Toby Jepson has announced his departure from GUN.

Statements from the official GUN band site:

Statement from Toby: "Due to increasing writing and production commitments for other artists, I have decided to leave GUN as the singer. I have had a fantastic time working with Jools and Dante and consider the music we have created together as being amongst the best I have been involved in throughout my career . I wish them well and sincerely hope that we will work together again in some capacity in the future. I stress that that I am in no way leaving the world of live music, far from it, it is simply that at the moment I cannot commit 100% to future GUN plans and would not want to stand in the way of the bands potential further development . I fully intend to resurface as a rock singer in one way or another in the near future so watch this space..."

Statment for Jools: "Following on from Toby's announcement we will take some time out to decide GUN's future. The last couple of years have been great and we have really enjoyed playing the gigs. Thanks to Toby for being an excellent frontman and thanks to the fans for supporting us.

Dante and I will keep you posted with what's happening....... so don't go away now!"



Meanwhile the official GUN band site has undergone some changes since the announcement. For more information go here.

The GUN fans 'meetup', prior to GUN's gig at the The two rivers rock festival in Paisley on Saturday, June 05^th 2010, shall take place at the 'The last Post', Paisley. All GUN fans over the age of 18 (licenced premises) are welcome from 12 midday until GUN take the stage.

***Please be aware that the meetups take place in Licenced premises so an age recommendation of 18+ is advised, check with the venue concerned if you wish to bring anyone who is under this age (ie 14 -18). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are legally allowed in to the venue and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

For more information about the venue or to ask any questions about the meetup, please go here."

Rock radio have announced that GUN will headline the Rock radio free gig at 'Two Rivers Rock Festival' in County Square, Paisley on Saturday the 5^th of June. The Virginmarys and The Gap Year Riot will also perform. The Loud ‘n’ Proud School Of Rock will also provide live music. For more details check out the Rock radio page about the event...here.

GUN have announced that they shall no longer headline the SOS festival at Radcliffe civic hall on July 9^th 2010.

From the official GUN band site:

"Due to a change in our plans, and availability for the summer, we regret to announce that GUN will no longer be appearing at the SOS festival. We have discussed this with the organiser and made our apologies. We would like to wish the festival well, and would like to say that, if anyone was planning to go along to see GUN, it still looks like being a great event and would hope that you would still support the event by attending if you can. Watch out for some new announcements from GUN soon..."

For more information go here.

The GUN fans 'meetup', prior to GUN's gig at the The Duchess in York on Friday, March 19^th 2010, shall take place at the 'The Postern gate', York. All GUN fans over the age of 18 (licenced premises) are welcome from 5 pm until the doors open at the venue.

***Please be aware that the meetups take place in Licenced premises so an age recommendation of 18+ is advised, check with the venue concerned if you wish to bring anyone who is under this age (ie 14 -18). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are legally allowed in to the venue and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

For more information about the venue or to ask any questions about the meetup, please go here."

GUN were interviewed for Stars radio on their Spanish tour last year. Stars is based in Galicia, Spain and Alex from the show caught up with the GUN boys at their gig in Gijon, Asturias.

Interview is in Galician and English.

To download the interview (Contains some strong language. Hosted on Rapidshare, click 'free user'. You may have to wait some seconds for download link to appear) click here.

The GUN fans 'meetup', prior to GUN's gig at the The Buccleuch centre in Langholm on Friday, March 12^th 2010, shall take place at the 'The Crown', Langholm. All GUN fans over the age of 18 (licenced premises) are welcome from 5 pm until the doors open at the venue.

***Please be aware that the meetups take place in Licenced premises so an age recommendation of 18+ is advised, check with the venue concerned if you wish to bring anyone who is under this age (ie 14 -18). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are legally allowed in to the venue and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

For more information about the venue or to ask any questions about the meetup, please go here."

GUN have been announced as the headline act for the SOS festival at Radcliffe civic hall on July 9^th 2010.

From the official GUN band site:

"SOS is a 2 day festival featuring some of the best up and coming talent in the UK. Playing with GUN on the Friday will be Falling Red and Citizen Charlie. Saturday's metal night will be headlined by Ex-Iron Maiden frontman, Blaze Bayley."

