GUN – Live – Barrowlands – sonicpr / regular music

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Review By Darren McIntyre Photos By Scot Anderson

GUN are Glasgow rock n roll royalty that were formed in 1987 but were propelled to stardom with the release of their debut album Talking On The World which brought them media attention from far and wide. The boys have brought us 8 studio albums which included their coloosal Hombres which has launched them straight into the rock n roll stardom as the album has garnered two tracks that have appeared on the new Samuel L Jackson movie, they have also given us 3 compilation albums and 29 singles and this alone makes them royalty in their own right. The boys have toured with The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dan Reed Network, FM anfd many more, the boys are on tour right now and are finishing off in their home city Glasgow and stop off @ Barrowlands to bring us a colossal night of rock n roll with plenty of patter, banter and what you come to expect from these 5 gladiators from Glasgow, I need to thank Paul (GUN), Moira(Regular) & Rob(Sonic) for making this possible. The place is rammed to capacity and there is a real buzz around the place as we await the arrival of Glasgow’s own wide boys to enter their arena, the intro music is blaring from the house PA as the boys saunter onto the hallowed stage to rapturous applause as we greet them with a wall of appplause, whistles and horns up as they thank us for coming out and tell us Glasgow are you ready to party, off we go with the thundering –

Lucky Guy – A pounding bass drum kick fills the air as Dante brings his soulful gravelly vocals that let this groove laden new track burst into life. The foot stomping sludgy beat lets the crowd feel the thundering snare drum punches fill the air as the boys hit the ground running, we feel the love coming from six string slinger Ru MacFarlane and I can tell you that he has slotted in beautifully as he takes the reins to continue his tenure with the mighty GUN. The track has something special in it as the boys have brought an edgier sound with a meaty rhythm section that just sets out it’s stall as the boys ready us for a killer night of top tunes with quality patter fae the two Gizzi boys, we applaude the boys as they look out and feel the electricity pouring from everyone tonight, as I said GUN nights are always so special and tonight is going to be no different, we roll into an old favourite in the form of –

She Knows – A real iconic guitar shred rings through as this blistering gig comes to life with a real punchy pounding snare drum groove that is just letting the rhythm section do it’s thing with the incredible Mr Paul McManus driving this juggernaut forward. A classy guitar riff really gets this track going as the change up comes through and brings in a meaty bass drum groove as the guitar solo slips in and delivers a slick sweet tone that really balances this opener. Bass chords are handing us a plundering groove that is backed up with melodic cool vocals that carry this track onwards, the crowd are going nuts as the boys deliver a stellar opening track for their hometown fans, we are led onto –

Vicious Heart – A sludgy pounding snare drum rolls from the stage as the twin guitar licks ripple through the intro as this foot pounding rock n roller kicks in the doors and really lets us have it. Dante brings his gravelly rasping tones that just wrap themselves around this classy arrangement. The full on bassline is handing us deep, dark, delicious grooves that really elevate this crunching beast as the place is going mental for these 5 gladiators as they give us what we came for, the tempo is just on the money as the boys deliver a gutsy performance and remember they have been on the road for 3 weeks, possibly on the swally as well mind you, oh and rocking out almost every night lol, we stroll into an old favourite that is –

Don’t Say It’s Over – Kicking off with a rasping guitar riff as a cool plundering bass line delivers sweet meaty funk tones that launches this classic track upwards. Vocals are a mix of gritty rasps and melodic vibes as this powering beast rips through The Barrowlands and leaves a trail of destruction that is there for all to see and hear. Guitar licks are flowing freely through this powering beast as snare drum punches come at us with real energy as bass drum kicks are hitting us and this brings in cymbal crashes that just fill the air which is awesome. A change up brings in vocals from the audience that just flows through this place and just lets us know we are home, this has been a real trip down memory lane as the boys have really pulled out all the stops tonight, the place is in fine voice as Dante bellows out Barralands to which we respond ” Don’t Say It’s Over” and the place is going mental, what a beginning to the night let me tel you as we roll into –

All Fired Up – Melodic crisp licks shatter the silence as this galloping beast pushes forward and comes armed with a real solid snare drum beat that is wrapped in awesome basslines that Andy is hitting us with. The catchy track has a slickness to it and it really pops with ease as the two boys trade licks and really deliver a cool slick piece that is just gonna make the new album pop, the place is rocking and rolling with the boys hitting full speed as they wander all over the stage as Jools steps forward commanding the stage as he fires off epic crunching chords that make this track an instant hit for sure. The new stuff is just up there and is probably the best stuff they have ever produced, I might be biased but I have know / hung around / played 5 a side with these boys for nearly 30 years, so just humour me please. we move into familiar territory as the boys break out the big guns in the form of –

