Category Archives: FEATURES

A selection of interviews and longer articles including updated archive material

Feature: Baker’s Dozen – Librarians With Hickeys

Posted on December 7, 2024 by jason

LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS - How To Make Friends By Telephone

Librarians With Hickeys are an indie pop rock duo consisting of Ray Carmen and Mike Crooker. Here both of them choose an eclectic Baker’s Dozen… Ray Carmen (in more or less no particular order) 1. Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged alternative, Bakers Dozen, feature, indie, Librarians With Hickeys, Mike Crocker, Paul McArtney, playlist, pop, pop rock, power pop, Ray Carmen, Robyn Hitchcock, rock, XTC | Leave a comment

Feature: Box Sets are for life, not just for Christmas…(December 2024)

Posted on November 29, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

The reissues and recycling still come thick and fast, not least in the unashamed “reissue” of vinyl – another income stream for the record labels designed to extract more wedge from our hard-pressed wallets. Here is our round-up of recommended … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged anthology, Black Sabbath, box sets, boxsets, classic rock, collections, folk rock, Glenn Hughes, heavy rock, pop rock, Progressive Rock, singer songwriter, The Producers, Thunder, Tony Iommi, Trevor Horn | Leave a comment

Feature: PHIL VINCENT’s Baker’s Dozen

Posted on November 24, 2024 by jason

A Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum of two … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged Bakers Dozen, Beatles, feature, hard rock, heavy metal, Jon Butcher Axis, Judas Priest, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, pop, prog rock, Queen, RAVEN, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Feature: CASEY MAUNDER’s Bakers Dozen

Posted on November 13, 2024 by jason

The first Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply – Maximum of three songs from any artist Maximum of two songs from any album Maximum … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged Bakers Dozen, Casey Maunder, Cheap Trick, feature, Get Out and Push, hard rock, melodic rock, playlist, Spotify, Tigertailz | Leave a comment

Feature: Rock: Rewired – STEVE MARRIOTT Part 2 (Peter Frampton interview)

Posted on April 18, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Peter Frampton and Steve Marriott, January 1991

In the second part of our Steve Marriott feature, Iain McGonigal chatted to Peter Frampton in 2017 about their relationship, Humble Pie, and beyond… Sadly, Steve Marriott only lived for three and a half months of 1991. During this time, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, Rock: Rewired | Tagged blues rock, classic rock, feature, hard rock, Humble Pie, interview, Peter Frampton, Steve Marriott, The Herd | Leave a comment

Feature: Rock: Rewired – STEVE MARRIOTT (Part 1)

Posted on April 18, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

In his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 21 April David Randall played a selection of tracks celebrating Steve Marriott. It’s 33 years since the sad passing of Steve Marriott (20 April 1991). Here Iain McGonigal recalls … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, Rock: Rewired | Tagged blues rock, classic rock, feature, hard rock, Humble Pie, Steve Marriott, The Official Receivers, The Small Faces | Leave a comment

Feature: DANNY VAUGHN at Fairycroft House, Saffron Walden, May 24 2024

Posted on March 27, 2024 by jason

A new venture at a smaller venue is the focus of our feature and emphasising the continuing importance of grass roots music promotion… Feature by Jason Ritchie Not content with photographing rock and roll artists under his Mart’s Arts Photography … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Backstage Heroes, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged acoustic, AOR, Dan Reed, Danny Vaughn, Fairycroft House, Friday May 24 2024, gig, interviews, Martin David Porter, melodic rock, Motorhead, rock, singer songwriter, Tim Atkinson, Tyketto, Wurzel | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – MAGNUM (December 2023)

Posted on December 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: Darren Griffiths They nearly folded in 1983, played the arenas in the late 1980s, and nose-dived in 1995. But – fifty years on – Magnum remain magnificent Magnum have figured prominently in our coverage at GRTR! since 2003. This … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged albums, band, Bob Catley, classic rock, gigs, interview, Magnum, melodic rock, pomp rock, radio, retrospective, review, Tony Clarkin | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – SAXON (November 2023)

Posted on November 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

The wheels of steel keep turning for the heavy metal masters, and have turned ever more quickly for Saxon in the millennium Photo: Darren Griffiths In April 2007 there was a reality TV show when Harvey Goldsmith hosted an attempt … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – THUNDER (October 2023)

Posted on October 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Lightning may have struck twice for Thunder but since their 2011 comeback they have produced some of their best work via albums and shows Photo: Darren Griffiths The millennium has marked the “second coming” of several bands who had differing … Continue reading →

Posted in FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged Ben Matthews, Chris Childs, classic rock, Danny Bowes, feature, hard rock, Harry James, interviews, Luke Morley, retrospective, reviews, Thunder | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – STEVE HACKETT (September 2023)

Posted on September 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

With the Genesis genie well and truly out of the bottle, Steve Hackett continues the legacy whilst topping up his own illustrious back catalogue. Prog-tastic! Photo: Simon Dunkerley The ascent of GRTR! since 2003 coincides with the rise and rise … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged feature, Genesis, guitar, guitarist, interview, prog, Progressive Rock, radio, retrospective, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – CATS IN SPACE (August 2023)

