Sunday, March 16, 2008

Bush used to be a band


The other day my co-worker bought some Red Stripe for a St. Patrick's Day party she was planning to attend on Saturday. I asked about Red Stripe being Irish and she said it's Jamaican. I said that one of my favorite groups named Bush had a line out of a song that was "Red Stripe & vicodin" and I'd always wondered what Red Stripe was. My pop culture sadness is that when I mentioned Bush she looked at me all blankly and I could tell she was wondering why I liked a band named after our president. Now she grew up in Seattle, and was down w/ the music scene back in the day. She is 5 years younger than me but still! How did Bush go from being a major 90s band to lead singer Gavin Rossdale becoming known as Mr. Gwen Stefani? With all that talent, and those great songs, it just doesn't seem right. I mean, they made it commercially. I saw them in two sold out concerts - one in Missoula and one in Seattle. Even now when they want to allude to the mid-90s the show Cold Case plays their songs - a lot. My theory is the fanbase just got too old and since the band broke up @ the height of its fame, today's tastemakers just don't remember them. I think if Pearl Jam, Chris Cornell and others weren't still creating new music all of the grunge scene would be "dead". Nirvana is still known because Kurt Cobain really is dead. It's still great music. I'm sad. Your thoughts? Also who, if anyone, even comes close to that type of music these days? And don't even say Daughtry. They are fine, but they are no Bush, Pearl Jam or Soundgarden.

7 comments:

Brothers McB said...

Hey if you want to find music similar to something you like, check out www.pandora.com. They will create a radio station for you based on a specific song or artist. They refer to it as the music genome project, which is pretty clever.

Anonymous said...

sigh

Tammee :)

Anonymous said...

I'll take a Red Stripe and Vicodin, plz.

Yeah, I was a Bush fan too. Gavin's new solo album should be out soon, if it's not out already.

If I come across it, I'll make u a copy.

raych said...

I referenced 'Everything Zen' to my sister - my SISTER - the other day, who is only 3 years younger than me and who is also pretty rad, and she just stared at me blankly. I had to remind her it was a Bush song, and then she was all, Oh yeah, and Gavin Rosedale, or whatever, he was hot, right?

Yes, younger generation. Gavin 'Rosedale' was hot. And when he rose, it was like strawberry fields. Don't let the days go by, friends.

They just don't make music like they used to. *clacks false teeth*

Anonymous said...

Interesting to know.

buckycatt said...

Astonishing update on this post - Over two years years later Bush is coming out with a new album. The first single "Afterlife" is available and is pleasantly as good as any of their past work. The album entitled "Everything Always Now" is scheduled to be released "this fall". I hope it happens. Would be awesome if they toured and came to Missoula again.

Unknown said...

Yep all of old 40 somethings had quite a few good bands to listen too. There is good material now though, Chevelle, Kings of Leon, Blue October to name a few not the same as Bush or Soundgarden but not bad.