Category Archives: BOOK REVIEWS

Book review: On Track…PEARL JAM – every album, every song (Ben L Connor)

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Davoski

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date: 15.07.22] Pearl Jam are the last band standing from the grunge explosion of the 1990’s. But there’s so much more to them than that. The quality of their music has shone like a beacon down … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, On Track, Pearl Jam, review, Soundgarden, Stone Gossard, Temple of the Dog | Leave a comment

Book review: On Track…THE KINKS – every album, every song (Martin Hutchinson)

Posted on January 1, 2023 by Davoski

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date: 01.04.22] I remember picking up a 1970 Kinks double-vinyl compilation back in my student days from a junk shop and feeling like my horizons had been instantly expanded. I bought it for the string of mid … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Dave Davies, On Track, Ray Davies, review, The Kinks | Leave a comment

Book review: (Sonicbond Summary) – TOOL, CAPTAIN BEEFHEART, PINK FLOYD, VAN MORRISON, DONOVAN, BRIAN ENO (November 2022)

Posted on November 23, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication dates: July-November 2022] Here’s our now traditional end of year round up for Sonicbond titles which again in 2022 have come thick and fast. The usual caveats apply: very rarely based on primary sources but mostly reverential … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Brian Eno, Captain Beefheart, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Donovan, Pink Floyd, Rancid, review, Sonicbond, Tears For Fears, The Human League, Tool, Van Morrison | Leave a comment

Book review: SUZI QUATRO IN THE 1970s by Darren Johnson

Posted on October 8, 2022 by jason

SonicBond Publising [Publication date 29.07.22] ‘If you talk about the ‘70s, I was a hardworking artist. I did nothing but tour – recording, touring, TV, you know. I had constant jetlag. Constant black shadows under my eyes but, oh, what … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, classic rock, Darren Johnson, glam rock, in the 1970s, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Suzi Quatro | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…STACKRIDGE by Alan Draper

Posted on August 11, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 26.08.22] One of the really positive personal aspects of reviewing and interviewing for Get Ready to ROCK! over a twenty year period is the discovery of bands you missed earlier. Or maybe had given you the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Alan Draper, Andy Davis, book, James Warren, Mutt Slater, On Track, pop rock, progressive, review, Stackridge, The Korgis | Leave a comment

Book review: DECADES – ROXY MUSIC IN THE 1970’s by Dave Thompson

Posted on July 31, 2022 by jason

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 10.06.22] As the book’s title suggests it covers Roxy Music’s career between 1972 and their first break-up in 1976, along with their 1979 reunion. Unlike other titles in this series the author Dave Thompson focuses more … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 1970's, art rock, book, Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry, Dave Thompson, experimental, pop, review, Roxy Musix | Leave a comment

Book Review: DECADES – Free and Bad Company in the 1970s by John Van der Kiste

Posted on July 19, 2022 by andynathan

Sonicbond Publishing (Publication Date 29.04.22) The latest in the Decades series, that delves in detail into the most productive phase of a band’s career, is one with a difference. It spans the activity of two separate bands, Free and Bad … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Company, book, Decades, Free, John Van der Kiste, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, review, Simon Kirke | Leave a comment

Book review: Phil Collins in the 1980s by Andrew Wild

Posted on July 6, 2022 by jason

Phil Collins in The Eighties by Andrew Wild

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 30.06.22] Love him or hate him, there was no getting away from Phil Collins in the 1980’s. Whether it be as a mega successful solo artist, the massive high that Genesis were on, being a great … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Andrew Wild, book, drummer, Genesis, In The 1980s, Phil Collins, pop, prog rock, review, rock, singer, Solo | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…JIMI HENDRIX – every album, every song (Emma Stott)

Posted on June 23, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 27.05.22] It was my childhood friend Colin Cheesman who introduced me to Jimi Hendrix’s music c.1970. I was particularly impressed with the screen print he’d made of a classic image used on the Voodoo Chile picture … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged blues rock, book, classic rock, Emma Stott, guitar, guitarist, heavy rock, Jimi Hendrix, On Track, Psychedelic Rock, review | Leave a comment

Book review: On track… OPETH, PETER HAMMILL, LITTLE FEAT, LAURA NYRO

Posted on June 23, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

SonicBond Publishing [Publication dates February-May 2022] You tend to think of Opeth as one of the “newer” prog metal outfits and then you realise they started out in the late 1980s. Since that time they’ve released 13 studio albums. Jordan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, classic rock, Laura Nyro, Little Feat, On Track, OPETH, Peter Hammill, Progressive Rock, review, singer songwriter, Sonicbond | Leave a comment

