A band project pieced together by ex-THIN LIZZY guitarist Scott Gorham. Vocalist Tommy La Verdi had previously recorded a 1986 album with A=440 on Casablanca. After leaving THIN LIZZY, Gorham had worked with THE STRAND vocalist Rick 'Moon' Calhoun in the abortive WESTERN FRONT. Other musicians involved in the ill-starred, Los Angeles based project were guitarist Marty Walsh, who would later join SUPERTRAMP and then THE KEY, Swedish singer Matti Alfonzetti of JAGGED EDGE and drummer Darrell Verdusco. Gorham's brother in law, SUPERTRAMP drummer Bob C. Benburg, also recorded material with the outfit.

WESTERN FRONT was essentially the prototype for what would become 21 GUNS, a very melodically inclined Hard Rock band with a keen AOR ear. Indeed, bassist Leif Johansen and drummer Mike Sturgis were originally tapped by Gorham to form a revised WESTERN FRONT after meeting the duo during the recording of the 'Phenomena II: Dreamrunner' record. Ex-MEDICINE HEAD vocalist JOHN FIDDLER and WISHBONE ASH guitarist Laurie Wisefield were also briefly involved. WESTERN FRONT eventually broke up in 1989, leading directly to the formation of 21 GUNS and, following a flirtation with ex-AIRRACE singer Keith Murrell, the hiring of Tommy La Verdi to complete the jigsaw.

After touring in America with the group La Verdi split from the ranks and wound up relocating to Oslo. He would later contribute backing vocals to both of Norwegian act RAGS' two albums. 21 GUNS opted not to do another album with RCA Records and Gorham went off to join a revived version of THIN LIZZY to pay tribute to the late PHIL LYNOTT. Gorham and bassist Leif Johansen would not have much contact until the pair decided to reunite and recruit ex-SONS OF ANGELS and PSYCHO MOTEL singer Hans Olav Solli in place of La Verdi.

A new 21 GUNS album was originally recorded using Steinar Krokstad, previously with STAGE DOLLS and VAGABOND, on drums, but a returning Michael Sturgis eventually re-recorded all the drum tracks after originally being engaged to contribute to one or two unfinished songs.

The new album, titled 'Nothing's Real', included a cover of THIN LIZZY's 'King's Vengeance'. The album was reissued in 2000 by Z Records with six extra tracks. The same year LaVerdi joined STREET LEGAL. Z Records would put out a further 21 GUNS release, 'Demolition', in April of 2002, this album comprising of unearthed demo tracks.

21 GUNS bassist Leif Johansen convened a solo project billed as LIFE for a March 2004 album release 'White Flowers'. Solli marked a return too that same year with his new band GREENHOUZE.