Gavin Rossdale: New beginning

an article By S. INDRAMALAR on star-ecentral.com

New beginning
IF you are not a fan of grunge, you probably would not have heard of 1990s British band Bush. And if you have not heard of the band, you probably would have no idea that Gavin Rossdale had quite a successful music career before becoming Mr Gwen Stefani (as cruel critics have dubbed him).

Popular in the early 1990s as a post-grunge (music that had all the angst of grunge but was more commercial) band, Bush sold more than 10 million records in the United States alone, where it enjoyed more pularity than back home in England.
Gavin Rossdale has come up with his debut solo album, Wanderlust.

In its 10-year run, the band released four albums – Sixteen Stone (1994), Razorblade Suitcase (1996), The Science of Things (1999) and Golden State (2001) before splitting up in 2002 when they were no longer able to reach commercial success.

It’s been six years now and Rossdale (who was the lead guitarist and singer of Bush) has now released his debut solo album, Wanderlust, which has none of the torment that was apparent with Bush.

Nope, it’s as mellow as aged wine.

“Absolutely,” says Rossdale, in a telephone interview from his home in Los Angeles last week.

“I think the record is energetic but at the same time it has a mellow side to it that just happened to come out. I wrote about 35 songs and when I was going through the list, selecting songs for this album, it just happened to come out that way. In a way, it’s good … I have gotten the mellow out and my next album won’t have to be mellow any more.”

The first single from the album, Love Remains the Same, is a melodic ballad that has all the ingredients of a chart topper.

“Yeah, I was quite surprised that the label chose that song … a ballad … as the first single. But the record guys … they told me I did not know anything and chose the single! It’s all good fun,” says the 40-year-old laughing.

Rossdale worked with Metallica producer Bob Rock on the album.

Wanderlust, he says, describes his restless yearning to go on the road and perform once again.

“The album is about where I am right now. It’s about my desire to get out there and play shows and travel the world. I am really looking forward to going on tour … I have missed performing and touring a lot. I love the studio but I miss the whole idea of doing a show. It’s a beautiful thing,” shares Rossdale, adding that he hopes to make Malaysia one of his stops.

“My stepmother is from Malaysia, you know? I have been there a couple of times and, yeah, I like it there.”

Still, six years is a long time to go under the radar. Yes, Rossdale did form an alternative rock group, Institute, with Chris Traynor (who played guitar on Bush’s last tour) in 2004 but the effort was largely unsuccessful.

Although he argues that he has never stopped working in all that time (“I write songs and make music constantly”), Rossdale admits that he has been holding out in the hope of a Bush reunion.

“I was waiting around for Bush to happen (again) because I really love the band. But it just hasn’t happened. It’s out of my control. Three of us are ready to get back together and one of us isn’t … what can you do?” laments Rossdale. The rocker admits too being too sentimental and nostalgic and “always the last person to let anything go”.

A self-confessed “band person”, Rossdale says that coming up with his solo album seemed natural … at first.

“It is only now, in interviews, when people ask me if I am anxious about the album, that I am beginning to think about it. I am a little bit nervous but I don’t obsess about the reaction the album is going to get. A bit of mystery is always good, right?

“There will always be good reviews and bad reviews but so far the initial reaction has been good and I am getting good air play which is always good. But I really enjoyed making the album and I am enjoying myself now,” says Rossdale adding that his favourite track on the album is Future World, which, he says, encapsulates what Wanderlust is about.

His biggest fan at the moment is his two-year-old son Kingston.

“He loves the album!” he says, quite proudly.

Rossdale and wife, singer Gwen Stefani, are expecting their second child this August.

“Any tour will have to wait till after (the birth). I would not miss it for the world. I’ll be right there recording it,” gushes Rossdale.

And speaking of his wife and recording, is there a husband-wife collaboration in sight?

“No, not really. I like to keep the professional and private separate. It really would not be good if she does not like a verse I have written or if I don’t like a verse of hers … no, that would not work at all,” he laughs.

With a new baby on the way and a tour that’s looming ahead, Rossdale has no intention of resting easy.

“I like to do everything really fast, you know. I run between places and I am absolutely thinking of my next record already. The whole world is chaos and I think I work well in chaos.”