I’ve always had a soft spot for these lot ever since their debut album and the strains of opening track BOB CITY came blasting out. Formed in Sweden under the name KINGPIN, they changed it to SHOTGUN MESSIAH and their debut album was released in 1989 just as the first wave of glam and melodic rock was fading. They released an EP called I WANT MORE in 1992 sandwiched between a couple more albums, SECOND COMING IN 1991 and the poor industrial sounding VIOLENT NEW BREED in 1993. Each album was recorded with a different line up, with only guitarist HARRY CODY appearing on every release. They called it a day straight after the tour for the final album.
Original vocalist Zinny J. Zan and original drummer Stixx reunited in 2012 adding CHRIS LANEY and DANGER DANGER guitarist ROB MARCELLO to the band. LIVE DOWN DECADENCIA DRIVE is just the debut album live, albeit missing one track (THE EXPLORER)and the order rearranged which works because SQUEEZIN TEASIN kicks off and is ideal for getting the crowd jumping from the off.
You can tell Zan’s vocals sound as impressive as ever and Marcello`s guitars beef it all up. Not to be outdone, Stixx’s drums belt out the intro to I`M YOUR LOVE and contains some more impressive guitar work. Original album opener BOP CITY continues and suddenly it`s 1989 all over again sounding as good as when it was first released.
Next up is NOWHERE FAST where the vocals switch from sounding like DAVE LEE ROTH to BRIAN JOHNSON and back again!!! It`s obvious from this that the band (and audience) are having a blast. DIRT TALK is just plain FUN. SHOUT IT OUT epitomizes the 80`s glam sound, then before you know it, album closer DON`T CARE BOUT NOTHIN` appears to end the album in fine style. The big downside to this album is it too short but the upsides outweigh this. The sound is excellent; the playing is superb with the new boys fitting in perfectly and the whole sense of fun about it.
Just right for sticking the CD in, have a few mates round, blowing the froth off a few and cranking up. SHOTGUN could yet have a future if they stick with it especially with the penchant for reunions and 80`s rock festivals. If they can keep this up…..who knows???
TRACKLIST
TRACKLIST: 1. Squeezin Teazin | 2. I’m Your Love | 3. Bop City | 4. Nowhere Fast | 5. Dirt Talk | 6. Nervous | 7. Shout It Out | 8. Don’t Care Bout Nothin’
