"Apparently there is no truth in the rumour that the powers that be wanted Brexit to coincide with the release of Anchor Lane's debut album 'Casino', although a bit like Brexit, their eagerly awaited release on Friday 31st January on R7 Records has certainly been well worth waiting for! 'Casino' sweats all the passion of William Wallace, with their proverbial balls of Rock under their kilts. Time will tell, as to what other cards they have hidden up their sporrans, but with 'Casino', there is no doubt that the gamble has paid off." Today read AJ's complete take here on Anchor Lane's debut album 'Casino', due out tomorrow, and to coincide with its release, Anchor Lane are holding their album launch party tonight at London's The Black Heart in Camden.

Today's Rock On The Ridge Track Of The Day, originally broadcast on Burns Night, includes music from Those Damn Crows, Blacktop Mojo, Ryders Creed, Mindriotmt, Palace Of The King, Greta Van Fleet, JD Simo (pictured), The Temperance Movement, King Of The North, Clutch, Budgie, Ozzy Osbourne, Nazareth, The Broken Ravens, RumRunners, Anchor Lane, The King Lot, Gun, Mason Hill, Concrete Kingdoms, Battalion Of Flies, Uproar, Fishand King King.

Vocalist Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), guitarist Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), bassist Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End Machine, ex-Dokken) and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) have joined forces in Black Swan and created ‘Shake The World’, out on Friday 14th February, the title track of which is today's Video Of The Day. It's not only an aptly titled debut album of powerful Hard Rock that is not simply the sum of its parts, but it's also a powerful Rock ‘n Roll machine. Sparked by a conversation between Jeff Pilson and Frontiers, who were keen to hear a project that could not only showcase McAuley's vocal prowess but also have a mighty musical backbone behind him, the initial seed was planted and Pilson ran with it from there, recording the album in his LA studio. The final result sounds totally fresh and extremely heavy, albeit still intensely melodic. Consequently, ‘Shake the World’ is a killer slice of Melodic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal from these seasoned musicians and is essential listening!

Supreme Southern Rock icons the Outlaws, one of the most influential and best-loved bands of the genre, have lined up the release of their stonking new studio album, ‘Dixie Highway’, on Steamhammer/SPV on Friday 28th February. The Outlaws take fans on what is literally and figuratively the ride of a lifetime. For more than 45 years, the Tampa-born group have flown the Southern Rock banner like no other band in the land, best known for their unique triple-guitar Rock attack and three-part Country harmonies. And since the release of their 2012 comeback album ‘It’s About Pride’ and acclaimed 2016 double album ‘Legacy Live’, the Outlaws – led by Paul and co-founder/drummer Monte Yoho along with Randy Threet (bass, vocals), Steve Grisham (guitars, vocals), Dave Robbins (keyboards, vocals), Dale Oliver (guitars, vocals), Jaran Sorenson (drums) and guest guitarist Billy Crain – have not only re-emerged as what fans call ‘Southern Rock’s Last Band Standing’, but as a dedicated band of brothers who still write, play and perform with the skill, grit and fire of acts a fraction of their age.

Earlier this month Marcus King released his debut solo album, 'El Dorado', produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, via Snakefarm Records (UK)/Fantasy Records, which includes today's Video Of The Day 'Young Mans Dream'. The album is a contemporary exploration of Southern R&B, Country-Soul, Classic Rock and Blues, that has established the 23-year-old guitar phenomenon as one of the most soulful voices of his generation. King’s arresting vocals feature as lead instrument, taking centre-stage alongside a genre-bending blend of subtle acoustics, bright pedal steel, raucous electric guitars and blistering solos. Consequently, King will continue his Winter and Spring world tour with his band, The Marcus King Band, which will hit the UK next month, including London's Electric Ballroom on Tuesday 25th February.

