It's been about six months since Gunfighter used The Hurricane as a final local firing range for its new melody-heavy, post-grunge creations. The group then moved to California, and judging by its latest release, High Noon, the San Diego sun hasn't mellowed this longtime Kansas City institution. (The 35-second parody "Dog With Bone," however, suggests coastal clubs might be placing the band on a few too many bills with rap-metal acts.) That said, Gunfighter remains a good deal more accessible than its members' previous incarnation -- it's difficult to imagine the heavier-hearted Molly McGuire creating a psychedelic, hand-clap-punctuated ode to "Beautiful Colors" or a breezy pop song about "Lipstick and Lemonade" decorated with Weezer-style "ooh-ooh" harmonies. This contrast should make the group's homecoming show even more entertaining, because it plans to invite former Molly bassist Ray Jankowski on stage to perform a few hefty Lime-era tunes. A cameo from guitarist Mike Tobin (Stick) and the presence of the group's future drummer, Rob Smith, who will be on hand with opening band Traindodge, add to the concert's timeline theme. (Jason Gerken, also of Shiner, assumes drumming duties for this performance; David Smyth, now of Season to Risk, played the kit on High Noon.) In a fall season that boasts releases from the area rock scene's remaining titans, this show makes it even easier to flash back to the alt-rock-driven early-'90s, when Kansas City/Lawrence bands made a bid for national recognition. It's comforting to see that most of the musicians from the core of that movement haven't yet run out of ammunition.
