Tag Archives: XTC

Rising Stars: SPLEEN (interview)

Posted on January 10, 2025 by jason

SPLEEN ARE: Samuele Riccucci – Guitar and Vocals, Matteo Innocenti – Drums and Backing Vocals, Olmo Fantini – Guitar and Backing Vocals, Alberto Sanna – Bass Spleen are a fierce and feisty Italian four-piece. Earlier this year they signed with renowned rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged interview, punk, punk rock, Rising Stars, single, Spleen, The Damned, XTC | Leave a comment

Feature: Baker’s Dozen – Librarians With Hickeys

Posted on December 7, 2024 by jason

LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS - How To Make Friends By Telephone

Librarians With Hickeys are an indie pop rock duo consisting of Ray Carmen and Mike Crooker. Here both of them choose an eclectic Baker’s Dozen… Ray Carmen (in more or less no particular order) 1. Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged alternative, Bakers Dozen, feature, indie, Librarians With Hickeys, Mike Crocker, Paul McArtney, playlist, pop, pop rock, power pop, Ray Carmen, Robyn Hitchcock, rock, XTC | Leave a comment

Single review: SPLEEN – Making Plans For Nigel

Posted on November 28, 2024 by jason

YouTube Spleen have been around since 2019 and now comprises Samuele Riccucci on guitar and vocals, Matteo Innocenti on drums and backing vocals, Olmo Fantini on guitar and backing vocals, and Alberto Sanna on bass. A brave move to cover … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Covers, Making Plans For Nigel, New Wave, pop, punk, punk pop, review, Robbie Williams, single, Spleen, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: KIDS ON THE STREET, UK POWER POP AND NEW WAVE 1977-81 (3 CD Boxset)

Posted on November 21, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red [release date: 25.11.22] Kids On The Street is a great title for this 3 CD, 77 track compilation, emphasising the uncomplicated vitality of that era’s popular music. The better informed will know it’s from The Stiffs’ song of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alex Chilton, Big Star, boxset, eighties, Elvis Costello, Jellyfish, New Wave, review, seventies, The Damned, The Motors, The Records, The Ruts, The Searchers, The Skids, The Stranglers, UK power pop, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DOWLING POOLE – Refuse

Posted on October 15, 2022 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 14.10.22] ‘Refuse’, the new album from The Dowling Poole features all of the ‘digital only’ tracks the group occasionally released for short periods of time and are now collated on this physical release. Each track has been … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10CC, album, ELO, Jon Poole, melodic, pop, power pop. pop rock, Queen Extravaganza, quirky pop, Refuse, review, rock, THE DOWLING POOLE, Willie Dowling, XTC | Leave a comment

EP review: ANDY PARTRIDGE – My Failed Songwriting Career Vol. 2

Posted on May 15, 2022 by jason

Ape House [Release date 8.4.22] Following on from 2021’s excellent first volume, here are four more gems from Andy Partridge’s post-XTC period as a songwriter for hire. This is a great addition to what is building into a fascinating series. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Andy Partridge, EP, My Failed Songwriting Career Vol. 2, power pop, quirky pop, review, songwriter, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: ASTRAL DRIVE – Astral Drive (Orange album)

Posted on October 27, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Phil Thornalley for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast Sunday 31 October 2021. Lojinx [Release date 24.09.21] ‘Astral Drive’ is the musical vehicle for producer, singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist Phil Thornalley. The ‘Astral Drive’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Radio interview | Tagged 10CC, album review, Astral Drive, Bo Hewerdine, Brian Wilson, Bryan Adams, David Bowie, Duran Duran, interview, Jimi Hendrix, Natalie Imbruglia, Nazz, Orange, Phil Thornalley, Prefab Sprout, Prince, soul, The Cure, The New Radicals, The Psychedelic Furs, The Thomson Twins, Todd Rundgren, Weezer, Wings, XTC | 1 Comment

EP review: ANDY PARTRIDGE – My Failed Songwriting Career Vol. 1

Posted on August 7, 2021 by jason

Ape House [Release date 23.7.21] When XTC was put on hiatus following 2000’s “Wasp Star”, Andy Partridge decided it was time to write for other artists. A number of successful co-writes came to fruition (Steven Wilson, Pugwash, Miles Kane), along … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Andy Partridge, Dukes of Stratosphear, EP, melodic, My Failed Songwriting Career Vol. 1, pop, pop rock, quirky pop, review, XTC | Leave a comment

