g, voc, bvoc, *1966 GB, Manchester
Musician of Alternative and Rock
A.k.a. Graham Anthony Butt
Gizz Butt (born Graham Anthony Butt, 3 August 1966, Manchester, England) is a British musician, best known for playing the guitar during live performances by the band The Prodigy in the late 1990s. "Gizz Butt became a household name in 1996 when he joined THE PRODIGY as guitarist just as they shot to a level of fame not unlike Beatlemania. The album "THE FAT OF THE LAND" was No1 in 38 countries at the same time. Gizz has earned a reputation as being a massive influence on the opinions of musicians and on the worldwide music scene. He is a deeply respected guitarist and songwriter with a great knowledge of TECHNIQUE, sound and equipment, as observed by fellow musicians and producers world wide. It began in 1979 when Gizz, then 13, began fusing Punk and Heavy Metal ideas together. A year later he was asked to join THE DESTRUCTORS. Soon METALLICA became aware of the Destructors, and they openly became fans of Gizz's next band ENGLISH DOGS which enjoyed world wide cult status with their 1984 PUNK METAL classic "FORWARD INTO BATTLE". Other fans of English Dogs include Sepultura, Arch Enemy, Machine Head and Napalm Death. Legendary producer ANDY SNEAP began his career recording Gizz with English Dogs in 1993. It was during this period that Kerrang magazine became aware of Gizz and mentioned his name to The Prodigy when they were looking to add ROCK to their Dance sound. Gizz's late '90s band JANUS STARK had songs featured in Oscar nominated films VARSITY BLUES, DISTURBING BEHAVIOUR and DEAD MAN'S CURVE and played a cameo role in the UK film WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HAROLD SMITH. Janus Stark released the cult album "GREAT ADVENTURE CIGAR", which was adored by THE FOO FIGHTERS – who subsequently invited Gizz up on stage to join them for a spell. Gizz has also been involved with a wide variety of really huge acts, including THE FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM as guitarist, Andy Sneap's band SABBAT as bassist and even CRASS (on a four-year World tour with Steve Ignorant and The Last Supper) as musical director and lead guitarist. He has also performed live with PETE BEST, the original drummer of THE BEATLES. The last 11 years have seen Gizz tour the globe with his Metal band THE MORE I SEE, who have just recorded their fourth album. In 2006 Gizz launched his own rock school, THE GIZZ BUTT ROCK ACADEMY. Gizz Butt teaches many students every week in his academy and at colleges where he is a popular guitar, bass and rock school teacher. In early 2012 Gizz toured the USA with his early Gods THE ENGLISH DOGS. What next? A European tour with The More I See – and who knows what else!" ~source from official Gizz Butt website.
Graham Butterfield acg, eg, bvoc |