A page dedicated to everything BUSH/Institute/Gavin Rossdale -- the past, the present, & the future. If you're not with us, you are against us...

I had purchased tickets for 3 of the Bush concerts that went on sale on January 21st.  It seemed like a lifetime before the first show.  My excitement, of course, grew and grew as the day approached.  Leading up to the first show of the leg of this tour on April 10 in Moline, IL, it had been announced that X103 out of Indianapolis was having a contest for a private Shush show at a secret location the day after the Moline show.  I had entered but did not win.

My friend Ashely and I went to the Moline show.  We had general admission tickets and got there about 4 hours before the gates opened.  We were first in line.  We got to shop the merch first without any lines because of the nice security lady.  While we were waiting, I realized I had left my batteries for my camera in the car so I ran out to grab them while Ashley held our spot in line. Since we had gotten there so early, our parking spot was near the entrance to the building and where the tour buses were parked.

The Bushmen had been tweeting that they were on their way and as I walked to the car I thought, wouldn’t it be great if they pulled up when I was out here?  I grabbed the batteries and decided to walk over to see the buses to see what it would be like trying to meet with the guys after the show.  As I stood there for a moment, Chris, Robin, and Corey’s bus pulled up.  Chris got out first.  I called his name and without hesitation he walked right over to me with a smile on his face, gave me a hug and took a picture with me.

I saw Corey get off the bus and I saw Gavin’s bus pull up and Ashley texted me to let me know that they were about to let everyone in, so I headed back in.

We got front row and Bush put on an amazing show as usual!

After the Bush set, I headed straight outside to wait for the guys.  They got on their buses quick because I never saw them until Chris headed out to the bus a couple hours later.  Again he was so gracious and had hugs for us all and really has such an amazing attitude!

Corey and Robin were already on the bus and Chris was sweet enough to tell them that we were waiting out there and they came out to see us as well.  I gave them all gifts and they were all so grateful and sweet!  Robin held his drum set belt buckle in the picture with me and Corey busted open his flask of Jack and started to partake right then and there and then tweeted a picture of it afterward.  They warmed my heart so much!

On the way home, Corey tweeted that they were on their way to Indy for the Shush show.  I tweeted him and said I wished I had won tickets and wished him a good show.  A couple hours later I got a DM from X103 asking if I hadn’t won the contest for the Shush show.  I told them I hadn’t and asked if there were any other way I could get a ticket.  They said it was free to contest winners but they had an open slot for a person and a guest and asked if I could make it to Indianapolis by 1:30pm.  I said, YES!  They gave me the secret address and the info. 

I could not sleep.  I got an hour and a half of sleep before I had to wake up at 5:30am to drive 3 hours to meet Sarah Loster-Mann and then she drove about another 3 hours to Indianapolis.  We met Trisha and Krow there as well.  We were in a state of giddiness, disbelief, and euphoria.  The buses pulled up and we saw the guys go in.

We were at a smallish bar, that had a small stage, and we got the table right in front of the guys.  Shush was the most moving thing I’ve ever seen in my life. 

After the show, the guys signed set lists for us.  Gavin asked me my name and said he recognized me.  Chris asked me where my mustache necklace that I had had on the night before…bummer!  Corey hugged me and thanked me again for the gift. 

And then gracious Gavin agreed to write lyrics from one of my favorite songs on my left shoulder.  The exclamatory sound that escaped his lips when he saw his name tattooed on my right shoulder was one of the greatest sounds I’ve ever heard. 

He was so meticulous and was saying the words out loud and ghost writing them to make sure he did it well.  He asked me how I wanted it and I told him that he was the artist and I wanted him to do it how he thought it should be done and he went for it.  After he had done it, he said if I didn’t like it he would redo it the next time I saw him (which made me melt!) But I told him that this was how it was meant to be and I would be getting it tattooed no matter what. 

I then got my picture taken with all the guys and the ever thoughtful Gavin gave this crying fan here an extra squeeze and pulled me closer to him.  Breathtaking. 

We hung around until the buses left and we talked about the greatest parts of the last two days the entire ride home.  We do not need anymore proof that all of these men are extraordinary, passionate, thoughtful, caring, and loving individuals but they continue to show it to us every day and I am so thankful for all of it.  Thank you Bush.  Thank you Gavin, Robin, Corey, and Chris.  You have given us the most amazing gift imaginable and we appreciate you all so much!

