Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): GUN, Hombres Tour, Glasgow Barrowlands. Saturday 9th December, 2023

I felt conflicted as I left the house tonight. There was a time when it would have been inconceivable for me to go out while Dr Who aired, more so for a regeneration episode. I'd always insist on watching the programme live. Tonight, though, I had GUN, probably my favourite band, certainly the one I've seen live most often. I couldn't watch the gig on catch-up, so should I go after the episode and skip the support act?

Nah. It was a Saturday night in December in Glasgow. The place would be heaving. No way could I delay my trip into town for fear I'd not find a parking space near the Barrowlands. Plus, it was cold and wet, and I wanted to get my money's worth.

The motorway traffic was slow. On the way in, I played The Calton Songs, an album of GUN's greatest hits reimagined for 2022, one I'd dismissed at the time as a rehash cash-in. I'd never given it a proper listen. I realised that Dante has now been the lead vocalist longer than the original singer, Mark Rankin. Why shouldn't he rerecord the old songs, putting his stamp on them? Listening in the car, I felt a new appreciation for them. It was a great way to set myself up for the gig.

I got a great parking spot close by and headed to the venue. I then realised that I wasn't going to get through this gig without visiting the loo for a number two. The bouncer must have read the discomfort on my face cos he waved me on without a frisk. First time ever at the Barrowlands. Normally, the bouncers are so rigorous they can tell me if I need a prostate exam. My ticket scanned, I headed upstairs, pausing only to glance at the merch before making for the toilets.

What a relief! I overcompensated with the flush, holding the button in longer than I needed, the white flash in the swirling turmoil actually being the light reflected off the steel pan rather than unflushed toilet paper.

Now I was ready to rock. (I didn't have this thought at the time)

The support act, The Godfathers, were really good. Playing catchy punk rock, their songs had easy-to-sing choruses and bouncy riffs. The lead singer, dressed in a black shirt and suit, had the surly demeanour of a stand-up comedian more likely to be peddling mother-in-law jokes in a grimy 70s comedy club than singing punk anthems at the Barrowlands. His voice was a low growl, his accent London East End. His attitude matched the music. I later discovered the band had been going since the eighties, bar a brief hiatus in the noughties, although this iteration only contained the original singer. Their greatest hits album sounded quite different to what I heard tonight, the singer's voice now far deeper and snarly.

Birth, School, Work, Death video (Link on YouTube)

My next surprise came when GUN took the stage, bringing with them two backing singers, their microphones set up at the back right of the stage. The Calton Songs album utilised Beverley Skeete and the Sisterhood to give some of the tracks a gospel feel. Were we getting a new version of GUN tonight?

No is the short answer. The girls barely played a part, adding background vocals to some songs but never playing a major role in proceedings. Shame. Something to develop in the future, though.

The gig was being videoed (not just on punters' phones), so it was great to see the band in top form. The Barrowlands is their spiritual home, and the atmosphere is always great when they perform there. They played a few new numbers from the forthcoming album, Hombres, and I'm pleased to say they are crackers (one was specifically filmed tonight for the single's video).

Don't Say It's Over video (Link on YouTube)

Shame On You video (Link on YouTube)

I loved this gig, and, by the end, I was bouncing about like my knees weren't arthritic. One autistic young lad enjoyed himself too. Dressed in a US college jacket and baseball cap, he started maybe a dozen yards away from me and slowly migrated closer as the night progressed. Although he was with his mum and dad, I suspected he was going to be trouble, the way he clapped loudly and danced during the pre-gig music, at times unable to contain his excitement, other times perfectly still, his hands balled up under his nose, fingers pressed against his lips. When he danced, it was wild, arms swinging, rocking from side to side, like he was doing a 50s jive. His mum would occasionally rein him in when he started to interact with unwilling punters, using her arm like a crook to pull him closer. At one point, I had to lean back like a boxer to avoid his swing, his hand sweeping across where my face had been. I stayed wary, but his unfiltered exuberance was enthralling. He had a smashing time, and it was great to see the young uns coming along to support an old band.

GUN's time is definitely not over. It was an exceptionally good gig.

Ticket Price: £36.10 (Face Value £29.50) via Ticketmaster.

Setlist

Lucky Guy

She Knows

Here's Where I Am

Don't Say It's Over

Backstreet Brothers

Falling

Word Up! (Cameo cover)

Long Road

Take me back home