Get Ready to ROCK! (GRTR!) soft-launched in the autumn of 2002. We quickly became the web destination for classic rock - news, reviews and interviews.

GRTR! actively promotes new and upcoming artists as well as the mainstream.

Developments in 2007 have included podcasts, a weekly internet radio show, a promotional CD, and sponsorship of the Cambridge Rock Festival.

Reviewers' Best Of 2007

Contributors

Jason Ritchie (News & Reviews Editor)

Jason's classic rock 'Newswire' started in June 2002 and has grown rapidly. At the same time he is the major contributor to GRTR! When not writing reviews and conducting interviews he finds the time to have a normal family life. "My wife thinks I am mad, that I keep ranting on about the latest great song I've heard, but she is a star and an inspiration.”

I love all forms of music (well bar dance and most jazz) and for me it’s the melody that counts. If a song has a strong melody than I am hooked! That said I have always had a soft spot for melodic rock/AOR from the late 70’s/80’s greats such as Journey, Survivor, Styx, Kansas, Night Ranger, Lillian Axe, Bon Jovi, Magnum and REO Speedwagon through to the 90’s bands like Harem Scarem and Crown Of Thorns. Right now there are some wonderful new bands harking back to the 80’s sound but with modern production values like Brother Firetribe, H.E.A.T. the Poodles and Wig Wam.

I love music, always have, and I thought I'd follow my dream of writing about music and hopefully some other like-minded souls would enjoy it as well. For me GRTR! is all about getting the music known and out there for people to hear and enjoy.

Favourite bands: Queen, ELO, Judas Priest, Magnum & Journey.

Jason also contributes to the GRTR! Radio stream.

David Randall (Managing Editor)

David contributed features about Focus to 'Record Collector' magazine, coordinated two tours for Jan Akkerman, and authored 'In And Out Of Focus - the music of Jan Akkerman and Focus' in 2003.

Launching GRTR! in 2002, he built on his experience gained with the online music retailer The Music Index and in web management, including various artist and label sites.

He has been heavily involved in launching Get Ready to ROCK! radio, the online radio channel and has developed the programming to complement the website content at Get Ready to ROCK!

"I get fed up listening to Top 50 or Top 100 formula-based radio, GRTR! Radio aims to cover a broader spectrum but still under the classic rock banner. Listeners like to hear familiar artists, but we're offering their less familiar output as well as giving an outlet to new, independent and the established artists who don't always get an airing on conventional radio."

Favourite bands: Focus, Marillion, Magnum, Jethro Tull.

Peter Muir (Commissioning Editor)

Peter has a background in PR and record company management and promotion. Blinded by the broadcasts of John Peel and Bob Harris as an impressionable teenager (though he now looks old anough to be their father), he eschewed a career in academia and started collecting shed-loads of vinyl (the albums nobody ever seemed to want at the time) in the 70s and the passion remains undiminished.

"Peel in particular opened up new perspectives about music and thwarted the dictates of fashion as far as I was I concerned," he says.

"Of course, the outcome is an eclectic taste so I'm your man for folk, rock,blues, jazz...erm the lot really."

Pushed into a corner on this one, he admits a fondness for 60s/70s Brit prog: "the more obscure the better!"

The ongoing rash of reissue output in this field alone has been keeping Peter busy of late. "You would think the job is done by now but I keep watching the skies. There is still plenty to still to bring back to today's audiences."

Interests outside of the music field include swimming and drinking wine (but never at the same time).

Favourite bands: How long have you got? But the ones that keep coming back in no order of preference include Van der Graaf Generator, Kevin Ayers, Genesis, Steve Ashley, Savoy Brown, Trees, Elbow, Karine Polwart, Spirit, Dawn Of The Replicants ("I must get round to writing about them"), Eleanor McEvoy, David Ackles, Led Zeppelin, Atomic Rooster, Bridget St John, Bert Jansch, Neil Ardley.

Peter writes an occasional blog with industry insider gossip presented in his own irreverent but incisive way.

Peter also contributes to the GRTR! Radio stream.

Pete Feenstra (Features Editor)

Pete is our resident blues to rock expert and was born in 1954 in Rotterdam. Got into music in 1963 after seeing Alexis Korner on Five O'Clock Club with Ollie Beak, and then the Beatles came along!

Pete bought his first three singles for 'six and eight' each by The Beatles, Billy Fury and The Tornado's, and subsequently got into Prog rock, via Groundhogs, Jethro Tull, Man, Zappa and all things West Coast.

