My New Skin, My New Story: Inside GAZ’s Musical Rebirth

Carl Fisher 10 min read

In this interview with Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life, we dive deep into the evolution of UK-born, South African-based artist GAZ – from his early days fronting the rock band CRUSH to his triumphant return as a solo force with his debut album ‘My New Skin’. Over the past four years, he has systematically released a series of critically acclaimed singles, crafting a sound that is both bold and unfiltered, yet deeply introspective. We also explore his collaboration with legendary producer Mark Beling and the personal narratives woven into every track. Let’s step into the mind of a true musical maverick.

Q: Your transformation from the frontman of South African band CRUSH in the ’90s to your current solo identity has been nothing short of radical. What were the pivotal experiences in your early career that laid the groundwork for what you now call ‘The GAZ Sound’?

GAZ: I think the CRUSH days were a fantastic playground to explore my abilities and creativity. Many fundamentals were established in those days regarding songwriting, live performance, studio work, and touring here and there. Although we were a young, inexperienced group, we managed to capture some very credible music as well as a unique sound. Most of the CRUSH songs were written by me and Carl van Wyngardt (our lead guitarist). We had my very close friend (to this day), Darren Mulhearn, on drums and Pieter Theron on bass. Pieter’s dad had a home studio, which became a very important space for our band. We also had a close friend, Jason Kennedy, promoting and securing our gigs. CRUSH had “broken through” after a few years, and we were playing some great gigs alongside Amersham, Springbok Nude Girls, Squeal, Arapaho, and many more of our South African heroes. We modelled ourselves on some of these bands in terms of their professionalism, stage presence, and the quality of their recorded product. CRUSH was an unsigned outfit and found it difficult to secure a record deal. Much of the writing, music, and themes were deep and mature for a group of youngsters. Songs like ‘Upside Down World’, ‘Cold’, and ‘Live and Die’ already had my writing signature within them. I think that these qualities have not been lost with my transition into the GAZ Sound, and I continue with a similar style, albeit on a solo basis. I left CRUSH to pursue a new life in the UK in 1998.

Q: After over two decades away from the music scene, what was the exact moment or experience during the 2020 lockdown that compelled you to reignite your creative fire and embark on this journey of self-discovery?

GAZ: With everything being closed, including the live music scene, many musicians had taken to live streaming from their homes, garages, and garden sheds. We would tune in to these gigs for some entertainment, a bit of social interaction, and to see familiar faces. It dawned on me that playing live to a cell phone with no audience must have been somewhat degrading. They were playing for tips to support themselves and their families. For me, there is such an honour in doing that. During these music gigs, I truly fell in love with music again and had time to reflect. If these individuals could do this out of a basic need to survive, then I certainly had no good reason not to start writing again. I felt inspired, and the moment to get going again had arrived.

Q: Over the past four years, you’ve systematically released singles that not only charted internationally but also built up the narrative for ‘My New Skin’. Could you share the strategy and the creative evolution behind this unique rollout?

GAZ: Actually, the creative evolution was complete before the album title was conceived. Upon reflection, it dawned on me what an extraordinary growth process and journey I had been on. The title single ‘My New Skin’ was already completed, and as I was reviewing the track order for the album, it dawned on me that this should be the album’s name, as it perfectly describes the shedding of layers in each track. Each song had challenged me in its own way or had contributed to my emotional growth.

Q: Amanda Peukert from SPIN Magazine compared your sound to the dark, tortured tones of Nine Inch Nails. How do you feel about this comparison, and in what ways do you see your music both aligning with and diverging from that legacy?

GAZ: I am truly blown away by this comment and comparison, and I will take it on board with arms wide open. To receive commentary from a personality of this calibre, is a truly special moment for me. She also noted that the album is both visceral and intellectual, which blew me away!

Q: ‘The Afterlife’ is a track that resonates deeply with fans – melding themes of love, loss, and the hope of eternal connection. Walk us through the creative process behind this song, especially the serendipitous collaboration with DelMari Shaw.

GAZ: My wife, Kim, had a battle with cancer last year. There was a moment of deep thought and overwhelming emotion that ran through me. What if I lose the love of my life? I am not ready for the worst. If we do part ways, how will I find you on the other side? The song explores the possible reconnection with a loved one who has crossed over. We knew that we had a good track on our hands, but something was missing that I couldn’t put my finger on. Out of the blue, around the time of recording ‘The Afterlife’, I received a WhatsApp message from DelMari (DelShaw).

