Review By Darren McIntyre Images by Scott Anderson
GUN are a hard rock band from Glasgow, Scotland who originally formed in 1987, the boys started life as Blind Allez then Phobia for a while before settling on GUN. The boys were signed to A & M in 1988 and came to mainstream attention with the release of their groundbreaking album Taking On The World, the band like most have had some changes in personnel but have kept their hard rocking edgy groove as their main focus to this very day. The boys have given us 8 studio albums and on the 12th April they unleash their brand new studio offering Hombres, to coincide with the release of this epic piece of music the boys have been doing an Assai Records album launch all around the UK. With the towering success of this fantastic record the boys decided to put on a special launch style show in Glasgow @ St Luke’s & The Winged Ox as a massive thank you to their loyal fanbase, I am pleased to say that I was invited by the band to come along and review this colossal night that would have us jumping around all night.
I will say that Hombres is in line for my album of the year alongside Shotgun Mistress, Collateral & Dea Matrona and they all deserve the plaudits for their respective pieces of music. I digress, please join me as I wander into this stunning building and feel the energy pouring from the crowd as we await the arrival of Glasgow’s favourite sons, they stroll onto the stage to a hero’s welcome as Dante steps up to the mic and says Wow thank you for the phenomenal welcome which draws a huge cheer from the swelling crowd as they step back and launch into
Lucky Guy – a real meaty sludgy bassline drops into the track as a pounding bass kick fills the room as the boys gear up to take the roof off of St Luke’s tonight. The track erupts with a twin guitar assault as Giuliano & Ruaraidh bring this gig to life with slick, clean guitar licks that really wrap themselves around this sold out crowd tonight as this opening track gets us All Fired Up for what the boys have instore fornus tonight. Dante brings his gravelly vocals to the party as this fantastic track builds and builds as the boys settle into their stride and really deliver a crunching power driven track that lets us know we are in for a treat tonight as we feel the heat ooze from the stage as this epic show springs into life as the solid rhythm section commands the room with it’s punchy beats and killer cymbal crashes as Paul gives it all he has as Jools lets rip with a colossal solo that really packs a punch as we move onto
Here’s Where I Am – The familiar rhythm section brings this rocking groover to life as the killer beats fill the room as the slick guita riffs follow suit and let us feel the rawness coming for us tonight. Dante steps up and brings us a real mellow vocals assault that wraps itself around the track as we get a funky full on bassline that just controls the beat of this crowd favourite, the place is rocking and rolling as we watch the stage and let the guys cut loose and hit us with a sweet clean guitar lick that has Jools standing front and centre as we welcome the boys to their hometown gig as we really get the feeling that tonight is going to be off the scale. The drums are hitting us with all they have as Paul drives the juggernaut right through the heart of Glasgow tonight as the crowd goes mental before we stroll into
Don’t Say It’s Over – The familiar riffs pour from the stage as the pounding snare drum punches rain down on us as this foot stomping bruiser explodes into life as the boys bring it tonight. The deep full on bass grooves are wrapping themselves around this slick, crisp rock n roller that just puts a smile on your face as Dante shouts out ready St Luke’s as we bellow back and feel the crunching riffs as Jools steps up and offloads with a sizzling beast of a solo that has us all fixed on the stage as the chorus rings out from the crowd as we get into this epic night of rock n roll as the boys are just on fire and I don’t think I have heard them sing or play better as I think this album has really put a fire in their bellies as they deliver a faultless night of good ol rock n roll that is just magical, up next
All Fired Up – Snare drum punches come for us as this crunching beast unfolds and lets us feel the groove roll through St Luke’s tonight as this colossal number really hits home. The slick, clean guitar licks are wandering freely through the venue tonight as this soaring 5 piece just cuts the mustard with this selection as the gravelly vocals flow easily through this fantastic track from the new album that has got this swelling crowd on their feet as this killer track reaches every part of the venue tonight. The night is flowing effortlessly as the boys rip the roof off of this place tonight as Jools steps up and tears us a new one with a slick, clean solo that lets him work the fretboard with ease as the crowd joins in with the chorus as the boys just bring it tonight as we roll into
Better Days – An old favourite spills from the stage as the boys roll back the years with this shredding monster as the place just erupts with a hollering cheer as this awesome piece bursts into life. The pounding rhythm section is controlling the groove as Dante bellows out with his soulful rasping vocals that just take us back to yesteryear with this classic effort that has St Luke’s rolling in the aisles for sure, the full on bassline is dropping epic tones that just wrap themselves around this awesome arrangement as the boys deliver a solid rock track that is on the money, we pause for a bit and let the boys catch their breathe as they again thank us for buying the record and making it their highest chart position for many years , we applaude loudly as the boys take us into
You Are What I Need – Jools bring the track to our attention as we get a rasping gritty guitar riff that lets Dante come in with his gravelly vocal tone. The rhythm section is hitting us with a solid snare drum beat that just lets this groover come at us with all it has as the boys drop a classy rock n roll groover that just sings, the boys are really enjoying themselves as we feel the punchy beat rip through the venue tonight as we celebrate with the boys and really welcome the success that this incredible album has brought the boys since it was released. The crisp guitar solo slips through the venue as we sing along with Dante as this foot stomping rocker really brings us all together tonight, up next Boys Don’t Cry – Dante introduces the track as Jools lets rip with a sizzling gritty guitar riff that has a solid pounding rhythm section to let this track breathe.