Posted on July 18, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Pop rock revivalists whose rise and rise has been almost purr-fect… damn that pandemic… Cats in Space are a unique proposition among the new generation of classic rock bands that have emerged in recent years (writes Andy Nathan). Acts that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged August 2023, Cats In Space, classic rock, feature, Grotto, pop rock, retrospective | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – MARILLION (July 2023)

Posted on July 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: David Randall Self sufficient free spirits who keep getting better, and in spite of “Sugar Mice”… Marillion’s entry into our hallowed portal coincides with the period that they have been self-sufficient. By 1998 ostracised by the likes of EMI … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged classic rock, feature, Ian Mosley, Marillion, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – FM (June 2023)

Posted on June 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: David Randall The nearly-men of melodic rock returned as the now-men in the millennium… In the twenty years of Get Ready to ROCK! one phenomena has been the renaissance of bands who “back in the day” never fully realised … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – WALTER TROUT (May 2023)

Posted on May 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: John Bull/Rockrpix Walter Trout has consolidated his solo career, overcome major health issues, and remained relevant at the forefront of blues rock… Damn right Walter’s got the blues! But he’s thrown out the clichés, blown away the cobwebs, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged anniversary, blues, blues rock, feature, GRTR!@20, guitar, guitarist, history, overview, summary, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Blues and Blues Rock – Primer

Posted on April 23, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

They say “popular” music goes in cycles and fifteen years after the latest blues/rock revival spearheaded by the likes of Jeff Healey and Gary Moore, the genre received a boost from the arrival of Joe Bonamassa, especially in Europe which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The Primer | Tagged blues, blues rock, Joe Bonamassa, Pete Feenstra, primer, summary, survey, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 – Top Albums, Top Live Acts – reviewer choices 2003-2023

Posted on April 5, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Get Ready to ROCK! celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023. Since 2003 it has been at the forefront of online rock music review and is one of the most visible and enduring rock websites. The review team is one of … Continue reading →

Posted in FEATURES, GRTR!@20 | Tagged 2003-2023, albums, best of, blues rock, classic rock, live acts, melodic rock, Progressive Rock, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – JOE BONAMASSA (April 2023)

Posted on April 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: Simon Dunkerley Bonamassa brings the blues to a new generation, at least until 2039… “Let’s start by doctoring the immortal phrase, ‘He came, he saw, (he blinked twice, took a deep breath), and conquered”! Joe Bonamassa and his gifted … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged blues, blues rock, feature, guitar, guitarist, Joe Bonamassa | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – ELEANOR McEVOY (March 2023)

Posted on March 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

As Irish and iconic as Guinness and also dark and lively in equal measures… Singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy first came to wider attention in 1992 when she was part of “A Woman’s Heart” compilation with Mary Black and other female … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged acoustic, classic rock, Eleanor McEvoy, folk, interview, March 2023, roots, singer, songwriter, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Leave a comment

Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – CHANTEL McGREGOR (February 2023)

Posted on February 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Chantel’s down to earth Yorkshire lass delivery has endeared her to fans as much as her musicianship… Photo: David Randall Yorkshire singer/songwriter/guitarist Chantel McGregor first came to our attention in May 2010 when Pete Feenstra reviewed her debut London gig … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GRTR!@20, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged album, blues rock, Chantel McGregor, classic rock, feature, guitar, guitarist, interview, review | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Waking The Witch

Posted on January 17, 2023 by jason

Jason Ritchie charts the rise and demise of a favourite band… Waking The Witch initially consisted of Rachel Goodwin, Patsy Matheson, Jools Parker, and Michelle Plum, with Becky Mills replacing Plum in 2005, all of whom also worked as solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The Rising Stars Revisited | Tagged Becky Mills, feature, folk, GRTR!@20, indie, interview, Patsy Matheson, Rising Stars, roots, singer songwriter, Waking the Witch | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 – The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – THE DARKNESS (January 2023)

Posted on January 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

The band that put the fun back into rock… Photo: Darren Griffiths Launching our anniversary series in January 2023, a band whose rise we followed from 2003 when they released their debut album ‘Permission To Land’. A year later the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged album, classic rock, festival, gig, glam rock, hard rock, interview, Justin Hawkins, review, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Progressive Rock – Primer

Posted on November 29, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

There has been a resurgence of interest in prog in the millennium. Alan Jones chronicles some of the artists and bands who continue to fly the flag for the genre. Warning: Steven Wilson looms large … Back in the day, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES, GRTR!@20, The Primer | Tagged Marillion, prog, Progressive Rock, review, RIVERSIDE, Steve Hackett, Steven Wilson, summary | Leave a comment

Feature: Box sets for life, not just for Christmas – LOVE, EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, MARILLION (2022)

Posted on November 23, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Love - Expressions Tell Everything (Box set)

We had it first with CDs in the 1980s and 90s, more recently with resurgent vinyl. The big record labels want us to rebuy our past! And in many cases there are re-releases of re-releases. Why, oh why, can’t they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Collectible Collections, FEATURES, Reissues | Tagged album, Arthur Lee, box sets, Emerson, Harry Chapin, Lake & Palmer, Love, Marillion, Progressive Rock, review, singer songwriter, singles | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 Anniversary – Metal – Primer

Posted on November 21, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

During the period 2003-2023 metal had morphed into various guises. Brian McGowan tries to keep up with it and surveys the period… Heavy Metal is a musical phenomenon that continues to gain in strength and popularity, worldwide. It has the … Continue reading →