Nigel Pulsford

Nigel Pulsford (born 11 April 1963) is a British guitarist, best known as the original lead guitarist of the alternative rock band Bush.^[1]

Early life

Pulsford was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, and grew up with two sisters, Angela and Jan. (He would later play violin on certain Bush songs, as well as on one of Cyndi Lauper's albums.)

Pulsford attended the University of Bradford in Bradford, West Yorkshire before dropping out with the intent of playing in a rock band.

Bush

In 1992, Pulsford met Gavin Rossdale in a London club and they discovered a mutual appreciation for several musical groups and artists. They formed a band called Future Primitive and were joined by bassist Dave Parsons and drummer Robin Goodridge. Shortly thereafter the band was renamed Bush after Shepherd's Bush, London. Pulsford was the band's lead guitarist.

Bush released their debut album, Sixteen Stone, in 1994. The album went six times platinum, riding the strength of the grunge movement and such hit singles as "Comedown," "Glycerine," "Machinehead," "Little Things," and "Everything Zen." They achieved further success with three more albums and hit singles such as "Swallowed," "Greedy Fly," "The Chemicals Between Us," "Letting the Cables Sleep," and "The People That We Love."

Pulsford released a solo album in 1999 entitled Heavenly Toast on the Paradise Road. All material on the album was written by Pulsford.

In 2002, after the release of the album Golden State, Pulsford took a break from touring with the band while his wife was pregnant. He was replaced by Chris Traynor temporarily and his future in the band became the subject of much speculation among fans. Rossdale later confirmed that he intended to make the next Bush album with Traynor and said that Pulsford had quit the band.^[2] However, Pulsford later responded that he had not quit but in fact Rossdale had sent him an e-mail telling him he did not want the lead guitarist to return. Pulsford admitted that he had been considering quitting the band for some time but felt let down by everybody in the band.^[3]

Despite Rossdale affirming that he wanted to continue Bush with Traynor, the band went on an indefinite hiatus following the end of the "Golden State" tour. Rossdale later formed Institute with Traynor. Backtracking on his previous assertion that Bush could continue without Pulsford, Rossdale stated that he started a new band because he didn’t want to dilute everything Bush had accomplished by changing members.^[4]

After Bush

Since the breakup of Bush, Pulsford has spent time with his family. However, he has remained musically active recording in his home studio and producing other artists' work. In 2008 he was working with British alternative rock group Furlined as a producer and occasional guitarist.^[5] Pulsford also worked with singer Emma Holland on her second album. In addition to working with other artists, Pulsford has expressed his intent to release another solo album.^[6] In 2012 he produced the debut album by London singer/songwriter Dave Giles who has been quietly building a big national fan base over the last two years. The record, entitled "Love, Life, Loss And Tea" was released on 28 October 2012.

Bush Reformation

In June 2010 Bush's return was announced and Chris Traynor, who had played with Gavin Rossdale since Bush ended, was installed as the band's new lead guitarist. Pulsford was joined by bassist Dave Parsons in turning down the opportunity to rejoin the band. Rossdale stated that Pulsford did not rejoin the band because he was happy with his family.

Personal life

Nigel Pulsford married his wife Judith Rose on 20 July 1996. He has three children: Olivia, born 1999, Oscar, born 2002 and Felix, born 2007. They currently live in Somerset.

References

External links

• Bush Fansite