Book Review: PINK FLOYD – BBC Radio 1967-1971 (by Ian Priston & Phil Salathe)

Posted on June 9, 2022 by jason

The Bee Smart Book Co. [Publication date: 03.06.22] Rock band Pink Floyd had their roots in the early 60s, with some changes in personnel and name, before officially forming in the mid 60s. While many will know their Dark Side … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged BBC Radio 1967-1971, book, classic rock, Dave Gilmour, Ian Priston, Nick Mason, Phil Salathe, Pink Floyd, prog rock, review, Rick Wright, Roger Waters, Syd Barrett | Leave a comment

Book review: On track – BADFINGER, WARREN ZEVON, Sessions – ERIC CLAPTON

Posted on June 6, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 29.04.22] The tomes from Sonicbond Publishing come thick and fast. The “On track…”series aims to cover all of an artist’s song/album output, condensed into around 150 pages, and relying heavily on secondary sources. Badfinger were nurtured … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Andrew Wild, Badfinger, book, classic rock, Eric Clapton, On Track, Peter Gallagher, review, Robert Day-Webb, sessions, Warren Zevon | Leave a comment

Book review: BRITPOP, BLUR

Posted on May 31, 2022 by jason

Britpop – Decades by Peter Richard & Matt Pooler SonicBond Publishing The 1990’s in the UK in pop terms, and indeed charts, were dominated for the most part by Britpop, which these two authors (themselves in a 90s band) provide … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Blur, book, Britpop, classic pop, Matt Bishop, Matt Pooler, Oasis, On Track, Peter Richard, pop, Pulp, review, Suede | Leave a comment

Book review: MOTORHEAD (Duncan Harris), BLACK SABBATH (Chris Sutton)

Posted on May 22, 2022 by jason

MOTORHEAD – On Track … every album, every song by Duncan Harris Sonic Bond Publishing [Publication date 15.04.22] Two more books that give an insight into these legendary classic rock bands, and like others in the series they act as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, book, Classic Albums, Doom Metal, Geezer Butler, heavy metal, metal, Motorhead, On Track, Ozzy Osbourne, review, rock n roll. Lemmy, Sonic Bond Publishing, Tony Iommi | Leave a comment

Interview: Mark Kelly (Marillion) – In Conversation with my Uncle

Posted on May 13, 2022 by jason

MARILLION - Manchester Academy, 8 November 2017

You all know him as the keyboardist of Marillion, his solo project Mark Kelly’s Marathon, and as of this year, published author of his autobiography Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons: The Life and Times of Mad Jack. I knew him, before … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged book, Caitlin Kelly, Classic Albums, classic rock, interview, keyboards, Marathon, Marillion, Mark Kelly, melodic, prog rock, progressive, rock | Leave a comment

Book review: DECADES- MOTT THE HOOPLE & IAN HUNTER IN THE 1970s by John Van der Kiste

Posted on April 29, 2022 by andynathan

Sonic Bond Publishing (Publication date 11.02.22) Mott the Hoople would be high on the list of bands that have influenced other higher profile musicians, ranging from Queen to The Clash to Def Leppard. When they reformed in 2009, grown men … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, British Lion, Decades, Ian Hunter, John Van der Kiste, Mott, Mott the Hoople, Sonic Bond | Leave a comment

Book review: BICKERSHAW FESTIVAL 50th ANNIVERSARY – Featuring Grateful Dead by Chris Hewitt

Posted on April 25, 2022 by petefeenstra

Dandelion Records & Books [Publication date 30.06.22] Author Chris Hewitt has carved out his own niche in rock and roll history as an author, archivist, record label and resource for period pa gear. The broad context for this book is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bickershaw Festival 50th Anniversary, book, Chris Hewitt, Country Joe, Dr John, Family, festival, Harry “The Count” Bilkus, Jeremy Beadle, Jerry Garcia, Linda Lewis, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, review, rock, Stackridge, The Grateful Dead, The Kinks, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Book review: DONT WORRY ‘BOUT THE BEAR (From the Blues to Jazz, Rock & Roll and Black Sabbath) by Jim Simpson with Ron Simpson

Posted on February 11, 2022 by petefeenstra

Brewin Books [Publication date 22.06.2019] Jim Simpson’s ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout The Bear’ – the title comes from a Doctor Ross song written for the author– is a down to earth account of his 60 plus years in the music business, … Continue reading →

