John Bush (singer)
Encyclopedia
John Bush is an American vocalist, currently a member of Armored Saint
, a traditional metal
band from Los Angeles
, California
and formerly of thrash metal
band Anthrax
.
has released five full-length albums, one EP
, a live album, a greatest hits compilation and two DVDs, all with John Bush on vocals. In the early 1980s, Bush was invited by Metallica
to join them as lead singer. Even after the release of Kill 'Em All
, Metallica vocalist James Hetfield
felt unsure about his singing abilities. Hetfield wanted to concentrate on his guitar and personally asked John Bush to join Metallica. Bush was the only vocalist that the band considered as a potential frontman. He turned down the offer as he wanted to stay with Armored Saint. Bush states that part of his loyalty to Armored Saint came from the band being made up of his closest childhood friends.
In 1990, original guitarist
Dave Prichard died of leukemia
during the recording of Symbol of Salvation. Jeff Duncan replaced Prichard and the band finished the recording of Symbol of Salvation, going out on tour afterwards. Despite rave reviews from the metal press, the band decided that they just didn't want to continue without Prichard, and amicably disbanded.
of Anthrax
, who offered Bush the chance to fill the spot left behind by singer Joey Belladonna
, who had been fired from the band. Bush accepted and joined the band, adding a different heavy metal vocal style than that of previous effots. Anthrax recorded Sound of White Noise
, Stomp 442
and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real
with Bush in the 90s. In 1999 during an Anthrax hiatus, Bush got together with Armored Saint bassist Joey Vera
. Together they decided to bring back the Symbol of Salvation lineup for an Armored Saint reunion.
The resultant album Revelation was released in 2000 and a short tour followed. The following year, Armored Saint released a collection of demos, live tracks and other rarities in the two disc package Nod To The Old School. Despite its recent activity, Bush had not left Anthrax. Returning to the band, Bush recorded vocals for the critically acclaimed We've Come for You All
in 2003. The successful WCFYA tour was documented with a live album/DVD titled Music of Mass Destruction
. In 2004, Anthrax released The Greater of Two Evils
, a re-recording of several of the band's more popular songs from the pre-Bush era with the then-current lineup.
With the departure of Dan Nelson
, Bush stepped in to play the Sonisphere Festival
on August 1, 2009. Since this performance there have been many calls for him to return. John Bush also performed with Anthrax at the Loud Park '09 Festival in Japan on October 17, 2009.
lineup was reuniting. Anthrax stated that Bush has not been fired, but with Joey Belladonna's return and talk of a new album in the works, it was unclear if Bush would record with them again. However, Joey Belladonna's exit from Anthrax in January 2007 fueled reports that he might return. In June 2007, John Bush was interviewed by Rock Hard Magazine, and on the subject of whether he's bitter about the split:
"No. Bitter is not the way I wanna be about anything," Bush replied. "I'm not bitter at all. There was probably not a perfect way to do that, what they did. It was like, how are they gonna say…? I mean, they asked me to do it — the tour with Joey (Bush was asked to take part in a '25th anniversary' tour that would see him and Belladonna splitting vocal duties) — and it just wasn't right for me, I couldn't do it. So, whatever… If they felt they had to do that, I understand. It wasn't like I was going, 'Yeah, do it. That's great.' But once it happened, I was like, 'OK.' It was like a book ended. It's OK. I mean, it's much better to look at it that way than to be angry or frustrated, 'cause I really don't feel that way."
Asked if he was approached to rejoin the band once Belladonna left the group, Bush said, "I was asked to write [with the members of Anthrax] and it just wasn't right for me. I couldn't go back and say, 'Here I am...' It would be like coming in with my tail between my legs, and that's not right for me. I just couldn't do that. It just didn't feel right to do that. It was about soul, your gut. How does that feel? Does it feel right? Good enough. Sold. Answer."
Bush recently did commercial voiceovers for the fast food chain Burger King
.
In April 2011, German Instrumental Rock Band Long Distance Calling
released a self-titled full length album, which features John Bush doing vocals for the track "Middleville". "Middleville" is the only track with vocals on that album.
He is married and has a daughter, Jezbelle and son, Giuseppe.
