It’s true, I seen it with my own eyes. Population Four have managed to beat off 180+ bands to be crowned the 1st ever winners of Ready To Rumble Unsigned. Seriously… MASSIVE Congratulations to the guys. They worked real hard and had to fight off a lot of great competition.

Where do I even begin to start…. Well I find it only fair to start from the beginning. For those of you who know me, I’m useless at writing these things and I am sure by now a lot of you have worked out that I was last in the queue when getting grammar and spelling skills so I just tell it how I see it. I think I can safely speak for all the RTR team when I say this whole event has been better than any of us expected. Yes there was ups and down, arguments, frustrations, late nights, long meetings but in the end it paid off and it worked out better than we ever had hoped. We always aimed high with this event, but usually you aim high as you tend to fall short… not this time. We set the event up and put a lot on the line to make this work, we pushed some boundary’s and called in some favours. It didn’t take long to start getting attention from some big names, who all wanted to help us make this a success. But without the bands and fans, the event would just be another gig that everyone has seen before. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You to each and every single one of you for your support.

One of our biggest sponsors (Monster Energy) has showed us some massive support and helped out at every night  and provided the crowd, bands, organisers and guests with a  BOOST but not only did we have Monster onboard to make this event such a success we had some other big names such as Ibanez, Laney, Tama, Zildjan, Rotosound, Evans and VideoInk who all helped us make this event such a success.

All heats were put on in the Club room of 53Degrees which seen great crowds down to all heats to support the music. We got a call from the venue on the morning of the final, We had almost SOLD OUT and it looked like a lot of fans were going to lose out when turning up on the door. We made the call to move to the larger 1,500 capacity room down stairs :0 The perfect end to such a great event.

Once again, all 4 bands played some of the best sets I have heard in a while and it was clear the crowd were loving every band and having a great time. Unfortunately I had so much running around to do, I could only fully catch a song or 2 from each band and I seriously though it could have been anyone’s night. Massive Kudos to all the bands for all the support they have shown the event.

In a recent change, we decided there would be no 4th place. The bands were of such high quality, they all deserved to win. Coming joint 3rd place (in no particular order) were Prairie Dogs and March who both grab themselves a free Photo shoot with ROP Records and some store Credit at HW Music. In 2nd place, also winning the prizes above plus some studio time provided at Shirehead Studios with Electric Sugar Recordings are Barrow Metallers ‘Beyond Betrayal’ who also receive extended online distribution via ROP Records which will cover 2 releases.

In 1st place and crowned winners of RTR2011, POPULATION FOUR who go away with a whole bunch of goodies. £1500 worth of gear from Ibanez, Laney, Tama, Zildjan. A year supply of Rotosound strings for both guitarists and bass player, that’s 48 sets for each guitarist and 12 sets for bass (Provided by Rotosound Strings). A Set of Evans Batter Heads + Custom bass skin provided by Evans A Professional Music Video by VideoInk. 3 years online distribution via ROP Records. A weekend recording at Anchor Studios and a band photo shoot from

Remember the public vote is curtail and you have your say. On the night, there will be 4 buckets at the back of the room with the bands name’s on. Simply drop your ticket into the bucket of the band you want to win. Are you ready to rock. You can check out the tracks from the finalists below.

A massive shout out again for our friends Dear Superstar who will be down again for the final along with Alex Baker from Kerrang Radio who will be our MC for the night and will also be judging on the night.

Who will be crowned the 1st Champions of Ready To Rumble.

Heat 1 Winners – March – Caesura

Heat 2 Winners – Population Four – This Town Will Drag You Down

Heat 3 Winners – Prairie Dogs - Boundary Of Misery

Heat 4 Winners – Beyond Betrayal – Bigger Than This Side

Good Luck Guys !!

The Final 4 bands gear up to fight it out and win a spot to the Final of RTR2011. If Metal is your thing \m/ then this is where you would have been on Friday. From the word go there was a gaping great hole in the crowd where a mosh pit formed for almost every song. It was clear the fans were having a great time and that this was going to be no easy night for the judges.

I only managed to catch a little bit from each band but they were all awesome and really worked the crowd. It was clear that all bands knew how to work a crowed and create an awesome live atmosphere for everyone to let loose and mosh out.

