James Bruner – Live – Oran Mor – duffpress

Review By Darren McIntyre, images by Scott Anderson

James Bruner is a singer/songwriter/musician from Springfield, Illinois, who began singing early in life and playing guitar at age 15 and became the frontman for a rock band from 2018 till 2019. After discovering his joy of writing songs, he decided to move to Nashville, Tennessee, where he brought us the EP Wasting Time In A Better Way in 2023 & The Otherside in 2025. 2026 sees James hit the road, and tonight he rolls into Oran Mor in Glasgow to unleash his fiery brand of rock ‘n’ roll on the good people of Scotland. Please sit back as I take in this pocket rocket frontman as he brings the heat to town. The lights dim and the house PA fades as the band take to the stage and immediately rip into –

Switchblade – The stage erupts with a shredding, power-drenched guitar riff as the thundering rhythm section kicks in the doors and gets this gig off the ground as the place finds out what this young rocker is all about. The cool, meaty funk of the bass is running freely through the track as the soulful vocals lean in and let this pounding beast leave its mark. The stage is alive with James bouncing all over the place as the band sets out their stall and brings us a no-nonsense, kick-ass intro that really gives you a shake. the slick twin guitar assault is just awesome as the band look out at all the faces as they slay the dragon with a killer opening track that certainly blows off the cobwebs as we roll into –

Can’t Keep Watching You – A crunching, meaty guitar riff works with the pounding snare drum beats as this rocking beast rears its head as the Nashville rockers hit their stride, and James jumps onto the barrier as the place settles into this rough rocker. The slick, crisp guitar notes are filling the venue as the break slips in and lets James strap on his guitar and join the band as they bring the groove to Glasgow tonight. The full-on dark, thumping bassline comes at us as Shannon brings the funk to this fist-pumping beast as we feel the energy oozing from the stage as the band are up there with huge smiles on their faces as we take in this young, energetic outfit as they drive their juggernaut right through the heart of Great Western Road tonight. James asks us, ‘Are we having a good time?’ as he tells us, ‘Let’s rock,’ as we stroll into –

into – Redlight – The rocking vocals echo all around us as the crisp guitar picks lay down the foundation of this kick-ass bruiser as the deep bassline hits us with a real sludgy tone that gives the track depth. The riffs are just launching themselves all over the venue as James lets his rasping vocals join the party as the band takes in the famous Glasgow crowd as we let this youngster do his thing and dig deep and tell us his story as this fist-pumping groover leaves its mark on us. James again jumps on the barrier and throws his fists in the air as he wants us to feel the energy oozing from him and the band as the rhythm section leans in with a pounding snare/bass combo that controls the groove in this classy number. As the crowd show their appreciation, we roll into –

Big Shot – The tempo goes up a notch as the grungy, foot-stomping beat rolls through Oran Mor as James slips off his shirt and bounces all over the tightly packed stage but lets us know he and the band mean business. The crunching guitar riffs are just awesome and really give the track depth, swagger and bags of attitude as the place feels the effect of this young, talented outfit doing their thing. the snare drum punches are coming thick and fast and control the direction of the track as Zach leans in and offloads with a sizzling solo as James brings up the rear with his slick playing that flows alongside his mellow, dark vocals that tell us that this band are destined for bigger and better things as we drop into –

Alibi – James chats with the crowd and thanks us for coming out and supporting him and the band as they navigate their way through the music industry as he yells out, ‘Repeat after me. ‘Oh yeah, and it goes from side to side as this bruiser erupts. The rhythm section throws out cymbal crashes and bass kicks as the pounding monster opens and lets us clap along with the beat as James leans in and brings his raspy vocals that light up the venue tonight. the dark, brooding bassline is dropping in with real heavy tones that wrap themselves around this foot-stomping arrangement as the place comes alive and sings along with this young troubadour as he throws shapes and bounces all over the stage as we welcome this energetic young musician to do his thing and entertain us as we drop into a slick, sizzling solo that just brings a smile to our faces to see a young dude up there doing his thing as we rumble into the last track of the night –

I Get Everything – James is again shirtless and wanders about the stage asking us to check him out on the socials as a sweet, melodic guitar lick opens the track as the cymbal snaps wander through the intro as the bass drops kick ass grooves to get us on the move. The funky, meaty groove is the perfect way to finish off this riveting set that has gained this young geezer some new fans; the soulful vocals are oozing from the stage as the band winds up and gives us their best as the rhythm section led by Sam pounds away and really sets the mood as we wander through this toe-tapping mover. The place has welcomed this musician as he put everything out there, as he just wanted to show us a good time and hopefully get back here sometime soon. The band are tight and really back up James as he shows what he is made of as the place throws its fists in the air and welcomes a slick, crisp solo that is just raining down on us as we watch the place erupt and let him know he has done alright in Glasgow tonight.