Scotscub57 yrsBIOGRAPHY
EARLY CAREER
Originally called Blind Allez then for a short time, 'Phobia', GUN were formed in 1987 by Giuliano Gizzi (guitar), Cami Morlotti
(bass), Mark Rankin (vocals), Al Thornton (drums) and David Aitken (guitar).
Signed in 1989 by A&M Records, they worked on new material until the departure of Al, Cami and David.
The band then recruited Giuliano's brother Dante (bass), Scott Shields (drums) and Baby Stafford (guitar) and worked towards recording their first album, 'Taking On The World'.
Mark Rankin's cousin Sharleen Spiteri, of fellow Scottish band Texas, along with former member Al Thornton, contributed backing vocals to several songs on the album.
The band's debut single 'Better Days' shot straight into the Top 40 securing an appearance on 'Top Of The Pops' & attracted supporters/champions from many genres of music/backgrounds.
Further hit singles followed, 'Money, 'Everybody Loves Her', 'Inside Out', 'Shame On You' & 'Taking On The World', this instant crossover appeal saw GUN attracting a tremendously strong, loyal fanbase & comfortably supporting both The Rolling Stones & Simple Minds on their European Tours of 1990.
MAINSTREAM SUCCESS
Album Number 2 'Gallus' quickly followed & provided another huge radio record in 'Steal Your Fire' & a return to the Top Of The Pops studio. Alex Dickson had replaced Baby Stafford just before the release of 'Gallus' and further hit singles 'Welcombe To The Real World' & 'Higher Ground' alongside two years of constant European touring established the band as leaders of the by now popular Britrock movement alongside Therapy, The Wildhearts, The Almighty, Thunder, Little Angels & Terrorvision.
Album Number 3 'Swagger' saw GUN's biggest commercial success propelled by their version of Cameo's classic hit 'Word Up!', the single reached Number 4 in the UK
and charted well in many other territories as well as earning the band an MTV award for the year's most popular cover version.
By now Giuliano had taken over all guitar duties following Alex's departure to join Bruce Dickinson's band with Scott leaving also to work with Baby Stafford. Mark Kerr (brother of Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr) replaced Scott on drums during this period.
The band took a break and returned three years later with yet another new drummer, Stuart Kerr (formerly of Texas), a keyboard player, Irvin Duguid, a new name (G.U.N.), and a new album '0141 632 6326' produced by INXS keyboard player Andrew Farriss, which was characterised by further popular radio hits 'Crazy You' & 'My Sweet Jane'.
The band split in 1997 but returned briefly for a few one-off reunion gigs in 1998 and 1999.
Two new Gun CDs were released (The Collection and The River Sessions - a double live CD) during their hiatus, and all the previous individual members went on to other projects within the music industry.
REFORMATION AND FUTURE
In January 2008 Joolz and Dante Gizzi played a set of GUN songs, with Toby Jepson of Little Angels guesting on vocals alongside original drummer Al Thornton at the 'Garage' in Glasgow, Scotland.
The gig was organised by Rockradio in aid of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy charity.
Following this GUN announced on Tom Russell's Rockradio show (April 2008) their permanent reformation with Jepson on vocals replacing Mark Rankin who had given his blessing to the reformation and new lineup.
Going forward, new recorded material was the agenda & the year saw GUN as headline artist to Manchester's Rockradio festival launch
during the summer alongside an appearance on the Main Stage of T In The Park with Rage Against The Machine.
Completed by new drummer Glasgow's Gordon McNeil, further club shows in Glasgow, Scarborough & Cannock served as great preparation to the celebration of their
'Taking On The World' 20th Anniversary 'One Night Only' shows in London & Glasgow in December 2008 .