A Look At: Institute*

HelloAngel · 01-09-2006, 11:03 AM

<img src=http://u2.interference.com/gallery/data//585/11265institute-sml.jpg> 
By Caroline Eaton 
2006.01 
 
 
Since 2001's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005OWIT/intercomu2-20" target="_blank">"Golden State,"</a> Gavin Rossdale, former lead singer of '90s alt-rock group Bush, has largely devoted himself to small parts in independent movies, red carpet strolls with his wife, Gwen Stefani, and subsequent tabloid appearances. But that's quickly changing. 
 
In 2004, Rossdale co-founded Institute with Chris Traynor (a former touring guitarist with Bush and a member of Helmet) and bassist Cache Tolman (formerly of Rival Schools). Drummer Josh Freese was featured on the recording of the band's first album, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000ALM4EY/intercomu2-20" target="_blank">"Distort Yourself"</a> but Charlie Walker (who has worked with local New York bands Split Lip and Chamerlain) has since taken over behind the kit. 
 
Perhaps the most difficult thing when approaching Institute are the inevitable comparisons to Bush. Institute is wound so tightly within the trappings of Bush that, although they are entirely different bands, it becomes difficult not to compare them. And unfortunately, Institute seems to fare the worst simply because of its youth. 
 
Signed to Interscope Records, which had released Bush's first three albums, Institute worked with Helmet frontman Page Hamilton to hone its sound. "Distort Yourself" was released on Sept. 13, 2005. Statistically, it's done decently for a debut album, though sales have fallen considerably below the standards set by Bush. The album debuted at No. 81 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts and peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and No. 29 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. 
 
<img src="http://u2.interference.com/gallery/data//585/11265institute.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> 
 
The music itself is evocative of a hardened, tougher Bush and Institute seems willing to exploit the connections. In concert it has performed several Bush songs, including "Glycerine," "Machinehead" and "The People That We Love." 
 
From the outset, Rossdale seems to have been aware of what Institute was up against. As the former frontman of an internationally successful band, he was ambivalent about the prospect of starting at square one, especially as an opening act. "Sometimes I think that the best way to build up a fanbase for Institute is to do what Bush did: just tour our asses off," the 38-year-old singer admitted to MTV News. "But then I don't think that we'd want to open for a lot of acts today ? [i] think that the idea of us opening for someone like My Chemical Romance?who I actually like very much?would obviously be kind of sad." 
 
"You just get the sense that people are waiting to jump or to bail, they don't know what to do with it," he confided to ABC News. "It's a weird one, and just finding the right track for people to connect with. I see people come to see me and they know me ? but how to get people to get the record? It's a little bit frustrating." 
 
In 2001, Bush's "Golden State" shifted 55,000 units in its first week, which was considered a fairly dismal show for the band at the time. In contrast, the first week sales of "Distort Yourself" were slightly over 12,000. 
 
But Rossdale isn't about to give up. He's pouring his frustration into an explosive live show as Institute tours heavily this fall, mixing small club dates with opening slots for U2's sold out Vertigo Tour through December. "I keep thinking if I just do good shows we can make it work," he told ABC. 
 
Though the band looks forward to opening for U2, the opening slot is a humbling honor as Rossdale admitted to ABC, "All the venues they're playing, I've played with Bush so it's a bit more fun when you're the reason. I don't really like borrowing people's stages. It seems a little bit strange, but if you're going to borrow someone's stage, God bless U2!" 
 
For more information on Institute, visit <a href="http://www.institutemusic.com/" target="_blank">http://www.institutemusic.com/</a>.

blueyedpoet · 01-09-2006, 11:29 AM

I say God bless Institute as well. The cd is so much than anything Bush ever did.

zoodishbu · 01-09-2006, 04:57 PM

Institute ROCKS! Everyone should give it a listen.

Elvis · 01-12-2006, 09:48 AM

Amazing album. .. and I agree... much better than Bush!

