Some bands never quite scale the heights their potential suggests. But that certainly hasn’t been the case with veteran Scottish rockers GUN, who performed at the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen on Saturday.
Established in the late 1980’s, the band shot out of the blocks, their debut album delivering top 40 hits, appearances on Top Of The Pops and tours with the likes of Bon Jovi, Simple Minds and the Rolling Stones.
These were pretty high watermarks for any band, but a series of line-up changes, including the departure of vocalist Mark Rankin, along with a change in the musical climate meant GUN disbanded in 1987, not returning for a decade.
However, if you fast forward to 2016, there’s no doubt the band are in rude health. Touring heavily in support of their Frantic album, the band sold out the Lemon Tree and delivered a tremendous set for a raucous audience.
The five-piece ensemble have been reinvigorated, particularly by the return of guitarist Alex Dickson after stints with the likes of Robbie Williams and Bruce Dickinson.
Dickson’s tasty melodic playing stood out with a special resonance during the concert, particularly on a stunning opening salvo that included Let It Shine and Don’t Say It’s Over.
Rock groups hone their craft and thrive by playing live and touring heavily, in some cases learning their craft on the road. Experience only get you so far though, because it is great songs that endure and GUN have a tremendous catalogue of riff-laden catchy tunes.
From the slow burn of Taking On The World to the brilliant hard rock of Better Days and Steal Your Fire, the band powered through a 90-minute set with an effervescence which showed how much they ere enjoying it.
And it was infectious. Frontman Dante Gizzi led a singalong with the audience, who patently had real affection for their Glaswegian icons.
Whilst self-penned material has been the backbone of GUN’s success, brothers Dante and guitarist Jools Gizzi have always had an ear for a clever cover version.
None more so than Cameo’s Word Up, which had the whole room belting out the chorus (thankfully without a red codpiece in sight!)
Support act, Sweet Crisis, were a little more reserved during a loose 30-minute set that opened proceedings.
A promising three-piece from Cambridge, the band are at the opposite end of their career, and have yet to release their debut album.
However, by creating a nice blend of funk rock, Rapture stood out, with Leo Robart’s vocals atop a giant guitar riff.
Ultimately, though, it was GUN who the audience had come to see and closing the night with a stomping version of the Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right (To Party) was an apt choice.
The band declared that Aberdeen had always been special for them, and intimated they had plans to be back at some stage in the future.
On this showing, they will be warmly welcomed. Excellent.