Bush F.A.Q
Who are Bush?
Their line-up is :
Gavin Rossdale - guitar / vocalist
Nigel Pulsford - guitar
Dave Parsons - bassist
Robin Goodridge - drummer
Bush are signed to LA label Trauma / Interscope Records.
Their History
Bush formed as Future Imperfect in London, England in 1992. As well as playing various clubs in and around the city, the band held down day jobs: Gavin as an advertising artist, Robin and Dave as house painters and Nigel as a "professional drug smoker" (or so he claims). As word spread about the band, record company talent scouts began showing up at shows. Although impressed by various elements of Future Imperfect's performance, none of the scouts chose to sign them. Frustrated by this, the band changed their name to Bush and began making copies of their demo tape. One such tape ended up in the hands of London Capital Radio DJ Gary Crowley. Crowley liked what he heard and passed the tape to Rob Kahane, former manager of George Michael and head of the newly formed Trauma Records label. Kahane was invited to one of Bush's rehearsals and was so amazed by what he heard that he signed the band on the spot. With Trauma's backing, Bush recorded Sixteen Stone. Promotional copies of the album went to several US rock radio stations, including KROQ in Los Angeles. KROQ playlisted "Everything Zen", the album was released at the end of 1994 and by April 1995 "Sixteen Stone" had sold 500 000 copies. As the album received its UK release in May 1995. And the rest is, well... history.
Compiled by Mark Fairbairn at The Web 13 Internet Cafe, Edinburgh, Scotland. (http://www.presence.co.uk/chaosville/)
Where did Bush get its name?
In England, there are lots of meaning for Bush. You smoke bush, and both men and women have bushes --which is a very important point, it's not some kind of sexist thing. And we live near Shepherd's Bush. Also, I just like the "shhh" at the end of the word.
-- Gavin Rossdale
Execerpt from Bush Online
Their influence
Bush has obvious Nirvana influence. Gavin is inspired by The Pixies, Nirvana and a painter named Francis Bacon.
When asked who his influences were, Dave Parson answered, " David Bowie, Clash, Sex Pistols and Iggy Pop. Later I came to admire bass players like Motown session ace James Jamerson, Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello) and Pet Hook of Joy Davision."
Their debut album
Their debut, Sixteen Stone was recorded during summer 1994 and was released by the end of 1994 in the US and May 1995 in the UK. Since then, it has sold over 5 million copies world wide. The album was recorded at a Westside Studios, London, with Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley and Bush as the producers. The bushy thing on the album cover is actually Winston, Gavin's dog. The first single of the album was Everything Zen.
What does Sixteen Stone mean?
Once upon a time there was a lonely man, my friend, who called a phone number advertising a "21 year Scandinavian beauty, new in town." When she arrived, she was 40 years old and sixteen stone (about 224 pounds)...but he managed to get through it.
--Gavin Rossdale
Execerpt from Bush Online
Their second and latest album
Bush finished recording for their second album on Thursday, September 12th, 1996. Razorblade Suitcase was then released on November 19th, 1996. The album was produced by Steve Albini (producer of Nirvana, Pixies and Jesus Lizard) and released by Interscope Records. The artwork of the cover was done by Vaughan Oliver (did all The Pixies album art). Razorblade Suitcase debuted The Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at number 1. The first single of this album is Swallowed.
What does Razorblade Suitcase mean ?
We've been away so long that the suitcase part fits. Plus I like razorblade, all the connotation of the word.
-- Gavin Rossdale
It's also a line from Synapse.
Video Faqs
Bush have 7 videos so far. They are: Everything Zen, Little Things, Comedown, Glycerine, Machinehead, Swallowed, and Greedy Fly.
Bush's first video is Everything Zen. It was directed by Matt Mahurin, an acclaimed video director ( Alice in Chain, Metallica ... ) .
Glycerine was directed by Kevin Kerslake, filmed at both Atlanta and Los Angeles.
The video Glycerine, won The Viewers Choice Award at the MTV Video Award 1996.
The video Comedown was directed by Jake Scott and was inspired by the artwork of Francis Bacon, a favorite of both Gavin Rossdale and Jake Scott.
During the filming of Comedown, Hollywood National Studios was invaded by members of the Los Angeles Police Department with their guns drawn. Two armed and dangerous robbery suspects had fled onto the premises. After a forty-five minute search they were found hiding in the wardrobe room.
Little Things was directed Matt Mahurin in 1996.
Machinehead's live shots were filmed on location in Portmouth and Sheperds Bush, London.
Swallowed was directed by Jamie Morgan, a long time friend and first time director
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale, who plays the guitar and is the vocalist, was born on October 30th, 1967 and grew up in North West London. He is a former soccer player. His dog, Winston, is a Puli. According to YM Magazine, Gavin is one of the 50 most beautiful guys in the world. He's also in Playgirl's Rock 'n Roll's 10 Sexist Men list. "Grunge Pin-Up Boy"
Nigel Pulsford
Nigel Pulsford, who plays the guitar, was born on April 11th, 1965 to a family with musical background. His mother is a classical pianist, while his sister and uncle are violinist and his other sister was in Cyndi Lauper's Band. On July 20th, 1996 he got married to Judith . Nigel is the only member of Bush that has his own email address. He has emailed some in the online Bush community, but his address is not for the general public, for obvious reasons.
Robin Goodridge
Robin Goodridge, who play the drums, was born on September 10, 1966. There are scars on Robin's neck from a hot water burn he got as a child. In November '96, Robin's girlfriend gave birth to their daughter, Ruby Rose.
Dave Parsons
Dave Parsons is the bassist of the group. He was born on July 2nd, 1965. He used to play in a band called Transvision Vamp.
Does the band have an email address?
No. But the Bush fanclub does : [email protected]
What songs are on what discs?
Please view the Discography.
Song List and Lyrics
Please view the Songbook.