Graduated in Politics and literally hit the road with advent of Punk. Ended up promoting in Middle East, Goa Beach, and Denmark, came back to Britain in 1979, and with not a guitar hero in site became a blues fan.

Started promoting live music as a living as part of a mission to keep alive Real Music, or something akin to quality.

Pete says, "I extended my early writing efforts to freelancing for Music Week, Folk Roots, Jazz Journal, The Stage, and all manner of Blues publications and then edited my own magazine Real Music for two years." He has contributed liner notes to over 60 albums.

In the eighties, Pete became a theatre booker in West London and then the in-house promoter at The Shepherds Bush Empire, Mean Fiddler and Shepherds Bush Bottom Line, in the mid 90's, "before stupidly becoming an independent promoter and a sometime, eh hem, A&R and PR person for Mystic Records."

8 years later, still clinging on to good music, overpriced bands and an aging audience. Supposedly writing Roger Chapman's biog. Here's to the future

Favourite music: Too many to list but including Frank Zappa, Man, Walter Trout and newer stuff like Blanche, Beth Gibbons, plus maybe Patti Smith, Amon Duul and say Jacky Leven... and any strong song writers, great performers (Chapman) and of course innovative blues.

Stuart Hamilton (Metal Editor)

Stuart Hamilton has been working freelance for longer than he cares to remember, beginning with fanzines, then moving on to websites, most recently as Editor of MetalUK, also reviewing and interviewing the likes of Bernie Marsden, Danny Bowes, Tony Clarkin and Ray Wilson. He has also written on a wide variety of music for publications like Record Collector magazine, Colossus, Darker Than Blue, Acid Dragon and others.

Born in Edinburgh, lived and worked all over the place, Stuart is one of that band of failed musicians who ended up writing about it instead of doing it. He is still running several web sites and a small record label and distribution service that mainly focusses on psychedelic and progressive rock, although the odd crusty punks have sneaked in there, from time to time.

First album bought was 'If You Want Blood...', by AC/DC, aged 13, and it was all downhill from there. Loved the NWOBHM, which I was the perfect age for, then worked my way back. Also loves southern rock and boogie, oodles of country rock, but still finds time for kicking it out to modern metal like Arch Enemy, Moonspell and any mad goth with a female singer. Refuses to regret his glam past, and still sings the praises of LA Guns, Love / Hate, Cinderella and Pretty Boy Floyd to anyone who hangs around too long.

He has few interests outside music but pizza, Hibernian football club and CSI (Las Vegas, New York but not Miami) fill out the few remaining hours.

His favourite font (and he wants you to know this) is Trebuchet MS (Western). The photograph shows Stuart and his adoring fan (singular).

Favourite bands: Hawkwind, Motorhead, Allman Brothers Band, Deep Purple Mks 3, 4 and 6, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Atomic Rooster.

Stuart also contributes to the GRTR! Radio stream.

John Stefanis (Founding Metal Editor at Large)

John grew up in Kalamaki a south suburb of Athens which was famous for many things, but Heavy Metal was not one of them. During the 80's Heavy Metal was not that popular in Greece, especially amongst the Greek authorities who would do almost anything to get their hands on a person with Bullet belts and a Possessed T-shirt.

John is a veteran of the Greek underground Metal community. "I remember that the first time I saw Rotting Christ they were performing in the back yard of my high-school in front of 50 people!!" I worked for 2 years in a Radio Station. "Heavy Metal Randez-vous" was on twice a week. I also worked for 2 years in Rock City, the biggest CD store for Metal Music in Athens." John also did a spot of dee-jaying at the Metal Club "Xoris Anasa" (Breathless).

John says: "Music is my true "companion" throughout the years and one of the most important things in my life."

Favourite bands: Morbid Angel, Kreator, Pestilence, Burzum, Rush, Kansas, Saxon, Judas Priest, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Dream Theater

Steve Janowicz (Senior U.S. correspondent)

Steve was born in the early sixties and grew up in New Jersey. Only 20 minutes from NYC meant exposure to a ton of music and influence.

You could often catch him at CBGB's or The Bottom Line but his favorite venue was The Capital Theater in Passaic, NJ. This was a small theater that many big named acts would come and work it out before hitting the national tour.

Steve remembers seeing The Stones there under another name. After that he was hooked! "My brother called me and told me to get a ride down to the Capital Theater and that I would see a big band, I was 12 years old I think"

His first piece of music purchased was a 45 of the Stones, Tumbling Dice. His teen years were filled with our classic rock standards with Led Zeppelin topping off the list.

