Gun

Biography

Gun are a Scottish hard rock band formed by guitarist Giuliano Gizzi. The band's music has charted across Europe. In the UK, the band has had 4 UK top-20 albums and 8 UK top-40 singles, including a cover of Cameo's "Word Up×Word Up1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Word Up (radio mix)4:202Stay Forever4:193The Man I Used to Be3:464Word Up (12" remix)6:40" that reached the UK top 10. Gun has toured extensively, most notably with the Rolling Stones on their Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour of 1989–1990.
The band's latest album, Hombres×Hombres12 April 2024 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1All Fired Up3:422Boys Don’t Cry2:543Take Me Back Home3:124Fake Life3:355Falling3:316You Are What I Need4:397Never Enough3:128Don’t Hide Your Fears Tonight3:329Lucky Guy3:1610A Shift in Time4:2111Coming Back to You3:4312Wrong to Be Right3:4813Pride3:35, reached the UK top 10 and Number 1 in their homeland, Scotland. Two tracks from the album were used in the Samuel L. Jackson film Damaged.
The current lineup has two of the original members, Dante Gizzi (vocals) and Giuliano Gizzi (guitar), along with Paul McManus (drums), Andy Carr (bass), and Ruaraidh MacFarlane (guitar). The band continue to tour through 2024 with their European and UK tours.

Formation and early years

Gun was formed in 1987 in Glasgow, Scotland, initially named Blind Allez and briefly known as Phobia. The founding members were Giuliano Gizzi (guitar), Cami Morlotti (bass), Mark Rankin (vocals), Alan Thornton (drums), and David Aitken (guitar). In 1988, the band signed with A&M Records. The lineup changed soon after with the departure of Thornton, Morlotti, and Aitken, and the addition of Dante Gizzi (bass), Scott Shields (drums), and Baby Stafford (guitar). Jim McDermott contributed drums for their early albums.

Breakthrough

Gun released their debut album, Taking On the World×Taking On the World5 July 1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Better Days3:432The Feeling Within4:433Inside Out4:124Money (Everybody Loves Her)4:375Taking On the World5:026Shame on You4:377Can’t Get Any Lower4:248Something to Believe In4:389Girls in Love3:1510I Will Be Waiting4:45, in July 1989. The album was produced by Kenny MacDonald, known for his work with Texas, Del Amitri, Love and Money, Bourgie Bourgie, Wet Wet Wet and Slide. It featured a mix of hard rock and melodic elements, which set it apart from other rock albums of that era.
The lead single, "Better Days×Better Days1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Better Days3:452When You Love Somebody3:233Coming Home3:59", charted within the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart and led to the band's first appearance on Top of the Pops. Other notable tracks from the album include "Shame on You×Shame on You1990 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Shame on You (Andy Taylor remix)4:262Better Days (live at Barrowlands)5:293Money (Everybody Loves Her) (extended)7:15" and "Money (Everybody Loves Her)×Money (Everybody Loves Her)1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Money (Everybody Loves Her) (edit)3:412Prime Time3:513Dance3:48," known for their catchy hooks and robust guitar riffs.
Taking On the World received critical acclaim for its energetic delivery and solid songwriting, with international success in both singles and album charts. The album's success helped Gun get support slots with major acts like the Rolling Stones.

Touring and second album

In late 1989, Gun supported the Rolling Stones on their Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour in Europe. This tour was a significant milestone for the band, allowing them to perform in massive stadiums and arenas, including venues like Wembley Stadium in London, the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, and Estadio Vicente Calderón in Madrid.
Following their extensive touring schedule, Gun recorded their second album, Gallus×Gallus1992 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Steal Your Fire4:532Money to Burn4:453Long Road5:074Welcome to the Real World5:105Higher Ground5:306Borrowed Time4:347Freedom5:078Won't Back Down5:429Reach Out for Love4:1910Watching the World Go By5:08, with producer Kenny MacDonald. Released in 1992, the album featured the single "Steal Your Fire×Steal Your Fire1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Steal Your Fire (7″ version)4:182Don’t Blame Me3:213Burning Down the House4:424Reach Out for Love4:20," which achieved chart success. Sharleen Spiteri and Alan Thornton contributed backing vocals. Gallus showcased the band's growth as musicians and songwriters, further cementing their place in the rock music landscape.
In 1992, Gun supported Def Leppard on the UK dates of their Adrenalize World Tour.

Swagger

Before the release of their third album, Swagger×Swagger1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Stand in Line4:012Find My Way3:193Word Up4:214Don’t Say It’s Over4:105The Only One4:396Something Worthwhile4:177Seems Like I’m Losing You3:458Crying Over You4:349One Reason4:1310Vicious Heart4:03, both Dickson and Shields left the band. Dickson made uncredited appearances on the album before joining Bruce Dickinson's solo band in 1994 and touring with Robbie Williams extensively, leaving Giuliano Gizzi to handle all guitar duties. Mark Kerr, brother of Simple Minds' lead singer Jim Kerr, replaced Shields on drums.
Swagger became Gun's most successful album, driven by their cover of "Word Up×Word Up1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Word Up (radio mix)4:202Stay Forever4:193The Man I Used to Be3:464Word Up (12" remix)6:40!" which became a Top-10 hit in the UK Singles Chart, charted internationally, featured in the movie Barb Wire and won an MTV EMA award for Best Cover Version. The single "Don't Say It's Over" also achieved notable success. Gun appeared at the first T in the Park festival, showcasing their new album.
In 1996, Gun supported Bon Jovi on their These Days Tour, further solidifying their reputation as a powerful live act. Gun performed alongside Bon Jovi with tour dates across the UK.

