Category Archives: The Best of 2017

Album review: THE MAGPIE SALUTE – s/t

Posted on June 25, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 09.06.17] The long-awaited release of The Magpie Salute’s self-titled debut album is like meeting an old flame after many years – you wonder how she’s stood the test of time, if she still has it….and then she walks … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, review, the Magpie Salute | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE STONE ROSES – Wembley Stadium, 17 June 2017

Posted on June 19, 2017 by jason

For a band that have still only managed to release two albums (and one of those pretty underwhelming), whose singer is hardly renowned for having the strongest vocals in the world, and whose members spent the majority of the past … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 17 June 2017, gig, Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani, Oasis, Reni, review, the Stone Roses, Wembley Stadium | Leave a comment

Album review: REX BROWN – Smoke On This

Posted on June 15, 2017 by jason

[Release date 28.07.17] Judge a book by its cover at your peril, especially when that man is former Pantera/Down bass-slinger turned six-stringer, Rex Brown – who comes off an entire life of rocking the road with a firm vow to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Down, Pantera, review, Rex Brown, rock, Smoke On This, southern rock | 1 Comment

Gig review: PANIC ROOM – Citadel Arts Centre, St Helens, 2 June 2017

Posted on June 4, 2017 by alanjones

Panic Room - The Citadel, St.Helens, 2 June 2017

Tour preview broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 4 June 2017 (9:47) It is two years since I last saw Panic Room, and, musically, what a difference two years can make. Back then, the band played a fantastic ‘double … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 2 June 2017, Anne-Marie Helder, Citadel Arts Centre, Dave Foster, gig, Panic Room, progressive, review, rock, St Helens | Leave a comment

Gig review: ERIC GALES BAND & Gary Hoey Band – Nells Jazz & Blues, London, 2 June 2017

Posted on June 3, 2017 by petefeenstra

This may well be the first time two American label mates who have known each other down the decades make their UK debut’s on the same night. And while the evening brings a sharp contrast in styles, the two guitarists … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged AJ Pappas, blues, Bootsy Collins, Bryan Adams, classic rock, Cody Wright, Cream, Eric Gales, Focus, Freddie King, funk, Gary Hoey, gig, guitar, Jaco Pastorious, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, LaDonna Gales, Led Zeppelin, Matt Scurfield, R&B, review, Robin Trower, The James Gang | Leave a comment

Gig review: BOOTLEG BEATLES – Royal Albert Hall, 1 June 2017

Posted on June 2, 2017 by jason

The Bootleg Beatles were performing tonight with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic albums of all time, ‘Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. The sold out Royal Albert Hall providing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Bootleg Beatles, Classic Albums, George Harrison, gig, gigs, John Lennon, Paul McArtney, pop, psychadelic, Ringo Starr, rock, Roger McGough, Royal Albert Hall, Scaffold, Summer of Love, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Gig review: IRON MAIDEN – O2 Arena, London, 27 May 2017

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Davoski

Ariana Grande had been due to play the O2 on the previous two evenings and given the horrific events at her Manchester Arena show earlier in the week, it was no surprise that the atmosphere outside the venue was subdued. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 27 May 2017, Book Of Souls, Bruce Dickinson, gig, Iron Maiden, live, Number of the Beast, O2 Arena, review, Shinedown, Steve Harris, The Trooper | Leave a comment

Gig review: KISS – Hydro, Glasgow, 27 May 2017

Posted on May 28, 2017 by david.wilson

On arrival at the Hydro tonight there was a tight cordon of security following the tragedy at Manchester Arena the previous week. Whilst being searched the security guard asked if I had seen Kiss before to which I replied, yes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 27 May 2017, Crazy Crazy Nights, Destroyer, Deuce, Eric Singer, Evan Stanley, Gene Simmons, gig, glam, Glasgow, God Of Thunder, Hydro, Iron Maiden, Kiss, live, Manchester, metal, Pat Thayer, Paul Stanley, rock, The Dives | Leave a comment

