After making his solo recording debut with the song "Adrenaline" from the new Vin Diesel flick, XXX, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale is taking his foray into movies to the next level. Sitting at a table surrounded by family and friends -- including fiance Gwen Stefani and uber-producer Glen Ballard (with whom he wrote "Adrenaline") -- at the swanky Hollywood premiere for XXX, Rossdale said he will be soon making his acting debut in Red Light Runners, produced by and starring veteran actor Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs).

"It's an ensemble piece with Dennis Hopper and Harvey Keitel," Rossdale says. "It's still really being developed so it's kind of early days, but they keep saying I'm doing it, so I can talk about it."

There's a certain symmetry in Rossdale following "Adrenaline" with his acting debut, as he credits his guest stint on The Chris Isaak Show with fueling his interest in trying new things. "I love my band," he says, "but it's only when I went on The Chris Isaak Show and I played with his band that I was like, 'Hold on. I've never played with anyone else before.' That freedom is really exciting."

For Rossdale, who has been working on a new batch of songs, the success of "Adrenaline" could mark the next phase of his career. "Doing this song very much revitalized me," he says. "I think it's definitely a confidence booster to have great musicians playing right behind you. I had Matt Cameron playing drums, Michael Landau playing guitar, and it made me feel good that I think it came out right."

STEVE BALTIN
(August 8, 2002)