Welcome to our October 2023 newsletter!
This newsletter outlines latest developments at Get Ready to ROCK!
 

Classic hard rockers Thunder are celebrated in our year-long promotion, reflecting 20 years of coverage

Thunder have been named as October entrants in the hallowed "GRTR! Grotto of Greatness" following September's entry, Steve Hackett.

A major retrospective was published 1 October pulling together two decades of reviews, interviews and features.  More of the band's music will be featured in the general playlists at Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

Since frontman Danny Bowes' accident and stroke in 2022 the band have been on hiatus although guitarist Luke Morley will be promoting his solo album with live dates in January 2024.

Get Ready to ROCK!'s Managing Editor David Randall commented:”Once again our choice of artist for October reflects the large amount of coverage and the general consensus of opinion amongst our review team.”

As Blues Rock/Features Editor Pete Feenstra noted, when reviewing their 2017 album: “the real reason for Thunder’s successful return is their own indefatigable spirit which never settles for complacency. It’s also the very reason their fans have stuck with them over the years."

Pete's reviews and, in particular, interviews over the years are a significant part of the new feature.

Two more Grotto artists will be announced as part of this promotion, in November and December.

>> Thunder feature

Courtesy of BMG, to tie in with our Thunder celebration, we are giving away three sets of the latest reissues.  The winners will be able to choose between coloured vinyl or CD.

>> Thunder competition

There is a dedicated Twitter page for GRTR@20 activity, we're posting review highlights over two decades and signposting latest additions.

Steve Hackett interview

Progmeister guitarist chats about his music in the millennium

We caught up with Steve Hackett recently at the end of our September Grotto promotion when he was featured artist.

David Randall used the opportunity to fill in a few gaps in our coverage over 20 years and following several interviews during that time.

Steve recently released a new live album and has announced an October 2024 UK tour.  He is currently playing dates in North America.

>> Album review/interview

You can hear the full interview repeated on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Thursday 5 October, 22:00GMT
 

Latest live session from Canadian songwriter: a Halloween Special!

A traditional Halloween set will be relayed via Get Ready to ROCK! Radio and our Radio Facebook page on Sunday 29 October.

The sessions take place once per month, with a mix of original and cover versions.  You can catch up on previous shows via our radio Facebook page.

Josh has recently signed to a new contract with Sony Canada and released two singles.

>> Facebook

On The Radio

Pete Feenstra recently celebrated his 500th show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  Since January 2014 Pete has presented the award winning Rock & Blues Show as part of a "Tuesday Is Bluesday" five-hour music marathon.

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is on air 18 hours a day from 06:00 GMT and is mainly continuous music reflecting activity at the review website.

Throughout the year the station has been revisiting favourite artists and albums reviewed and featured over a 20 year period.

>> Radio

ALBANY DOWN Born In The Ashes (indie)

Seven years is surely too long between releases, but whatever the reasons, this excellent album deserves to build some momentum and push Albany Down towards enduring and wide-spread success. ****

Review by Dave Atkinson

TEMPT Tempt (Better Noise Music)

Listening to this album puts the listener in such a good mood and here’s hoping they can gain a foothold in the listening habits of the younger folk (folks my age will easily be won over as they relive their 80s musical past).

Tempt do live up to their claim of rock music for the modern age and these songs are made for blasting out live in arenas around the world. For once the hype is well deserved. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

DBA (Downes Braide Association) Celestial Songs (Cherry Red)

Each and every song is dressed in evocative, sophisticated arrangements. And each has an hypnotic quality.  ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

STRAY About Time (Talking Elephant)

The result is an album of melodic hard rock with occasional prog and symphonic influences.

At its best the album pushes Bromham’s meaningful song narratives into a new bombastic musical environment which helps amplify lyrical meaning and gives the band plenty of room to stretch out.  ****

Review by Pete Feenstra

STREETLIGHT Ignition (Frontiers)

Streetlight’s debut album is filled to the brim with heart and soul AOR.

Few bands have the skill and ability to make it sound this honest. Just unpretentious songs of unerring simplicity and (mostly) uncomplicated sentiment, built on strands of soaring melody and cleanly crafted musicianship.  ****1/2

Review By Brian McGowan

SOUTHERN EMPIRE Another World (Giant Electric Pea)

In summary, a wonderful album – chock full of everything that makes progressive rock so good – great songs, a thoughtful libretto and musicianship from all concerned that’s just off the scale.  *****

Review by Alan Jones

>> Albums of the Month (including April - June 2023)

• Get Ready To ROCK! soft launches its website in 2002.
• The Darkness kicked off a 15-date UK tour in Stoke in 2003.
• Mike Oldfield went to No.1 in the UK album chart for the first time with 'Tubular Bells' in 1974.
• Black Sabbath were No.1 in the UK album chart with their second album 'Paranoid'.  They also played their first U.S. live shows.
• In 1979 Buggles (Geoff Downes/Trevor Horn) were No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Video Killed The Radio Star."

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