On December 14, 2009, it was announced that the "Big Four" Thrash bands would play Poland and Czech Republic, among several other shows during the Sonisphere festival. It was expected that Anthrax would continue with Bush, but the other members ultimately chose to reunite with Joey Belladonna, as Bush was not up for recommitting to the group full time.
Armored Saint
-Early career:Armored Saint was formed in 1982 by brothers Phil Sandoval and Gonzo Sandoval , and guitarist David Prichard, while attending South Pasadena High School. Next to join were singer John Bush also a South Pasadena High School Alumni and bassist Joey Vera...
, a traditional metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and formerly of thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
.
Armored Saint
Since their formation in 1982, Armored SaintArmored Saint
-Early career:Armored Saint was formed in 1982 by brothers Phil Sandoval and Gonzo Sandoval , and guitarist David Prichard, while attending South Pasadena High School. Next to join were singer John Bush also a South Pasadena High School Alumni and bassist Joey Vera...
has released five full-length albums, one EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, a live album, a greatest hits compilation and two DVDs, all with John Bush on vocals. In the early 1980s, Bush was invited by Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
to join them as lead singer. Even after the release of Kill 'Em All
Kill 'Em All
Kill 'Em All is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on July 25, 1983. Since its release, it has been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA, having sold over 3 million copies in the United States alone.-Music:...
, Metallica vocalist James Hetfield
James Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
felt unsure about his singing abilities. Hetfield wanted to concentrate on his guitar and personally asked John Bush to join Metallica. Bush was the only vocalist that the band considered as a potential frontman. He turned down the offer as he wanted to stay with Armored Saint. Bush states that part of his loyalty to Armored Saint came from the band being made up of his closest childhood friends.
In 1990, original 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...
Dave Prichard died of leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
during the recording of Symbol of Salvation. Jeff Duncan replaced Prichard and the band finished the recording of Symbol of Salvation, going out on tour afterwards. Despite rave reviews from the metal press, the band decided that they just didn't want to continue without Prichard, and amicably disbanded.
Joining Anthrax
After returning home, Bush received a call from Scott IanScott Ian
Scott Ian Rosenfeld , better known by the stage name Scott Ian, is an American musician, best known as the rhythm & lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Anthrax. Ian is also the guitarist and a founding member of the crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death...
of Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, who offered Bush the chance to fill the spot left behind by singer Joey Belladonna
Joey Belladonna
Joey Belladonna is a heavy metal singer and drummer, best known as the lead singer for the heavy metal band Anthrax...
, who had been fired from the band. Bush accepted and joined the band, adding a different heavy metal vocal style than that of previous effots. Anthrax recorded Sound of White Noise
Sound of White Noise
Sound of White Noise is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in May 1993 on Elektra Records. It is the band's first album with Armored Saint vocalist John Bush, and also their last studio album with longtime lead guitarist Dan Spitz.-Overview:The album, produced by...
, Stomp 442
Stomp 442
Stomp 442 is the name of the seventh album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released in 1995, by Elektra Records. The band and Butcher Brothers produced the album, which includes the singles, "Fueled" and "Nothing". The album debuted at #47 on the Billboard 200 charts...
and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real
Volume 8: The Threat Is Real
Volume 8: The Threat is Real is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. The album was released in July 1998 by Ignition Records. The band and Paul Crook produced the album, which includes the single "Inside Out". Other singles released were "Crush", "P & V" and "Born Again...
with Bush in the 90s. In 1999 during an Anthrax hiatus, Bush got together with Armored Saint bassist Joey Vera
Joey Vera
Joey Vera is an American heavy metal bassist for heavy metal band Armored Saint. He is also a member of the progressive metal band Fates Warning. In 2004-05 he replaced Frank Bello in Anthrax as the band's bassist. He appears as part of the project Engine, as well as on the OSI album Free. His...
. Together they decided to bring back the Symbol of Salvation lineup for an Armored Saint reunion.
The resultant album Revelation was released in 2000 and a short tour followed. The following year, Armored Saint released a collection of demos, live tracks and other rarities in the two disc package Nod To The Old School. Despite its recent activity, Bush had not left Anthrax. Returning to the band, Bush recorded vocals for the critically acclaimed We've Come for You All
We've Come for You All
We've Come for You All is the ninth studio album by North American heavy metal band Anthrax. It included the singles "What Doesn't Die," "Safe Home," & "Takin' the Music Back." It is considered a comeback album for the band after lackluster commercial success of their previous two records. Despite...
in 2003. The successful WCFYA tour was documented with a live album/DVD titled Music of Mass Destruction
Music of Mass Destruction
Music of Mass Destruction is Anthrax's second full-length live album, and is packaged as one CD and one DVD. The songs were recorded on December 5 and 6, 2003, during performances at Chicago's Metro....