For more information go here.

GUN have introduced a new Popkiller T-shirt to their growing merchandise stock. The new shirt joins an ever expanding list of official GUN branded apparel which includes, hats, hoodies and bags. Something for every GUN fan to cherish and remind them of that 'awesome' GUN gig!.

Buy your Popkiller shirt here.

GUN have announced a new drummer ahead of ther UK tour. Paul Mcmanus will take over 'the skins' from Gordon Mcneil. Paul has recently being playing with Scottish based band 'la Paz' and 'No Dice'.

From the official band web site:

"After a few days of auditions in Glasgow, Gun are pleased to announce that Paul McManus is now onboard & will be joining Toby, Jools & Dante on the March shows.... "

To read the original announcement on the Official band site, please go here."

Paul made a storming debut for GUN at a 'secret' warmup gig, in front of a 150 'sold out' crowd of die hard GUN fans at Bar Bliss in Kirkintilloch, Scotland on Wednesday the 3rd of March. Welcome aboard the GUN juggernaut Paul!

Gordon Mcneil has sent the following message for the GUN fans following his difficult decision to leave GUN to concentrate on his Gogobot project:

"Just a wee message to let you know that today I decided to leave GUN. Some of you already know, I have my own band called 'Gogobot'. As well as play drums, I write and produce songs in Gogobot and at the moment Gogobot needs all my focus and attention with our debut single release only weeks away. I had a great time in GUN and met great guys in Dante, Joolz and Toby. Thanks to the fans, you rock!"

Spanish translation - versión en español:

Gordon McNeil ha enviado el siguiente mensaje para los fans de GUN despues de su dificil decisión de dejar GUN para concentrarse en su projecto Gogobot...

“Solo un mensaje para deciros que hoy he decidido dejar GUN. Algunos de vosotros ya sabeis que tengo mi propia banda llamada 'Gogobot'. Además de tocar la batería, escribo y produzco canciones en Gogobot y en este momento Gogobot necesita de toda mi concentración con la presentación de nuestro single debut en sólo unas semanas. Lo he pasado muy bien con GUN y he conocido a unos tíos estupendos Dante, Joolz y Toby. Gracias a los fans, 'you rock'."

Gordon Mcneil has left GUN to concentrate on his other project Gogobot. The Official GUN fan site would like to thank Gordon for some great performances with GUN and wishes him all the best with Gogobot, who are on the verge of great things. GUN will announce a new drummer shortly and all gigs scheduled with Lynyrd Skynyrd and for the Popkiller tour will go ahead as planned.

To read the original announcement on the Official band site, please go here."

GUN will tour the UK in March 2010. They shall be special guests of the legendery Lynyrd Skynyrd, followed by headlining shows across Britain as part 1 of the Popkiller tour.

Part two of the tour is still to be announced but is expected to take in several European venues. More info will be posted here when announced by the GUN management team.

For more information about gig dates, venues and ticketing info, please go here."

GUN fans have launched a Facebook group to make GUN the biggest rock band on the planet. The campaign kicks of with a mass download of GUN's new track Seraphina to enable GUN to have their first UK number 1. To support the guys bid for world domination, please sign up to the Facebook group and keep an eye out for the announcement of a mass download date.

To sign up to the Let's get GUN to no 1 Facebook group, please go here."

The GUN fans 'meetup', prior to GUN's gig at the ABC in Glasgow on Wednesday, December 2^nd 2009, shall take place at the 'The henglers circus', Glasgow. All GUN fans over the age of 18 (licenced premises) are welcome from 5 pm until the doors open at the venue.

***Please be aware that the meetups take place in Licenced premises so an age recommendation of 18+ is advised, check with the venue concerned if you wish to bring anyone who is under this age (ie 14 -18). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are legally allowed in to the venue and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

For more information about the venue or to ask any questions about the meetup, please go here."

The GUN fans 'meetup', prior to GUN's gig at the o2 Academy in London on Thursday, November 26^th 2009, shall take place at the 'The Angel', Islington. All GUN fans over the age of 18 (licenced premises) are welcome from 5 pm until the doors open at the venue.