"I started playing the bass after hearing Dazed and Confused for the first time. No other band had the balls that Zeppelin had. John Paul Jones and John Bonham were having their own party in the background of all those marathon jams.

While most people were focused on the the front man (Plant) and the guitar God (Page), I was tuned in on the Bass/Drum relationship. It was hypnotic to me."

Steve went through his early life playing in and working with several local cover bands. He attend a local Art School and even though he stopped playing and joined the work force, his love for music and ear for musicianship has never disappeared.

Working for big companies like AT&T and IBM, Steve now owns multiple computer stores in Northeast Florida. Since becoming a photographer a few years ago, he says his reviews and press status is his way to experience the musical buzz of his younger years.

Steve may not be rocking with his guitar anymore but his photos and insightful reviews are everything we need in a US correspondent.

Favorite bands: Led Zeppelin, Boston, ACDC, Peter Frampton, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Whitesnake, Badlands, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet, ZZ Top, The Outlaws and Rush,.

Billy James (U.S. correspondent)

As an author, Billy James has written several critically acclaimed and best selling books, with various reprints and versions in different languages:

No More Mr. Nice Guy - The Inside Story Of The Alice Cooper Group (with Michael Bruce), Lunar Notes - Zoot Horn Rollo's Capt. Beefheart Experience (with Bill Harkleroad), An American Band - The Story Of Grand Funk Railroad, Necessity Is - The Early Years Of Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention (with the original Mothers members), Beyond and Before - The Formative Years Of YES (with Peter Banks) and The Road Goes On Forever - The Continuing Story Of Todd Rundgren vol. 1, The Dictionary Of Rhythm (unpublished, yet endorsed by Frank Zappa, Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, Steve Vai, Don Prestpn etc).

He is currently completing vol.2 of his Todd Rundgren biography for Golden Treasure Publishing, U.S.

As a musical artist, James record under the guise of ANT-BEE and has several albums out featuring the likes of the former Mothers members, original Alice Cooper Group members, Daevid Allen (GONG).

The newest ANT-BEE album, currently being recorded, entitled Electronic Church Muzik, along with aforementioned musicians, also features Peter Banks (YES), Jan Akkerman, Gilli Smyth (Mother Gong), Napoleon Murphy Brock (Zappa), Zoot Horn Roolo and Rockette Morton (Capt. Beefheart) and Moogy Klingman (Utopia) to name a few.

Billy James also runs Glass Onyon PR, a full line publicity company. Some of his clients are Kevin Godley and Graham Gouldman (10cc), Wishbone Ash, Mark Volman (Turtles, Flo&Eddie), Vanilla Fudge, The Grande Mothers, The Lizards (ex-BOC/Rainbow), Don Preston and many more.

Joe Milliken (U.S. correspondent)

Joe was born in Boston in the mid-60's, and grew up in New Hampshire and Vermont on the classic rock of Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Van Halen, The Doors, The Stones, UFO, Rush, Hendrix and Pink Floyd, before branching out into other more progressive influences such as Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, Marillion, The Tubes and Frank Zappa.

"In 1978 I was in 7th grade, when my good friend "Fast" Eddie Faxon brought in to music class a 45-single of Aerosmith covering the Beatles "Come Together", and I was instantly hooked! And then once I found out they were the "Bad Boys From Boston", by way of New Hampshire?? Forget About It!"

A graduate of Dean College in Franklin, MA., (Visual Arts/Journalism, 1987) Joe is currently the A & E / Sports Editor at a weekly publication in southern Vermont called The Message For The Week, (www.messagefortheweek.com) the second largest weekly paper in the state.

He has also been a freelance writer and public relations person since 2000, (JEM Freelance Writing) mostly concentrating on music, including band features and artists profiles, CD, DVD and concert reviews, and other music-related topics such as indie labels, producers, industry personalities and trends, and unique recording studios.

Since 2000, Joe has contributed cover stories, features and CD / DVD reviews to Goldmine Magazine (U.S.), a national bi-weekly music collectors publication, as well as several other daily, weekly, monthly and specialty publications.

Over the last decade Joe has developed strong relationships with many publications and media outlets, music labels and collectors, public relations people and both CD and DVD distributors, which leads him down many interesting musical paths - all of which of course, lead to many interesting stories to tell.

"Since becoming a writer, I have not only found so much more new music to love, but also learned so much more about the music I already loved. Music is the universal language, and I really enjoy sharing my experiences and what I learn along the way, with anyone who wants to read about it!"