EP review: ROXY GIRLS – A Wealth Of Information

Posted on June 10, 2020 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 05.06.20] Sometimes you just need something that serves up no frills thrills, just full on, straight ahead adrenaline soaked excitement. Roxy Girls bring you just that. This total blast of an EP brings seven perfectly formed and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged A Wealth Of Information, EP, indie, review, rock, Roxy Girls, Talking Heads, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: TIM BOWNESS – Flowers At The Scene

Posted on February 14, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 01.03.19] ‘Flowers At The Scene’ is Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson’s first joint production in over a decade – they have been working as a duo under the no-man name since 1987 – although it is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Partridge, art rock, Big Big Train, Dylan Howe, Flowers At The Scene, Jim Matheos, melodic, No-Man, progressive, review, Steve Wilson, Tim Bowness, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION – Skyscraper Souls

Posted on November 7, 2017 by jason

David Randall chatted to Chris Braide in October 2015 and this hour special provides background to the singer-songwriter’s career and on hooking up with Geoff Downes. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. Magical Think Tank Records [Release date … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Partridge, Asia, Big Big Train, Buggles, Chris Braide, DBA, Downes Braide Association, Geoff Downes, Marc Almond, melodic, pop, progressive, review, Skyscraper Souls, Tim Bowness, XTC, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: PUGWASH – Silverlake

Posted on October 27, 2017 by jason

Lojinx [Release date 25.11.17] Pugwash, the brainchild of Thomas Walsh, was a band until earlier this year when he disbanded it and went back to Pugwash being a solo project. However, on this album he finally managed to work with friend and fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ELO, Jason Falkner, Jellyfish, pop, pop rock, power pop, Pugwash, review, rock, Silvertide, Thomas Walsh, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG BIG TRAIN – Folklore

Posted on June 2, 2016 by jason

www.bigbigtrain.com [Release date 27.05.16] Big Big Train return with their first full studio album since 2013, last year’s EP ‘Wassail’ was a nice stop gap and the title track is on this album. Also since their last album they have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Big Big Train, Dave Gregory, folk, Folklore, pastoral, prog, progressive, review, rock, XTC | Comments Off

Interview: JON POOLE – THE DOWLING POOLE

Posted on April 26, 2016 by jason

The Dowling Poole have released their second album, ‘One Hyde Park’, another glorious collection of pop gems recalling greats such as XTC, the Kinks, ELO and the band’s own unique twist. After catching up recently with Willie Dowling, we posed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged Dave Gregory, Dowling Poole, interview, Jon Poole, Lifesigns, One Hyde Park, pop, prog, psychedelic, quirky, rock, Tin Spirits, Wildhearts, XTC | Leave a comment

Interview: WILLIE DOWLING – THE DOWLING POOLE

Posted on April 23, 2016 by jason

The Dowling Poole have released their second album, ‘One Hyde Park’, another glorious collection of pop gems recalling greats such as XTC, the Kinks, ELO and the band’s own unique twist. Here Jason Ritchie chats to Willie Dowling who gives … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged ELO, Honeycrack, interview, Jon Poole, One Hyde Park, pop, power pop, rock, The Beatles, THE DOWLING POOLE, Willie Dowling, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DOWLING POOLE – One Hyde Park

Posted on March 14, 2016 by jason

369 Music www.thedowlingpoole.com [Released 08.04.16] The Dowling Poole’s 2014 debut album ‘Bleak Strategies’ easily made my year end top 10, so this new album has a lot to live up to. Based around the duo of Willie Dowling (Jackdaw4/the Grip/the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10CC, album, Beatles, Jon Poole, One Hyde Park, pop, pop rock, power pop, review, THE DOWLING POOLE, Willie Dowling, XTC | Leave a comment