Del is my friend’s wife. The message contained clips of her performing a cappella vocals. I was totally stunned by what I had heard. I did not even know that she had a voice. The eureka moment had hit, and it was obvious to me that this was what was missing from the final product of ‘The Afterlife’. Under Mark’s guidance, DelShaw delivered a haunting vocal session that perfectly captured both men and women across two dimensions. It still boggles my mind that DelShaw had reached out to me at the very time the song needed her. It’s bizarre.

Q: Your partnership with Mark Beling, a true South African music legend, has been instrumental in shaping your sound. What does it mean to you to work with him, and how has his influence refined your artistic vision?

GAZ: Our musical partnership is as pure as our longstanding, day-to-day friendship. I do not believe that I could have taken this album to anyone else with such a seamless connection.

Working with Mark means the world to me, and I am humbled that he has offered his time, resources, and abilities to this project. He is an excellent producer and human being – gentle yet demanding the best in every nuance. Mark is a master at connecting with people to truly understand and bring out the best in them. Combined with his mastery of sound, this makes him an exceptional talent. I know that he is as proud of this collection as I am. We share the album equally in every way.

Q: ‘My New Skin’ is a tapestry of ten tracks, each exploring themes of transformation, resilience, and societal commentary. Can you break down the inspiration behind key tracks like ‘Slow Down’, ‘Pay To Breathe’, and ‘Into The Light’?

GAZ: ‘Slow Down’ asks the listener to open their mind to the simple way of life we once lived. Cut off the daily news, doomscrolling, set aside life’s clutter, slow down your world, and get out of the fast lane. It’s a way of healing.

‘Pay To Breathe’ challenges the status quo, suggesting that if we do not object to paying more monetarily and focusing on money, we lose ourselves, our family, and our friends along the way. It also challenges the ludicrous number of rules and the societal constraints during the COVID era, as well as various regulations. It is a protest that if we continue to let things slide, we will literally be paying for God’s free air.

‘Into the Light’ is a tribute to my late father, Francis Malcom McCluskey. He passed away during the COVID era, and I had to watch his UK service on an iPad, as we could not travel due to restrictions. I am telling him, through my writing, what is happening on earth while he is away.

Q: Your songwriting often grapples with profound existential questions – especially in ‘The Afterlife’. How do you approach writing lyrics that tackle such weighty subjects, balancing raw emotion with crafted musicality?

GAZ: I think the only way to do this is to throw oneself into the subject matter and try to embrace the reality and emotions of any moment. Be honest about how you feel in that moment, and don’t be afraid to pour out what is inside you. I am also not opposed to taking on meaty topics if they impact or inspire me.

Q: ‘The Afterlife’ is a deeply personal song, inspired by your wife’s battle with cancer. Mortality is a theme that many artists shy away from, yet you’ve confronted it head-on with raw emotion and honesty. How did this experience shape your songwriting, and do you see music to process grief and find meaning in life’s most difficult moments?

GAZ: I have always turned to music in times of loss as well as in times of celebration. It soothes and centres me. There is a lot of pain in ‘The Afterlife’, and the melancholic thoughts, coupled with a dark approach to writing the song, inspired me. There is both tension in loss in this track, but there is also relief, as the chorus identifies and provides solutions regarding how lovers might reconnect. My wife’s experience, of course, affected both of us and led me on a path of support for her and inspiration. This song is my message to Kim, telling her that no matter what happens, I will find you.

Q: Ricardo Durán from Rolling Stone en Español commented on your experimental spirit behind ‘The Afterlife’ and ‘My New Skin’, noting that your willingness to explore new sonic territories could help you develop an even more authentic and unmistakable sound. How do you plan to continue pushing your creative boundaries while preserving the core identity of GAZ?

GAZ: I believe that ‘The GAZ Sound’ has arrived on purpose, as it is an honest expression of who I am, so I cannot see it disappearing any time soon. Mark and I have found a unique style in our collaborations, and hopefully this sound will continue unabated as a truly longstanding signature for us. Again, it is about not being afraid to explore and take chances. The mixture of rock, new wave, flashes of goth, and so on seems to be working, so there is no need to change the formula. Going forward, if a song or sound is beamed down to me, I will take it on if I think it is worthwhile.

Thank you for sharing your journey, your inspirations, and the creative forces behind ‘My New Skin’. Your insights not only illuminate the evolution of your sound but also offer a compelling glimpse into the mind of an artist unafraid to confront both beauty and pain. We look forward to seeing where your musical path leads next and to experiencing the next chapter of your artistic revolution.




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  • Owner/Administrator/Editor/Writer/Interviewer/YouTuber - you name it, I do it. I love gaming, horror movies, and all forms of heavy metal and rock. I'm also a Discworld super-fan and love talking all things Terry Pratchett. Do you wanna party? It's party time!