0141 632 6326 and departure of Mark Rankin

After a three-year break, Gun returned with new drummer Stuart Kerr (formerly of Texas) and keyboard player Irvin Duguid. They rebranded as G.U.N. to distance themselves from the Dunblane shooting incident. Their new album, 0141 632 6326, produced by INXS keyboard player Andrew Farriss, was released but did not match the success of Swagger, peaking at No. 32 in the UK Albums Chart. The band split in 1997, reuniting briefly for gigs in 1998 and 1999.

Dante Gizzi and Break the Silence

After a reunion at T in the Park 2008 as well as a further tour with Rock Radio featuring band alumni Al Thornton, Gordon McNeil, Scott Shields, and guest singer Toby Jepson, in July 2010, Gun announced that Dante Gizzi would move from bass to lead vocals. Derek Brown was confirmed as the new bass player, and Paul McManus joined as the new drummer. Gun's first gigs with the new lineup took place in early 2011 at the ABC2 in Glasgow. In December 2011, the band introduced new guitarist Johnny McGlynn and previewed tracks from their upcoming album.
Gun released their fifth album, Break the Silence×Break the Silence9 July 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Butcher Man2:53214 Stations3:413Lost & Found3:574Caught in the Middle3:585Break the Silence3:346How Many Roads4:557No Substitute3:358Bad Things3:169Innocent Thieves3:5710Running Out of Time4:3711Last Train3:20, on 9 July 2012. The album marked a new era for the band, featuring a fresh lineup and a rejuvenated sound. They played at the Download Festival the same year. Break the Silence received positive reviews and helped reestablish Gun in the rock music scene.

Continued success and Favourite Pleasures

In October 2014, a 25th-anniversary edition of Taking on the World was released, featuring b-sides, live tracks, and other songs. To celebrate, the band played three sold-out nights at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, performing their albums Taking on the World×Taking On the World5 July 1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Better Days3:432The Feeling Within4:433Inside Out4:124Money (Everybody Loves Her)4:375Taking On the World5:026Shame on You4:377Can’t Get Any Lower4:248Something to Believe In4:389Girls in Love3:1510I Will Be Waiting4:45, Gallus×Gallus1992 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Steal Your Fire4:532Money to Burn4:453Long Road5:074Welcome to the Real World5:105Higher Ground5:306Borrowed Time4:347Freedom5:078Won't Back Down5:429Reach Out for Love4:1910Watching the World Go By5:08, and Swagger×Swagger1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Stand in Line4:012Find My Way3:193Word Up4:214Don’t Say It’s Over4:105The Only One4:396Something Worthwhile4:177Seems Like I’m Losing You3:458Crying Over You4:349One Reason4:1310Vicious Heart4:03 in full.
On 23 March 2015 Gun released Frantic and toured the UK, Ireland, and Europe. They released a charity cover of Hot Chocolate's "Every 1's a Winner" with proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Nurses, and also featured in the soundtrack and trailer for I, Tonya. The Frantic tour concluded with a sold-out show at Glasgow's Barrowlands.
Gun's seventh studio album, Favourite Pleasures×Favourite Pleasures15 September 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1She Knows3:232Here’s Where I Am3:403Favourite Pleasures3:244Take Me Down3:505Silent Lovers3:356Black Heart4:127Without You in My Life3:418Tragic Heroes3:369Go to Hell3:0010Boy Who Fooled the World5:1911(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)3:321220 Storeys4:1113Come Undone3:4614All I Really Need3:45, was released on 15 September 2017, and became their first top-20 album since 1994, reaching number 16 on the UK album charts.
In November 2019, to celebrate their 30th anniversary, Gun released a best-of album, R3L0ADED, and embarked on "The Big 3-0 Tour" with FM and the Dan Reed Network, playing Taking on the World in full.

The Calton Songs and new directions

On 18 May 2022 Gun announced a new album, The Calton Songs×The Calton Songs14 October 2022 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Backstreet Brothers3:182Better Days3:383Coming Home4:004Steal Your Fire5:005Word Up3:546Frantic3:577Taking on the World5:218Crazy You3:519Money4:0110Shame on You5:0111Don't Say It's Over3:5412Inside Out4:1613Higher Ground4:5614Watching the World Go By5:06, featuring acoustic versions of their songs spanning their career. The album aimed to offer a fresh perspective on their classic tracks, bringing a more intimate and stripped-back sound. Along with the announcement, they released the single "Backstreet Brothers," which highlighted the band's continued evolution and adaptability.
The release of The Calton Songs was accompanied by a series of intimate gigs and acoustic sessions, further showcasing the band's versatility and connection with their audience. The album was well received by fans and critics alike, appreciating the new renditions of beloved songs and the band's ability to reinterpret their own work.

Hombres and renewed chart success

Gun's ninth studio album, Hombres×Hombres12 April 2024 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1All Fired Up3:422Boys Don’t Cry2:543Take Me Back Home3:124Fake Life3:355Falling3:316You Are What I Need4:397Never Enough3:128Don’t Hide Your Fears Tonight3:329Lucky Guy3:1610A Shift in Time4:2111Coming Back to You3:4312Wrong to Be Right3:4813Pride3:35, was released on 12 April 2024. The album reached number 10 on the UK charts and Number 1 spot in Scotland. Three versions of Hombres reached the top 10 on iTunes, including one reaching Number 1. The first single from the album is "All Fired Up".
One reviewer in Metal Talk said it was "a real celebration and a genuine contender for Album of the Year", giving it a perfect 5-star review.
The album was recorded and produced with Simon Bloor (Trevor Horn) and mixed by Darrell Thorpe (Foo Fighters).
The tracks "Pride" and "Lucky Guy" were used in the Samuel L. Jackson film Damaged, leading to a special edition release of Hombres. This period marked a significant resurgence for Gun.