Tag Archives: rock

Album review: BAI BANG – Rock Of Life

BAI BANG - Rock Of Life

AOR Heaven [Release date 28.04.17] Bai Bang have been around since the late 80′s, weathering the grunge storm that saw off a lot of glam metal/hard rock bands and the one constant has been vocalist Diddi Kastenholt. On this album there … Continue reading

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Album review: LIV SIN – Follow Me

LIV SIN - Follow Me

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

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

The Best of 2017

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

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Gig review: THE QUIREBOYS – Islington Academy, London, 23 April 2017

THE QUIREBOYS- Islington Academy, London, 23 April 2017

There is a danger we can become blasé about the Quireboys, and it is easy to form a stereotype around the lovable, shambolic rogues with the singer in a gypsy headscarf and glass in hand, who turn every gig into … Continue reading

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Album review: TODD RUNDGREN – White Knight

TODD RUNDGREN - White Knight

The full version of this interview is broadcast as part of the 500th ‘Assume The Position’ presented by David Randall on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. Repeated Monday 29 May, 22:00 GMT and Friday 2 June, 22:00 GMT (5:22) Now … Continue reading

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Quick plays: BURNT OUT WRECK, CHESS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

BURNT OUT WRECK Swallow

BURNT OUT WRECK Swallow Cherry Red Records [Release date 24.03.17] Gary Moat was the drummer with Scottish rockers Heavy Pettin’ and for his new band, Burnt Out Wreck, he leaves his drum kit behind to head for the mic stand. … Continue reading

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Album review: AXEL RUDI PELL – Ballads V

AXEL RUDI PELL - Ballads V

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 21.04.17] Axel Rudi Pell has been releasing these ballads collections since 1993 and it was six years since ‘IV’ was released. Always a good mix of previously released material, covers and few new songs, ‘V’ is no … Continue reading

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Album review: BITERS – The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be

BITERS - The Future Ain

Earache Records [Release date 19.05.17] The Biters released their debut album ‘Electric Blood’ in 2015 and I was impressed, although the album did tail off with a few filler tunes. Biters are back with album number two and they have … Continue reading

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

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

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Album review: LONELY ROBOT – The Big Dream

LONELY ROBOT - The Big Dream

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

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

The Best of 2017

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

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Quick plays: MICHAEL KIWANUKA, THE DAWN BROTHERS

MICHAEL KIWANUKA Love and Hate

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

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Album review: THE MARK LANEGAN BAND – Gargoyle

THE MARK LANEGAN BAND - Gargoyle

[Release date 28.04.17] Not being hugely familiar with Mark Lanegan’s previous output, I was able to spin this album with neither pre-conception nor expectation…and pretty impressed I was too. Straddling between the truism that “you can only objectively critique that … Continue reading

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Gig review: GHOST – ABC, Glasgow, 29 March 2017

GHOST – ABC, Glasgow, 29th March 2017

I often ponder if, years in the future, people will look back at images of gigs and festivals and interpret them as some form of religious gatherings. A huge crowd drawn together to worship at the altar of whichever rock … Continue reading

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Album review: ROBBY KRIEGER – In Session

ROBBY KRIEGER - In Session

Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra [Release date 24.02.17] Like the Cleopatra release before it by Joe Lynn Turner “In Session” collects together some of Robby Krieger’s session work over the years.  The Doors guitarist was always a master of restraint in terms of … Continue reading

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Gig review: SLAM CARTEL – Carlisle, Hastings, 27 March 2017

“It’s quite overwhelming having all these people singing these songs back at us,” lead singer, Gary Moffat, tells the audience at the Carlisle at one point during tonight’s gig. Clearly, the Kent-based hard rock outfit, Slam Cartel, have something of … Continue reading

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Album review: AS LIONS – Selfish Age

AS LIONS - Selfish Age

Better Noise [Release date 20.01.17] We first heard As Lions when they released a four track EP featuring tracks from their forthcoming debut album.  Immediately, as with the opener here ‘Aftermath’, you knew this was something special. Strong on melody, … Continue reading

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Album review: PAUL MENEL AND THE ESSENTIALS – Spare Parts For Broken Hearts

PAUL MENEL AND THE ESSENTIALS - Spare Parts For Broken Hearts

www.paulmenelessentials.co.uk [Release date 14.02.17] Paul Menel will be known to many prog rock fans as the lead singer with IQ between 1985 and 1990. However, since then and on this album in particular, he takes a few prog leanings and … Continue reading

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EP Review: MARK DUDA – Month Of Sundays

MARK DUDA - Month Of Sundays

www.markdudamusic.com [Release date 14.04.17] Must admit not a name I have come across before, although Mark Duda has been the frontman of New York based rockers the Handful. This solo EP features Mark Duda on vocals and guitars, joined by … Continue reading

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Gig review: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO – Bush Hall, London, 5 April 2017

Alejandro Escovedo

Alejandro Escovedo is playing his first European shows with a  full band in over five years and tonight’s London show sees him roughly two thirds if the way through the tour. Support comes from his back-up band for these dates, … Continue reading

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Album review: PROCOL HARUM – Novum

PROCOL HARUM - Novum

Eagle Records [Release date 21.04.17] What do you think of when you hear the words “Procol Harum”?  “Whiter Shade Of Pale”?  Symphonic rock, maybe?  Robin Trower was in an early incarnation?  Perhaps this demonstrates the band’s eclectism over 50 years … Continue reading

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Gig review: RAY RUSSELL 70TH BIRTHDAY SHOW – 606 Club, London, 03 April 2017

RAY RUSSELL 70TH BIRTHDAY SHOW – 606 Club, London, 03 April 2017

Ray Russell’s 70th birthday bash is a reminder of a bygone era when creativity, improvisation and inspiration met musical virtuosity full on, in an unfettered fashion. Tonight might be Ray’s milestone birthday, but there’s not a slack musical moment in … Continue reading

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Album review: HOUSE OF LORDS – Saint Of The Lost Souls

HOUSE OF LORDS - Saint Of The Lost Souls

Frontiers [Release date 24.03.17] House Of Lords return with their eleventh studio album and a new bassist, Chris Tristram, who replaces the departing Chris McCarvill, who has been in the band since 2005. The other thing to note is that … Continue reading

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Album review: NIGHT RANGER – Don’t Let Up

NIGHT RANGER - Don

Frontiers [Release date 24.03.17] Night Ranger, unlike many of their fellow 80′s melodic hard rock bands, have been consistently releasing new music and of a high quality. In fact for me they are one of the few bands who I … Continue reading

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

HOLY HOLY - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 30 March 2017

“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

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