How Bush Got Their Name (it’s not as dirty as you think)

What’s the story behind the band name Bush? How did Bush get their name? These guys emerged in the early ’90s, right at the height of the alt-rock explosion. While grunge was taking over in Seattle, a little band from London decided they were going to make a splash of their own—but first, they needed a standout name. Gavin Rossdale, the band’s frontman, grew up around an area of West London known as Shepherd’s Bush. It’s a bustling, eclectic spot that’s home to the famous Shepherd’s Bush Empire music venue, so you can imagine the creative vibe.

Shepherd’s Bush had been Rossdale’s stomping grounds, and the place was practically in his DNA. So, naming the band Bush just clicked. It was short, memorable, and paid tribute to their roots. Plus, it sounded cool—there’s something about the word Bush that feels rough around the edges, fitting perfectly into the gritty alt-rock scene they were about to dive into. Some folks in the States called them BushX for a while, thanks to a legal hiccup, but the band stuck to their guns and continued on as simply Bush.

When they dropped their debut album, Sixteen Stone, in 1994, that name started popping up on radio stations all around the world—tracks like “Glycerine” and “Machinehead” went heavy on the airwaves, and fans couldn’t get enough. So, if you’ve ever wondered why this English rock band carries such a simple, distinctly British moniker, now you know. Bush is a shout-out to the London streets that shaped Gavin Rossdale and sparked the band’s origin story—proof that sometimes, the best band names are right in your own backyard.

Rock on politely

Sam