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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
Latest Album Reviews
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Album review : STATUS QUO – The Early Years Vol 2 (1970-72) 5 CD Boxset
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Quick plays: JUNIPER, ADY JOHNSON, ADAM BEATTIE
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Album review: ALBERT CASTIGLIA – Grits & Glory
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Album review : NINA ANTONIA AND THE LUNAR MOTHS – Dropping Like Butterflies
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Album review – PALLAS – The Midas Touch Boxset (8CDs+DVD)
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Album review: THE WESTERN FRONT – Eureka
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Latest Gig Reviews
GRTR! Greats
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Category Archives: ALL POSTS
Gig review: RIVAL SONS – The Ritz, Manchester, 11 December 2014
Rival Sons: are these guys the new Kings of Cool? They certainly put an essence of style back into rock music and show that it’s not all battered denim and leather as they stroll onto the stage suited and booted … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 11 December 2014, Blues Pills, blues rock, gig, Jameson, Manchester, psychedelic, review, Rival Sons, rock, The Ritz
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Gig review: H.E.A.T., Islington Academy London, 10 December 2014
Photo: Jim Templeton-Cross 2014 will go down for H.E.A.T. as the year when the young Swedes made their most significant breakthrough yet since exploding onto the scene with their debut album in 2008. For proof, look no further than GRTR! … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 10 December 2014, gig, H.E.A.T., hard rock, Islington Academy London, melodic rock, review
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Book review: BOB HENRIT – Banging On!
Bank House Books (2014) Bob Henrit’s ‘Banging On’ is the opposite of the usual sex, drugs, rock and roll and oblivion confessionals. It’s a lightly humorous recollection of his role in the drift of pop toward rock and beyond, but … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS
Tagged Adam Faith, Argent, Banging On!, Bob Henrit, book, Chas Hodges, Dave Davies, Don McClean, Ian Matthews, Jim McCarty, Jim Rodford, John Verity, Phoenix, Ray Davies, review, Richard Anthony, Richie Havens, Ringo Star, Robert Plant, Rod Argent, Roger Daltry, Russ Ballard, Sandie Shaw, Stevie Nicks, The Kinks, The Roulettes, The Yardbirds, The Zombies, Unit 4 + 2
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Album review: HAREM SCAREM -Thirteen
Frontiers Records [Release Date 05.12.14] While never quite crossing over into mainstream success, few bands are talked of in such hushed tones in melodic rock circles as Harem Scarem. Having split in 2008 but reformed last year and included three … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, melodic hard rock, review, Thirteen
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Album review: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – The Albums Collection Vol. 1 (1973-1984)
These 7 albums released by Bruce Springsteen in 11 years, as the title of the collection would suggest, contain 76 tracks that span big hits, songs that have been covered, an American timeline and an influence on many other bands … Continue reading
Album review: MOJO MAKERS – Devils Hands
Hypertension Music [Release Date: 10.10.14] ‘Devils Hands’ is a successful lo-fi, ‘live in the studio’ attempt to capture an essential bluesy feel and soulful vibe. The album comprises 11 impressive tracks steeped in a retro … Continue reading
Gig review: BLACK SPIDERS – The Cathouse, Glasgow, 8 December 2014
Monday, not the most rocking of nights but when the Black Spiders are in town Monday suddenly becomes the new Saturday. I have been lucky enough to see the band many times in the last few years and they never … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 8 December 2014, AC/DC, Black Spiders, gig, Glasgow, Kiss Tried To Kill Me, live, metal, Rival State, rock, The Cathouse, This Savage Land, Tiger Si, Turbogeist
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Gig review: THEA GILMORE – Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, 9 December 2014
Thea Gilmore’s Office Christmas bash was a somewhat conservative affair this year. As always, Thea was on sparkling form and buoyed with festive cheer, office manager Nigel Stonier orchestrated with his usual aplomb, and secretary Fluff and temp Liz Hanks … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 9 December 2014, acoustic, Chester, Christmas, gig, Nigel Stonier, review, singer, songwriter, Telford's Warehouse, Thea Gilmore
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Gig review: JOE ELLIOTT’s DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ/VEGA – The Garage, Highbury, London, 8 December 2014
Fan worship is the bedrock of music industry economics, but it is rare to see it coming from the other side of the monitors. However Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott has for many years openly sung the praises of the … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 8 December 2014, Def Leppard, gig, Highbury, Joe Elliott's Down 'N' Outz, London, melodic rock, Mott the Hoople, Quireboys, review, The Garage, Vega, Vixen
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Gig review: PLANET ROCKSTOCK – Porthcawl, 6 December 2014 (Day 2: Michael Schenker, Joe Elliott)
Jagermeister Stage Day 2 at Rockstock and the first day on the Jagermeister second stage and opening up are local band Serpentine. The band have recently had line-up changes and it is certainly nice to see them back in action … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 6 December 2014, Cadillac 3, Down N Outz, gig, Graveltones, Joe Elliott, Michael Schenker, Planet Rockstock, Porthcawl, review, rock, Serpentine, Tax The Heat, Vega
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Gig review: PLANET ROCKSTOCK – Porthcawl, 5 December 2014 (Day 1: California Breed, Joanne Shaw Taylor)
Planet Rockstock is one of a number of festivals springing up all over the country during off seasons in the holiday parks and I think it is safe to say that these will continue to grow in the future. Porthcawl … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 5 December 2014, blues, California Breed, gig, Glenn Hughes, Gun, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Motorhead, Phil Campbell, Planet Rockstock, Porthcawl, review, rock, South Wales, The Treatment
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Album review: MARTIN TURNER AND FRIENDS – The Garden Party
Dirty Dog Discs [Release date 27.10.14] This 2-CD album is like an almighty two-finger salute to Andy Powell. Back in 2012 Martin Turner assembled a stellar cast of one-time Wishbone Ash alumni and in front of a specially invited audience, … Continue reading
Album review: SWUNG – Vol.1 & 2 (feat. members of FOCUS)
In And Out Of Focus Records [Release date 03.11.14] ‘Swung’ was evidently conceived and recorded during downtime from the “day job” – for Bobby Jacobs and Pierre van der Linden this means the current incarnation of Focus. Although that band … Continue reading
News: THE BEST of 2014 – Vote for your favourites! Best rock albums and live acts!
