Bush

The lowdown: Following the resolution of their dispute with record label Trauma, Britain's biggest rock band return with the follow-up to the multi-million-selling "Razorblade Suitcase" album. Having demoed 15 tracks in Ireland last spring, Gavin Rossdale promised that Bush's new album would be "wicked". After roadtesting their new material at various festival appearances from Glastonbury to Woodstock, the West London quartet are apparently itching to return to the fray following the longest layoff in their career. "You'll be sick of us by the time the millennium rolls around," promises Rossdale.

In their own words...

Kerrang!: When did you start making "The science of things"?
Dave Parsons (bass): "We started rehersing the songs this time last year, but Gavin actually finished demoing the songs in April '98. We began recording in the autumn using three London studios: Westside, Mayfair and Air."

Kerrang!: What was the vibe like in the studio?
Dave: "Really good. We'd work for a few weeks and then stop and listen, so we had a better perspective of what we were doing. Some songs changed completely from the original demo but others stayed pretty true to Gavin's original idea. Gwen (Stefani, No Doubt vocalist and Rossdale's "main squeeze") did a few backing vocals when she was in town. And I enjoyed the 900 games of table football I had with Nigel (Pulsford, Bush guitarist) - particulary as he didn't win a single one!"

Kerrang!: What does "The science of things" sound like?
Dave: "It still sounds like Bush, but it's a bit fuller and more modern. We learned from "Deconstructed" how to use samples alongside real drums and guitars; we tried to incorporate that more modern feel, but when you're recording with two guitars, bass and drums, the character of the band will always shine trough."

Kerrang!: What song titles can you give us from the new album?
Dave: "There's "Prizefighter", "The disease of the dancing cats", "The chemicals between us", "Warm machine", "Jesus online", "40 miles from the sun", "Dead meat", "Space travel" and "English fire" - that's not holding much back. We've played all of them live at some point during the last month and they've been taking on a new life."

Kerrang!: Was it annoying not being able to get your album out on time following your dispute with Trauma?
Dave: "Yeah, it's frustrating, because if you miss one deadline you have to sit on the album until the next "proper" time. People are always falling out with their record companies. We've kissed and made up, although there were no tounges involved."

Kerrang!: What are Bush's plans once "The science of things" has been released?
Dave: "We haven't decided on our touring plans yet because there's equal demand to see us in America and Europe, so we are working out the best way to do it. But we really want to get out and play again. We've been sitting on the album for a bit too long, and our recent gigs were a great reminder of why you're in a band in the first place."