. In 2004, Anthrax released The Greater of Two Evils
The Greater of Two Evils
The Greater of Two Evils is a remix album by Anthrax. The album was released in November 2004 on the Sanctuary record label. The album is made up of fourteen Anthrax songs from the band's early albums, that were released between 1983 and 1990. These tracks have been re-recorded by Anthrax's...
, a re-recording of several of the band's more popular songs from the pre-Bush era with the then-current lineup.
With the departure of Dan Nelson
Dan Nelson
Dan Nelson is a singer/songwriter and the singer/guitarist for the band Tomorrows Ghost.He also is the lead vocalist/guitarist for the band BlackGates, as well as being the former lead vocalist of American thrash metal band Anthrax from 2007-2009.Dan Nelson has also worked with the Long Island...
, Bush stepped in to play the Sonisphere Festival
Sonisphere Festival
The Sonisphere Festival is a touring music festival which takes place across Europe between June and August. The festival is owned by John Jackson and Kilimanjaro Live. It is jointly-promoted by K2 and Kilimanjaro Live...
on August 1, 2009. Since this performance there have been many calls for him to return. John Bush also performed with Anthrax at the Loud Park '09 Festival in Japan on October 17, 2009.
2005 to present
In early 2005, Anthrax issued a press release stating that the band's Among the LivingAmong the Living
Among the Living is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. The album was released in March 1987 by Megaforce Worldwide/Island and is certified gold by the RIAA. The BBC has described the album as "arguably their big breakthrough", and "often cited by fans as their favourite...
lineup was reuniting. Anthrax stated that Bush has not been fired, but with Joey Belladonna's return and talk of a new album in the works, it was unclear if Bush would record with them again. However, Joey Belladonna's exit from Anthrax in January 2007 fueled reports that he might return. In June 2007, John Bush was interviewed by Rock Hard Magazine, and on the subject of whether he's bitter about the split:
"No. Bitter is not the way I wanna be about anything," Bush replied. "I'm not bitter at all. There was probably not a perfect way to do that, what they did. It was like, how are they gonna say…? I mean, they asked me to do it — the tour with Joey (Bush was asked to take part in a '25th anniversary' tour that would see him and Belladonna splitting vocal duties) — and it just wasn't right for me, I couldn't do it. So, whatever… If they felt they had to do that, I understand. It wasn't like I was going, 'Yeah, do it. That's great.' But once it happened, I was like, 'OK.' It was like a book ended. It's OK. I mean, it's much better to look at it that way than to be angry or frustrated, 'cause I really don't feel that way."
Asked if he was approached to rejoin the band once Belladonna left the group, Bush said, "I was asked to write [with the members of Anthrax] and it just wasn't right for me. I couldn't go back and say, 'Here I am...' It would be like coming in with my tail between my legs, and that's not right for me. I just couldn't do that. It just didn't feel right to do that. It was about soul, your gut. How does that feel? Does it feel right? Good enough. Sold. Answer."
Bush recently did commercial voiceovers for the fast food chain Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
.
In April 2011, German Instrumental Rock Band Long Distance Calling
Long Distance Calling (band)
Long Distance Calling are a German Post Rock band.- History :Formed in 2006 in Münster.Their melancholic tracks, usually lasting five or more minutes, are mostly instrumental, but some of them feature guest vocalists: Peter Dolving from The Haunted and Jonas Renkse from Katatonia...
released a self-titled full length album, which features John Bush doing vocals for the track "Middleville". "Middleville" is the only track with vocals on that album.
He is married and has a daughter, Jezbelle and son, Giuseppe.