Every year the GRTR! Reviewers choose their favourite albums and live acts. We reduce this selection to a list of ten in each category. The Best of 2014: Reviewers’ Choice We’ll publish the popular vote results on Tuesday 23 December. … Continue reading
Quick plays: HEKZ, STARSET, HANNE KOLSTO
HEKZ – Caerus Cherry Red Records [Released 03.11.14] This is the second album from up and coming UK based progressive metal band HeKz. They have been picked up by Cherry Red Records who will do a good job I am … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged album, alt rock, Caerus, electro pop, Hanne Kolsto, HeKz, Linkin Park, nu-metal, pop, progressive metal, review, rock, Starset, Transmissions
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Gig review: SLASH with MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS – The Hydro, Glasgow, 4 December 2014
The last time I saw Slash on stage was at the fateful Monsters Of Rock festival back in 1988 when Guns ‘N’ Roses took the place by storm and two fans went down in the crowd and didn’t resurface, a … Continue reading
Gig review: THE PINEAPPLE THIEF – The O2 Islington Academy, London, 3 December 2014
Ask me to name my favourite albums for 2014 and The Pineapple Thief’s “Magnolia” will certainly feature in my Top 10 list. Even though my introduction to Bruce Soord’s Alternative/Progressive Rock outfit only took place a couple of years ago, … Continue reading
Album review: ANGELS AND AIRWAVES – The Dream Walker
[Released 09.12.14] This album is just one part of a multimedia project from Angels and Airwaves that will include a short film, comic books, a graphic novel, videos and animations that will all tie in to a central character known … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Angels and Airwaves, Blink 182, pop, review, rock, synths, The Dream Walker, Tom DeLonge
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Gig review: GRAHAM BONNET – 02 Islington Academy 2, 1 December 2014
For someone whose live appearances have been sporadic in his home country over the years, it was a surprise to see Graham Bonnet doing a second tour of 2014. Unfortunately allied to timing it in the busiest period of the … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 1 December 2014, Beth-Ami Heavenstone, Conrado Pesinato, David Sinclair Four, Doogie White, gig, Graham Bonnet, London, Morpheus Rising, O2 Islington Academy, Rainbow, review
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Album review: HARMONY – Theatre Of Redemption
Ulterium Records [Release date 28.11.14] It’s probably not a good idea to release albums a month or so before Christmas: they tend to get lost in the festivities and almost certainly miss out in best of year selections. Which is … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Code Of Silence, Harmony, melodic metal, power metal, review, Theatre Of Redemption
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Gig review: BIG COUNTRY – Clapham Grand, 28 November 2014
Big Country’s sophomore album Steeltown has had the full treatment to mark its 30th anniversary, first a deluxe reissue and then a tour in which the album is played in its entirety. The band did a similar thing with their … Continue reading
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Tagged 28 November 2014, album, Big Country, Clapham Grand, London, review, rock
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Gig review: ACCEPT – The Forum, London, 27 November 2014
When the last of many attempts to reunite Udo Dirkschneider with the remaining members of Accept folded back in 2009, many fans of the German Heavy Metal combo, myself included, believed that the days of this musical institution were numbered. … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Gig reviews
Tagged 27 November 2014, Accept, Forum, gig, heavy metal, Herman Frank, London, review, Voodoo Six
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Album review: DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS – Medicine
Magnolia Music [Release date 26.01.15] With a Divinity Masters degree from St Andrews, and a dissertation on ‘Springsteen and American Redemptive Imagination’ under his belt, it’s clear where Southern singer songwriter Drew Holcomb’s heart lies. His 2005 debut Washed In … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Americana, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Medicine, review, roots
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Album review: SUZI QUATRO – The Girl From Detroit City (Box set)
Cherry Red Records [Release date 27.10.14] It would be all too easy to dismiss the girl from Detroit City as a Mickie Most, Chinn/ Chapman puppet, but this beautifully packaged 4-CD, 82 track career retrospective attempts to but the record … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, box set, Chris Norman, compilation, Jeff Beck, review, Suzi Quatro, The Girl From Detroit City
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Gig review: BRYAN ADAMS – Wembley Arena, London, 26 November 2014
A recent discussion thread on social media was to list 15 albums that in some way had changed your musical life over the years. Bryan Adams’ Reckless would have been one such for me. I well remember as a headbanging … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 26 November 2014, Bryan Adams, gig, London, Reckless, review, rock, Wembley Arena
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