Author Archives: jason

Album review: KESTON COBBLERS CLUB – Almost Home

Posted on March 20, 2017 by jason

[Release date 31.03.17] An intriguing band name, as the band are named after a penniless cobbler who by playing the violin in the local tavern got everybody dancing, thereby wearing out the soles of his customers who of course needed their shoes cobbled by him. … Continue reading →

Album review: ASIA – Symfonia

Posted on March 19, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.02.17] Normally you’d think “not another live Asia album” as there have been a fair few to date, however this one is tinged with sadness with the sad passing of John Wetton shortly before the release of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Asia, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, melodic rock, review, rock, Sam Coulson, Symfonia | Leave a comment

EP review: ELASEA – Lesson Learnt (plus interview)

Posted on March 17, 2017 by jason

ELASEA Lesson Learnt www.facebook.com/elaseauk [Release date 17.03.17] Second EP from Elasea and since their debut EP they have added keys/synths to their sound. This EP is produced by John Mitchell (Lonely Robot/Frost*/Arena), so you know the sound will be spot … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars, Single and EP reviews | Tagged alternative, Elasea, EP, interview, John Mitchell, review, Rising Stars, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: CRAIG FINN – We All Want The Same Things

Posted on March 16, 2017 by jason

Partisan Records [Release date 24.03.17] This is the third solo album from the Hold Steady’s frontman Craig Finn and he is joined by fellow Hold Steady member Tad Kubler. Other musicians joining Finn on the album include Caithlin De Marrais … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Craig Finn, Reviiew, singer songwriter, Solo, the Hold Steady, We All Want The Same Things | Leave a comment

EP review: FRAGILE THINGS, THOSE WHO KNEW

Posted on March 16, 2017 by jason

FRAGILE THINGS Broken Sun www.fragilethingsoffical.com Release date [17.02.17] Hailing from Milton Keynes, this four piece band consist of Richie Hevanz (vocals), Mark Hanlon (guitars), Steve Lathwell (bass) and Hugo Bowman (drums). Vocalist Richie Hevanz you may recall from Heaven’s Basement, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged 2 Far 2 Jump, Broken Sun, EP, First Attempts At Everything, Fragile Things, indie, metal, New Perspective, pop, review, rock, Those Who Knew | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – The Acoustic Couch, Bracknell, 11 March 2017

Posted on March 12, 2017 by jason

The Acoustic Couch is a new live music venue in Bracknell, which it has to be said isn’t the easiest to find tucked away under a car park in a back street. Still once inside it is a fair sized … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Acoustic Couch, Bracknell, gig review, live music, Mark Stephenson, melodic, Paul Stead, rock, the Darker My Horizon | Leave a comment

Album review: JIM LAUDERDALE – London Southern

Posted on March 12, 2017 by jason

Proper Records [Release date 03.02.17] Jim Lauderdale recently won a lifetime achievement award from the US Amerciana Honors & Awards and is widely respected amongst his contemporaries. He has written songs with George Strait, Elvis Costello, Buddy Miller and John … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Jim Lauderdale, John Oates, London Southern, NICK LOWE, review, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: SAMMY HAGAR – This Is Sammy Hagar

Posted on March 12, 2017 by jason

Mailboat/Membran [Release date 17.03.17] Subtitled ‘Volume One’, this collection collates Sammy Hagar’s solo output from 1999’s ‘Red Voodoo’ through to 2005’s ‘Livin’ It Up’. For fans/collectors there are two new songs plus an outtake mix of ‘Shag’. His band throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, pop, review, rock, Sammy Hagar, Solo, This Is Sammy Hagar, Van Halen, Waboritas, When The Party Started | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MUTE GODS – Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth

Posted on February 21, 2017 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 24.02.17] The Mute Gods return with their second album and like their debut it looks at the darker side of humanity and how we can’t continue on our current path without devastating consequences. A tardigrade, or … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Inside Out, Marco Minnemann, melodic, Nick Beggs, prog, Progressive Rock, review, rock, Roger King, Steve Hackett, Steven Wilson, Tardigrades Will Inherit The Earth, the Mute Gods | Leave a comment

Album review: LISBEE STAINTON – Then Up

Posted on February 17, 2017 by jason

Marionet Music [Release date 21.04.17] Lisbee Stainton returns with her first new album in three years. Like previous albums she utilises skilled musicians she has worked with either in Seth Lakeman’s band – guitarist Jack Rutter and percussionist Cormac Byrne – or long … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eleanor McEvoy, folk, Lisbee Stainton, pop, review, singer, songwriter, Then Up | Leave a comment

Album review: HELLBOUND HEARTS – Film Noir

Posted on February 16, 2017 by jason

[Release date 07.04.17] Hellbound Hearts are a three-piece hailing from Yorkshire and consist of Danny Lambert (lead vocals/guitar), Craig McLaren (bass/vocals) and Lee Brook (drums/vocals). They have produced a number of EPs and singles previously before releasing, this their debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Feeder, film noir, hard rock, Hellbound Hearts, review, rock, the Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Book review: Somebody to Love: The Life, Death & Legacy of Freddie Mercury

Posted on February 15, 2017 by jason

Matt Richards & Mark Langthorne Blink Publishing There have been many books published on both Queen and Freddie Mercury, so why another one and what is its hook? Well the two authors here have included the usual Queen story of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Blink, book, Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Mark Langthorne, Matt Richards, Queen, review, Roger Taylor, Somebody to Love, The Life Death and Legacy of Freddie Mercury | Leave a comment

