, 2014 by jason
It Bites, photo by Noel Buckley

Now in its 3rd year and this time being held in Central London, the final line up for Celebr8.3 can confirm many exclusives: A one off London performance by Anathema Acoustic. The last performance from Twelfth Night, the first ever … Continue reading →

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Album Review: THE BERMONDSEY JOYRIDERS – Flamboyant Thugs

Posted on May 6, 2014 by jason
THE BERMONDSEY JOYRIDERS – Flamboyant Thugs

Fuel Injection Records The Joyrider’s third album is at first blush a continuation of their previous outings: a high octane mix of power punk and dirty blues. With its instant appeal of fat hook and big riffs, it certainly fits … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: KJETIL BY featuring ROBIN BECK,LEXIE GREEN, JON ALLEN

Posted on May 6, 2014 by jason
Kjetil By -feat. ROBIN BECK - Better Days

KJETIL BY featuring ROBIN BECK – Better Days www.kjetilby.com This is the fourth solo album from Norwegian guitarist Kjetil and the songs on this album are all co-written with Claudia Scott. His biggest coup is enlisting the help of Robin … Continue reading →

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Gig review: MAGNUM – Islington Town Hall, 4 May 2014

Posted on May 5, 2014 by jason
Magnum - Islington Academy, London, 4 May 2014

Turning to item 5.1 on the agenda…oh wait, sorry thought I was in a council meeting given tonight’s venue. The hall features a rather grand stage with stalls (complete with springing floor) and a small circle. A new venue to … Continue reading →

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Album review: HELSTAR – This Wicked Nest

Posted on April 29, 2014 by jason

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de [Released 28.04.14] I believe the cover of Helstar’s latest release This Wicked Nest says it all really…a suit wearing skeleton complete with devil horns and a pentagram worked into the band logo. After listening…well yeah I was … Continue reading →

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Album review: JONES – To The Bones

Posted on April 28, 2014 by jason

www.miraclemile.co.uk/store.html [Released 16.06.14] Trevor Jones is back with his new solo album (he also produces music as part of Miracle Mile). He is joined on here by Marcus Cliffe (he plays the majority of the instruments on the album) who … Continue reading →

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10 Q’s with BRANDON BOYD (SONS OF THE SEA/INCUBUS)

Posted on April 27, 2014 by jason

Brandon Boyd is best known for fronting Incubus, who have been on hiatus (more on their future plans below), released the excellent Sons Of The Sea album earlier this year. This was a collaboration with producer Brenden O’Brien and it … Continue reading →

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Album review: ALIEN – Eternity

Posted on April 24, 2014 by jason
ALIEN – Eternity

AOR Heaven www.alientheband.com [Released 28.04.14] Alien date way back to the mid-80’s and became one of the key Swedish melodic rock bands until they quit in the mid-90’s, bar a brief reunion in 2005. That looked to be it until … Continue reading →

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Gig review: METAL ALLIANCE 2014 – Tremont Music Hall, North Carolina

Posted on April 24, 2014 by jason

I hate my Birthday. Hate it with a deep passion. It has nothing to do with getting older. I really couldn’t care less about my age. It’s just a number. I hate it mostly because I link my Birthday with … Continue reading →

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Interview: 10Q’s with STUART SMITH (HEAVEN & EARTH)

Posted on April 23, 2014 by jason
Heaven & Earth

Here we catch-up with Stuart Smith of Heaven & Earth who released their latest album ‘Dig’ last year to rave reviews and embark on their debut UK tour starting at the end of June… 1. What have you got planned for … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: BLAIR DUNLOP, LITTLE FEAT, PHIL VINCENT, NEIL INNES & FATSO

Posted on April 22, 2014 by jason
Little Feat - Live in Holland 1976

BLAIR DUNLOP – House Of Jacks www.blairdunlop.com [Released 26.05.14] Blair Dunlop has had a good start to his musical career winning the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2013 and earning rave reviews for his debut … Continue reading →

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Album review: SUEDE – Royal Albert Hall, 24 March 2010

Posted on April 21, 2014 by jason

Edsel Records [12.05.14] CD/DVD This is a rather special live recording on two counts, first it was one of the annual gigs at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust and secondly Suede were asked to reform especially … Continue reading →

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Gig review: BELLOWHEAD – Royal Albert Hall, London, 20 April 2014

Posted on April 21, 2014 by jason

Amazing to think Bellowhead have been going for ten years now as they chose the regal surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate their tenth birthday and bless them they invited all of their fans along. It was a … Continue reading →

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Album review: THREE LIONS – Three Lions

Posted on April 20, 2014 by jason

Frontiers [Released 25.04.14] Three Lions is a dream come true for Bradford vocalist and bass player Nigel Bailey. Twenty years of slogging around local pubs and clubs in his spare time suddenly turned into an opportunity to record an album … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE RADIO SUN – Wrong Things Right

Posted on April 15, 2014 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Released 19.05.14] The Radio Sun may be releasing their debut album, however the keen pop rock fan will notice that the core of the band were in the much missed Square One (vocalist Jason Old, guitarist Steve Janevski … Continue reading →

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Album review: TOTO – 35th Anniversary Live In Poland

Posted on April 15, 2014 by jason
Toto - 35th Anniversary Live In Poland

In May 2014 Steve Lukather chatted to David Randall in the Guitarists series on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  In the extract (above) he talks about the influence of The Beatles and how he’s just received a text from Ringo … Continue reading →

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Album review: CARL PALMER – Do Ya Wanna Play Carl? The Carl Palmer Anthology

Posted on April 14, 2014 by jason
Carl Palmer - Anthology

Wienerworld [Released 24.03.14] This two disc set is a compilation of drummer Carl Palmer’s work (a different version and tracklist was released on the Sanctuary label back in 2001) and it covers his more well known bands like ELP and … Continue reading →

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Gig Review: THE BERMONDSEY JOYRIDERS, The Black Heart, Camden, 8 April 2014

Posted on April 14, 2014 by jason

This was quite simply a brilliantly entertaining triple-header of power packed and swaggering punk pop. Officially, the launch of The Joyriders’ new single, each band played a set of seven songs in deference to the seven-inch black plastic platter of … Continue reading →

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Gig review: FOREIGNER – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 12 April 2014

Posted on April 13, 2014 by jason
Foreigner - Shepherd

A different gig tonight as Foreigner were playing unplugged, their only UK acoustic date slotted in after their headlining tour with Europe and FM was announced. Not quite the sell-out that the full electric tour has been but a healthy … Continue reading →

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DVD review: BAD COMPANY – The Official 40th Anniversary Documentary

Posted on April 11, 2014 by jason
Bad Company Collectors Pack

Universal [Released 07.04.14] Formed from the ashes of Free, singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, with Mott The Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell, Bad Company had a number of platinum albums and hit singles … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: MAD MARGRITT, NASTY CRUE, HOTCAKES

Posted on April 8, 2014 by jason

MAD MARGRITT Show No Mercy (Perris Records) “Show No Mercy” is the latest album from Atlanta’s Mad Margritt and coming six years since last release “Animal”, the album picks up nicely where that left off. Only nine tracks in length, … Continue reading →

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Album review: BRAINSTORM – Firesoul

Posted on April 6, 2014 by jason
Brainstorm - Firesoul

AFM Records www.afmrecords.com [Released 07.04.14] Well these guys have most definitely passed me by…Brainstorm are a German metal band from the Swabia region of Bavaria (deep south in other words) and Firesoul is actual their 10th studio release! Formed way … Continue reading →

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