The Guns

The Guns

The Guns are a hardcore punk band from Cleveland, Ohio, formed in 1982. The group begins as a side project for two young musicians from The Dark: Scott Eakin, who is 12, and David Araca, who is 13. They play parties and a small number of shows in their early period.

Early releases and local activity

In 1983, The Guns record a demo and contribute two tracks to The New Hope, a compilation of north-east Ohio punk and hardcore bands put together by Tom Eakin, Scott Eakin’s older brother and the singer in The Dark, also known as Tommy Dark. The two songs open the album and draw a strong reaction. During late 1983 and much of 1984, the band plays regularly at venues including The Pop Shop and The Lakefront, along with other local spaces.

Line-up changes and later years

In late 1983, Sean Saley leaves Starvation Army and joins The Guns on bass. The band records an album in 1984 with producer Scott Lasch, but it is shelved, apart from one song that appears on the They Pelted Us With Rocks And Garbage compilation issued by Negative Print fanzine. Sean later moves away from Cleveland and eventually to Washington, DC, where he plays drums for Government Issue. The Guns continue with Scott Silverman on lead guitar and Bob Ries on bass through 1987.

After the band

Scott Eakin goes on to play in several other bands. David Araca later finds success in False Hope. By 2000, Scott Eakin and Tom Eakin are both in the Cleveland band Stepsister.