Glasgow-based rockers Gun to start UK tour in isles

Rock fans in Shetland have something to look forward to with a recently-reformed 1980s band who have previously supported The Rolling Stones heading north to begin their latest UK tour in Shetland in early March.

Glasgow-based rockers Gun will play in Burra Public Hall on Friday 5th March, the first show of their 2010 tour in support of last year’s mini-album Popkiller, and this year’s live shows will see them performing the “hook-laden” new material alongside their impressive back catalogue.

Alan McLeod, from gig promoters A Northern Soul, said he was delighted that the band had chosen to start their new tour in these parts. “It’s a huge coup for us to get a band of Gun’s stature coming to Shetland to play a show and I’m sure that both the band and everyone attending the concert are in for a great night.”

Having formed in 1987, Gun signed to A&M Records two years later and enjoyed instant success as their first single Better Days reached the UK top 40, as did their subsequent debut album Taking On The World.

They toured the United States for the first time in 1990 and picked up quite a number of fans along the way – most significantly Mick Jagger, who personally invited the group to join the European leg of the Stones’ Urban Jungle tour, including a gig at Hampden Park in the band’s native city.

The early 1990s brought further success with the release of a further two LPs, 1992’s Gallus and, two years later, Swagger which made the UK top five on its release. In all, they had eight top 40 singles including top 10 hit Word Up!, which remains their most famous release.

After a decade together, Gun called it a day in 1997 and the band members went their own way, but the story picked up again in 2008 when founding members decided to reform the band with new vocalist Toby Jepson, formerly frontman in Little Angels, for a charity gig in Glasgow.

The show proved to be a great success and Gun decided to reform permanently with Jepson replacing original singer Mark Rankine. A full UK tour ensued in venues including Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London and the Carling Academy in Glasgow, while there was also a main stage appearance at T in the Park.

Support will come from Shetland rock veterans Rip Torn, who themselves used to cover Gun songs when they first started out. Tickets are on sale now, priced £17.50, from the Shetland Box Office at Islesburgh Community Centre or by phoning (01595) 745555. Doors at the Burra Hall open at 7.30pm and the event is open to over 18s only. For more information on Gun, visit www.gunofficial.co.uk