Ok, so I’d made plans to go to the Detroit Shush show on 4/14/2012 with my husband, sister and her boyfriend. I’d even planned to meet up with some Bush Army folks who I met over twitter.  The show was a first come, first served kind of thing and started at noon. So we decided to get in line at 6 am!  I had to get up at 2 to get ready and for our almost 2hr. drive. We got there just before 6 and waited around til the others got there cuz sitting alone on a street in downtown Detroit at 6 am just isn’t the greatest idea!  Our group was the first ones there, as it should be. Shannel B., Jaimie F., Kim K., Diane H. and Mandi L. all waited in the cold rain for the bar to open.  Bush Army sitting on the streets of Detroit waiting for our chance to be Shushed!  Not very many other people lined up behind us and we later realized there was a second door into the bar where others were lining up.  Shannel and Kim called one of the employees over and asked him to open our door first, which he promised to do. Right about 9am, they opened the doors and we lined up to get our bracelets for the show.

Turns out the stage was in the upstairs part of the bar and they didn’t open that up until 11!  The owner wouldn’t let us line up by the stairs and we were all told to order drinks if we wished to stay inside.  Eventually everyone crowded around the stairs, effectively making our early arrival pointless.  When we were finally able to go upstairs, everyone pushed their way up and my new BA friends promised to save me a spot, as they got ahead of me and my companions. 

Once we got upstairs we found the set up was like that of any other concert, standing room in front of the stage.  We were back a few people but the other girls made it to the front, right in front of where Gavin would soon be sitting. Then I hear the girls say, ‘where’s Jamie?’ and they reached back and pulled me up with them.  I had never met these people before, they owed me nothing and yet they still made a point of making sure I got as good of an experience as they did!  This is exactly as I’d hoped it would be, but way more than I actually expected.  I know not everyone can be as great as these girls were, but I highly suggest meeting up with other Bush Army members when you attend a concert!  It makes the experience that much more amazing! 

I expected the show to more like the Indy Shush. I expected people sitting and quiet. This was not the case!  It was great energy and an amazing show for sure, but I would have preferred a calmer atmosphere. Still, Gavin seemed to enjoy the crowd very much and all the guys seemed to be having a lot of fun. 

Chris has such an adorable smile and I love how he can go from that smile to seriously getting down on that guitar!  Dude can play!!  Love watching him. 

After he’d finished he signed a few autographs from the stage and left.  I had never met any of them and had really hoped for a meet & greet, I guess after seeing the pics from the Indy Shush I had myself convinced that it would happen.  Sadly, that wasn’t the case.  We made our way down the stairs, out of the bar and onto the sidewalk.  I so didn’t want to go.  I’d heard of so many times that people had found the guys after a show and I wanted so bad for that to happen.  My dear, sweet new friends knew how much it meant to me and so we wandered around until we came upon a white van in the alley behind the bar so we kinda just hung out.  And then it happened, Gavin, Chris, Corey and Robin came down the fire escape with some other people and we all started freaking out.

[Photo by: Stefanie Rodman]

My sister later pointed out that the van seemed to have been strategically placed next to a dumpster, kind of providing a barrier but as they came down the steps, Gavin made his way through and came right to us. Chris came right behind him.  Corey and Robin came over for a bit, but didn’t stay long enough for me to make my way to them.  They went back to the van and I wasn’t going to intrude on that. I hung back for a bit but made my way up to Gavin cuz I knew if I didn’t do it soon I may not get another chance.  I was so nervous, I didn’t even introduce myself and I didn’t even ask for a hug I just jumped in and put my arm around him for a picture.  So we got our pictures with Gavin and Chris and I’m so happy I can’t even say. I did get a hug from Chris.  Chris does give good hugs :)

[Photos by: Jamie Gostnell]

My sister wanted more than anything to meet him, so her entire day was made by getting this chance.  She really digs his wolf ring and asked to look at it.  He went to show her and then said, “well, here” and he took it off and handed it to her!  She freaked!  She got a picture of herself wearing it while he closely kept an eye on it.  Seriously though, how amazingly cool is that?!  He just had one stolen and he still didn’t hesitate to let a complete stranger wear it.  We got signatures and then they were quickly ushered off into the van. 

[Photos by: Stefanie Rodman]

I will never forget how amazing that was.  They could have just gotten right into the van and made us move but instead they didn’t even hesitate to come and see us.  A lot of bands/musicians say they love their fans but these guys SHOW it and that means the world.  My new friends and I hugged each other goodbye and I thanked them though I’m sure not nearly enough.  Without these amazing women none of that would have happened.  I would have been shoved to the back during the show.  I would have left the bar and headed home, happy that I got a great performance, but sad that I wasn’t able to meet the band.  The Bush Army is more than a fan club, it’s a family.  People coming together for the love of a band that so completely deserves it, and more.  And now I wait for my next show, with my BA pals and four wickedly awesome guys!!

- Jamie Gostnell of the BUSH ARMY