Author Archives: jason

Album review: CHRISTINE McVIE – Songbird: A Solo Collection

Posted on June 25, 2022 by jason

Rhino/Warner [Release date 24.6.22] This is the first release to bear Christine McVie’s name since her excellent 2017 collaboration with Lindsey Buckingham (which was essentially a Fleetwood Mac album without Stevie Nicks). “Songbird” contains a remixed selection from her 1984 … Continue reading →

Album review: WAX ON WATER – The Drip

Posted on June 25, 2022 by jason

Howling Tempest Records [Release date 24.06.22] Wax On Water are a three-piece led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Maya Damaris, and completed by drummer Garren Orr and guitarist Steven Blessing. They have already released two EPs this year under ‘The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt rock, concept album, electronica, indie, review, The Drip, Wax On Water | Leave a comment

Album review: HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – The Confidence Trick

Posted on June 18, 2022 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 29.07.22] Here at GRTR! we are big fans of Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, enjoying what the band use to describe themselves as genre defying music. They have a prog rock basis but then wander off down … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classical, Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate, instrumental, melodic, prog rock, progressive, review, The Confidence Trick | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BLACK FEATHERS – Angel Dust & Cyanide

Posted on June 16, 2022 by jason

www.theblackfeathers.com [Release date 08.07.22] The Black Feathers, made up of Ray Hughes (vocals, guitars, keys) and Sian Chandler (vocals), have been touring and recording since 2012. The pandemic put a temporary halt on their regular touring, although they have performed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Angel Dust & Cyanide, country, mellow, melodic, Portishead, review, THE BLACK FEATHERS | Leave a comment

Interview: THE NOMADIC

Posted on June 15, 2022 by jason

New York based Australian guitarist and singer/songwriter Robert Gaylard a.k.a. lead singer-songwriter in alternative indie band The Nomadic brings a unique perspective and vision when it comes to creating music by fusing alternative rock-tinged blues and electronic pop. The band’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged interview, melodic, My Mind Is Racing, pop, Rising Stars, Robert Gaylard, rock, singer songwriter, the Nomadic | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEVE VAI – London Palladium, 7 June 2022

Posted on June 13, 2022 by jason

Let’s just start by saying one thing: Steve Vai isn’t of this world. Throughout his long and varied career, the six-stringer has displayed the sort of skills that are beyond the comprehension of most mere mortals. From his time with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Dave Lee Roth, Frank Zappa, fusion, gig, guitarist, jazz, London Hippodrome, review, rock, Steve Vai, Tuesday 7 June 2022, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: MY SOLILOQUY – FU3ION

Posted on June 12, 2022 by jason

Rare Artist Music [Release date 11.07.22] Third album from My Soliloquy, which is the brainchild of former Threshold guitarist Pete Morten. On this album he is joined by Threshold’s drummer Johanne James – Morten plays all the other instruments on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Johanne James, metal, MY SOLILOQUY, Pete Morten, Power Quest, progressive, review, technical metal, Threshold | Leave a comment

Book Review: PINK FLOYD – BBC Radio 1967-1971 (by Ian Priston & Phil Salathe)

Posted on June 9, 2022 by jason

The Bee Smart Book Co. [Publication date: 03.06.22] Rock band Pink Floyd had their roots in the early 60s, with some changes in personnel and name, before officially forming in the mid 60s. While many will know their Dark Side … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged BBC Radio 1967-1971, book, classic rock, Dave Gilmour, Ian Priston, Nick Mason, Phil Salathe, Pink Floyd, prog rock, review, Rick Wright, Roger Waters, Syd Barrett | Leave a comment

Gig review: SPIERS & BODEN – Oxford Playhouse, Sunday 5 June 2022

Posted on June 6, 2022 by jason

First time on stage at the Oxford Playhouse for John Spiers and Jon Boden, and also the first time inside this smart theatre for this reviewer. Playing to a home crowd (Spiers and Boden met in Oxford) is always a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bellohwhead, fiddle, folk, gig, instrumental, John Spiers, Jon Boden, melodeon, Oxford Playhouse, review, Sunday 5 June 2022, traditional | Leave a comment