Another close night with all judges having different opinions and only 15 points separated all 4 bands. Any change would have meant a change in winner but in the end, Beyond Betrayal managed to secure the last spot in the Final of the 1st Ready To Rumble Unsigned \m/ 

Hats off to all the other bands (Killing The Tyrant, A Carnal Elect and From Embers) as the points were so close, it really could have been any of the bands claiming the final spot on the night.

So, here we have it boys and girls, the Final4. March, Population Four, Prairie Dogs and Beyond Betrayal will battle it out to be crowned RTR2011 Winners on 8th April 2011. Good luck to all the bands, I am sure it will be no easy decision for the judges. Also as a special treat for you, we have Burnley Rock outfit ‘Exit State’ as a guest band who will be rocking out after the bands have played while we count the votes. 

This has been a night we will never forget in a hurry. This week it was clear all the bands had brought their A-game and was not going out without a fight. With great sets from the crazy Beta, Rocking Prairie Dogs, Powerful Storm Corporation and Astounding Sinnergod. All 4 bands gave the crowd a big treat tonight which people will be talking about for a while to come.

It was really a great night to be at 53 Degrees. Beta were just MAD, even when no one was in the venue the band were going around barking at us, climbing up ladders and jumping off and generally being insane. Prairie Dogs were calm and collected on the night, focusing on the goal ahead which lead them to giving the crowed a rocking set of tunes which were tight and well rehearsed.

Storm Corporation (playing to a home crowd) were sure to tare the place apart and it was not long until they sent the crowd crazy. The fans created one of the biggest mosh pits I have ever seen in the venue. It was that good the guitarist (Rossy) decided to have a wonder and check it out. It was clear that Storm Corporation came with a message tonight and that is “Were Back”.

Sinnergod had to come on stage and follow on from 3 amazing sets by the other bands. You would think this would make some people nervous, ohh no, not only did these guys match the other bands with yet another superb set. The drummer had a broken hand and was playing with the stick taped to his hand. After hearing a lot of hype on the website, it was easy to see why their fans were so dedicated to such a great band. 

So how far can we really make £3 stretch these days. Well, let’s have a look. You get entry to an awesome venue (53 Degrees) and get to see not 2, not 3 but 4 amazing unsigned band (who all deserve to be signed). You get a FREE can of Monster (ok unfortunately the Truck could not attend tonight but will be back for all other nights) you get yourself some goodie bags from Dear Superstar and to round it all off you get free entry to The Mill nightclub so you can Party till 3am. Ohh 1 more thing…

We also got Nigel Clutterbuck from Rotosound to come down and play some awesome bass. I say play… I never knew you could shred with a bass. Nigel playing himself would have been well worth £3 of anyone’s hard earned cash. Check him out. So that’s exactly what £3 can get you nowadays, good aint it.

The moment had come. It was clear that it was a tough night as all judges had very different opinions on each band. All votes were in and points added, Nipping their head across the finish line 1st and winning a spot in the GRAND FINAL of RTR2011 along with March and Population Four is Prairie Dogs. Well done guys, well deserved win and we will see you back here on the 8th April to see who will win the 1st ever Ready To Rumble Unsigned.

Finally, we can’t let this update go without showing you 1 last photo which I think says it all. Check out all our photos on our facebook page. See you all next week

Hay Guys. Unfortunately due to other sporting commitments, The Monster truk is needed elsewhere tonight and will not be able to come down to 53 Degrees. Apologies to anyone who was needing that little bit of a Monster boost tonight. The guys and the Truck will be back next week. Sorry for letting anyone down.

Couple of updates for you today. First of all, we have got an extension on the running times due to last week running over, we thought it best we extend all nights then no one is rushing around like a headless chicken. Nights will now run as follows:

Heat 3 – 18th March 7:30pm – 11:30pm
Heat 4 – 25th March 7:30pm – 11:30pm
Final – 8th April 7:30pm – 11:30pm

Bands Start at 8pm

Nigel, Jason, Dan & Billy. Photo courtesy of danveall.com.

Secondly, Nigel Clutterbuck from Rotosound will be joining us as a guest judge for the 3rd heat but will also be getting up on stage after all the band have played to show us all that ’he got skillz’. Check Nigel out below demonstrating he has what it takes. So a little treat for you on this 3rd heat

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Another night down, 2 more heats and a final to go. Another amazing night with an awesome buzz from all the bands and the crowed. Everyone had a blast of a time and we can only hope for more. Once again all 4 bands played blinding sets and I only wish everyone could win.

