Bush, one came out alive from the 90s (and from Britpop)

In the 90s in England there was not only the Brith, but also a band that looked at the American rock: “Sixteen Stone” of the Bush arrived in Top 5 in the United States, ending up selling several million copies. Gavin Rossdale became a rock star, as much as I Liam, Noel, Richard, Damon – but much more famous abroad than at home. After the dissolution in the first 2000, they have gathered for about ten years: certainly their return has never had the echo of other reunions. “Beat Lonelyss”, tenth studio album: a job that confirms the identity of the Bush, thirty years after his debut with “Sixteen Stone” has recently come out. How do you survive such a success?
We asked Gavin Rossdale directly: who are the Bush today?

Let’s start from the present: “Beat Lonelyss” is your tenth album. What does it mean for you “to defeat loneliness”?

It is a beautiful paradox. Full of hope and good intentions. The disc and the first single “60 Ways to Forget People”,
They are very autobiographical. Strangely, the more I could dig into staff, the more universal became.

The album is produced together with Erik Ron. What kind of sound did you want to get? And how much do today’s bush still recognize themselves in the rock sound of the 90s that made them famous?

I have always been very involved in production – sometimes my name appears, sometimes not – but if you write the songs, you usually have a clear idea of how they should play. However, with the band there is always room for changing and experimenting. My voice keeps the sound coherent, for the rest the music has evolved through different tuning and more sound experiments, creating worlds in which I can write my songs.

The songs speak of mental health, resilience, emotional wounds.

It is a direct reference to what I have in mind. I would say that there has always been a certain darkness: this record focuses on what you feel inside. I wanted people to listen to my difficulties, so that they can see that suffering and alienation are universal. This world is designed to make us seem all connected and successful, but there are many people who suffer. I wanted this disc inspired and raised, showing that we are not alone.

After almost thirty years of music, what still pushes you to write new songs?

Music is infinite – just look at David Bowie or Mozart. There is always room to improve and for a little magic.

In the 90s, they were perceived as “the English grunge response”, while BritPop dominated the homeland. Did you bother you? Was this or just a media story?

Well, it was true. While the Britpop bands were on everyone’s mouth and exalted everywhere, I chose guitars.
I love feedback and performers who launch on stage. Britpop was another beast: some big bands, of course, but they were not my source of inspiration.

Rethinking in the 90s, what are the strongest – musical or personal memories? And how do you live the sudden success of “Sixteen Stone” today?

This question deserves an interview to itself. It was a monumental decade. My life has changed enormously, to never return the same again. I found my career, and the rock was the king. I had struggled so much – it was incredible to meet on board a rocket. “Sixteen Stone” was a gift of life for us. We worked as much as we were lucky. There were radio, MTV, all tours. We were really lucky with the strength of that trio.
I am very proud of how we sailed that wild ground.

After years with the Bush, you also had a solo phase. What did that experience leave you? And what impact did you have on your way of writing today?

The singers of the big bands should never go alone. Nobody wants them. I was successful with my solo album, but my heart belongs to the bush. Always been like this, it will always be. Ironically, my solo album was the most collaborative and less “solo” I have ever done. I love that album – “This is the skin I’m in” was one of my favorites.

In 2022 you had to play in Italy, but the dates were not held, with a sort of mystery around the cancellation. What happened? Can we hope to see you live early?

Yes, we are making sure to play in Italy on this autumn tour. We are entering a date in Milan.
I don’t know what happened before … it’s a crazy business. But being on stage is gorgeous: we have so many records and songs to choose from. I still don’t know what we will play in the autumn when we go on tour in Europe – I need people to listen to the new album, so it will help us choose. Beyond that, you can expect the enthusiasm for which I would like to be known.