Author Archives: jason

Gig review: SQUEEZE – Royal Albert Hall, London, 15 October 2015

Posted on October 16, 2015 by jason

The Royal Albert Hall always makes any gig feel that little bit extra special with its grand exterior and interior. First up was a young four piece Millions. They were okay, typical indie rock fare and like newer bands they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Chris Difford, Cradle To The Grave, Dr John Cooper Clarke, gig, Glenn Tilbrook, pop, punk poet, review, rock, Royal Albert Hall, Squeeze | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE EVENING SHADES, CLAUS HASSING, SOVEREIGN COUNCIL

Posted on October 13, 2015 by jason

THE EVENING SHADES Alright www.theeveningshades.com [Release date 28.08.15] The Evening Shades are a US four piece consisting of Mark Thales (vocals/acoustic guitar), Matthew Tayvis (bass/keys), Sam Kovic (guitars) and Justen Nielsen (drums). This band have an ear for a decent … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Alright, Butterfly Child, Claus Hassing, Futures, Hyperlive, Kinght Area, Laniakae, melodic metal, Open Your Heart, pop, review, rock, Sovereign Council, the Evening Shades | Leave a comment

Interview: MARTINA EDOFF

Posted on October 12, 2015 by jason

Martina Edoff is back with her new album ‘Unity’ and on this one she has enlisted the help of H.E.A.T.’s keyboards player Jona Tee. Over to Martina for some questions about the album, her favourite three albums of all time … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged album, H.E.A.T., hard rock, interview, Jona Tee, Martina Edoff, melodic, Unity | Leave a comment

Album review: SERPENTINE SKY

Posted on October 12, 2015 by jason

Melodic Rock Records [Release date 30.10.15] I was on a hat-trick of extremely decent Aussie band discoveries after hearing “One Thousand Years” and “Datura4” recently so when Serpentine Sky’s album landed on my desk, I was hopeful it might complete … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, melodic rock, review, Serpentine Sky | Leave a comment

Album review: CIRCLE II CIRCLE – Reign Of Darkness

Posted on October 11, 2015 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 16.10.15] Circle II Circle are back with their latest album, which vocalist Zak Stevens says represents a musical reinvention for the band. Mmm, not too sure about that as the album is a typical Circle II Circle … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Circle II Circle, power metal, Reign Of Darkness, review, Savatage, Zak Stevens | Leave a comment

Interview: NAD SYLVAN (October 2015)

Posted on October 10, 2015 by jason

Nad Slyvan is the vocalist with Steve Hackett and Agents of Mercy. He has also just released his latest solo album ‘Courting The Widow’ on Inside Out. Guests include Nick Beggs, Steve Hackett, the Flower Kings’ Roine Stolt and former … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged Courting The Widow, Inside Out, interview, Nad Slyvan, progressive, rock, solo album, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

Album review: QUEENSRYCHE – Condition Human

Posted on October 6, 2015 by jason

Century Media [Release date 02.10.15] Queensryche release their second studio album featuring former Crimson Glory vocalist Todd La Torre just a couple of weeks after former vocalist Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindchrime released their latest album. Coincidence or deliberate timing? Either … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Condition Human, metal, prog, progressive metal, Queensryche, review | Leave a comment

Album reviews: GAMMA RAY – Sigh No More/Heading For The East

Posted on October 5, 2015 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 25.09.15] Another anniversary edition, Gamma Ray’s second album Sigh No More was originally released back in 1991. It came out just as grunge was starting, although metal bands were never hit as much as the hair metal … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, anniversary edition, Gamma Ray, Heading For The East, Helloween, Kai Hansen, power metal, Ralf Scheepers, reissue, review, Sigh No More | Leave a comment

Album review: ANDERSON PONTY BAND – Better Late Than Never

Posted on October 5, 2015 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 25.09.15] The album features two legendary musicians, former Yes vocalist Jon Anderson and violinist/jazz composer Jean Luc Ponty. The idea for these two musicians to work together was first mooted back in the 1980′s, it is only … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anderson Ponty Band, Better Late Than Never, jazz, Jazz rock, Jean Luc Ponty, Jon Anderson, prog, review, rock, violin, Yes | Leave a comment

Quick plays: HEYLEL, P.O.D.

