Nigel Pulsford
Encyclopedia
Nigel Pulsford is a British
guitarist
, best known as the original lead guitarist of the alternative rock
band
Bush
.
's albums.)
Pulsford attended the University of Bradford
in Bradford, West Yorkshire before dropping out with the intent of playing in a rock band. Some of the earlier bands that Pulsford played with include Michael Byrd and the Commercials, Taming the Outback, F1 Electric, and The Charms. None of these bands worked out, although he wrote music for the first time while playing with the short-lived Charms, who only played one gig before splitting.
Eventually Pulsford formed the band King Blank, which eventually got signed to the Beggar's Banquet/Situation Two label. The band also featured Ian Lowery (who later joined The Screaming Blue Messiahs
). The band released two albums without much success, and as a result Pulsford quit.
in a London club and they discovered a mutual apprection for several musical groups and artists. They formed a band called Future Primitive and were joined by bassist Dave Parsons and drummer Robin Goodridge
. Shortly thereafter the band was renamed Bush after Shepherd's Bush, London. Pulsford was the band's lead guitarist.
Bush released their debut album, Sixteen Stone
, in 1994. The album went six times platinum, riding the strength of the grunge
movement and such hit singles as "Comedown
," "Glycerine
," "Machinehead
," "Little Things
," and "Everything Zen
." They achieved further success with three more albums and hit singles such as "Swallowed
," "Greedy Fly
," "The Chemicals Between Us
," "Letting the Cables Sleep," and "The People That We Love."
While still with Bush, Pulsford released a solo album in 1999 entitled Heavenly Toast on the Paradise Road, named for the street on which he once lived. All material on the album was written by Pulsford. A jazz feel not present in Bush's music was prominent on this album, just as it was with his previous band, King Blank.
In 2002, after the release of the album Golden State
, Pulsford took a break from touring with the band while his wife was pregnant. He was replaced by Chris Traynor
temporarily and his future in the band became the subject of much speculation among fans. Rossdale later confirmed that he intended to make the next Bush album with Traynor and said that Pulsford had quit the band. However, Pulsford later responded that he had not quit but in fact Rossdale had sent him an e-mail telling him he did not want the lead guitarist to return. Pulsford admitted that he had been considering quiting the band for some time but felt let down by everybody in the band.
Despite Rossdale affirming that he wanted to continue Bush with Traynor, the band went on an indefinite hiatus following the end of the "Golden State" tour. Rossdale later formed Institute
with Traynor. Backtracking on his previous assertion that Bush could continue without Pulsford, Rossdale stated that he started a new band because he didn’t want to dilute everything Bush had accomplished by changing members.
other artists' work. In 2003 he made an album with a friend which he titled "Book Club", however this was never released officially. In 2008 he was working with British alternative rock group Furlined as a producer and occasional guitarist. Pulsford also worked with singer Emma Holland on her second album. In addition to working with other artists, Pulsford has expressed his intent to release another solo album.
In June 2010 Bush's return was announced and Chris Traynor, who had played with Gavin Rossdale since Bush ended, was installed as the band's new lead guitarist. Pulsord was joined by bassist Dave Parsons
in turning down the opportunity to rejoin the band. Rossdale stated that Pulsford didn't rejoin the band because he was happy with his family.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, best known as the original lead guitarist of the alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
Bush
Bush (band)
Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big...
.
Early life
Pulsford grew up one of three children. He first started playing music when he began taking violin lessons when he was 10, due to parental pressure. (He would later play violin on certain Bush songs, as well as on one of Cyndi LauperCyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
's albums.)
Pulsford attended the University of Bradford
University of Bradford
The University of Bradford is a British university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The University received its Royal Charter in 1966, making it the 40th University to be created in Britain, but its origins date back to the early 1800s...
in Bradford, West Yorkshire before dropping out with the intent of playing in a rock band. Some of the earlier bands that Pulsford played with include Michael Byrd and the Commercials, Taming the Outback, F1 Electric, and The Charms. None of these bands worked out, although he wrote music for the first time while playing with the short-lived Charms, who only played one gig before splitting.
Eventually Pulsford formed the band King Blank, which eventually got signed to the Beggar's Banquet/Situation Two label. The band also featured Ian Lowery (who later joined The Screaming Blue Messiahs
The Screaming Blue Messiahs
The Screaming Blue Messiahs were a rock band, formed in 1983 in London by Bill Carter , Chris Thompson and Kenny Harris in the wake of the pub rock and punk scenes that had been so predominant on the UK capital's live music circuit during the late '70s/ early '80s...
). The band released two albums without much success, and as a result Pulsford quit.
Bush
In 1992, Pulsford met Gavin RossdaleGavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
in a London club and they discovered a mutual apprection for several musical groups and artists. They formed a band called Future Primitive and were joined by bassist Dave Parsons and drummer Robin Goodridge
Robin Goodridge
Robin Goodridge is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the rock band Bush.-Biography:...
. Shortly thereafter the band was renamed Bush after Shepherd's Bush, London. Pulsford was the band's lead guitarist.
Bush released their debut album, Sixteen Stone
Sixteen Stone
Sixteen Stone is the debut album of British rock band Bush. Released in 1994 through Trauma Records, it boasted numerous successful singles and is widely regarded as the band's most popular album.-Title:...
