Author Archives: jason

Gig review: HEARTS & HAND GRENADES – Six Six Bar, Cambridge, Saturday 19 August 2023

Posted on August 24, 2023 by jason

Somehow generating the same levels of heat best found on the surface of the sun, Cambridge’s Six Six Bar is a venue whose attributes echo the long gone and much missed Marquee Club when it was in Wardour Street. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Cambridge, gig, Hearts & Hand Grenades, Löwdown, Mikey Ball & the Company, review, Saturday 19 August 2023, Six Six Bar, SoulSwitcht | Leave a comment

Album review: OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW – Jubilee

Posted on August 23, 2023 by jason

ATO Records [Release date 25.08.23] Hot on the heels of last year’s enjoyable ‘Paint This Town’, Old Crow Medicine Show are back with their eighth studio album. ‘Miles Away’ was released as the lead single from the album. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, bluegrass, country, folk, Jubilee, Mavis Staples, Old Crow Medicine Show, old time music, review | Leave a comment

Album review: DORIS BRENDEL & LEE DURHAM – Pigs Might Fly

Posted on August 11, 2023 by jason

Album link [Release date 15.09.23] With their Steampunk ethos adding a nice twist to their individual take on rocking prog, Doris Brendel and Lee Durham have created and fruitfully harvested their own niche. Seen most recently both opening for Fish … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Doris Brendel & Lee Durham, Pigs Might Fly, progressive, review, rock, steampunk | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE TREATMENT/MANSWORTH – Queens Hall, Nuneaton, Saturday 5 August 2023

Posted on August 8, 2023 by jason

Dead Demons opened this triple bill, unfortunately I didn’t arrive in time to catch the majority of their set, but the vibe was good, and the crowd were definitely warmed up by the time they had finished. Next on the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged classic rock, gig, hard rock, Laurie Mansworth, Mansworth, Nuneaton, Piston, Queens Hall, review, rock, Saturday 5 August 2023, The Treatment | Leave a comment

Gig review: SIR TOM JONES – Heritage Live, Audley End House, Saffron Walden, 6 August 2023

Posted on August 8, 2023 by jason

SIR TOM JONES – Heritage Live, Audley End House, Saffron Walden, Sunday 6 August 2023

The scene is set for the third night of Heritage Live’s Audley End. The likes of Miss Disco, Boney M, The Real Thing and Bjorn Again were followed on Saturday by adverse weather but the Britpop movement was in full … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Audley End House, Classic Albums, gig, Heritage Live, pop, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Saffron Walden, Sir Tom Jones, Sunday 6 August 2023 | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS, 19th STREET BAND, PHIL VINCENT

Posted on August 6, 2023 by jason

DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS Strangers No More Magnolia Music [Release date 09.06.23] Ninth studio album from Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors who have been gaining critical plaudits and fans in the Americana field since they formed back in 2005. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, folk, hard rock, melodic, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, Quick Play, review, Strangers No More, the 19th Street Band | Leave a comment

Album review: JOSHUA BURNELL – Glass Knight

Posted on August 3, 2023 by jason

Website [Release date 11.08.23] This reviewer enjoyed Joshua Burnell’s last album, 2020′s ‘Flowers Where The Horses Sleep’ and with an artist not limited by genre boundaries, expectations were raised for ‘Glass Knight’. With all music and lyrics written and arranged … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, Glass Knight, Joshua Burnell, melodic, pop, review, rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

News: BRUCE SOORD, MESHUGGAH, OF MICE AND MEN (August 2023)

Posted on July 31, 2023 by jason

The Anchoress will release a covers album ‘Versions’ on October 6 through Drowned In Sound. Atlantea, the new progressive rock project by Ten’s Darrel Treece-Birch, has signed a record deal with Lion Music. Ronnie Atkins releases his third solo album, … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, blues, Bruce Soord, classic rock, folk, gigs, Messugah, metal, news, Of Mice And Men, prog rock, Re-issues/special editions, RIP, The Pineapple Thief, tour dates | Leave a comment

