At the end of the eighties GUN released their debut album in “Taking on the World” and soon enough the Scottish rockers started to become fairly successful, but it wasn’t really until producing a top ten hit in 1994 that they became a household name with their version Cameo’s “Word Up”.
Following a series of line-up changes and more recently a couple of lesser known albums, the band are currently on the road with the return of Alex Dickson on guitar, whilst original bass player Dante Gizzi continues to take up vocal duties. This may have been a nostalgic trip back to my youth, but tonight also brought with it two support bands in Heir of the Dog and Skam.
Heir of the Dog played a mix of funkier tracks along with a novelty cover of “Gay Bar” by Electric Six, but the local outfit were at their best when playing straight up seventies influenced rock n roll which showed they were solid musicians. Likewise Skam were a tight act, on tour with the headliners and focussing on straight forward hard rock they too managed to squeeze in a cover when their own “Massacre” soon turned into the instantly recognisable “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath.
Skam
GUN came on with the newer and slightly poppy “Let it Shine” before getting the Cameo hit out the way as the second track of the set, maybe more because they felt they had to play it rather than necessarily wanting too. Next though it was onto the early songs with “Don’t Say it’s Over” and “Better Days”, Dante Gizzi may no longer be playing bass but it was soon obvious all those years singing along behind original singer Mark Rankin, had certainly paid off.
The setlist pulled heavily from that classic debut album and having Alex Dickson back in the fold is most definitely a bonus. Having originally left the band to work/tour with everyone from Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson to Take That’s Robbie Williams, shows the quality Dickson guitarwork brings to his fellow bandmates.
GUN
Whilst Alex Dickson was hitting every note, the same can’t quite be said for Dante’s brother Jools as the false start to “Taking on the World” showed, but that really didn’t matter. GUN could see the funny side and once it had been laughed off and the sibling banter was out the way, it was second time lucky and soon enough they were back nailing the songs of yesteryear.
As the main set ended with a rip-roaring version of the opening track on 92’s “Gallus” in “Steal Your Fire”, the encore brought with it one last cover. Those that weren’t already singing along to GUN classic “Shame on You”, soon were to the closing song of the evening and a surprise run through of the Beastie Boys “Fight for your Right (to Party)”.
It may not have been the busiest night in the Wedgewood Rooms but Dante Gizzi and the rest of the guys didn’t seem to mind and were having fun regardless. Given they hope to be back in the new year, hopefully the crowd will be too, for GUN will no doubt provide another awesome gig… and for that my friends, I give you my word (up).
GUN
