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GUN, 02 Academy, Islington 22 May 2012

Glaswegian rockers Gun were chart regulars for most of the 1990' s, so it is disappointing that since their surprise return in 2008 most of their fans seem to be missing in action.

Ticket sales were slow to the extent this show was downgraded from the Islington Academy's main 800 capacity hall to its smaller upstairs room of half the size. The consolation was that it made for an excellent close-knit atmosphere with the band bonding with the faithful.

Brighton band Dollface warmed proceedings up nicely. Looking straight out of the late seventies New Wave in their red and black shirts and ties, their crisp power pop seemed to go down well, even if their own songs were not particularly instant with the cover of Video Killed the Radio Star sticking in my mind more.

Brothers Joolz and Dante Gizzi are the two remaining ever-present members of Gun, but the latter has over the past couple of years switched from bass to being the lead singer, which in their heyday he only dabbled in with the rap-metal bandwagon jumper 'Something Worthwhile'. Yet he has taken to the role to the manner born, and indeed is far more faithful to the sonorous tones of original singer Mark Rankin than his predecessor Toby Jepson, with respect to the latter' s talents.

He is comfortable as a front man even if he did seem a touch lubricated on this occasion. Joolz now shares guitar duties equally with Johnny McGlynn (ex of Dante's post Gun band El President) and the result is a satisfyingly thicker sound.

The five piece were rather cramped on the small stage though, giving little opportunity for stage movement, although having witnessed Dante's 'dad dancing' when they supported Big Country recently, that may have been a blessing in disguise.

This is no nostalgia trip as the band opened the set with two new songs and played six in total of which 'Last Train Back from Central' was the most instant and 'Butcher Man' the rockiest. However it was inevitably old hits like 'Don' t Say its Over' and 'Money (Everybody Loves Her)' that got the best response.

Gun's problem, if they had one, was that they were always hard to pigeonhole and at times seemed confused what musical direction and image they wanted to take. But this thoroughly enjoyable night showed that quite simply they put on a good rock show, and it is time the missing fans returned.
 

'Taking On the World' and 'Better Days' remain great uplifting anthems, although the latter was one of the rare occasions when I felt Dante struggled with the feel of the original. Inevitably their big hit 'Word Up' got people grooving and chanting W-O-R-D and an extended 'Steal Your Fire' had the place rocking.

The first encore, the title track from the upcoming 'Break the Silence' album was a bit of a departure with an appeal to fans of some of the rockier indie bands like the Fratellis or the Enemy, but the U2-on-speed riffery of 'Shame On You' had the old fans pogoing. A slight disappointment was that the set only weighed in at an hour and a quarter with more material that could have been played.

Gun's problem, if they had one, was that they were always hard to pigeonhole and at times seemed confused what musical direction and image they wanted to take. But this thoroughly enjoyable night showed that quite simply they put on a good rock show, and it is time the missing fans returned. On the evidence of their fresh material, there is no reason why they cannot pick up new admirers along the way too.


Review by Andy Nathan

Photos by Bob Singleton

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