In a way, the success of Bush’s new album and tour is something akin to an “I told you so,” moment for frontman and founder Gavin Rossdale. After years of dwelling in something akin to musical obscurity listening to those that said he should only record under his own name, Rossdale broke away from his record label, reformed Bush and recorded his songs as he knew they should sound. The result is “Sea of Memories” a hard-driving rock album that is reminiscent of Bush’s landmark recordings but advances it in just the right sonic ways.
“Oh that is so nice to hear,” Rossdale said sincerely from the Los Angeles home he shares with his wife, Gwen Stefani, and their two young songs when complimented on the new sound. “No one has really heard it so that means a lot. We have been really working not to leak stuff. It’s a lot easier when you have your own label, when you’re not working with a lumbering dinosaur.”
| Onstage |
| Bush |
| When: 7 p.m. Monday |
| Where: The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring |
| Details: The show was sold out at press time; 301-960-9999, filmoresilverspring.com (club); 202-397-SEAT, ticketmaster.com |
The British-born Bush debuted in 1994 with the album “Sixteen Stone” and went on to make some of the most successful rock in that decade despite critics’ harsh reviews. Rossdale isn’t shy about noting how devastating such reviews were and how he felt such a huge disconnect between those and fan reaction.
After Bush disbanded, Rossdale went to Interscope where he was treated with something akin to tolerance but never fully accepted or understood.
“I think it’s just the culture of a large label,” he said. “It was like eating soup with a sieve.”
Rossdale took stock and recruited former band mates including guitarist Chris Traynor and bassist Corey Britz to reform the band. When Interscope wasn’t interested in recording the songs under the Bush moniker, Rossdale left.
“When making music, you have a choice to repeat what you’ve done or move on,” said Rossdale. “It would’ve been safe to just rework “Sixteen Stone” over and over, but what kind of life would that be? When you’re driving down the road, you’re focused on what’s in front of you; you don’t really think to keep checking in your rearview mirror. I like the idea of art changing, developing and morphing.”