***Please be aware that the meetups take place in Licenced premises so an age recommendation of 18+ is advised, check with the venue concerned if you wish to bring anyone who is under this age (ie 14 -18). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are legally allowed in to the venue and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

For more information about the venue or to ask any questions about the meetup, please go here."

GUN's after show party for the Glasgow ABC1 gig on the 2^nd of December 2009, will now take place at ABC2 and not Rockers as previously stated.

The guys will be there after their signing session and freshening up, following their gig at ABC1 the same night. Entry is free on production of your ticket stub for the GUN gig. The venue will stay open until 3am. There will be live music and possibly a jam session."

The GUN fans 'meetup', prior to GUN's gig at Rock city in Nottingham on Saturday November 14th 2009, shall take place at the 'Tap and tumbler'. All GUN fans over the age of 18 (licenced premises) are welcome from 5 pm until the doors open at Rock city.

***Please be aware that the meetups take place in Licenced premises so an age recommendation of 18+ is advised, check with the venue concerned if you wish to bring anyone who is under this age (ie 14 -18). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are legally allowed in to the venue and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

For more information about the venue or to ask any questions about the meetup, please go here."

The GUN fans 'meetup', prior to GUN's gig at the Academy in Manchester on Friday November 13th 2009, shall take place at Jabez Cleggs. All GUN fans over the age of 18 (licenced premises) are welcome from 5 pm until the doors open at the Academy.

***Please be aware that the meetups take place in Licenced premises so an age recommendation of 18+ is advised, check with the venue concerned if you wish to bring anyone who is under this age (ie 14 -18). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are legally allowed in to the venue and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

For more information about the venue or to ask any questions about the meetup, please go here."

The GUN fans 'meetup', prior to GUN's gig at the Academy in Newcastle on Thursday November 12th 2009, shall take place at the Wetherspoons pub 'The union rooms'. All GUN fans over the age of 18 (licenced premises) are welcome from 5 pm until the doors open at the Academy.

***Please be aware that the meetups take place in Licenced premises so an age recommendation of 18+ is advised, check with the venue concerned if you wish to bring anyone who is under this age (ie 14 -18). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult if they are legally allowed in to the venue and will not be permitted to drink alcohol.

For more information about the venue, parking details or to ask any questions about the meetup, please go here."

GUN play live in Portugal tonight. Gordon Mcneil (GUN drummer) has sent the following message and photo (huge GUN poster on the left hand tower) from a taxi on the way to the venue:

"GUN In Taxi on way to venue.. Playing "Steal your fire " on radio.. Posters everywhere.. in virtually every Bus stop or wall in Lisbon there are posters."

*Photo Copyright and courtesy of Gordon Mcneil (GUN). Thanks to Gordon snr.

Following on from GUN's Iberian tour, the Spanish rock music websites and press have been giving their views on the guys performances. Here is review from www.elgiradiscos.com (English version) for original Spanish version (versión español ) click here (aqui). :

"I went to “La Sala” in Carabanchel with some “fear”. GUN had been a very important group for me in my adolescence, I grew up with their songs and I didn´t know what I was going to find, whether a group of worn out 'fortysomethings' with a new singer or the correct revision of their repertoire.

There was a time, late 80s/ early 90s, when GUN were at the top, supporting the Stones, BonJovi, filling the mythical venue Aqualung, they were played in “los 40” (top 40).

Brothers Gizzi, Giuliano and Dante, guitar and bass respectively, and founder members of the band, are back with GUN. They have left behind their original singer, Mark Rankin, in his place is Toby Jepson (singer with mythical Little Angels) with Gordon McNeil on drums. 12 years after their last studio release, there they were, in front of my eyes.

An immense “Welcome to the real world” welcomed us and made any doubt disappear. The audience soon surrendered with an enthusiasm that is not often seen in the capital, jumping and dancing.

Toby Jepson cleared any doubt about his vocal power with “Don´t say it´s over”, Giuliano and Dante happy and surprised for such a great welcome.