There is a real raspiness to this track as it brings depth and a little swagger to this epic track as we sway from side to side as the boys really dig deep and deliver a classy beast that has funky basslines draped all over it as the boys change tempo for a bit as a slick in your face solo pours from the stage as we see Jools really let us feel the energy coming from the stage tonight, this has been a phenomenal gig that has allowed us to celebrate their success with them tonight, we stroll into
Falling – Dante chats with the crowd and tells us that this is one of his favourite tracks and tells us that this track was written entirely by Jools as he turns to thank him for giving us this fantastic track. The sweet crisp guitar picks wander effortlessly through the hall as Dante comes in with soulful melodic vocals that just sets the scene for the show tonight, the rhythm section is joining in with cymbal crashes that have a solid snare drum punch that just delivers a foot stomping groove that has this crowd in the palm of their hands tonight. The full on bassline is dropping cool funky grooves that allow this track to really come for us in a big way let me tell you, this has been such a great night for Scottish music as these titans deliver a real gutsy rock n roll show that is just what the doctor ordered tonight, up next is
Take Me Back Home – A rasping gritty guitar shred erupts from the get go as the pounding rhythm section brings the heat with a solid bass kick that really lets this track come to life. The soaring grooves arer a real crowd pleaser as the thundering bassline hits us with a colossal groove that just gets this place on it’s feet as the place comes to life with a real killer beat that is just kicking this place into a frenzy. The boys are really giving back to us tonight as we enjoy the banter, the tunes and the fact that this band who are friends of mine are riding a crest of a wave right now, the place has welcomed these boys with open arms as they return the sentiment with a stellar rock n roll show that was well worth the entry fee alone, we catch our breathe before we stroll into
Steal Your Fire – Paul hops from behind the kit to say a few words as he tells us about his recent health scare and how the love and passion of his friends. family and fans really got him through the dark times, that being said Paul introduces the man that filled his chair and really brought the groove as he says can I introduce the legend that is Joe Lazarus as he hops behind the kit and hits us with a thundering intro that builds and builds as the funky killer beat gets this monster off the ground. The sizzling guitar riffs are instantly recognisable as the boys give it laldy as this beast brings the heat to St Luke’s tonight. The bass is handing us mellow funk grooves that mix well with the twin assault guitar licks that are letting this epic arrangement do it’s thing as the place goes nuts with joy as we celebrate these boys as Jools slips in with an epic solo that really raises the roof tonight on this cracking building, The singing continues as Dante leads the choir in bringing the smiles to peoples faces tonight, we catch our breathe as we ready ourselves for an old classic
Shame On You – We reach what we think is the last track of the night and it’s a belter as the killer bassline drops epic tones all through the venue a slick, crisp guitar riff fills the air as the boys bring a pounding bass kick that lets this track deliver. Dante comes in with his melodic rocker vocals as this monster erupts into life with a killer beat that is bringing this place to life tonight as the boys ramp up the heat as the place goes nuts with real swagger and attitude. The soaring guitar assault is really giving this place some energy as the crowd is letting go and feeling the love from the boys tonight as this classic monster spills out with a colossal solo that just stops us in our tracks for sure, as the place comes to it’s senses Dante asks us what they should play next, the answer is simple
Word Up – dante asks for hands to be put up as the classic Cameo track explodes into life as the shredding guitar licks shake us to our very foundation as this monster rears it’s head. The pounding rhythm section is all in as Paul really hits the skins to really deliver a solid snare drum beat that is just awesome, the bass is handing us sweet deep grooves that really let this track breathe as Jools is warming us up before he rips in with a killer lick that sends us wild as he struts around the stage and really gives it his all and then some, the last track is just insane as the boys again thank us as they lead off with –
Inside Out – Dante tells us that we have to sing with him as he leads us into the final track of the night as we get ready for the onslaught that comes our way. The searing guitar licks are working so well with the pounding rhythm section that is hitting us with a real solid snare drum beat that follows on with a real deep bass kick that really gets us all pumped up as this sing a long track really takes the roof off of St Luke’s tonight. Basslines are hitting us with deep growing grooves that just wrap themselves around this incredible track as the place just pogo’s all around us as the slick crisp solo erupts and really gives us goose bumps as the boys drive their show right to us tonight, epic show from Glasgow’s finest, friends of mine and all round good guys that deserve all the plaudits that come their way.
GUN –
Dante Gizzi – Vocals
Giuliano ‘Jools ‘ Gizzi – Guitar / Backing Vocals
Ruaraidh Macfarlane – Guitar / Backing Vocals
Andy Carr – Bass / Backing Vocals
Paul McManus – Drums
Joe Lazarus – Guest Drums
Setlist –
Lucky Guy
Here’s Where I Am
Don’t say It’s Over
All Fired Up
Better Days
You Are What I Need
Boys Don’t Cry
Falling
Take Me Back Home
Steal your Fire (Joe Lazarus Guest Drummer)
Shame On You
Word Up
Inside Out
Shame On You –
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