Welcome To The Real World – Rauraidh steps up and slips out the familiar riff that let’s this monster come to life as we get a thundering snare drum kick that is giving this track swagger, depth, attitude and a real crunching melody. Dante lets his roaring vocals flow freely through the track as the boys set out their stall and really give us a night to remember as this is the party night that everyone wants to be at, the tempo changes pace as Rauraidh comes from and centre and just melts faces with his slick, clean fingerwork that just fills the Barrowlands with a killer lick that is just what the doctor ordered. The night is just getting started as the boys bring us a real thought provoking setlist that has something for everyone, next up –

Falling – Dante chats to the crowd and tells us that this is one of his favourite songs, Jools chimes in and said he was going to say that which draws a huge cheer, the track comes at us with a sweet clean guitar lick as the cymbal snaps fill the air as Dante brings his melodic vocals to this mesmerising new track. The bass drum beats come through and we are off as the rhythm section takes us to a punchy, rockin tone that lets the track unfold and let us feel the depth of this classy new number and I must say Jools has done mighty fine with the arrangement, Ru slides in and offloads with sweet, crisp lines that really give this piece an edgy rocking feel that lets us know that Hombres put them back where they belong as the new new tracks are sounding incredible. I need to say that it is just incredible to see my buddy Paul back behind the kit where he belongs after his recent health scare, welcome back brother, we kick in the doors as the boys deliver a rasping beast in the form of

Pride – This one comes from the deluxe edition and kicks in the doors with a pounding bass kick that really fills the room with a chest pumping beat as this killer track flows from the stage. There is a real mellow feel to this track as we get a softer melodic vocal from Dante as the boys join the party and Andy drops epic funk laden basslines that are just awesome, the whole place is just grinning from ear to ear as the Barras is just bubbling under the surface as the boys go through the gears and really hit us with a fantastic setlist that really shows us what these boys are made of. The sound is just awesome and crisp as we get the full effect from the boys as they drop the hammer and really let us have it with both barrels, the place is roaring with everyone screaming their name and the boys are lapping up every morsel from this sold out bunch as we stroll into –

Money(Everybody Loves Her) – A gritty rasping fuzzy lick wanders through the intro as a pounding snare drum brings the heat to this real iconic GUN classic. Bass grooves are handing us a real funk laden crisp beat that just gives this track extra zing, vocals are piercing the crowd as they just work their magic and deliver a cool rhythm that is just ‘On The Money’. Guitar licks are giving us crisp clean chords that really give this track a real attitude as the solo comes through and really hits us hard as Jools brings his stylish swagger that has groove and depth, we are rolling back the years tonight as we are getting hit after hit from these hometown boys, up next is another belter –

Take Me Back Home – Jools steps forward and unleashes a slick deep heavy ended riff that has a thundering snare drum groove as this new beast opens and let’s us have it. The bassline is dropping sweet cool grooves that work well with the track as the shredding power driven riffs are filling the air as Dante comes in with his gritty gravelly vocals that work well in this foot stomping beast that again hasmade the new album worth waiting for. The boys are really enjoying themselves with the new material and it sounds as if they had been playing it for ever, the engine room is providing the backdrop to this crunching monster that has just been unleashed upon us tonight at The Barras, we catch uor breath and slip into a classic –

Word Up(Cameo Cover) – Cool guitar riffed intro erupts as this classic cover is brought to life with a real punchy driven beat that is just awesome. Snare drum punches with deep bass kicks are bringing the rhythm section into focus as cymbal snaps balance out this fantastic piece of music. The iconic riff running through this track is just awesome and really allows this track the room to breathe, bass grooes are hitting us hard as we feel the hairs stand up on our necks and this is before Jools lets rip with a scintilating solo that leaves us all open mouthed as he sizzles with crisp clean licks that are just awesome, the crowd are being drawn in and really find their voice as the chorus rings out and fills this iconic venue with rock tones like the world has never heard. Awesome cover version that GUN have simply made their own, Up next comes a real banger that has become a staple throughout GUN’s set as we get –