EP review: BIG BIG TRAIN – Wassail

Posted on June 2, 2015 by jason

English Electric Recordings [Release date 01.06.15] www.bigbigtrain.com Big Big Train are back with a new four song EP and the first recordings to feature new members, violinist Rachel Hall and Beardfish guitarist Rikard Sjöblom. I have to admit Big Big … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Beardfish, Big Big Train, EP, folk, melodic, prog, review, rock, Wassail, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: GUN – Frantic

Posted on March 10, 2015 by david.wilson

Morsecode Records [Release date – 23.03.15] Gun have been serving up their brand of pop tinged rock for the last twenty odd years and since their reformation in 2012 the guys have proved that there is still life in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Break The Silence, Dante Gizzi, Def Leppard, Frantic, Glasgow, Gun, Jools Gizzi, Paulo Nutini, pop, review, rock, XTC | Leave a comment

Album Review: TIN SPIRITS – Scorch

Posted on January 18, 2015 by alanjones

Esoteric Antenna/Vibrola Records [Release date 15.09.14] Every so often an album shows up that takes you completely by surprise. I don’t know why, but my expectations of Tin Spirits second album were not that high – despite the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Big Big Train, Dave Gregory, Progressive Rock, review, Scorch, Tin Spirits, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DOWLING POOLE – Bleak Strategies

Posted on June 25, 2014 by jason

369 Records [Release date: 11.08.14] https://www.facebook.com/TheDowlingPoole Not a Drowning Pool tribute band but the latest poprocktastic creation from Willie Dowling (Honeycrack/Jackdaw4) and his co-collaborator Jon Poole (ex-Cardiacs). They have funded this via Pledge Music and they sing and play all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Beatles, Bleak Strategies, Cardiacs, Jackdaw4, Jon Poole, Kinks, pop, power pop, review, THE DOWLING POOLE, Willie Dowling, XTC | 1 Comment

Album review: DOUG GILLARD – Parade On

Posted on June 15, 2014 by petefeenstra

Nine Mile [Release date 14.07.14] Cleveland underground rock veteran Doug Gillard (Death of Samantha, Cobra Verde, Gem, Guided Voices, Nada Surf) knows exactly what he wants. ‘Parade On’ is an album packed with layered harmonies and jangly guitar-led power pop … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, America, Bob Welch, Cobra Verde, Death of Samantha, Doug Gillard, Elvis Costello, Gem, George Harrison, Guided Voices, Joe Jackson, Kevin Ayers, Lou Reed, Love, Nada Surf, Parade On, review, Roger McGuinn, Squeeze, The Association, The Beatles, The Byrds, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: DAYS BETWEEN STATIONS – In Extremis

Posted on May 21, 2013 by petefeenstra

Radio showcase for “In Extremis”, first broadcast 12 May 2013 www.daysbetweenstations.com [Release date 15.05.13] It may be 5 years since the excellent self titled instrumental debut album by Days Between Stations but in the prog rock world the musical staples … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Ali Nouri, barbershop quartet, Billy Sherwood, Chris Tedesco, Colin Moulding, Dave Gilmour, David Rakita, Days Between Stations, Eric Orr, Evren Göknar, Genesis, guitar, Iranian music, Jeffery Samzadeh, Jon Anderson, keyboards, Mat Bradford, Matt Gray, Mexican music, Oscar Fuentes, Pat Claypool, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, prog rock, Rick Wakeman, Sepand Samzadeh, synth, The Angel City Orchestra, Tony Banks, Tony Levin, XTC, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG BIG TRAIN – English Electric – Part Two

Posted on March 14, 2013 by jason

GEP www.bigbigtrain.com Following hot on the heels of ‘English Electric – Part One’ Big Big Train release the second part and this has high expectations, as its predecessor was runner-up in the ‘Prog’ magazine’s ‘Reader’s Poll’, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Big Big Train, Dave Gregory, English Electric – Part Two, GEP, prog rock, XTC | Leave a comment

BIG BIG TRAIN – English Electric Part One

Posted on September 8, 2012 by jason

www.bigbigtrain.com Big Big Train return with Andy Poole and Greg Spawton joined by former Spock’s Beard drummer Nick D’Virgilio, Dave Gregory of XTC fame (he guested on their last album ‘The Underfall Yard’) and vocalist David … Continue reading →