Bush (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bush | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Bushx, Future Primitive |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | Alternative rock Post-grunge |
| Years active | 1992–2002 |
| Label(s) | Kirtland, SPV, Atlantic, Trauma, Interscope |
| Associated acts | Institute Helmet Spear of Destiny |
| Former members | |
| Gavin Rossdale Nigel Pulsford Dave Parsons Robin Goodridge Chris Traynor Sacha Puttnam |
|
Bush was a post-grunge band from the UK, formed in 1992. Their debut album was the self-released Sixteen Stone in 1994. They have sold well over 10 million records in the United States.
The name Bush came about because they used to live in Shepherd's Bush, London. In Canada, they were once known as Bushx, because the 1970s band Bush, led by Domenic Troiano, owned the Canadian rights to the name. In April 1997, it was announced that Troiano had agreed to let them use the name Bush in Canada without the exponent x, in exchange for donating $20,000 each to the Starlight Children's Foundation and the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Formation: 1992-1994
In 1992, British guitarist Nigel Pulsford had left his band, King Blank, after they recorded two albums without much success; he met Gavin Rossdale, who had achieved little success with his previous, short-lived band, Midnight. The two formed a new band, then called Future Primitive, and recruited bassist Dave Parsons (formerly of the punk rock band The Partisans and the somewhat successful pop band Transvision Vamp) and drummer Robin Goodridge to complete the lineup. They soon changed their name to Bush. The United States was at the height of the grunge movement, but Britain had yet to produce a popular grunge band. Bush was on the verge of becoming that band.
[edit] Breakthrough success with Sixteen Stone: 1994-1995
Bush's debut album, Sixteen Stone, featured several singles. Initial singles "Everything Zen," and "Little Things" did not sell well at first. However, with their third single, "Comedown" the band quickly saw great success in the US. The song reached number 1 for two weeks Modern Rock Tracks, and the top 40 in the US. The following single "Glycerine" received just as much airplay and sold more singles in America. The band followed with "Machinehead" which reached the top 5 of the Modern Rock Tracks chart, it narrowly missed the top 40. As a result of the success of "Comedown," "Glycerine," and "Machinehead," the first two singles from the album began to see airplay and reached the top 40, bringing the album's total to four top 40 hits. With the many hits from Sixteen Stone including regular airplay on radio and MTV along with a performance on Saturday Night Live the album went platinum multiple times, having now sold six million copies in America, poising Bush's follow-up for massive commercial popularity.
[edit] Razorblade Suitcase: 1996-1998
In late 1996 Bush released the first single "Swallowed" from their second album entitled Razorblade Suitcase, The song spent seven weeks on top of the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album hit number 1 in America and placed high in many European countries. Although a success, at two hit singles compared to four the album did not sell as well as Sixteen Stone.
Following the success of "Swallowed," the album had one more hit, "Greedy Fly," but then failed to produce any more sizeable hits.
Possibly to boost the sales of Razorblade Suitcase or move into new ground, Bush released the remix album Deconstructed. The album saw Bush re-arranging their songs into dance and techno stylings. The album was a moderate success going platinum less than a year after release.
[edit] A new direction with The Science of Things: 1999-2000
Released in 1999, the band's third album was a major departure in several forms from Bush's first two albums. Unlike the multi-platinum successes of Bush's first two albums, The Science of Things barely limped to platinum. Also, while the band's previous albums were strongly influenced by grunge, The Science of Things featured heavy electronic music influences that distinguished the work from Bush's earlier sound. For example, although lead single "The Chemicals Between Us" had a prominent guitar riff, it also had many electronic elements usually found in dance music. Although the album had a few hit songs, the album failed to chart within the top 10. The band's performance at Woodstock '99, however, helped the album achieve platinum status despite its slow start.
Three singles were released from The Science of Things, most notably "The Chemicals Between Us", which spent five weeks at #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks and peaked at #67 on the U.S. Hot 100. "Letting the Cables Sleep," the third single, reached #4 on the Modern Rock Tracks and also received considerable airplay.