Album review: FRANKY PEREZ – Crossing The Great Divide

Posted on June 4, 2022 by jason

Black Sea Music [Release date 24.06.22] Singer-songwriter Franky Perez releases his fifth solo album. He has worked and toured with the likes of Slash, Scars On Broadway and Apocalyptica (for whom he is the band’s touring singer). On this album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Crossing The Great Divide, Franky Perez, Latino, melodic, pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: DIRTY HONEY – EP/LP

Posted on June 4, 2022 by jason

Dirt Records [Release date 20.05.22] Dirty Honey release this fourteen song album which sees them add 2019’s self-titled EP with their self-titled album released in 2021. It is a timely release to coincide with the band’s summer UK and European … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged AC/DC, album, Dirty Honey, EP/LP, hard rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, review, rock, southern rock, The Black Crowes | Leave a comment

Album review: HANNAH RARITY – To Have You Near

Posted on June 2, 2022 by jason

www.hannahrarity.com [Release date 03.06.22] Three years on from her debut album, ’Neath the Gloaming Star’, Scottish singer songwriter Hannah Rarity releases the follow-up. Hannah won BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2018, along with touring with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Boo Hewerdine, folk, Hannah Rarity, jazz, melodic, review, To Have You Near, traditional | Leave a comment

News: PINK FLOYD, NEIL YOUNG, GREAT WHITE (June 2022)

Posted on June 1, 2022 by jason

Arch Enemy have pushed back the release date of their new album, ‘Deceivers’, to August 12 from the previously announced July 29. Jeff Beck releases a new album on July 15 entitled ’18′, which is a collaborative one with Johnny … Continue reading →

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Book review: BRITPOP, BLUR

Posted on May 31, 2022 by jason

Britpop – Decades by Peter Richard & Matt Pooler SonicBond Publishing The 1990’s in the UK in pop terms, and indeed charts, were dominated for the most part by Britpop, which these two authors (themselves in a 90s band) provide … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Blur, book, Britpop, classic pop, Matt Bishop, Matt Pooler, Oasis, On Track, Peter Richard, pop, Pulp, review, Suede | Leave a comment

Album review: DEF LEPPARD – Diamond Star Halos

Posted on May 30, 2022 by jason

UMC {Release date 27.05.22] Def Leppard are back after a seven year gap (pretty fast by their standards!) since 2015′s self-titled album, which was rather good. ‘Take What You Want’ starts the album off with all the things you love … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alison Krauss, classic rock, Def Leppard, Diamond Star Halos, glam rock, hard rock, Joe Elliott, melodic, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BROOKS WILLIAMS & AARON CATLOW – Ready For The Times

Posted on May 29, 2022 by jason

Red Guitar Blue Music [Release date 24.06.22] A chance meeting a few years ago while on tour in The Netherlands led to collaboration of acoustic guitarist Brooks Williams (Boo Hewerdine, Rab Noakes) and violinist Aaron Catlow (Hawes and Catlow, Mad … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aaron Catlow, album, blues, Brooks Williams, folk, Ready For The Times, review, traditional | Leave a comment

News: CORNBURY FESTIVAL 8-10 July, 2022

Posted on May 25, 2022 by jason

To celebrate, the majority of acts on the 2022 bill are returning festival favourites. Joining the heavy weight line up of headliners James Blunt & The Darkness (Friday), Bryan Adams & The Waterboys (Saturday), Ronan Keating & Jools Holland (Sunday) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars, NEWS | Tagged 8-10 July 2022, Altered Images, Bryan Adams, Cornbury Festival, Great Tew Park, Hugh Phillimore, interview, James Blunt, Jools Holland, Mica Paris, near Chipping Norton, news, Ronan Keating, Steve Winwood, the Christians, The Darkness, The Magic Numbers, The Waterboys | Leave a comment

