It’s been a wee while since GUN arrived on the scene back in 1989, when they announced they would be Taking On The World, and over the years there have been a few changes to the band’s line-up (most notably Dante Gizzi taking over on lead vocals). Arguably loyal fans of the band have been patiently waiting on the release of new material for too long and, following the 25th Anniversary release of their debut album and 3 sell-out nights at Glasgow’s King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut last year, GUN announced their intent to return to the spotlight with a national tour and the release of a new album, Frantic.
Having received a promotional copy of Frantic earlier in the month and with Glasgow being the final night of the current tour and the Barrowland being the best venue ever, this particular Saturday night had more spice to it than a Vindaloo. Needless to say, it was a night I was rather excited about.
In the lead-up to the gig, GUN announced they would be performing at HMV in both Stirling and Glasgow. Being a Stirling boy, I made sure I got my Friday night beauty sleep and made it into Stirling nice and early to catch the in-store performance and signing. Consisting of two songs, ‘Frantic’ and ‘Better Days’, the performance did more than enough to wet my appetite for the night ahead.
With my mate Gregor almost making us late, we arrived just in time at the Barras to catch the Glasgow band mark their return to their old stomping ground. Having last played the Barras a number of years back there have been a new generation of Scottish bands emerge and take to the stage at the famous venue but given the packed and I mean packed Barrowland it is evident fans of GUN have not gone anywhere. Album opener ‘Let It Shine’ gets the night underway as many in the crowd punch the air in appreciation. For me, the song has proved a real grower and sets the tone for the night perfectly.
As a I scramble about the photo pit trying to avoid incoming plastic pint glasses and get a few shots, the energy coming back from the crowd catches my breath and when Dante and the band kick into GUN anthem ‘Better Days’ and he bellows “I heard about the trouble last night on the radio” the Barras is literally shaking. ‘One Wrong Turn’ follows and it is clear the new(ish) songs are going down every bit as well as the oldies, with many in the crowd singing along for all their worth. ‘Money (Everybody Loves Her)’ is another highpoint and it is at this stage I take a few moments to observe the crowd and instantly note the large number of fans in GUN T-shirts.
Chatting to a few fans, I get the impression this is not just a normal Barras gig (if there is ever such a thing) and it strikes me that tonight could be some kind of re-birth of a band that still has an army of fans who have been waiting for a long-time to see and hear GUN once again in the venue of venues.
New song ‘Hold Your Head Up’ is one I predicted would be great live and tonight confirms my expectations. ‘Frantic’ also sounds great while ‘Welcome To The Real World’ and ‘Taking On The World’ go down a storm. With Dante’s brother Jools Gizzi on guitar and the rest of the band shining throughout, the night goes from strength to strength and as the band rattle into a chant of ‘So Lonely’ by The Police the crowd bark back at them with a passion. Cameo cover ‘Word Up’ adds a bit of swagger (no pun intended) to the occasion, as some of the crowd bust a few dance moves in a break from the air punching, before ‘Steal Your Fire’ brings the set to pulsating finale.
Throughout the night it is clear the band are enjoying the occasion as much as the crowd and it great to see local photographer Andy Laing on stage with the band capturing the moment. Following a brief interlude, GUN return to the stage with a bang with Frantic lead track ‘Labour Of Life’ sounding even more powerful live. Finally, the curtain is brought down with ‘Shame On You’, as Dante promises the crowd this is just the beginning of a new era. Shame on you GUN for leaving it so long!
Bazza Mills
@bazzamills
Latest posts by Bazza Mills (see all)
- LISTEN: Refuge Island – ‘Above Board’ - May 9, 2018
- GALLERY: The View @ Caird Hall, Dundee, 01.12.17 - December 4, 2017
- LISTEN: Tijuana Bibles give away new single ‘Catacomb’ ahead of St Luke’s gig - December 1, 2017
