Bush’s Gavin Rossdale on new 2011 album, The Sea Of Memories
Throughout much of the ’90s, the sound of Bush ruled the airwaves. Fronted by singer/rhythm guitarist Gavin Rossdale, the alt-rockers scored massive hits such as Everything Zen, Glycerine, Comedown and Machinehead.
It might have seemed like the multi-platinum ride would last forever, but following the 2001 release of the band’s fourth album, Golden State, Bush began to fall apart: lead guitarist Nigel Pulsford split (Helmet guitarist Chris Traynor filled in for a tour), and a year later, Rossdale pulled the plug on the group.
Rossdale and Traynor continued to work together, first in a band called Institute and later on Rossdale’s 2008 solo album. Eventually, the time to ressurect Bush felt right. Pulsford and bassist Dave Parsons opted out, but Rossdale assembled a new lineup with Traynor, original drummer Robin Goodridge and new bassist Corey Britz.
On 13 September, the group will issue the Bob Rock-produced The Sea Of Memories. Bursting with gnashing guitars, booming vocals and ironclad hooks, it’s nothing short of a triumph for a band that many had written off as dead and buried.
MusicRadar sat down with Gavin Rossdale recently to discuss the new album, his relationship with Chris Traynor, working with Bob Rock and why he and his famous wife, No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani, keep their musical careers separate.
Chris Traynor and you have collaborated for 10 years now. What is it about his playing that you like so much?
“I found a great foil in Chris. Nigel was a good foil, too, but with Chris it’s different. Personally, we get on very well. We’re like brothers, really; we’re super-tight. And then, yes, there’s his guitar playing, which is very unique, sort of angular – kind of an East Coast feel. With everything we’ve done, he brings an aesthetic that works beautifully.
“Chris is very dedicated in ways that I’m not. He pays attention to timing and tuning, whereas I’m just like, ‘Does it sound OK? Yes. Cool!’ [laughs] With Chris, the new songs sound great, the old stuff sounds great – no complaints.
“The best thing about the band now is that we’re all really good friends. I really like Chris, I really like Robin, I really like Corey – we get along. For us to avoid being a nostalgia act, the music has to be great, the new album has to be great, and we all have to play well together. Which means we have to get on as people, and we do. We’re very connected. Our goals are the same.”