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Hard Rock
Pride & Joy
New Release
Blue Tears
Live In The UK
Reviewed in issue:
115
Release Date:
15 May 2026
Reviewed by:
🟣 Ken Roberts
For Fans Of
Attraction 65
Bon Jovi
Def Leppard
Top three tracks
• Rockin’ With The Radio
• Rock You To Heaven
• Thunder In The Night
Fireworks Verdict:
"The album is littered with lively Melodic Metal tunes."
THE REVIEW
Words Of Wisdom!
Yet again, the editor has sent me a band that I have never even heard of. I am sure the readers of Fireworks enjoy discovering new “old” bands as much as I do. Did you ever attend the legendary Firefest Festival gigs at Rock City in Nottingham? If you were there in 2005, you would have been lucky enough to have witnessed the one and only show that Blue Tears ever performed in the UK or Europe.
Back in 1990 Blue Tears, hailing from Henderson Tennessee, released their self-titled debut album to great acclaim. They appeared to have the catchy hooks of Bon Jovi, blended with the Rock guitar power of Def Leppard, a genuinely heady mix; you would therefore think they were destined for great things. However, this was the period where Grunge was all powerful, and as a result they split up in 1993, with the band members dispersing into various different projects.
"They appeared to have the catchy hooks of Bon Jovi, blended with the Rock guitar power of Def Leppard"
However, they had laid down a variety of tracks in the studio before their demise that were eventually released as ‘The Innocent Ones’ in 2006. This live recording is only their third ever recording to be published and is available on CD, as well as on various streaming platforms. For the show at Firefest, Gregg Fulkerson (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards) was joined by Bryan Hall (guitar, vocals), Michael Spears (bass, vocals) and Charlie Lauderdale (drums).
The album is littered with lively Melodic Metal tunes. ‘Rock You To Heaven’, featuring a pounding beat and screaming guitar solos, ‘Take This Heart’, ‘Thunder In The Night’, and the standout song ‘Rockin’ With The Radio’, any Melodic AOR fan will have this sing-a-long ditty on their “must listen” playlist. ‘One Step Over The Line’ is a very powerful and energetic song; the energy never slows down, and is at fever pitch on the disc closer ‘Live It Up’.
"The album is littered with lively Melodic Metal tunes."
Fulkerson passed away in April 2009, so this show has been released as a delayed tribute to him. It is very much a true live recording; raw, wild, with zero overdubs or touch-ups. Fireworks’ own Bruce Mee was the executive producer, with Tommy Denander in charge of the mix and mastering. Anyone who was a fan of the band, or was present at the show, will be transported back in time when they listen to this opus. The band, unsurprisingly, received a great reception at the festival.
Reviewer:
🟣 Ken Roberts
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