“Better days” their 1989 big hit started sounding, unleashing madness in the venue. None of their great themes were missed as they played “Money (everybody loves her )”, “Taking on the world” for which Toby and Giuliano stayed alone on stage, to be joined later by the rest of the band.

With “Inside out” they paid tribute to The Police including bits of “So lonely” in the lyrics. Toby picked up his guitar to play a couple of new songs, which weren´t out of tune with their repertoire and which will soon be released in a new album (the first from GUN in 12 years).

With their version of Cameo´s “WORD UP” number 8 in UK in 1994, insanity came, with people on stage and the band delighted with a permanent smile in their faces. They ended their show temporarily with “Steal your fire”.

They finished with “Shame on you” from their first album for the encore, with the promise of coming back next year.

GUN are back to stay. I fervently recommend the readers of “giradiscos” not to miss them next year."

Jorge Bravo Crespo " El Gurú"

To read the article on the web site in it's original form, go here. Thanks to Isabel for the translation.

*Madrid gig pics Copyright and courtesy of Jorge Bravo Crespo "El Gurú" (www.elgiradiscos.com)

GUN are giving away their first single (Let your hair down) from their new EP, title 'Pop Killer' for free on Rock radio. The guys want to give something back to the fans who have stuck by them, even when they were not making music. Here is the article from the Rock radio web site :

"GUN are back in the game and are set to release brand-new mini album, Popkiller, ahead of their upcoming November UK tour. But before that they’re releasing lead track Let Your Hair Down FREE – and you can only get it via RockRadio.co.uk.

We helped bring the band back into the limelight when Rock Jock Tom Russell suggested to Joolz and Dante Gizzi they should hook up with ex Little Angels singer Toby Jepson for our birthday bash in 2008.

The show went so well the brothers put the band back together with Toby, along with drummer Gordon McNeil – announcing the news on Tom’s Rock Radio show in April 2008.

They recently went into the studio to record a single, but the session went so well the result is the five-track release Popkiller, which will be out in time for the band’s UK tour in November.

Their recorded debut is the single Let Your Hair Down – and next week you can get a free download right here at RockRadio.co.uk… and nowhere else.

Joolz says: “Rock Radio helped bring the band into a new era, so it seems only fair to give away our first studio track with the station to say thanks. We think you’re going to love it as much as we do.”

Tom adds: “I’m chuffed the guys have decided to go with us on their first official release. I suggested the Gizzis getting together with Toby because I thought it would be great for our birthday bash. I did think more might come of it but it wouldn’t have been right to pile on the pressure – so I’m delighted they’ve got things going so well.”

Check back on Monday for details of how to get fired up with GUN’s new sound."

To read the article on the Rockradio web site in it's original form, go here.

Feedback from GUN's sell out Madrid show has been 'flooding' in to the Official GUN fan site. Looks like the guys made a huge impression on the Spanish fans...

Here are some quotes from GUN fans, neutrals who had attended a GUN gig for the first time and Gordon the GUN drummer:


                   "Complete madness!"      "increible!" (incredible)    "an ace sell out show"

GUN have played to a sell out crowd in Madrid. During the packed out show the guys also debuted a new song. 'Pop Killer' got it's first airing in their live set and is hotly tipped to be the name of the forthcoming EP. The first new material from GUN in 12 years!

The GUN energy just keeps on growing as they now move to Sala Albéniz in Gijón, Asturias on Friday. Tickets can be purchased for the Gijón gig here www.ticketmaster.es .

Both the band and the promoters were more than pleased with the turnout from the Madrid crowd and the setlist consisted of the following:

* Fan video of gig from Facebook, courtesy of Alberto Morillas. Video update Added 25.10.09

Classic rock magazine (original article here) have interviewed GUN ahead of the release of their forthcoming EP. Here's what the guys had to say:

Gun are aiming to release a five-track EP in time for their November/December UK tour.

As yet untitled, it’s the first new music from the band since 1997’s 0141 632 6326 album.

“We didn’t want to be seen as just a nostalgia act,” vocalist Toby Jepson told Classic Rock. “This band always had in the back of our minds the determination to go on and make new music. So that people would understand that we aren’t content to live in the past.”