Posted on October 4, 2015 by jason

HEYLEL – Flesh [Release date 29.09.15] Portuguese three piece who consist of vocalist Ana Batista, Narciso Monteiro (guitars/keys) and Felipe Braga (drums). They released their debut album last year and this EP is a stop gap perhaps until a new … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alternative, Flesh, Heylel, metal, P.O.D., review, rock, soundtrack, The Awakening, This Is England '90, TV series | Leave a comment

Interview: GEOFF EVERETT, blues guitarist (September 2015)

Posted on October 4, 2015 by jason

GEOFF EVERETT BAND - The Quick And The Dead

GRTR!’s Mark ‘Mad Dog’ Shaw catches up with blues guitarist Geoff Everett for a few Q’s… 1) Thanks for taking the time to talk to GRTR! Geoff – talking of which, I’m curious….when you’ve finished your Starbucks and read the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged blues, Geoff Everett, guitarist, interview, September 2015 | Leave a comment

Album review: GEOFF EVERETT BAND – Cut And Run

Posted on October 4, 2015 by jason

www.thegeoffeverettband.co.uk Let’s just put a stake in the ground right from the get-go and call journeyman guitarist Geoff Everett one of Britain’s longest-standing blues/rock treasures. Geoff has been plying his trade since the ‘60s and, for the uninitiated, he can … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Adult Show, album, blues, Cut And Run, Geoff Everett, guitar, guitarist, review, rock, the Geoff Everett Band, the Quick and the Dead | Leave a comment

Album review: CASABLANCA – Miskatonic Graffiti

Posted on October 4, 2015 by jason

Despotz Records [Release date 25.09.15] I am a big fan of the first two albums from Swedish/American band Casablanca, and album number three is no disappointment. A concept album based on Chuthulu mythology, that aside, the album has a maturer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alice Cooper, Casablanca, glam, Miskatonic Graffiti, review, rock, Ryan Roxie | Leave a comment

Album review: SQUEEZE – Cradle To The Grave

Posted on September 30, 2015 by jason

[Release date 02.10.15] Squeeze return with their first album of new songs since 1998. The impetus for this has come from radio and TV veteran Danny Baker’s memoir being made into a TV series. Squeeze have provided a soundtrack of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, book, Chris Difford, Cradle To The Grave, Danny Baker, Glenn Tilbrook, memoir, Peter Kay, pop, review, Squeeze | 1 Comment

Album review: KIRT DEBIQUE – Things Left Unsaid

Posted on September 29, 2015 by jason

Brick Lane Records [Release date 23.10.15] This is the debut album by Kirt Debique, a self-taught musician who also owns Brick Lane Records and amazingly he has only been serious about making music these past six or seven years. He … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Depeche Mode, electro, Kirt Debique, pop, review, songwriter, Things Left Unsaid | 1 Comment

News: HAREM SCAREM, MAJOR INSTINCT, DEE SNIDER – Tuesday 29 September 2015

Posted on September 29, 2015 by jason

Dee Snider - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Day 2 - Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 26 July 2015

Dave Gilmour topped the UK album charts this week with his new album ‘Rattle That Lock’. Major Instinct release their debut album, ‘High Five’ on Nov 27th via AOR Heaven. The band features M.ILL.ION founder, main songwriter and bass guitarist B.J. Laneby. Harem Scarem … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions | Tagged AOR, AOR Heaven, B.J. Laneby, Chickenfoot, Christmas, Dave Gilmour, Dee Snider, Harem Scarem, M.ILL.ION, Major Instinct, melodic, news, rock, upcoming albums | Leave a comment

News: JEFF LYNNE’S ELO ‘ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE’ NEW ALBUM

Posted on September 24, 2015 by jason

JEFF LYNNE’S ELO ‘ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE’ Release Date: November 13, 2015 First album of all new ELO music in over a decade. Jeff Lynne’s ELO release their new album, ‘Alone In The Universe’ on November 13th, 2015 on Columbia … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged Alone In The Universe, classic, Columbia Records, ELO, Jeff Lynne, Jeff Lynne's ELO, new album, pop, radio, rock | Leave a comment