Album review: HAREM SCAREM – United

Posted on May 24, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 12.05.17] This is Harem Scarem’s second album since reuniting back in 2013 – three if you count their re-recording of their classic ‘Mood Swings’ album they did to get back their ownership of the songs. Original members … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic rock, review, rock, United | Leave a comment

Gig review: ELEANOR McEVOY – Penylan Hall, Meiford, 19 May 2017

Posted on May 20, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

In a lifetime of gig-going you invariably encounter unusual venues. Village halls, churches, some that are literally off the beaten track. Some that defy sat-nav. It is when you find in these places artists of a certain stature, or your … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 19 May 2017, acoustic, Eleanor McEvoy, gig, Meiford, Penylan Hall, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: COCO MONTOYA – Hard Truth

Posted on May 17, 2017 by petefeenstra

Alligator Records [Release date 24.03.17] Coco Montoya’s ‘Hard Truth’ is a career highlight for Coco Montoya. It’s an object lesson in old school dynamics and an album glued together by an essential flow. It’s given a contemporary sheen by drummer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged Albert Collins, album, Alligator Records, Allman Brothers, Billy Watts, blues, Bob Glaub, Coco Montoya, Dave Steen, Deb Ryder, funk, Hard Truth, John Porter, Johnny Lee Schell, Lee Roy Parnell, Mike Finnigan, review, rock, Ronnie Earl, soul, Teresa James, Terry Wilson, Tony Braunagel, Warren Haynes | Leave a comment

Album review: DEEP PURPLE – inFinite

Posted on May 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 07.04.17] 2013′s ‘Now What?!’ found Deep Purple in rude good form and backed up by a well received UK tour. With more UK dates in November 2017, inFinite doesn’t quite match the sheer audacity of that album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Deep Purple, Don Airey, hard rock, heavy rock, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, inFinite, progressive, review, Roger Glover, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

Album review: RICH HOPKINS AND LUMINARIOS – My Way Or The Highway

Posted on May 6, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Blue Rose [Release date 27.01.17] You can tell a ‘serious’ musician when their album credits lists both the guitars and amplifiers they use, but Tuscon guitar slinger and songwriter Rich Hopkins comes across as one laid back dude. He might … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Lisa Novak, My Way Or The Highway, review, Rich Hopkins And Luminarios, roots, southern rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DRAGONFORCE – Reaching Into Infinity

Posted on May 1, 2017 by david.wilson

earMusic [Release date 19.05.17] This is the seventh studio album from Dragonforce and a bit like AC/DC or Status Quo you should know what to expect from a DF album by now. This release however does throw a few curved … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Anthrax, Dragonforce, Gee Anzalone, Herman Li, Iron Maiden, Judgement day, Marc Hudson, power metal, Reaching Into Infinity, review, Sam Totman, Thrash | Leave a comment

Album review: LIV SIN – Follow Me

Posted on May 1, 2017 by jason

Despotz Records [Release date 28.04.17] Formed in Gothenberg in 2002 with a musical agenda promising and delivering “old-school metal” Swedish band, Sister Sin, made six well-received albums before calling it a day in 2015. However, two years on, lead singer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Destruction, Follow Me, Liv Jagrell, Liv Sin, metal, review, rock, Schmeir, Sister Sin, Stefan Kaufmann, UDO | 1 Comment

Gig review: LONELY ROBOT – Sub89, Reading, 27 April 2017

Posted on April 28, 2017 by jason

Sub89 is a decent sized venue in a less than salubrious part of Reading, McD’s and Nandos being the classier places in the street! It has a decent sized stage and the only downside was the sound which wasn’t great … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 27 April 2017, Craig Blundell, gig, John Mitchell, Lonely Robot, Louder Still, progressive, reading, review, rock, Sub89, the Big Dream | Leave a comment

