INTERVIEW: Bush's Gavin Rossdale

- Jamie Roberts

"...Being real is what is important," to Gavin Rossdale, lead singer of Brit rock saviors, Bush. That comes through clearly in his manner, as well as his music.

"Real" (in a deep, true-to-feelings sense) can also be used to describe the lyrical content on Bush's debut 16 Stone (Interscope). Tackling topics like death, sexuality, ego, and general disenchantment, this inspired first effort serves as a catharsis of sorts for Gavin and company. "The more I talk about things, the more I understand myself.." he says of his externalizing-in-song.

The intensity of their garage-rock music builds at a steady pace, and peaks with their single "Everything Zen". This hooky, melodic first track off 16 Stone has rocketed up the Modern Rock charts, and garnered quite a bit of airplay on rock radio (with KROQ in LA, and WAXQ in NYC heavily pushing the track). Bush has effectively resuscitated the British music scene, by plowing through the stereotypical overseas offerings. Their adaptation of the popular American Grunge style, by adding their personal style, and British songwriting sensibility, was what initially attracted Trauma Records' Rob Kahane. Judging from the reaction of the packed house to which they played their first U.S. show, at New York City's CBGB's, their formula is working.

Gavin's fascination with ambiguity is evident in the name of the band, as well as in the meanings of the songs. "Bush can mean a number of things... we lived and recorded in a city called Shephard's Bush, and of course there's the sexual connotation..." he said shyly. The name was quite appealing, visually, and held many possibilities. One possibility that had not occurred to Gavin was the political angle. Never having thought about George Bush, he was surprised that the name was brought up by a fan after the CBGB show. This drove his point home about the distinct meanings a music fan can take from the same name, song, or entire show.

In keeping with many listeners' assumptions that BUSH were American rockers, it follows that Gavin feels all the best records of the past 10 years have been made by American bands. Bush's music is, in large part, inspired by this- particularly the whole Pixies/Breeders musical history. Gavin's admiration of their musical history laid the groundwork for the driving rhythms and classic alternative style on 16 Stone. It is obvious when talking with him, that he's excited about interacting with fans that are inspired by his band. After the CBGB show, he spoke to one particular fan who said the song "Glycerine" really spoke to him. "Now, maybe, this kid will use what he got out of our song, to create his own music," Gavin said. The participation in that chain of inspiration seems to be one of the many things that gives him satisfaction lately.

After stopping to turn down his radio, Gavin shared something else he was excited about. "Have you heard about the album that's coming out by Tricky, of Massive Attack?" he asked "It's fantastic!" He mentioned this album (coming out on Island Records in a few months) because Tricky will be doing remixes of BUSH's present work, and will do something original with the band soon after. His dark, rap style is what Gavin is listening to lately, and a combination of that, and Bush's sound should make for an interesting future project.

Bringing us back to what this industry used to be about (the love of music), and bringing the U.K. back to the forefront of Modern Rock, Bush is a band that is really going places. Glad to be along for the ride!