Interview: CATS IN SPACE

Posted on September 24, 2015 by jason

Cats In Space are a new band featuring band members who’ve played with the Sweet, T’Pau, Ian Gillan and Arena. They release their debut album, ‘Too Many Gods’ on October 30th via Cargo Records and we catch-up with Greg Hart … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged 10CC, 70s, Andy Scott, Cats In Space, debut album, ELO, Greg Hart, interview, melodic, Paul Manzi, Paul Manzi (Arena), pop, power pop, Queen, review, rock, soft rock, Sweet, Too Many Gods | 1 Comment

Album review: DEVIL CITY ANGELS

Posted on September 24, 2015 by jason

Century Media [Release date 11.09.15] You may hear that Devil City Angels comprises of members of L.A Guns, Cinderella and Poison and think ”oh great, yet another super group”, and yet this time the band really may be on to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic, Devil City Angels, LA Guns, melodic, Poison, review, Rikki Rockett, rock, Rudy Sarzo, Tracii Guns, Whitesnake | 1 Comment

Album review: CATS IN SPACE – Too Many Gods

Posted on September 21, 2015 by jason

Harmony Factory www.catsinspaceband.com [Released 30.10.15] Cats In Space are a new band who have a serious love of all things 1970′s soft rock/power pop. You can tell this from the band’s various members who are from bands with a 70′s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10CC, 70s, Andy Scott, Cats In Space, debut album, ELO, Greg Hart, melodic, Paul Manzi, Paul Manzi (Arena), pop, power pop, Queen, review, rock, soft rock, Sweet, Too Many Gods | Leave a comment

Album review: BELLOWHEAD – Pandemonium: The Essential Bellowhead

Posted on September 19, 2015 by jason

Navigator Records [Release date 16.10.15] Sadly Bellowhard have announced they are calling it a day after 11 years, however they are going out in style with an extensive farewell tour that carries on into 2016 and this, their first best … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bellowhead, best of, compilation, folk, Pandemonium The Essential Bellowhead, review, rock | 1 Comment

Album review: JOEL HOEKSTRA’S 13 – Dying To Live

Posted on September 16, 2015 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 16.10.15] www.joelhoekstra.com Current Whitesnake and former Night Ranger guitarist Joel Hoekstra has released a handful of instrumental only solo albums and this time he’s gone for vocals. He’s not the singer, instead we have two vocal giants … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, David Coverdale, Derek Sherinian, Dying To Live, guitarist, Jeff Scott Soto, Joel Hoekstra, Joel Hoekstra's 13, melodic rock, Night Ranger, review, Russell Allen, Symphony X, Tony Franklin, Vinny Appice, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Quick plays: C.O.P., MARTINA EDOFF, TAD MOROSE

Posted on September 14, 2015 by jason

C.O.P – State Of Rock AOR Heaven [Release date 25.09.15] C.O.P. are a new band featuring Grand Illusion’s vocalist Peter Sundell, who is joined by Ola af Trampe (guitar/bass) and his younger brother Christian (keys/drums). Take the first letter of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, C.O.P., Eric Rivers, Grand Illusion, H.E.A.T., Jonas tee, Martina Edoff, melodic rock, metal, Peter Sundell, review, St Demonious, State Of Rock, Tad Morose, Unity | 1 Comment

News: TREAT, RICK WAKEMAN, BELLOWHEAD – Sunday 13th September 2015

Posted on September 13, 2015 by jason

Rick Wakeman - Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 9 May 2014

RIP – guitarist Gary Richrath, who was in REO Speedwagon between 1970 and 1989. Former bassist with the Damned, Byrn Merrick, has passed away at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer. Treat have confirmed they are recording … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions | Tagged Bellowhead, folk, folk rock, Iron Maiden, KING KOBRA, metal, news, prog, Rick Wakeman, rock, tour dates, Treat, upcoming albums | Leave a comment

Album review: THIRD EYE BLIND – Dopamine

Posted on September 12, 2015 by jason

[Released 23.10.15] Third Eye Blind return with their first new studio album in six years. A band I have heard of, just not heard anything by until this album. Centred around Stephan Jenkins they have a love of a 80′s … Continue reading →