Joe currently resides in Chester, Vermont with his fiancée Kelly, 11-year old son Nate, and their two cats Sasha and Leo.

Favourite bands / artists: Aerosmith, Joe Perry, Rush, Led Zeppelin, UFO, Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Marillion, The Tubes, Warren Zevon, Frank Zappa.

Pete Whalley

Born in the '50's, raised on rock in the early '70's. Pete cut his teeth on gigs by the likes of Bowie (seeing an early Ziggy gig at a small Liverpool club at the tender age of 16 was mind blowing), Alice Cooper, Bad Company, Queen ,Santana, Thin Lizzy, Budgie and the like.

If they played Liverpool, there was every chance he saw them. He has lost count of the number of times he saw classic Hawkwind (predictably until the departure of Stacia).

Passionate about music then, and passionate about music now.

And a particular 'soft spot' for anything with a decent female vocal - Carole King, River City People, Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, Eleanor McEvoy and many more.

Favourite bands: Thin Lizzy, Alice, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Queen and U2.

Joe Geesin (Guest contributor)

Joe Geesin has been working freelance for Record Collector magazine since 1993. He has interviewed Ian Gillan, Cozy Powell and Uriah Heep amongst others and contributed nearly 200 reviews.

Born in London, raised in Sussex, Joe's father is a musician who's worked with Pink Floyd, Roger Waters and Pete Townsend and once toured with Genesis.

First album bought was 'Approved By', by The Motors at the tender age of 10 years old and he still loves it! Says Joe, "I got into hard rock when a friend lent me Rainbow Rising.

Now my main loves cover late 60s blues rock (eg Savoy Brown) through Trad rock (Purple, Heep, Priest, Sabbath etc), blues hard rock (Foghat), Molly Hatchet, NWoBHM (esp Samson), New Wave Trad Metal (Motorhead, Gillan) and up to late 80s."

Interests outside music include Rugby (a keen player), cooking, reading and wine.

Nikk Gunns

Nikk has writing reviews and interviews on and off for 16 years, mostly for fanzines and internet articles. He also fronts the band 'Reloaded' and before that spent 8 years fronting 'Flame.

Says Nikk, 'I have also been seen from time to time in promo videos and adverts and can be found doing a request show on Radio Mount Vernon, our local hospital, in London every Tuesday night.'

Betsy Green

At just 19 years of age Betsy is a keen rock enthusiast/freelance writer dedicating as much time as she can to getreadytorock.

She's currently studying English with creative writing at Hull University with aspirations of becoming a full time rock journalist. Although there's no long list of past jobs as she's pretty new, its best to give a brief rock history.

Her first favourite band was Black Sabbath and at the tender age of 5 she went backstage to her first rock gig 'YES' which almost blew her ears off, the gigs kept coming and the passion grew and grew.

After going to Ozfest 2005 at Donington, aged 15, and witnessing Black Sabbath from the side of the stage made her realise rock n roll was definitely the right path.

'I loved everything about it all, the atmosphere, the music, the crowds, reactions...everything'.

During her Education of Rock the biggest lesson came in 2007 after receiving tickets and backstage passes to the Led Zeppelin reunion.

Favourite bands: Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Tyketto, Hardcore Superstar, Van Halen, Velvet Revolver, Thin Lizzy and Airborne.
 

Lee Millward (photographer)

My first introduction to "real music" was back in 1975 when a friend's older brother played Genesis Live for us....From the first chords of Watcher Of The Skies I was hooked and have never looked back..

Favourite bands/artists include Neil Young, Greg Lake, Van Der Graaf, Pink Floyd, Yes, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Asia, and any of the older bands who started in clubs and earned the right to be called superstars.....I can't stand the manufactured garbage that's being spewed out by reality tv shows.

I've had a long interest in photography that really paid off early this year when I was offered the chance to photograph bands for GRTR!...I've seen and photographed many great bands and hope to do many more.
 

Ian Pollard (Photographer)

Hailing originally from the home of heavy metal - the black country, and growing up there in the 70's, it is no surprise that rock music of all genres has been Ian's passion for over 25 years. His first ever gig was Led Zeppelin's last ever UK show at Knebworth in 1979, and what a way to start! Ian travels to most gigs with his wife Clare who shares his love of live music.

Ian says:"I have made a lot of good friends from people I have met at rock gigs over the years, and have recently been privileged to work with some of them in putting on a charity event with the band Magnum. A great experience that we hope to repeat."

Favourite bands: Magnum, Asia, Blue Oyster Cult, Mostly Autumn, Royal Hunt.