Gig review: LED ZEPPELIN MASTERS – London Palladium, 19 April 2017

Posted on April 20, 2017 by jason

Tribute bands often divide music fans as some see them as poor imitations of the original acts, however as time takes its toll on many musicians and bands, tribute acts keep the music of these classic bands alive and well. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 19 April 2017, classic rock, gig, Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin Masters, London Palladium, review, Robert Plant, rock, the Black Dog Orchestra, Vince Contarino | Leave a comment

Album review: LONELY ROBOT – The Big Dream

Posted on April 18, 2017 by jason

Inside Out Music [Release date 28.04.17] After a two year wait we get the second part of the trilogy from Lonely Robot, aka John Mitchell (Frost*/Arena/It Bites). He again plays all instruments bar the drums, played by the ever reliable Craig … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Craig Blundell, Frost*, John Mitchell, Kim Seviour, Lonely Robot, melodic, prog, Progressive Rock, review, rock, the Big Dream | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE MAGPIE SALUTE – Under The Bridge, London, 13 April 2017

Posted on April 18, 2017 by jason

Despite having to venture way too close for personal comfort to this very interesting venue situated in the guts of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge home, the London debut of Rich Robinson’s new travelling band of musical gypsies, The Magpie Salute, gave … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged gig, London, Marc Ford, review, Rich Robinson, rock, southern, Sven Pipien, The Black Crowes, the Magpie Salute, Under the Bridge | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MICHAEL KIWANUKA, THE DAWN BROTHERS

Posted on April 18, 2017 by jason

MICHAEL KIWANUKA Love And Hate Since my son and I are “live on Sky” football junkies, my dear lady busies herself with her own TV series and was bowled over by the opening soundtrack to “Big Little Lies” which happens to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays, The Best of 2017 | Tagged albums, Big Little Lies, Bruce Kulick, glam, Kiss, Love and Hate, Michael Kiwanuka, pop, Quick Play, reviews, rock, Sister's Doll, Stayin Out Late, the Dawn Brothers, White Widdow | 1 Comment

Album review: ECLIPSE- Monumentum

Posted on April 12, 2017 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 24.03.17] He may be the most prolific, in demand writer and producer on the melodic rock scene, but no-one could accuse Erik Martensson of neglecting his day job as lead singer and guitarist with Eclipse. Two years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, Magnus Henriksson, melodic rock, Monumentum, review | Leave a comment

Album review: MAGENTA – We Are Legend

Posted on April 11, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

In June 2012 Rob Reed chatted with David Randall for his weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio when the current Magenta album was ‘Chameleon’. He was also poised to release the major project ‘Kompendium’. They covered Magenta, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, interview, Magenta, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Rob Reed, We Are Legend | Leave a comment

Gig review: HOLY HOLY – Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 30 March 2017

Posted on March 31, 2017 by jason

“He’s fucking sacked us,” Spiders bass player, Trevor Bolder, was seen to mouth when David Bowie announced at the Hammersmith Odeon in October 1973 that it would be the final Ziggy show ever. Tragically, like Bowie, Bolder and his former … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged David Bowie, gig, glam, Glenn Gregory, Heaven 17, Holy Holy, James Stevenson, Mick Ronson, review, rock, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Spiders From mars, Tony Visconti, Trevor Bolder, Woody Woodmansey | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACKBERRY SMOKE – Roundhouse, London, 28 March 2017

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Davoski

I was already a fan of this band’s eclectic mix of blues, hard rock, boogie and country before seeing one of their gigs. Afterwards, I was ready to declare them my new favourite live act. Excellent show. That said, the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 28 March 2017, Blackberry Smoke, Charlie Starr, gig, Like An Arrow, live, review, Roundhouse, Whippoorwill | Leave a comment

Album review: AIMEE MANN – Mental Illness

Posted on March 29, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

SuperEgo/Membran [Release date 31.03.17] Not exactly an uplifting title for an album? But then Aimee Mann’s never exactly been what you might call a happy singer, or a “heaven is a place on earth” composer. No, Aimee was born looking … Continue reading →