Guilty Williams is built around the creative partnership of singer-guitarist Christian Whitaker and guitarist Georg Capielo, friends whose collaboration stretches back to the bonds formed at summer camp years ago. They are joined by bassist Nathan Smith and drummer Brendan Kremer (Hullabaloo).
Their debut album Est. MMXX. was released in early 2026, along with their debut music video for "This Is a Gun," the album's first single. "The video is a short film as much as a music video," says Capielo, "a comedic, heartfelt story about self-doubt, encouragement, and showing up for your moment...the video is a fully realized short film."
“This Is a Gun” follows Guilty — a character Whitaker inhabits on screen, distinct from his stage persona — a man standing on the edge of his biggest opportunity. In the video’s story, Guilty’s manager arrives with news that the legendary Belly Up Tavern has called with a booking. Rather than celebrate, Guilty’s first instinct is doubt. He doesn’t think he’s ready. What follows is a comedic, cinematic training montage of self-preparation: with the encouragement of his manager, his girlfriend, and a zen trainer who somehow makes it all make sense, Guilty works to push past his fears and insecurities to meet the moment that’s been waiting for him all along. It is a story about being called up before you feel ready — and going anyway.
The video is an homage to the music videos and films that shaped the band — a love letter to a shared cinematic vocabulary built over a lifetime of watching. Directed by Christian Haines and Melissa Alce, with cinematography and editing by Aeron MacIntyre, the production carries a visual confidence earned through genuine collaboration. Haines — an actor, director, and producer based in Los Angeles — is himself a product of that same summer camp creative circle, making this debut video as much a reunion of old friends as it is a professional statement.