Gig review: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE – Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, Saturday 21 May 2022

Posted on May 23, 2022 by jason

So, my daughter aged 14 likes My Chemical Romance (MCR) and I wanted to introduce her to the sort of things the world has to offer. I managed to get tickets to Stadium MK to see MCR and support on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged alt rock, Barnes Courtney, Charlotte Sands, emo, gig, MCR, melodic, Milton Keynes, MK Stadium, My Chemical Romance, Placebo, review, rock, Saturday 21 May 2022 | Leave a comment

Album review: LAZARUS DREAM – Lifeline

Posted on May 22, 2022 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 17.06.22] Second album from Lazarus Dream, which was put together by vocalist Carsten “Lizard” Shulz (Evidence One, Domain, Devoid) and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer (Scarlett, Winterland). Drummer Markus Kullmann (Sinner, Glenn Hughes), percussionist Thomas Rieder, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Carsten Lizard Shulz, Derek Sherinian, hard rock, Lazarus Dream, Lifeline, Markus Pfeffer, melodic hard rock, Pride & Joy Music, review, rock | Leave a comment

Book review: MOTORHEAD (Duncan Harris), BLACK SABBATH (Chris Sutton)

Posted on May 22, 2022 by jason

MOTORHEAD – On Track … every album, every song by Duncan Harris Sonic Bond Publishing [Publication date 15.04.22] Two more books that give an insight into these legendary classic rock bands, and like others in the series they act as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, book, Classic Albums, Doom Metal, Geezer Butler, heavy metal, metal, Motorhead, On Track, Ozzy Osbourne, review, rock n roll. Lemmy, Sonic Bond Publishing, Tony Iommi | Leave a comment

Album review: LEE ROGERS – Gameblood

Posted on May 21, 2022 by jason

Zenith Café/Membran [Release date 13.05.22] This is Carrickfergus based Lee Rogers long awaited second album (his debut album, ‘Clocks’, was released way back in 2006). Produced by Gareth Dunlop (who also plays guitar, piano, synth and percussion on the album), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Foy Vance, Gameblood, Lee Rogers, pop, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL WALKER & KAREN PFEIFFER – Auf Wiedersehen, Me Duck

Posted on May 19, 2022 by jason

Crazy Moose Records [Release date 30.04.22] Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer are a folk duo who have been writing and performing since 2012. Karen is originally from Stuttgart, however, her southern German accent is already tinged with a ‘Staffordshire oatcake … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Auf Wiedersehen Me Duck, folk, Joan Baez, Karen Pfeiffer, Paul Walker, Potteries, review, traditional | Leave a comment

Single review: JESSIE DIPPER – Where Do I Go

Posted on May 18, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 20.05.22] ‘Where Do I Go’ is taken from Jessie Dipper’s forthcoming new album ‘Sticky Floors’. Jessie Dipper has successfully self-released five singles, two EPs and an album over the last five years. Sehe describes her music as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged folk, grunge, Jessie Dipper, pop, review, Scouting For Girls, single, Where Do I Go | Leave a comment

EP review: THE LICKERISH QUARTET – Threesome Vol. 3

Posted on May 15, 2022 by jason

Lojinx [Release date 20.05.22] The Lickerish Quartet – ex-Jellyfish members Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Beck, Imperial Drag), Tim Smith (Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The Finn Brothers) and Eric Dover (Imperial Drag, Slash’s Snakepit, Alice Cooper) – release their third … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged ELO, EP, Jellyfish, pop rock, power pop, review, rock, Supertramp, the Lickerish Quartet, Threesome Vol. 3 | Leave a comment

EP review: ANDY PARTRIDGE – My Failed Songwriting Career Vol. 2

Posted on May 15, 2022 by jason

Ape House [Release date 8.4.22] Following on from 2021’s excellent first volume, here are four more gems from Andy Partridge’s post-XTC period as a songwriter for hire. This is a great addition to what is building into a fascinating series. … Continue reading →