Garry McCluskey, better known by his stage name GAZ, is a singer-songwriter originally from the UK, now based in South Africa.
After a hiatus, the former frontman of the 1990s South African rock band CRUSH rekindled his passion for writing and recording in 2020, adopting the stage name GAZ for his solo endeavours, culminating in the release of his debut solo album, My New Skin, on March 14, 2025.
Released with the emotionally charged single ‘The Afterlife’, the other tracks on the album have been systematically released over the past four years, with several achieving radio chart successes.
In this exclusive interview with Expression Africa, GAZ reveals the experiences, challenges, and creative sparks that have shaped his distinctive sound.
Learn about his transformative journey and the passion, resilience, and innovation behind every note.
EXPRESSION AFRICA: GAZ, you’ve had an incredible journey from your days as the frontman of CRUSH in the ’90s to your transformative solo comeback. How did your early musical experiences influence the evolution of your sound?
GAZ: An incredible and deeply rewarding journey for the soul. Working with a four-piece band back in the day was just as fulfilling. My time with CRUSH gave me a taste of the industry, allowed my creativity to flow, and opened the gates for my musical expression. I have always been a lover of rock music – soft rock, alt-rock, and indie. I also have a strong affinity for synth and dark melodies. Together, these elements form what I now call The GAZ Sound. Bringing together melodic music with meaningful lyrics that speak to both heart and mind has been my path for growth. I feel a newfound maturity in my music today. That said, I loved my CRUSH days and will always reflect fondly on those times.
After a lengthy hiatus, what inspired you to reignite your creative fire in 2020, and how did that moment of rediscovery reshape your approach to music?
I recall the exact moment the calling to write and create again struck me – it was during the 2020 lockdown. We were all at home, with nowhere to go and no live music to experience. Musicians turned to online gigs, streaming performances from their homes, studios, garages, and garden sheds, often playing for tips to make ends meet. Watching these performances evoked mixed emotions in me. On one hand, I deeply respected their resilience and raw commitment to their craft. On the other, I couldn’t help but feel it was a humbling, even heartbreaking, experience for artists accustomed to playing for live audiences.
At that moment, I realised that if these musicians could step out of their comfort zones and lay their souls bare in this way, I had no excuse not to write and create again. That was the trigger. The lockdown gigs reignited my love for music to such an extent that I simply had to create again.
Your collaboration with South African Music Awards-winning producer Mark Beling has been pivotal. Can you share how this partnership has influenced both your creative process and the overall sound of My New Skin?
Mark and I have been friends for years, and when I rekindled my passion for music, I knew he was the right person to collaborate with. I approached Mark with a song I had written, ‘She Plays Me’. I went to his studio one Friday afternoon before one of his live online gigs. As I started singing, Mark instinctively added music to the track. Within three hours, we had completed both the soundtrack and initial vocals.
The track was soon picked up by industry DJs and received radio play almost instantly. That was a defining moment – it gave me the confidence to continue. At that stage, we hadn’t fully defined The GAZ Sound. We explored different directions, experiencing both hits and misses. Some tracks didn’t make the final album, but this exploratory process was crucial. It kept us connected to the creative journey as the sound evolved.
Mark and I share a deep, seamless connection in the studio. We give each other the freedom to experiment while always maintaining an honest approach. Over time, we’ve developed a distinct musical signature – there’s a DNA within the tracks that makes them uniquely ours. The GAZ story to date is as much Mark’s work as it is mine. It’s an incredible privilege to create alongside such a talented producer and great friend.
The GAZ Sound has evolved significantly over the years. How would you describe this evolution, especially in blending the rock sensibilities of your past with the innovative direction of your current work?
The sound has certainly evolved – from a few ‘new wave pop rock’ moments to a more defined signature, a DNA that I believe is uniquely GAZ. As the sound has matured, so have we as creators. We ensure that each song delivers deep melodies, emotional depth, and lyrics with purpose. A heavy bassline remains a constant, complemented by striking guitar tones and atmospheric layers that create subliminal drama. My vocals and storytelling tie it all together.
At its core, it’s still rock. But we’re not afraid to blend in other genres – gothic synth elements, ’80s influences – wherever they serve the song best. I’m drawn to dark, emotive tones and minor scales because they breed depth and feeling.
Your song ‘The Afterlife’ is deeply personal, inspired by your wife’s courageous battle with cancer. How did this experience shape the songwriting and emotional depth of the track?
I’m a deep thinker, which is both a blessing and a curse. One night, I found myself reflecting on my wife’s battle with cancer. She had won – but what if she hadn’t? A devastating thought, but one I couldn’t shake. I felt loss, fear, and uncertainty. That’s when the concept for ‘The Afterlife’ emerged. If heaven takes you from me, how will I find you in the next realm? How will we reconnect when we are blind? How will we dream when we have lost our minds? These haunting questions set the tone for the track – a love story that transcends life and death. Thankfully, my wife Kim is currently in remission.
Each track on My New Skin tells a story of transformation. Is there a particular song that holds a special meaning for you?
The album reflects my life’s chapters – love, loss, social issues, personal evolution. The title symbolises shedding the past and embracing my present self. ‘Into the Light’ is particularly special – it’s dedicated to my father, who passed away in mid-2020. Due to lockdown, I had to watch his service in the UK on an iPad. That loss was deeply painful, and this song is my tribute to him. The title track, ‘My New Skin’, represents my musical rebirth, and I am incredibly proud of it. But ‘The Afterlife’ truly encapsulates The GAZ Sound – it holds a special place in my heart.
Your music resonates globally. How do you balance maintaining your artistic identity while reaching diverse audiences?
I don’t focus on catering to a specific audience. I believe that if the music and message are honest, they will resonate. From the outset, Mark and I aimed for an international sound, and his exceptional production quality has helped break into global markets. I’m humbled by the love my music is receiving from South America, the USA, Europe, and Australia. It’s incredible to see the songs connecting with such a wide audience.
What’s next for GAZ? Any upcoming projects or collaborations?
My next step is to see how the album performs and then decide whether to form a band again and take the music to live audiences – perhaps a few gigs, festivals, or even a short tour if the opportunity arises. The writing won’t stop – I’m already working on new material to take to the studio.
