Van Gunn, a band from Holland who relocated to Los Angles with hopes of making it big,  sound familiar? Well your half way there with the bands name and whilst they may not have as big an impact with their debut album as their erstwhile compatriots Van Halen did with their self titled debut all those years ago, it will bring a smile to the face of any fan of simple no frills rock and roll. 

Van Gunn have compared themselves  to early Guns 'N Roses, but this perhaps does them a  disfavour. Van Gunn exhibit several different styles over the ten tracks of this album and many different bands spring to mind whilst listening. Opener, 'Pull The Trigger', comes across as an excellent blend of the L.A. Guns and The Quireboys whilst the second song, 'Here To Break The Rules' arguably has more in common with former Quirboy's guitarist Gingers Wildhearts jamming with AC/DC, with not a little of Van Gunn's own take on the genre added for good measure.

Elsewhere the band veer into Bon Jovi territory with Goodbye and Looking Through Me and even manage to incorporate a little southern boogie thanks to 'I Know A Little'. Although the band are indebted to many of the most successful bands of rock and roll Van Gunn do manage to impart their own spin on the genre in places. Listen to 'Daughter Of A Superstar' where they get low-down and dirty or 'Drive Me Insane', a beautiful piano led power ballad that allows keyboardist Ward to show off his chops.

All in all this is a strong debut alum from the Dutch guys and one that gives them a solid base from which to build into the future. It may not be the most original album of all time, but in saying that looking at with the number of cover versions that 'grace' the charts these days originality may be an overrated phenomena, however by putting their own stamp on a well trodden path Van Gunn certainly deserve to gain a wider audience thanks to this effort...

Check them out for yourself at www.myspace.com/vangunn

Let us know your views on 'Vann Gunn'

Track List

Pull The Trigger
Here To Break The Rules
Goodbye
Looking Through Me
I Know A Little
Liar
Back To L.A.
Daughter Of A Superstar
Drive Me Insane
Thunder and Lighting
Child Of Rock 'N Roll

Line Up

Martin - Vocals
High - Guitars
Ward - Keys/Hammond
Boy - Bass
Bert - Drums