Temporary Reunion with Anthrax
In August 2009, after Anthrax parted ways with their replacement singer Dan Nelson, Bush rejoined his former band mates in Anthrax for a live performance in Knebworth, England. Bush also joined them for a performance at Loud Park Festival on October 17, 2009, followed by five concerts on the Soundwave tour in Australia in February 2010.On December 14, 2009, it was announced that the "Big Four" Thrash bands would play Poland and Czech Republic, among several other shows during the Sonisphere festival. It was expected that Anthrax would continue with Bush, but the other members ultimately chose to reunite with Joey Belladonna, as Bush was not up for recommitting to the group full time.
with Armored Saint
- March of the SaintMarch of the SaintMarch of the Saint is the first album by American heavy metal band Armored Saint. It was released in 1984 on Chrysalis Records and recorded with producer Michael James Jackson who previously worked for Kiss...
(1984) - Delirious NomadDelirious Nomad-Band members:*John Bush - vocals*Dave Prichard - guitars*Phil Sandoval - guitars*Joey Vera - bass, backing vocals*Gonzo Sandoval - drums-Production:*Max Norman - producer, mixing*Bill Freesh - engineer, mixing*Matt Brady - engineer...
(1985) - Raising FearRaising Fear-Credits:*John Bush - vocals*Dave Prichard - guitars*Joey Vera - bass*Gonzo Sandoval - drums-External links:**[ Armored Saint on Allmusic Guide]*...
(1987) - Symbol of SalvationSymbol of Salvation-2003 reissue on Metal Blade Records:In 2003, Metal Blade Records remastered and re-released the album as a 3-disc Special Edition, which in addition to the full 13 song tracklist, the first disc contains the music videos to "Reign Of Fire," and "Last Train Home." The second disc contains the...
(1991) - RevelationRevelation (Armored Saint album)-Bonus tracks :-Credits:*John Bush - vocals*Jeff Duncan - guitars*Phil Sandoval - guitars*Joey Vera - Bass*Gonzo Sandoval - drums- External links :**[ Armored Saint on Allmusic Guide]*...
(2000) - Nod to the Old SchoolNod to the Old School-Credits:*John Bush - vocals*Phil Sandoval - guitars*Jeff Duncan - guitars*Dave Prichard - guitars*Joey Vera - bass*Gonzo Sandoval - drums- External links :**[ Armored Saint on Allmusic Guide]*...
(2001) - La RazaLa Raza (album)-Personnel:*John Bush - vocals*Jeff Duncan - guitars*Phil Sandoval - guitars*Joey Vera - Bass and production*Gonzo Sandoval - drums*Bryan Carlstrom - Engineering and Mixing*John Nuss - Assistant Engineer*Maor Appelbaum - Mastering-External links:*...
(2010)
with Anthrax
- Sound of White NoiseSound of White NoiseSound of White Noise is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in May 1993 on Elektra Records. It is the band's first album with Armored Saint vocalist John Bush, and also their last studio album with longtime lead guitarist Dan Spitz.-Overview:The album, produced by...
(1993) - Stomp 442Stomp 442Stomp 442 is the name of the seventh album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released in 1995, by Elektra Records. The band and Butcher Brothers produced the album, which includes the singles, "Fueled" and "Nothing". The album debuted at #47 on the Billboard 200 charts...
(1995) - Volume 8: The Threat Is RealVolume 8: The Threat Is RealVolume 8: The Threat is Real is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. The album was released in July 1998 by Ignition Records. The band and Paul Crook produced the album, which includes the single "Inside Out". Other singles released were "Crush", "P & V" and "Born Again...
(1998) - We've Come for You AllWe've Come for You AllWe've Come for You All is the ninth studio album by North American heavy metal band Anthrax. It included the singles "What Doesn't Die," "Safe Home," & "Takin' the Music Back." It is considered a comeback album for the band after lackluster commercial success of their previous two records. Despite...
(2003) - The Greater of Two EvilsThe Greater of Two EvilsThe Greater of Two Evils is a remix album by Anthrax. The album was released in November 2004 on the Sanctuary record label. The album is made up of fourteen Anthrax songs from the band's early albums, that were released between 1983 and 1990. These tracks have been re-recorded by Anthrax's...
(2004)
External links
- Official ARMORED SAINT Site
- [ Armored Saint on Allmusic Guide]
- Armored Saint on Encyclopaedia Metallum
- Armored Saint on Rolling Stone
- Official ANTHRAX Site
- [ Anthrax on Allmusic Guide]
- Anthrax on Encyclopaedia Metallum
- Anthrax on Rolling Stone