Bushbaby

Post-Grunge / Alternative Rock
Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Bushbaby were a post-grunge / alternative rock band active between 1997 and 2004. They had a stable line-up throughout their performing and recording career. They released a critically acclaimed EP, a full-length album, and a string of singles and demos that showcased their musicianship and songwriting.

Three bands contributed band members to the forge that produced Bushbaby. Drummer Kev Bonett was previously in No Big Deal, guitarist turned bassist Matt Sims was in Mudheads Monkey, and guitarist and singer Ben Mears came from Gethsemane Rose. The final line-up of Gethsemane Rose featured Andy Mears, Ben Mears, Matt Sims, and Kev Bonett, and this was the band that began to find a new direction that resulted in the formation of M-Ocean amd then Bushbaby.

Bushbaby formed in 1997 and released their debut EP Medicine in 1998. To supplement the EP, they recorded six new songs in 1999 to make it a full-length album. The full-length version of Medicine was originally licensed Massive Groove Productions in the U.S. and then re-packaged for a UK release in 2001 as Space Corps. They quickly gained recognition, with Metal Hammer awarding them a demo of the month slot (September 2001), Total Radio made them band of the week, BCB radio named them single of the month for “Tinsel Town,” and Storm Radio added them to their Rock Revolution.

The band had songs featured on many compilations, with plenty of magazine coverage in Kerrang, Metal Hammer, BBC South, Logo, Drowned in Sound, Hit Sheet, Organ, Powerplay, and Phonotonal. Their single “Skinny” reached #1 in the MP3 gunge chart and remained there for several weeks.

They cemented their position with a busy touring schedule, playing alongside bands such as Halo, Brigade, Vendetta Red, Span, Thirst, and Tourniquet.