Category Archives: ALL POSTS

Album review: HEAVY PETTIN’ – Reissues

BurntOut Wreckords/Cherry Red [Release date 29.11.19] Melodic rockers Heavy Pettin’, onetime Kerrang! faves, produced a couple of fine records in the 80s, and with drummer Gary Moat’s own Burnt Out Wreck currently receiving much acclaim, the band’s three albums get … Continue reading

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Gig review: BUCK & EVANS – 100 Club, London, 19 November 2019

BUCK & EVANS- 100 Club, London, 19 November 2019

When I saw them at the prestigious 100 Club only six months ago, Buck and Evans were still previewing songs from an album that, like Billy Bunter’s postal order or an election manifesto promise, was constantly  about to be delivered- … Continue reading

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Album review: DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION (DBA) – Live In England (CD/DVD)

DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION (DBA) - Live In England (CD/DVD)

Magical Thinker Records [Release date 29.11.19] Geoff Downes has been involved in a whole range of projects over the years, outside of Asia and Yes.  His collaboration with UK born, LA-based Chris Braide seems to be one of the more … Continue reading

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Album review: THE FARGO RAILROAD COMPANY – Under These Lights

THE FARGO RAILROAD COMPANY - Under These Lights

[Release date 15.11.19] The band’s name and the iconic sleeve/artwork featuring a vintage Chevrolet pick-up would never lead you to the band’s steel hometown – of Sheffield.  But these days, southern rock/Americana knows no bounds. A hard working band, influenced … Continue reading

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Album review: MILES NIELSEN AND THE RUSTED HEARTS – Ohbahoy

MILES NIELSEN AND THE RUSTED HEARTS - Ohbahoy

[Release date 10.01.20] The cynic in me always puts extra scrutiny on the veracity of projects by the offspring of famous ‘rock ‘n’ roll parentage – in this case, the son and heir of Cheap Trick lead guitarist and principle … Continue reading

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Album review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – Bury’d Alive

Chantel McGregor - Bury

Tis Rock Music Ltd [Release date 24.09.19] ‘Bury’d Alive’ is an album that celebrates honesty, integrity and intensity. It’s honest because what you hear is what went down on the night. It’s full of integrity because Chantel McGregor champions new … Continue reading

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Album review: THE ROLLING STONES – Bridges to Buenos Aires

THE ROLLING STONES - Bridges to Buenos Aires

Eagle Records [Release date 08.11.19] It would be somewhat of an understatement to say that I am a huge Stones fan, and the band’s live releases over the last few years has been prolific to say the least. The latest, … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE AMAZONS – O2 Academy, Bristol, 17 November 2019

It’s a cold Sunday night, and raining heavily as I try to navigate the streets of Bristol, armed with Google Maps and a soggy friend in tow to see the Amazons. We finally arrive at the O2 Academy, where the … Continue reading

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Album review: PRETTY MAIDS – Undress Your Madness

PRETTY MAIDS – Undress Your Madness

Frontiers [Release date 08.11.19] This new album by the Pretty Maids (number 16 from a band who have been around for nearly 40 years now), has been overshadowed by the sad news that vocalist Ronnie Atkins has been diagnosed with … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 3 – Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 9 November 2019

After the high of Saturday there was a more subdued feeling around the smaller arena as the early unplugged sessions got underway with CADENCE NOIR and DEVILFIRE.  A little thin on the ground at this early hour, the previous long … Continue reading

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Album review: RODNEY MATTHEWS & JEFF SCHEETZ – Trinity

RODNEY MATTHEWS - Trinity

Rodney Matthews Studios [Release date 13.12.19] Renowned fantasy artist Rodney Matthews, illustrator of over140 album covers, is also a jazz/rock/prog drummer of note, and has previously recorded solo and with guitarist Jeff Scheetz. Here he teams up again with Scheetz … Continue reading

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Album review: YES – From A Page/In The Present Live From Lyon (box set)

YES - From A Page/In The Present Live From Lyon

Yes [Release date 27.10.19] This boxed set is perhaps best considered as a “stop-gap” for fans in the absence of any new product following this summer’s Yes 50 Live release, and ahead of the band’s 2020 UK tour. One-time Yes … Continue reading

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Album review: JOE BONAMASSA – Live At The Sydney Opera House