Also in 1999, lead guitarist Nigel Pulsford released a solo album, Heavenly Toast on Paradise Road, which featured jazz elements that harkened back to his days with King Blank more than his work with Bush.
[edit] Golden State and breakup: 2001-2002
Bush released its final album, Golden State, in 2001. While the album attempted to return to the simple, catchy sound of the band's debut, it failed to achieve commercial success due to a lack of support from the band's new record label, Atlantic Records. Several singles were released, most notably the minor hit "The People That We Love", but none were mainstream successes. The album was the band's least successful, selling only 380,000 copies in the US.
"The People That We Love" was originally titled "Speed Kills." However, due to the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York, the band, intending for the song to be the first single from the album, changed the name of the song.
Pulsford left the band after the release of Golden State to spend more time with his family. Chris Traynor took over on lead guitar for the subsequent tour, which would turn out to be Bush's last.
Due to declining record sales and a lack of support from Atlantic Records, Bush disbanded in 2002. In 2005, the band released a greatest hits album called The Best of: 1994-1999, and, a few months later, a live album called Zen X Four.
[edit] Post-breakup: 2003-present
Gavin Rossdale formed a new band, Institute, in 2004, serving as their lead vocalist and guitarist, just as in Bush. Chris Traynor also joined the band, as lead guitarist. (In addition to playing in Institute, Traynor also joined the reunited metal band Helmet in 2004 on bass; he quit the band in 2006.) Institute released one album, Distort Yourself, but failed to achieve much commercial success in spite of opening for U2's Vertigo Tour at some shows. Institute broke up in 2006 and Rossdale then embarked on a solo career. In 2007, he covered the John Lennon song "Mind Games" for the Lennon tribute album Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. His first solo album, Wanderlust, supported by leading single "Love Remains the Same," will be released in June 2008. "Wanderlust" was originally intended to be the next Bush album but after originally agreeing to take part in the Bush reunion, guitarist Nigel Pulsford opted out as he doesn't care to tour anymore.
Rossdale has also ventured into the world of acting, appearing in the films Zoolander, Little Black Book, The Game of Their Lives, Constantine, and others.
Robin Goodridge became the drummer for the British rock band Elyss in 2004, although they have not released any new material since. In 2006, Goodridge began drumming for indie rock band Spear of Destiny, and appeared on their 2007 album, Imperial Prototype. He is currently touring the U.K. in support of this album.
Nigel Pulsford has spent most of his time since leaving Bush raising his children with his wife. He is currently producing Emma Holland's long-awaited sophomore effort. In 2004, he and bassist Dave Parsons reunited to appear in a car commercial together.
Sacha Puttnam became a composer.
[edit] Members
- Gavin Rossdale – lead vocals, guitar
- Nigel Pulsford – lead guitar, string arrangements (1992-2002)
- Chris Traynor – lead guitar (2002)
- Dave Parsons – bass
- Robin Goodridge – drums, percussion
- Sacha Puttnam – keyboards
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Date of release | Title | Label | US Billboard peak | US Certification | UK Chart Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 6, 1994 | Sixteen Stone | Trauma Records | #4 | 6x platinum | N/A |
| November 19, 1996 | Razorblade Suitcase | Trauma Records | #1 | 3x platinum | #4 |
| November 11, 1997 | Deconstructed | Trauma Records | #36 | Gold | N/A |
| October 26, 1999 | The Science of Things | Trauma Records | #11 | Platinum | #28 |
| October 23, 2001 | Golden State | Atlantic Records | #22 | 380,000 | N/A |
| December 13, 2004 | The Best of: 1994-1999 | SPV Records | - | N/A | N/A |
| November 1, 2005 | Zen X Four | Kirtland Records | - | N/A | N/A |
[edit] Singles
[edit] Soundtracks
- Tank Girl Soundtrack: Bomb
- Mallrats soundtrack: Bubbles