Gig review: HEATHEN APOSTLES – Six Six Bar, Cambridge, Monday 24 July 2023

Posted on July 26, 2023 by jason

It was the night Bloodgrass came to the dark environs of the Six Six Bar in sleepy university city, an unusually large flock of jet-black crows seen above the ever-reaching spires of Cambridge. The portents were heavy and the anticipation … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Americana, bloodgrass, Cambridge, gig, gothic, Heathen Apostles, Monday 24 July 2023, Old Man Boom, review, Six Six Bar | Leave a comment

Album review: THE FIERCE & THE DEAD – News From The Invisible World

Posted on July 23, 2023 by jason

THE FIERCE AND THE DEAD - News From The Invisible World

Spencer Park Music [Release date 28.07.23] The Fierce and The Dead have been working on this album over the past five years. It also marks a major change to the band’s sound, lead vocals from bassist Kevin Feazey (Blur’s Damon … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, metal, modern metal, News From The Invisible World, prog metal, progressive, review, TFATD, The Fierce & The Dead | Leave a comment

Album review: RAY ALDER – II

Posted on July 16, 2023 by jason

Inside Out [Release date: 09.06.23] When asked to compile a list of the most influential vocalists of the Progressive Metal genre, Ray Alder’s is, undoubtedly and reservedly so, one of the very first names that comes to mind. Having been … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Fates Warning, II, Jim Matheos, metal, prog metal, progressive, Ray Alder, review | Leave a comment

Album review: TONY MITCHELL – Radio Heartbeat

Posted on July 16, 2023 by jason

Pride & Glory Music [Release date 21.07.23] The fourth solo album from Tony Mitchell, of Kiss Of The Gypsy & Dirty White Boyz fame. Joining him on here are Midnite City guitarist Miles Meakin, bassist Nigel Bailey (Dirty White Boyz, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, hard rock, Kiss Of The Gypsy, melodic rock, Nigel Bailey, Radio Heartbeat, review, rock, Tony Mitchell | Leave a comment

Album review: SEAN TAYLOR – Short Stories

Posted on July 15, 2023 by jason

Website [Release date 14.07.23] Sean Taylor returns with another album full of melody and thoughtful lyrics. Joining Sean are Ben Walker (guitars, electric piano), Mike Seal (double bass), Paulina Szczepaniak (percussion), Justin Carroll (Hammond organ), Joe Harvey Whyte (pedal steel) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, melodic, pop, review, Sean Taylor, Short Stories, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BEN REEL – Come A Long Way

Posted on July 10, 2023 by jason

Website [Release date 30.06.23] ‘Come A Long Way’ is the 11th album from Ben Reel, with many of his previous releases given favourable reviews by GRTR! reviewer Pete Whalley (who has now, sadly, hung up his keyboard). This album features 11 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Ben Reel, Come A Long Way, country, folk, pop, review, rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: SYTERIA – Syteria World

Posted on July 9, 2023 by jason

Cargo Records [Release date 11.08.23] Formed in the mid 10s by Jax Chambers, best known as the lead guitarist of Girlschool, Syteria have released a number of albums and singles independently (check out www.syteria.co.uk for more). This Yorkshire based and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, GIRLSCHOOL, hard rock, Jax Chambers, punk, review, rock, Syteria, Syteria World | Leave a comment

Book review: SLADE in the 1970s (Decades) by Darren Johnson

Posted on July 3, 2023 by jason

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 26.05.23] Slade were one of the biggest British bands of the 1970s, three UK number one albums (and one in Australia), six number one singles in the UK and Irish charts, numerous top 10 hit singles and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Classic Albums, classic rock, Darren Johnson, Dave Hill, Don Powell, glam, glam rock, hard rock, Jim Lea, Noddy Holder, review, rock, Slade, Slade in the 1970s (Decades), Sonicbound Publishing | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JOANNA CONNOR, AL STAEHELY, BETWEEN BEACH AND FOREST

Posted on July 2, 2023 by jason

Joanna Connor – Best of Me Quarto Valley Records [Release date 09.06.23] Chicago blues guitar great Joanna Connor releases her 15th album. Joining Joanna Connor are her regular “Wrecking Crew” touring band: Shaun Gotti Calloway (bass); Dan Souvigny (guitar, keys); … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Al Staehely, albums, Americana, Best Of Me, Between Beach and Forest, blues, folk, indie, Joanna Connor, Joe Bonamassa, reviews, rock, Somewhere In West Texas, Spirit | Leave a comment