Joe Bonamassa - Live at The Sydney Opera House

Provogue [Release date 25.10.19] ‘Live At The Sydney Opera House’ is staggeringly Joe Bonamassa’s 17th live album and while the geography may change and the material recycles recent studio material, the performance is consistently good. If his strategy is to … Continue reading

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Gig review: HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 2 – Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 8 November 2019

First band on the mainstage were Highway To Hell winners, TWISTER.  The Durham band had been popular winners and the early start saw many seeking out breakfast and a brew to join the band in the main arena. The set-up … Continue reading

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Gig review: MIDNITE CITY – The Lounge, Archway, London, 8 November 2019

MIDNITE CITY- The Lounge, Archway, London, 8 November 2019

The list of successful UK melodic rock acts is a frustratingly short one, but Midnite City must be going about things the right way. After releasing a pair of excellent albums in short succession they recently enjoyed the prestige of … Continue reading

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Album review: RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

Inside Out [Release date 18.10.19] It takes a lot of guts to step out from the safety an established band but Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder has produced an album of extraordinary depth and passion in this, his debut solo … Continue reading

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Gig review: BRIAN DOWNEY’S ALIVE AND DANGEROUS – Underworld, Camden, London, 7 November 2019

BRIAN DOWNEY

While Phil Lynott was the public face and voice of Thin Lizzy and the twin lead guitars their identifiable sound, the contribution of drummer Brian Downey throughout the band’s original existence should never be underestimated. He was even tempted back … Continue reading

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Gig review: STEVE HACKETT – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 11 November 2019

STEVE HACKETT - Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 11 November 2019

The latest incarnation of Steve Hackett’s “Genesis Revisited” tour swept into Liverpool’s iconic, Eric Gill-inspired, Philharmonic Hall on an absolutely filthy November evening – not that it deterred a single one of the Hackett cognoscenti who filled the hall to … Continue reading

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Album review: SPARKS – Past Tense: The Best Of Sparks

SPARKS – Past Tense The Best Of Sparks

BMG [Release date 08.11.19] For many people of a certain age Sparks are famed for the high vocals and scary looking bloke on the keyboards, yet there is so much more to their music aside from the big hits ‘This … Continue reading

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Gig review – HRH FESTIVAL, DAY 1, Vauxhall Holiday Park, Gt Yarmouth, 7 November 2019

Day one proper of the HRH festivities found a change to the set up in the main arena following the awards ceremony. A VIP section had been placed directly in front of the main stage pushing back the main public barrier.  This meant the vibe definitely changed from the previous day from one of frivolity and … Continue reading

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News: CANCER ON THE ROCKS – charity gig at Bush Hall, London features Romeo’s Daughter, Piston and others (23/24 November 2019)

Romeo

Cancer On The Rocks, a two day festival in aid of Macmillan and The Royal Marsden Hospital, takes place for the first time this year in London at Bush Hall, 23/24 November.   The brainchild of Skyfire Records’  Rick Palin, … Continue reading

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Gig review: MASON HILL/Keylock/Cormac Neeson – The Black Heart, Camden, London, 5 November 2019

MASON HILL/Keylock/Cormac Neeson- The Black Heart, Camden, London- 5 November 2019

While classic rock may no longer sit in the mainstream, the contemporary scene has continuously been improving and is now arguably at its healthiest for many years, helped by sympathetic radio stations and websites (or both in GRTR!’s case!) This … Continue reading

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Album review: SPARKS – Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

SPARKS - Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

BMG [Release date 01.11.19] ‘Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins’ originally came out in 1994 and came after a six year gap by Sparks since 1988’s ‘Interior Design’ album. The band were said to be on hiatus, something Ron Mael takes … Continue reading

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Album review: INCOGNITO – Tomorrow’s New Dream

INCOGNITO – Tomorrow’s New Dream

Absolute [Release date 08.11.19] While the name may not immediately trigger recognition, acid jazz group Incognito are a group that have a long association with the London club scene. Formed in 1979 by Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and Paul “Tubbs” Williams, … Continue reading

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Album review: MOLLY HATCHET – Battleground

MOLLY HATCHETT - Battleground

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 29.11.19] Formed in the early 70s by guitarists Steve Holland and Dave Hlubek, Molly Hatchet released their eponymous debut on Epic in 1978, and were at the forefront of the second wave of Southern Rock. Inspired by … Continue reading

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