By Ross Collie

Glasgow-based rock band GUN will perform a mini gig at Stirling’s HMV store on October 19.

The rockers are performing across Scotland to promote their new album, The Calton Songs, which came out on October 14.

The album name is dedicated to the central area of Glasgow the band members grew up in.

Many tracks on the album are remastered versions of the songs that built the band, including Better Days, which originally appeared as track #1 on Gun’s 1989 debut album, Taking On The World.

The new release includes one new track, Backstreet Brothers, an upbeat salute to the band’s career to date.

The band have enjoyed many successes in the past, topping at #5 on the UK album charts, with their 1994 album, Swagger.

They have also enjoyed success in the single’s charts. Their most notable single came with 1994’s Word Up!, a rock cover of Cameo’s 80s hit.

Jools Gizzi, the band’s guitarist, said: “I look back and remember amazing times. I don’t regret any of it. What an experience to have had.

“This new album [The Calton Songs] allows us to look back and celebrate what went before but also to bring it up to date.”

After performing in Stirling, the band will continue to tour across Scotland, before taking a few gigs to Europe in November.

Before beginning the album release tour, Gun suffered from a departure, with their drummer Paul McManus having to drop out for personal reasons.

In a statement before the tour, McManus said: “GUN have been and always will be a huge part of my life, but due to a family situation, I am unable to give the band the commitment they deserve at the moment.

“Sadly, I have no choice but to step down as drummer for an indefinite period, with every intention of returning when circumstances allow.”

Signing off, he said: “The boys are my brothers, and the band are in my heart. I can’t thank them and our fans enough for the joys we have experienced together.”

The band insist that despite The Calton Songs being a reflective and modernising album, it isn’t the end for the group. “It isn’t the end of the story for [the] Backstreet Brothers,” said Jools Gizzi.

The tour concludes on December 11 at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, after the tour biggest gig at The Barrowland Ballroom the day before.