Posted in BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Bakerloo, Big Bear Records, Black Sabbath, blues, book, Buddy Guy, Champion Jack Dupree, Doctor Ross, Don Arden, Don't Worry 'Bout The Bear, Don't Worry 'Bout The Bear - From the Blues to Jazz, Humphrey Lyttleton, Jasper Carrott, jazz, Jazz Rag, Jesse Fuller, Jim Simpson, Locomotive, Miles Davis, prog, review, rock, Rock & Roll and Black Sabbath, Ron Simpson, ska, Tea & Symphony, Val Wiseman | Leave a comment

Book review: NU METAL A DEFINITIVE GUIDE, ON TRACK…KORN by Matt Karpe

Posted on December 13, 2021 by jason

Nu Metal A Definitive Guide SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 24.09.21] Author Matt Karpe has been busy of late with two of his books published in quick succession. This Nu Metal guide is very comprehensive and a perfect introduction to a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Matt Karpe, metal, Nu Metal A Definitive Guide, On Track... Korn, review, SLIPKNOT, Staind, Tool | Leave a comment

Book review: THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE ROCK SOUND SYSTEMS – Volume 2 by Chris Hewitt

Posted on December 11, 2021 by petefeenstra

Chris Hewitt - The Development of Large Rock Sound System Volume 2

Dandelion Records & Books [Publication date 08.01.22] Chris Hewitt’s second volume of “The Development of Large Rock Sound Systems” is a lavishly illustrated, 500 photograph strong opus which charts the rise of big PA systems in rock music. It further … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Adrian Maben, Australian Pink Floyd, Bickershaw Festival, book, Book review: On Track…The Development Of Large Rock Sound Systems - Volume 2 by Chris Hewitt, Charlie Watkins, Chris Hewitt, ELP, Led Zeppelin, Mark Radcliff, Peter Watts, Pink Floyd, Pompeii, review, THE WHO, WEM | Leave a comment

Book review: On Track…ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA by Barry Delve

Posted on December 5, 2021 by jason

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 03.12.21] After a highly readable book on Queen a couple of years ago Sonicbond now publish a book based on my other all-time favourite band the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Wisely Barry Delve focusses solely on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Barry Dalve, Bev Bevan, book, classic rock, Electric Light Orchestra - Every Album, ELO, Every Song, Jeff Lynne, melodic, pop, pop rock, review, Roy Wood, Sonicbond Publishing | Leave a comment

Book review: On track – Decades – ERIC CLAPTON, PORCUPINE TREE, LED ZEPPELIN, GENESIS, YES

Posted on November 30, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing The On Track series continues unabated and this – and the companion series ‘Decades’ – to a large extent reflects the enthusiasm of the publisher Stephen Lambe and his band of individual authors. Whilst we are frequently critical … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Cardiacs, Decades, Eric Clapton, Genesis, Jefferson Airplane, Led Zeppelin, MORRISSEY, On Track, Porcupine Tree, Radiohead, review, Sonicbond, Tangerine Dream, The Bee Gees, The Damned, THE DOORS, the Smiths, Tori Amos, Yes | Leave a comment

Book review: ERUPTION – CONVERSATIONS WITH EDDIE VAN HALEN by Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill

Posted on October 25, 2021 by andynathan

Hachette Publishing [Publication date 28.10.21] When Eddie Van Halen lost his prolonged struggles with cancer last autumn the rock world mourned – the number of Facebook friends who put his ‘Frankenstein’ guitar patterned design as their cover photo in memoriam … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Brad Tolinski, Chris Gill, Eddie Van Halen, review, Van Halen | Leave a comment

Book review: Please Please Tell Me Now – The Duran Duran Story by Stephen Davis

Posted on October 12, 2021 by jason

Hachette Books [Publication date 15.07.21] Renowned American music biographer Stephen Davis is probably best known for the excellent “Hammer of The Gods” Led Zeppelin biography, but he has also written outstanding books on the likes of Aerosmith, Guns n Roses … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 80's pop, book. Please Please Tell Me Now, Hachette, Hammer of the Gods, New Wave, pop, pop rock, review, Stephen Davis, The Duran Duran Story | Leave a comment

Book review: BEAST – JOHN BONHAM & THE RISE OF LED ZEPPELIN by CM Kuskins

Posted on October 10, 2021 by jason

Hachette [Publication date 30.09.21] John Bonham had drumming in his blood it seems, having first learned to play the drums at the age of five. Despite never taking formal lessons, he began drumming for local bands immediately after leaving … Continue reading →