Today's latest Blues On The Radio Track Of The Day is an hour filled with music from The Head Hunters Blues Band, Bernard Allison, Pete Orr, Marcus Lazarus, Half Deaf Clatch, Jo Harman, Troy Redfern, Jeremiah Johnson, Redfish, Lachy Doley and The Andy Taylor Group - all bracketed by a couple of tracks from Connor Selby ahead of tonight's show at The Tuesday Night Music Club, The Comrades Club, Coulsdon CR5 2NF.

Was it really a year ago that we last saw Aynsley Lister performing at London's 100 Club (pictured)? Fast forward a year, and tonight, as Independent Venue Week continues, he returns to the same iconic venue, with his hard hitting rhythms and guitar work reminiscent of a young Eric Clapton, supported by Mojo Preachers and The Kendall Connection. Indeed Lister is still one of very few artists playing Blues-infused Rock with a modern edge – heartfelt, soul searching and full of fine song-writing played with both passion and vitality.

Once again we were blessed to be in the presence of 2018 WRC Best Blues Rock award winner Bernie Marsden at London's Under The Bridge last Friday night, with surprise special guest Joe Bonamassa, plus great support from Deborah Bonham. Anyway, check out our initial Photo Gallery here plus our Video Of The Day. Understandably, the majority of the ex-Whitesnake guitarist's set comprised of the band's greatest hits including 'Fool For Your Loving' and 'Here I Go Again' plus Fleetwood Mac's 'Oh Well' and a fitting tribute to Gary Moore with Jimmy Rogers 'Walking By Myself'.

King Solomon Hicks releases his debut album, 'Harlem', on Friday 13th March, via Provogue, a division of Mascot Label Group, including new track 'Every Day I Sing The Blues', which is today's Track Of The Day. The 24 year old grew up in Harlem, around a lot of great musicians, and his album is produced by multiple Grammy Award winner Kirk Yano (Miles Davis, Public Enemy, Mariah Carey), and showcases Hicks as a writer, player and interpreter. Hicks and Yano started working on 'Harlem' two years ago, finishing up during late 2019, aided by a corps of players that includes members of Soulive, Lettuce, Jack White and Hank William Jr.'s band and others -including Foghat/Savoy Brown veteran Roger Earl.

Independent Venue Week is back today, a seven-day nationwide celebration of music venues around the country and the people that own, run and work in them, such as London's The Half Moon Putney who kick off IVW with Starsailor's James Walsh tonight. The venues - the backbone of the live music scene - give artists their first experience of playing live to an audience and allow fans to get up close to artists who may one day be playing stadiums and festival main stages. IVW also brings together venues with breaking and established artists, promoters, labels, media and tastemakers to create a nationwide series of gigs.

Today's Track Of The Day is Syteria's 'Make Some Noise', the first single taken from their upcoming album 'Reflection' which is due out on Friday 21st February via Syteria Records/Cargo Distribution, with a UK tour to follow, including Newcastle's The Rigger on Friday 13th March. Based in Yorkshire, Syteria are a band formed by Jackie 'Jax' Chambers, lead guitarist of the legendary Girlschool and 2019 saw a new chapter to the Syteria story, with new bassist Steph Dawson, formerly of the band Scream Of Sirens, joining. Blending Classic Rock stylings with a Punk fuzz, great tunes with heart and feel, and bucket loads of passion, Syteria have produced an absolute ripper of an album and one that should see them rise through the ranks at speed.

The tank is full, the engine roars - 'Live Resurrection' from Motorjesus, out on Friday 14th February, offers over 70 minutes of high voltage Rock music including today's Video Of The Day 'Tales From The Wrecking Ball'. One of Germany's best bands when it comes to Heavy Rock, the band is now back in action with a new line-up, that also played the entire tour, recorded during the last two shows of the latest 'Race To Resurrection' album tour. Founding members, vocalist Chris "Howling" Birx and Andy on guitar, plus Patrick Wassenberg (guitar), Dominik Kwasny (bass) and Philipp Kohout (drums), offer an ass-kicking selection of songs from over 15 years of Motorjesus. There's a storm coming and Motorjesus are ready for it!