Guitarist Joolz Gizzi believes this EP will reinvent the band.

“When you hear songs like Pop Killer [a possible title for the record] and Let Your Hair Down… well, people will realise that we can compete with anyone in the modern world. And we don’t feel any pressure to have success any more. There are no record labels telling us what to do, how to sound. We make all the decisions.”

Gun (Jepson, Gizzi, bassist Dante Gizzi and drummer Gordon McNeil) intend to play all five new songs on the upcoming tour, one to which they’re looking forward.

“We love playing the sort of sweaty clubs we’re now doing. It suits us,” says Gizzi. “And we’re attracting a lot of younger fans, as well as the older ones.”

“The thing is that anything’s now possible in the music world,” explains Jepson. “A lot of musicians I know moan about the way the business has changed. To us, it offers real opportunities, because you’ve the freedom to do what you want. Next year we might do an album, or another EP – the great thing is that it’s totally down to how we feel.”

Jepson is determined not to dwell in the past. So much so that he doesn’t see much likelihood of a reunion for his former band, Little Angels.

“To me that’s over and done. I want to move on. I’m always getting asked about us getting back together, especially by promoters. But I have no interest. Mind you, I would never say never. If there was a genuine reason to do it, and it involved all five of us… well, maybe that would be different. But right now, it’s Gun that concerns me.”

To read the original article on the Classic rock Magazine web site go here.

Reviews of GUN's gig in Valencia. Spain are appearing online. Here is the first, in Spanish (English translation will follow soon), from Jesús Ruipérez:

" Pues anoche en Valencia GUN estuvieron bien, con un setlist corto... creo que tocaron sobre hora y cuarto.

Los mejores fueron Giuliano Gizzi y Toby Jepson, con diferencia. Giuliano no paró en todo el concierto, contagiando a la peña y tocando la guitarra con sentimiento y contundencia.

Tenía muchas ganas de ver a Toby. Me gusta mucho su etapa en Little Angels y quería quitarme la espinita de no haberle visto en directo. Estuvo perfecto, para mi gusto. Siempre es sabido que es muy difícil sustituir a un cantante con personalidad y que define en gran medida el sonido característico de una banda pero a mí Toby me conquistó, con su simpatía, energía, entrega e indudable calidad vocal.

Dante Gizzi estuvo parado todo el concierto. Luego Giuliano me dijo que estaba enfermo, que tenía fiebre. No salió ni a firmar...

Gordon McNeil, el batería, cumplió y tampoco es que se hiciera notar mucho.

Este fue el setlist:

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD, DON'T SAY IT'S OVER, MONEY TO BURN, CAN'T GET ANY LOWER, BETTER DAYS, TAKING ON THE WORLD, MONEY (EVERYBODY LOVES HER), LET YOUR HAIR DOWN, INSIDE OUT / SO LONELY, WORD UP, STEAL YOUR FIRE, SHAME ON YOU

Como vereis, tocaron un tema nuevo, LET YOUR HAIR DOWN, que es pegadizo y tiene gancho. Me gustó.

En teoría la banda ya tiene listo el nuevo disco y seguro que volverán pronto de gira

Word up!!!!!!"

Jesús Ruipérez

*Valencia gig pics Copyright and courtesy of Domingo J. Casas (www.exporockmusic.com)

GUN have completed their first gig on their Spanish tour, playing Durango club in Valencia, before moving to La sala live in Madrid on Thursday. Tickets can be purchased for the Madrid gig here www.ticketmaster.es .

Both the band and the promoters were happy with the turnout from the Spanish crowd and the setlist consisted of the following:

GUN continue their Spanish tour this Thursday 22/10/09 with a gig in Madrid. 'Los chicos' have returned to Spain following a successful appearance at the Derrame rock festival in Asturias, earlier in the year...

La sala live is the second venue on their return to the Iberian Peninsula, with support from Spanish act 'Estirpe'.

Grab your tickets from www.ticketmaster.es and remember to say hola! to the guys if you see them hanging about near the Euro tour t-shirt stall at the end of the gig...