Gun | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Also known as | G.U.N. |
Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
Genres | Glam metal, hard rock, heavy metal |
Years active | 1987–1997, 2008–present |
Labels | A&M, Polydor |
Associated acts | Baby Stafford, El Presidente, Blind Allez, Little Angels |
Website | http://www.gunofficial.co.uk/ |
Members | Giuliano 'Jools' Gizzi Dante Gizzi Paul McManus Andy Carr Tommy "Danger" Gentry |
Past members |
Mark Rankin Alan Thornton Cami Morlotti David Aitken Derek Brown Scott Shields Baby Stafford Jim McDermott Mark Kerr Irvin Duguid Stuart Kerr Toby Jepson Gordon McNeil Johnny McGlynn Russell Smith Alex Dickson |
Gun is a hard rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. They are best known for the song "Better Days" as well as their cover of Cameo's "Word Up!".
Originally called Blind Allez, then for a short time 'Phobia', GUN were formed in 1987 by Giuliano Gizzi (guitar) and Cami Morlotti (bass), with Mark Rankin (vocals), Alan Thornton (drums) and David Aitken (guitar). Signed in 1988 by A&M Records the band line-up changed after Thornton, Morlotti and Aitken parted company with them and new recruits Dante Gizzi, Scott Shields and Baby Stafford joined. In the studio, Jim McDermott (Kevin McDermott Orchestra, Simple Minds and The Silencers), provided drums on the albums Taking On the World and Gallus. Debut album Taking On the World was also released this year. Rankin's cousin Sharleen Spiteri, of fellow Scottish band Texas and ex drummer Thornton contributed backing vocals to several songs on the album. The single "Better Days" from the album made the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart. Gun toured the US and supported The Rolling Stones on their European Urban Jungle Tour of 1990. Tours with Bon Jovi and Def Leppard followed shortly after.
After the band had signed to A&M records in 1988, they began recording Taking On the World, the credited lineup being Mark Rankin on vocals, Guliano Gizzi on guitar, Stephen "Baby" Stafford on guitar, "Dante Gizzi" on bass, and Scott Shields on drums. The album was released on 5 July 1989 to warm reception. The album featured the single "Better Days" which was a hit in England, landing them the first of many appearances on the British Television show Top Of The Pops. Videos were subsequently made for the songs "Inside Out", "Money (Everybody Loves Her)", "Taking On The World" and "Shame On You", as well as the aforementioned "Better Days". All of the videos were compiled onto a commercially released video tape entitled "Taking On the World : THE VIDEOS". In late 89, it was announced that GUN was to support The Rolling Stones on their 1990 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour through Europe.