- White Man's Burden (soundtrack): Broken TV
- The Crow: City of Angels Soundtrack: In A Lonely Place
- X-Games Soundtrack: Old
- An American Werewolf in Paris: Mouth (remix)
- Fear - Original Movie Soundtrack: Comedown, Machinehead (Movie only, no pressing)
- The Jackal: Swallowed (remix)
- Jailbait: Warm Machine
- Need For Speed III (video game): The People That We Love
[edit] Music videos
- "Everything Zen"
- "Little Things"
- "Comedown"
- "Glycerine"
- "Machinehead"
- "Swallowed"
- "Greedy Fly"
- "Mouth (remix)"
- "Bonedriven"
- "Cold Contagious"
- "Personal Holloway"
- "Comedown"
- "The Chemicals Between Us"
- "Warm Machine"
- "Letting The Cables Sleep"
- "The People That We Love"
- "Inflatable"
[edit] Equipment
Gavin Rossdale:
Guitars: From '94 to '96 Gavin used various original american Fender Jazzmasters modified with seymour duncan alnico pro II humbuckers. From that point forward he used various american Fender Stratocasters with seymour duncan hot rail pickups with maple fretboards. In studio, he used his Jazzmasters very often and even had a white Custom Shop Fender Jazzmaster that featured a maple fretboard, three single coil pickups and a Bigsby style tremolo and bridge system and gold hardware. Used Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings.
He can be seen using a Fender Jaguar in the "Glycerine" video, a Fender Mustang in the "Comedown" video and Fender Jazzmasters in "Everything Zen", "Little Things", "Machinehead", "Swallowed" and "Warm Machine". Used Fender Stratocasters in "Personal Holloway", "The Chemicals Between Us" and "The People That We Love".
Amps / Effects: Has been seen using Marshall JCM series amps very early on, but then was strictly using Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifers and Trem-O-Verbs with Mesa Boogie cabinets. Also seen using Fender Twin amps. In studio he used a various distortion pedals such as the Bixonic Expandora, MXR Double Shot Distortion, Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff.
Nigel Pulsford:
He played a variety of 80's Fender Stratocasters as well as a few Gibson Les Pauls. Often seen using a purple speckle Fender Stratocaster made for Gavin that was eventually given to him. Also, used a worn yellow Gibson Les Paul Jr. Also, use the Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion. Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings.
Robin Goodridge:
Was endorsed by DW drum company while playing with Bush. Also used Zildjian Cymbals.
Dave Parsons :
played Fender Percission basses, Ernie Ball Musicman Basses and strings and Ampeg bass amps.
[edit] In Pop Culture
- "Adrenaline" was used in the 2002 action movie xXx starring Vin Diesel
- "Machinehead" and "Comedown", both from the album Sixteen Stone, were included in the 1996 movie Fear, starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg.
- "Solutions" from the album "Golden State" was included in the soundtrack for the movie "Swimfan".
- "The People That We Love" from the album Golden State was included in a Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 soundtrack.
- Apocalyptica has covered "Letting The Cables Sleep". The N.O.W. remix of the track also appeared on Cafe del Mar Volume 7.
- "Out of This World" from the album Golden State was used in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in the episode 'Dead Things'.
- "Letting the Cables Sleep", from the album The Science of Things, was used in the 6th season ER episode 'Such Sweet Sorrow', marking the final appearances of George Clooney and Julianna Margulies. It was also used in the episode Astral Monkey from Charmed
- "Machinehead", "Glycerine" and "Greedy Fly" were used in Cold Case.
- "Mouth" was used in the 1997 film An American Werewolf in Paris.
- The opening guitar riff to "Little Things" was used as arena music in the computer version of NHL'96.
- Glycerine was parodied in The Simpsons in the episode That 90's Show with the song Margerine (sung by Homer Simpson about Marge Simpson).
[edit] External links
- Kirtland Records' Zen X Four website and eCard
- 'OneSecondBush' fansite
- All Music Guide entry for Bush
- MTV biography of Bush
- Gavin Rossdale 2008 interview
|
|||||||||||
