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Institute • Singer
and guitarist Gavin Rossdale woos an
excited fan during a concert with his
former band Bush. Rock Wercther 2002
New
musical outlet for former Bush frontman
By
Lesley Nickus
Summer Forty-Niner
Diversions Editor
Many people have heard of Gavin Rossdale. His distinct voice graced the albums
of Bush from the early ’90s until 2002, when the band members decided
to go their separate ways.
Since then, Rossdale has married Gwen Stefani and started a new band: Institute.
With so much going on in his life over the past couple of years, it leaves
one wondering how he has the energy to put out a new album.
Rossdale says music has always been a passion of his.
“I’ve dedicated my life to [music],” he said. “It’s
pretty far-fetched to just try and have a career in music. It seems like a really
bad idea, but I was so passionate about it and decided to do it and I’ve
been lucky enough.”
Luck may have had a hand in his success but Rossdale is also a dedicated musician,
which is why he decided to move forward with Institute’s debut album, “Distort
Yourself.”
“I always knew I would be making music. As a songwriter, if I write songs,
I feel like I’m working,” he said.
The four members of Institute include Rossdale on vocals and guitar, Chris
Traynor on guitar, Cache Tolman on bass and Charlie Walker on drums. Traynor
had played guitar with Bush for a brief period then introduced the others.
Speaking of the other band members, Rossdale said, “I was friends with
Chris, who played in Bush and he introduced me to Chache [Tolman] and Charlie
[Walker]. I knew them socially before [anything else].”
The sound of “Distort Yourself” is similar to Bush’s music
in some respects, but it is also very different.
Rock music has a common element that ties bands together on a superficial level,
giving the genre a somewhat uniform sound, but Rossdale explained Institute
is harder rock than Bush.
“I think it’s a bit more forceful, a bit more muscular. Bush had
a bit more dreamy side. I hope [listeners] are gonna enjoy it.”
The first single from the album, “Bullet Proof Skin,” was released
earlier in July for online purchase and was featured in the recently released
film, “Stealth.” “Distort Yourself” will be released
Sept. 13. Until then, Institute will be touring the U.S. throughout the month
of August to promote their album.
They will be playing at Los Angeles’ Roxy Theatre Aug. 12. Tickets can
be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com and more information about tour
locations outside Los Angeles can be found at www.institutemusic.com. |
