Steve Petch

Author's posts

Aug 07 2025

So, how’s retirement going?

  How’s retirement going? A question I get asked a lot from most friends and ex-colleagues alike. Well, its going ok! As many folks who have retired before me will attest there is a period of adjustment and acceptance. However, having worked in a stressful environment for most of my adult life I am finding …

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Jul 31 2025

Monumentata | Nad Sylvan

Many fans of ex-Genesis Guitar virtuoso Steve Hackett will since 2012 or thereabouts know of singer Nad Sylvan. Having been recruited by Steve to sing on his Genesis Revisited II album and then becoming part of Steve’s touring band touring the Genesis Revisited shows all over the world. However, Nad Sylvan (Born Erik Christopher Stewart) …

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Jul 15 2025

Gamel Mester | Lars Fredrik Frøislie

For those not familiar with Norwegian Prog bands White Willow and Wobbler you may never have heard of Lars Fredrik Frøislie. Lars is currently the latter bands keyboard player and who first come to my attention in 2023 having bought his first solo album Fire Fortellinger, an album steeped in Norwegian folklore. Two years on …

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May 29 2025

Neon Burning | Living In Shadows

I received this album for review in the latter part of 2024 shortly after it was recorded and due to unforeseen circumstances did not get the opportunity to do so until now. Living In Shadows are a UK band based in the North East. The band was formed by singer Zoë Gilby and multi-instrumentalist Andy …

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Mar 11 2025

Fusion 6 (Music Without Boundaries) | My adventure.

Fusion festival in Stourport is always a much coveted long weekend event revered by all who attend. Myself and fellow Prog head Johnny Blakey look forwards to such road trips. Hoasted my Steve and Lou Gould, Fusion is now well established as the go to event supporting such much loved yet niche musical forms. As …

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Feb 17 2025

Blazing Revelations | Dominic Sanderson

Every once in a while an album gets sent to me that stops me in my tracks. Recently I was contacted by a young man called Dominic Sanderson, a name already on my radar. After reading the press kit sent to me I was more than a little intrigued. Based in Liverpool, though originally from …

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Jan 29 2025

And then one day you find, 50 years have got behind you….

A few months shy of 50 years ago I was sitting on the roof of a school bike shed with my friend on the day that we both left school without a qualification between us. I have no doubt at all that on reflection the same thoughts were in our heads. What the hell do …

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Jan 05 2025

Paul Birchall | The Old Buffoon And Other Short Stories.

When ever I think of Paul Birchall I think firstly of his musical talent and secondly his killer dry sense of humour. Lately I think of his resilience too. Having some very significant connections in the music scene Paul toured the globe as both a keyboard player and on occasion as a musical director. His …

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