01-09-2006, 11:03 AM	#1
HelloAngel ONE love, blood, life Premium Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: new york city Posts: 14,538 Local Time: 01:30 AM Images: 10	A Look At: Institute* <img src=http://u2.interference.com/gallery/data//585/11265institute-sml.jpg><br /> <b>By Caroline Eaton<br /> 2006.01</b><br /> <br /> <br /> Since 2001's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005OWIT/intercomu2-20" target="_blank">"Golden State,"</a> Gavin Rossdale, former lead singer of '90s alt-rock group Bush, has largely devoted himself to small parts in independent movies, red carpet strolls with his wife, Gwen Stefani, and subsequent tabloid appearances. But that's quickly changing. <br /> <br /> In 2004, Rossdale co-founded Institute with Chris Traynor (a former touring guitarist with Bush and a member of Helmet) and bassist Cache Tolman (formerly of Rival Schools). Drummer Josh Freese was featured on the recording of the band's first album, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000ALM4EY/intercomu2-20" target="_blank">"Distort Yourself"</a> but Charlie Walker (who has worked with local New York bands Split Lip and Chamerlain) has since taken over behind the kit. <br /> <br /><!--more--> Perhaps the most difficult thing when approaching Institute are the inevitable comparisons to Bush. Institute is wound so tightly within the trappings of Bush that, although they are entirely different bands, it becomes difficult not to compare them. And unfortunately, Institute seems to fare the worst simply because of its youth. <br /> <br /> Signed to Interscope Records, which had released Bush's first three albums, Institute worked with Helmet frontman Page Hamilton to hone its sound. "Distort Yourself" was released on Sept. 13, 2005. Statistically, it's done decently for a debut album, though sales have fallen considerably below the standards set by Bush. The album debuted at No. 81 on the <i>Billboard</i> Top 200 Album Charts and peaked at No. 28 on the <i>Billboard</i> Mainstream Rock Chart and No. 29 on the <i>Billboard</i> Modern Rock Chart. <br /> <br /> <img src="http://u2.interference.com/gallery/data//585/11265institute.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br /> <br /> The music itself is evocative of a hardened, tougher Bush and Institute seems willing to exploit the connections. In concert it has performed several Bush songs, including "Glycerine," "Machinehead" and "The People That We Love."<br /> <br /> From the outset, Rossdale seems to have been aware of what Institute was up against. As the former frontman of an internationally successful band, he was ambivalent about the prospect of starting at square one, especially as an opening act. "Sometimes I think that the best way to build up a fanbase for Institute is to do what Bush did: just tour our asses off," the 38-year-old singer admitted to MTV News. "But then I don't think that we'd want to open for a lot of acts today ? [i] think that the idea of us opening for someone like My Chemical Romance?who I actually like very much?would obviously be kind of sad."<br /> <br /> "You just get the sense that people are waiting to jump or to bail, they don't know what to do with it," he confided to ABC News. "It's a weird one, and just finding the right track for people to connect with. I see people come to see me and they know me ? but how to get people to get the record? It's a little bit frustrating."<br /> <br /> In 2001, Bush's "Golden State" shifted 55,000 units in its first week, which was considered a fairly dismal show for the band at the time. In contrast, the first week sales of "Distort Yourself" were slightly over 12,000.<br /> <br /> But Rossdale isn't about to give up. He's pouring his frustration into an explosive live show as Institute tours heavily this fall, mixing small club dates with opening slots for U2's sold out Vertigo Tour through December. "I keep thinking if I just do good shows we can make it work," he told ABC.<br /> <br /> Though the band looks forward to opening for U2, the opening slot is a humbling honor as Rossdale admitted to ABC, "All the venues they're playing, I've played with Bush so it's a bit more fun when you're the reason. I don't really like borrowing people's stages. It seems a little bit strange, but if you're going to borrow someone's stage, God bless U2!"<br /> <br /> For more information on Institute, visit <a href="http://www.institutemusic.com/" target="_blank">http://www.institutemusic.com/</a>.

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01-09-2006, 11:29 AM	#2
blueyedpoet Refugee Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: LA, California, USA Posts: 1,347 Local Time: 06:30 AM	I say God bless Institute as well. The cd is so much than anything Bush ever did.

01-09-2006, 04:57 PM	#3
zoodishbu The Fly Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 103 Local Time: 01:30 AM	Institute ROCKS! Everyone should give it a listen.

01-12-2006, 09:48 AM	#4
Elvis Creator of the Blue Crack Premium Gold Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 3,988 Local Time: 10:30 PM Images: 483	Amazing album. .. and I agree... much better than Bush!