I must thank the bands for making it one of the most stressful nights of my life. You all played so well, none of the judges wanted to call it. Considering they were 3 judges and all 3 kept changing their minds and were against calling it. They eventually gave us their thoughts after what seemed like forever. The judges have asked me to say that all the bands deserved to win but in the end they each had to pick a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Just my luck… It had already passed 11pm (kicking out time) andwe just finished counting the scores just to find  it was a draw between 2 bands :/ which is when the public vote really mattered and we had not yet looked at the public vote…

With the hometown advantage, and also playing one of their best shows, Population Four  just managed to steal victory and they get to come back and fill their bags again with cans of Monster $?!&* … I mean play the final. Population Four return on the 8th April to battle against March and 2 other Finalists. Whose your money on?

A MASSIVE SHOUTOUT to all the bands who not only played awesome sets but the buzz backstage was amazing, we only hope that all other nights are like this. Everyone had a great time and it showed. You are all welcome to play for RTR anytime.

Ok, I think I have just got over my sugar rush from the umpteen cans of Monster I had last night. What is there to say, we couldn’t have asked for a better night, hundreds of people having a good time, amazing music from 4 top bands and many free cans of Monster

All bands played their hearts out and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen in my years of promoting. The clear winner of the night risen victorious, with all 3 judges and the fans all voting for ‘March‘ as the winners of the 1st heat which see’s them taking the 1st place in the final.

A massive shoutout needs to go to the other bands, Defy The Sky, The Blackhand and Ides of March. All judges loved all 4 bands but there could only be 1 winner. Many Many great things were said about the bands and I am sure the exposure from RTR alone will help the bands get noticed more. All the bands who played last night are welcome onto any gig with RTR again. You are all a credit to your music and it was amazing to see the fans go crazy for your songs. Ides of March even got an encore (thank god they had already planned it in to their 25min set )

Another shoutout to the guys from Dear Superstar who were very impressed by the quality of the bands the Northwest has to offer. A big thanks to everyone who helped on the night, there are just too many to mention but you all know who you are. I must go now and see if my body will allow me to sleep now.. or if the Monster still winning the battle.

We are really good to you lot. We have a couple guests coming down from the band Dear Superstar who will be down to rock out with us tonight and possibly the other heats too…. we might even get them to play for you. “Having worked their way into sold out venues around the world. Dear Superstar have destroyed stages alongside rock n roll giants such as Motley Crue, Metallica, Iron Maiden,  KISS and Aerosmith as well as tours in support of Papa Roach, Buckcherry and Bullet For My Valentine”.

Hailing from the industrial wastelands of Manchester, gutter rock n rollers Dear Superstar combine their passion for classic hard rock with the power and bile of modern metal.

Dear Superstar recorded their debut album “Heartless” with producer Romesh Dodangoda in 2008 to document years of touring and a graphic confession of the band’s lifestyle of unbridled mayhem. Later penning a deal with legendary label Demolition/DR2 Records, the record was released in the fall of 2008 to critical acclaim!

NME
“A quintet reeking of cheap leather and dirty liquor… Slickly produced gargantuan riffs, mixed with squealing solos, growls, cackles and power drums!”

KERRANG
“The UK may have quite a prospect on its hands!”

METALHAMMER
“Destined to be as big as Motley Crue”

ROCKSOUND
“For lovers of old-school metal, this is nothing short of gold.”

CLASSIC ROCK
“When singing about shagging and getting wrecked they’re all but irresistible”

With their unquenchable thirst for touring, Dear Superstar burst straight back onto the live circuit in 2009 supporting Papa Roach and Buckcherry in the UK and across Europe. After wowing crowds on the sold-out tour, they signed to esteemed boutique booking agency TKO, which quickly lead to appearances at Download Festival, Sonisphere UK/Sweden and Graspop Festival to name a few.

Continuing a relentless touring schedule throughout 2009 and 2010, Dear Superstar opened their own studio (Superstar Studios) to the public and started recording their definite album “Damned Religion” in the winter months of 2010/2011.

Applying the euphoric highs and crushing lows of touring whilst taking a darker approach to song writing, Dear Superstar are ready to unleash their career defining record.