News: DIO, MARC HUDSON, LINDISFARNE (July 2023)

Posted on June 30, 2023 by jason

Bad Touch - GIANTS OF ROCK, Butlins, Minehead, 25-27 January 2019

Angra have signed with Atomic Fire Records who release their new album ‘Cycles Of Pain’ on November 3. Any Given Sin release their latest album ‘War Within’ via Mascot Records on August 4. Asking Alexandria have confirmed the release date … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Books, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, PledgeMusic/Kickstarter Campaigns, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/News, Re-issues/special editions, RIP | Tagged albums, blues, classic rock, Dio, Dragonfroce, folk, gigs, Lindisfarne, Marc Hudson, metal, news, prog rock, Re-issues/special editions, RIP, tour dates | Leave a comment

Rising Stars interview: JESSICA LYNN

Posted on June 29, 2023 by jason

Jessica Lynn has been described by American Songwriter as “country arena rock”, and her 7-show UK tour will take place this July. Stateside, Jessica Lynn is famed for the spectacle and quality of her live shows and stagecraft — not to mention her TV … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged country, country pop, gigs, interview, Jessica Lynn, pop, Richard Marx, Rising Stars, rock, soul, tour dates | Leave a comment

Album review: KEELEY – Floating Above Everything Else

Posted on June 26, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 30.06.23] To some, music is a drug, constantly searching for that new high that will set the pulses racing and synapses firing. In a world of identikit artists all vying for airplay and sales, it’s a thing of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Maguire, album, alt pop, Floating Above Everything Else, Keeley, Keeley Moss, pop. melodic, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: SOUNDSCAPISM INC. – Staring Down On Incandescent Cities

Posted on June 25, 2023 by jason

EtherealSoundWorks [Release date 20.07.23] Fifth album by Soundscapism Inc., the musical project created by Bruno A, who handles the production and the majority of the instruments on the album, along with composing all the music and writing the lyrics (save for … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ambient, electronica, experimental, progressive, review, rock, Soundscapism Inc, Staring Down On Incandescent Cities | Leave a comment

Album review: JAN JAMES – Time Bomb

Posted on June 16, 2023 by jason

www.janjames.com [Release date b28.07.23] Jan James 2020 release ‘Justify’ was a decent set of blues & soul numbers and now we have her latest release, again recorded and written with her partner Craig Calvert (who also plays guitar and bass … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Craig Calvert, Jan James, Motown, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, soul, Time Bomb | Leave a comment

Singles review: JOSH TAERK, SUZI QUATRO, ALICE COOPER, DEGREED

Posted on June 16, 2023 by jason

JOSH TAERK Hold On Virginia AMG/Sony Music Josh is well known to readers of this site, and indeed listeners of GRTR! Radio, as his monthly live sessions with his family have been a treat since 2020. Now we have a new … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Alice Cooper, Coney Hatch, country, Degreed, Josh Taerk, KT Tunstall, new music, pop, pop rock, review, rock, singles, Suzi Quatro | Leave a comment

Backstage Heroes: DARREN JOHNSON

Posted on June 15, 2023 by jason

Author and reviewer Darren Johnson has three published books to date, with ‘Slade in the 1970s’ recently published by SonicBond Publishing. Here we find out more about his introduction to rock music, why he loves glam rock in particular, all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Backstage Heroes | Tagged author, Backstage Hero, book, classic rock, Darren Johnson, glam rock, GRTR!, interview, Jim Lea, Jimmy Page, Noddy Holder, rock, Slade in the 1970s, Suzi Quatro, Sweet | Leave a comment

Album review: THE GUESS WHO – Plein D’Amour

Posted on June 11, 2023 by jason

Deko Entertainment [Release date 07.07.23] The Guess Who’s 2018 album, ‘The Future IS What It Used to Be’, wasn’t bad at all, maybe a bit too AOR/melodic rock for diehard fans, possibly due to Styx’s Tommy Shaw having a large … Continue reading →