Inside Out – Slick guitar riffs bring this track to life as a cool rhythm section comes to life and hits us with bass drum kicks that welcome snare drum punches to really get us moving. Vocals are strong with a real rasp vibe that just brings this track to life, bass grooves are handing us deep meaty funk tones that just allow this track the room it needs to give us goosebumps. Guitar licks are hitting us as Jools lets rip and offloads with slick crisp tones that are echoing all through this place, the crowd bring their voices as this rock track comes to life with chorus after chorus that is just incredible to hear, we come to my favourite GUN track and this is one I always look forward to as the boys get us ready to –

Steal Your Fire – The engine room erupts with a wall of pounding grooves that just stir the pot and really bring the roof off The Barrowlands tonight. Bass drum punches are with us as cymbal crashes work their magic and really let us have it tonight, bass chords are hitting us with everything they have as they hand out meaty funk beats that are so recognisable. Vocals are strong and direct as they lead the charge on this fantastic track and they work tirelessly alongside sweet crisp guitar licks that are erupting with attitude and depth as Jools really brings the energy, we are just standing in awe tonight as we have been treated to a masterclass from these 5 hooligans from Glasgow that I am proud to call friends, as the energy dies down the boys take the chants and ask us to sing it back and we duly oblige as we holler back Steal Your Fire and it puts a smile on the boys faces for sure. As the boys leave the stage to colossal applause we are waiting for the encore but we get something a little differnt as Jools & Dante wander back onto the stage, Jools has his acoustic guitar ready to go as the boys launch into –

Not The Only One(Acoustic Stylee) – Dante lets the track open with his smooth soulful vocals as Jools leans in and lets the chords do the talking as they brought something different to Barrowlands tonight. It is a real breathe of fresh air as the boys strip back a classic and rework it for their Glasgow fans tonight as the short, melodic number really brings life to the Barras faithful as we drop into –

Taking On The World – This is a real favourite of mine as the stage brings Dante & Jools together as they take this track to another level as the crowd sing back the chorus and let me tell you this is a thing of beauty. The two boys are up there in their element as they pour out their hearts with this iconic track that just brings people together and joins us together with the beauty of music. The girls are providing the backing vocals that adds another dimension to this classic piece that takes me back as I feel the emotion oozing from the stage tonight, Jools is strumming with all he has and it just elevates this iconic number upwards as the place is just putty in the boys hands as they drive this phenomenal track and really deliver, we are coming to the end of this totally awesome night and it has been a pleasure to be here covering for jacemediamusic as I would not be anywhere else tonight, we flow into another classic in the form of –

Better Days – Dante tells us that this was the bands first ever single as the place erupts and goes mental, Jools slips in with the familiar riff that makes this track instantly recognisable. The pounding bass kicks are wrapped around a solid snare drum punch that really lets this track off the leash as it growls it’s way through the Barras as the thundering bassline drops epic beats that give this track a real edgy feel, the solo erupts as Ru steps forward and gives it his all to the approval of this sold out crowd, a little side note – I was standing with Ru’s sister & father last year and remember it as clear as day. it is nice to see that he has settles into the family and really made the position his own. As we reach the last track of the night the place is erupting with foot stamping rumblings that go hand in hand with the hollering of Here We, Here We, Here We Fucking Go as we await the last track of the night and boy it’s a screamer –

We get a classy cool gritty riff that erupts through the intro as Paul brings the groove with a pounding bass kick that tells us what is coming next as Dante shouts out here we go Glasgow. The bassline is dropping sweet deep funk tones all through this epic arrangement as the place just hits boiling point as we stamp our feet and just soak up the atmosphere on this rather wet and windy Saturday night right here in Glasgow, the heat is building and building as Jools comes front and centre and throws out a shredding power lick that just takes this gig to another level. The boys were on another planet tonight as they stepped up and just let rip with a volley of heavy ended guitar licks that were wrapped in the powerhouse punches of the one and only Paul McManus and again it is so good to see him back where he belongs. The night is over for another year and we leave with smiles on our faces as the boys take the applause and thank us for coming out to support them.

GUN –

Dante Gizzi – Vocals

Giuliano ‘Jools’ Gizzi – Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals

Rauraidh MacFarlane – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Andy Carr – Bass / Backing Vocals

Paul McManus – Drums

Setlist –

Lucky Guy

She Knows

Vicious Heart

Don’t Say It’s Over

All Fired Up