Single reviews: SHARON LAZIBYRD, EMMA CHARLESTON

Posted on February 15, 2017 by jason

SHARON LAZIBYRD – Opium Of The Masses https://www.facebook.com/Sharon-Lazibyrd-324663394401783/ [Release date 24.03.17] ‘Opium of the Masses’ is the latest single from Sharon Lazibyrd, released ahead of her album, ‘Half Shame and Half Glory’ due later this year. It features Sharon on vocals and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged acoustic, Emma Charleston, folk, pop, reviews, Sharon Lazibyrd, singer songwriter, singles | Leave a comment

Interview: PHIL LEWIS of L.A. GUNS

Posted on February 13, 2017 by jason

GRTR!’s Nikk Gunns catchEs up with Phil Lewis of L.A. Guns to hear about how he reunited with Tracii Guns and the band’s upcoming UK tour dates. You’ve been making music for a while now- sum your career in one … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged gigs, interview, L.A. Guns, melodic, Phil Lewis, rock, sleaze, Tour, Tracii Guns | Leave a comment

Album Review: DELICATE STEVE – This is Steve

Posted on February 12, 2017 by jason

ANTI- Records Release date 27.01.17] I’m not a lyrics guy. There I’ve said it. It’s always been about the music, and inevitably about the guitar(s). However, I’ve never been convinced that I’m an instrumental guy either. Sure, I’ve got a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Delicate Steve, guitar, instrumental, Joe Satriani, Joe Walsh, review, This is Steve. album | Leave a comment

Album review: LIONVILLE – A World Of Fools

Posted on February 9, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.02.17] Lionville are back after an extended break (their second album came out in 2012) and they are on a new label as well. Lionville’s main man Stefano Lionetti is still on board, plus Work Of Art’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A World Of Fools, album, AOR, Frontiers, Lionville, melodic, review, rock, Toto | Leave a comment

EP review: RAINBREAKERS – Rise Up

Posted on February 7, 2017 by jason

[Release date 07.04.17] Hailing from Shrewsbury, the Rainbreakers have released one EP previous to this one and have toured extensively, including garnering a rave review from GRTR! master of all things blues, Pete Feenstra, when the band supported Mountain’s drummer Corky … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged 70's rock, blues, EP, mellow, psychadelic, Rainbreakers, review, Rise Up, rock, Shrewsbury | Leave a comment

Quick plays: CLAP YOUR HEADS SAY YEAH, MINUS THE BEAR

Posted on February 1, 2017 by jason

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH The Tourist [Release date 24.02.17] Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (CYHSY) are the brainchild of Alec Ounsworth, who writes and composes all the music, although he used a bass and drummer for the album, playing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Alec Ounsworth, alternative, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, indie, Minus The Bear. Voids, pop, Quick Play, review, rock, The Tourist | Leave a comment

Album review: DANKO JONES – Wild Cat

Posted on January 31, 2017 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 03.03.17] Danko Jones have been around since 1996 and this is the band’s eighth album. They have a good live reputation, regularly touring the UK and Europe. For me this is my first time listening to a whole album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Danko Jones, punk, review, rock, Wild Cat | Leave a comment

Album review: HEATH GREEN & THE MAKESHIFTERS

Posted on January 29, 2017 by jason

Okay, this is the shit. From the chugging opening bars of “Out to the City”, and that voice – close your eyes and tell me Frankie Miller isn’t back in the house. This is swampy Americana at its finest from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Frankie Miller, Heath Green, Heath Green and the Makeshifters, Muscle Shoals, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE WILD! – Wild At Heart

Posted on January 29, 2017 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 17.02.17] Jailhouse tattoo sleeves, Jack Daniels, skanky birds, drag cars, chainsaws, yobbish football-terrace choruses, drinking double-fisted, whacking beer bottles with baseball bats, Powerage-era riffagery, setting fire to…anything, reckless frat-boy behavior, blue denim cut-offs, trailer-park trash attitude and I’m guessing, way out of date … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, Mike Fraser, review, rock, sleaze, SPV, the Wild!, Wild At Heart | Leave a comment

Album review: MARK ‘PORKCHOP’ HOLDER – Let It Slide

Posted on January 29, 2017 by jason

[Release date 10.02.17] So, Eric Sardinas walks into a grubby, smoky, barrelhouse bar where the soles of your shoes stick to the carpet like glue, starts pounding shots of Mississippi moonshine with George Thorogood and talking about putting a band together – when the group walks on stage. After an hour of gritty, foot-stomping Porkchop blues, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, guitar, Let It Slide, Mark 'PORKCHOP' Holder, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: EMPIRE – Hypnotica (+3)

Posted on January 27, 2017 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 24.02.17] Pride & Joy Music are set to re-release Empire’s four albums throughout 2017 and start off with the band’s debut album ‘Hypnotica’, originally released back in 2001. Empire were formed by guitarist Rolf Munkes (Majesty/Razorback/Crematory) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Don Airey, Empire, guitars, Hypnotica, Lance King, Mark Boals, metal, Neil Murray, Pride and Joy, re-issue, review, rock, Rolf Munkes | Leave a comment

News: LISBEE STAINTON to release first album in three years ahead of a UK tour

Posted on January 26, 2017 by jason

Highly acclaimed singer-songwriter Lisbee Stainton will release her fifth studio album ‘Then Up’ on 21st April 2017 on Marionet Music, ahead of a nine-date headline UK tour throughout May. The release of ‘Then Up’ will be preceded by the release … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged album, folk, Lisbee Stainton, Marionet Music, news, pop, singer, songwriter, Then Up, UK tour | Leave a comment

Album review: TIM BOWNESS – Lost In The Ghostlight

Posted on January 24, 2017 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 17.02.17] To my shame I have never really listened to any of the music by Tim Bowness prior to this album. The album’s theme revolves around the contemporary musings of Moonshot leader Jeff Harrison, though the … Continue reading →