Face Of Cheam

Gavin Rossdale. Once lead singer of the biggest band in the USA, Bush. Even admired by Buffy in Season Two of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Now he is better known as the biological father of London socialite Daisy Lowe and the husband of Gweb Stefani. However, even I was surprised to see him play a venue this small, that there seems to be no promotion towards his first solo album, Wanderlust, released the week of the gig. At £12.50 this was a bargain. No support, doors at 8.30, he came on just after nine and did a set that was a good mix of Bush stuff and his new songs. But the Bush stuff he played was basically their big hits. He opened with Machinehead and did not miss anything obvious. His version if Swallowed was put nicely half way through and was fantastic. This music was filling arenas in the states ten years ago and Academy sized venues over here. Its fair to say that his new album is a bit over-produced, polished off by American producer Bob Rock, but live the new songs lost that giving them a harder edge.
Thought there might be a few celebs hanging around given his allegiance with the Primrose Hill sect, but the only person I thought I saw was Keith Allen propping up the bar. Still worth the admittance alone for the songs none the less.

Machinehead / Frontline / Can’t Stop The World / Zen / The Trouble I’m In / This Is Happiness / If You’re Not With Us / Love Remains The Same / Swallowed / Chemicals ///// Animals / Glycerine / Forever May You Run / Comedown