, in 1994. The album went six times platinum, riding the strength of the grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
movement and such hit singles as "Comedown
Comedown (song)
"Comedown" is a single by British rock band Bush from their first album Sixteen Stone. It was released as the third single from the album in 1995.-Music video:The music video was directed by Jake Scott from the 19th to 21 June 1995 in Los Angeles...
," "Glycerine
Glycerine (song)
"Glycerine" is the fourth single from British grunge/alternative rock band Bush's debut album Sixteen Stone. The song is notable for not featuring any drums, but instead features cellos .-Music video:The music video for "Glycerine" was notable for being shot in a very short time period when the band...
," "Machinehead
Machinehead (song)
"Machinehead" is a hit single from rock band Bush, released in 1996 from their debut album Sixteen Stone.-Music video:The music video was directed by Shawn Mortensen on November 21, 1995 in London and Portmouth. If you watch closely you can see sections of Shepherd's Bush, were the band members...
," "Little Things
Little Things (Bush song)
"Little Things" is a song from rock band Bush released from their successful 1994 album, Sixteen Stone. Although it was a big hit, it did not reach the heights of "Glycerine," "Comedown," or "Swallowed."-Plagiarism:...
," and "Everything Zen
Everything Zen
"Everything Zen" is the debut single released by British alternative rock band Bush in early 1995 from their debut album Sixteen Stone.-Music video:...
." They achieved further success with three more albums and hit singles such as "Swallowed
Swallowed (song)
Swallowed is a song by British post-grunge band Bush. It was included on the 1996 album Razorblade Suitcase, which topped the Billboard 200 chart...
," "Greedy Fly
Greedy Fly
"Greedy Fly" is a song by alternative rock band Bush from their 1996 album Razorblade Suitcase.-Music video:Bush were one of the early pioneers of the enhanced CD single, with the full video being available as a file on CD 2. The video was directed by Mark Nispel in December of 1996 in Los Angelas...
," "The Chemicals Between Us
The Chemicals Between Us
"The Chemicals Between Us" is a song by alternative band Bush from their third album The Science of Things.-Lyrics and style:Gavin Rossdale stated that the song was about:"It’s all about the differences and distances between people"...
," "Letting the Cables Sleep," and "The People That We Love."
While still with Bush, Pulsford released a solo album in 1999 entitled Heavenly Toast on the Paradise Road, named for the street on which he once lived. All material on the album was written by Pulsford. A jazz feel not present in Bush's music was prominent on this album, just as it was with his previous band, King Blank.
In 2002, after the release of the album Golden State
Golden State (album)
Golden State is the fourth studio album by British post-grunge band Bush, released in 2001. Stylistically, it was seen as a return to the post-grunge that Bush became famous for in contrast to their more recent experimental work. However, it ended up being their worst-selling album to date, not...
, Pulsford took a break from touring with the band while his wife was pregnant. He was replaced by Chris Traynor
Chris Traynor
Chris Traynor is an American guitarist, bassist and studio musician. He has played with Orange 9mm, Helmet, Bush, Rival Schools and Gavin Rossdale....
temporarily and his future in the band became the subject of much speculation among fans. Rossdale later confirmed that he intended to make the next Bush album with Traynor and said that Pulsford had quit the band. However, Pulsford later responded that he had not quit but in fact Rossdale had sent him an e-mail telling him he did not want the lead guitarist to return. Pulsford admitted that he had been considering quiting the band for some time but felt let down by everybody in the band.
Despite Rossdale affirming that he wanted to continue Bush with Traynor, the band went on an indefinite hiatus following the end of the "Golden State" tour. Rossdale later formed Institute
Institute (band)
Institute was an alternative rock band featuring Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. The band's only album, Distort Yourself, was released September 13, 2005.-History:...
with Traynor. Backtracking on his previous assertion that Bush could continue without Pulsford, Rossdale stated that he started a new band because he didn’t want to dilute everything Bush had accomplished by changing members.
After Bush
Since the break up of Bush Pulsford has spent time with his family. However, he has remained musically active recording in his home studio and producingRecord producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
other artists' work. In 2003 he made an album with a friend which he titled "Book Club", however this was never released officially. In 2008 he was working with British alternative rock group Furlined as a producer and occasional guitarist. Pulsford also worked with singer Emma Holland on her second album. In addition to working with other artists, Pulsford has expressed his intent to release another solo album.
Bush Reformation
Three months before Bush's reformation was announced, Pulsford hinted in an interview that he had turned down the opportunity to reunite with his former band and make an album. Pulsford implied that he didn't feel a new album would stay true to the sound and style he felt was synonymous with the band's previous output. He described Bush in its 'prime' as an "edgy, searching band trying to push ourselves in a more left of centre position".In June 2010 Bush's return was announced and Chris Traynor, who had played with Gavin Rossdale since Bush ended, was installed as the band's new lead guitarist. Pulsord was joined by bassist Dave Parsons
Dave Parsons
Dave Parsons is a British bass guitarist, most notable as a member of The Partisans, Bush and Transvision Vamp.-With Transvision Vamp:*Pop Art *Velveteen...
in turning down the opportunity to rejoin the band. Rossdale stated that Pulsford didn't rejoin the band because he was happy with his family.