Rush is a Band

A blog devoted to RUSH:
Neil Peart, Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson

Fri, Mar 29, 2024

Updates and other random Rush stuff

Fri, Dec 16, 2011@12:46PM | comments removed/disabled

UPDATE - 12/16@2:04PM: Sorry - I hadn't switched over the poll yet. It's up now though. So how does the Time Machine concert video stack up against all of the other Rush DVDs/videos? Take the poll and let us know.

According to recent band interviews, it sounds as if Rush has about wrapped up the bulk of the recording for their upcoming Clockwork Angels album. The latest edition of Guitar World magazine contains a short interview with Alex Lifeson where he gives an update on the recording. From the article:

... Alex Lifeson stops short of calling Rush's upcoming Clockwork Angels a concept record, but he does admit that a theme runs through most the songs. "We have Caravan and BU2B; both of which we released already and played on the Time Machine tour," he says, referring to the group's extensive 2010-2011 outing. "Those two, along with three other songs, form a suite. The story of Clockwork Angels is in those five tracks."

Longtime Rush fans, who grew up on such multi-song narratives as 2112 and Hemispheres, will no doubt applaud the group's return to its prog-rock roots. They'll also be thrilled to learn that the band isn't paying mind to the length of its compositions. "We're definitely stretching out," Lifeson says. "Most of the songs are over six minutes. We're having fun with them, seeing where they want to go."

The guitarist estimates that Rush has eight songs finished. One track, however, is putting up a fight. "We wrote it, scrapped it, then rewrote it and shelved it again," Lifeson says, laughing. "Right now, we're still considering it. Something's there that we don't want to lose."

The band is working once again with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who in addition to helming albums for the Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains and Evanesence, oversaw Rush's 2007 release, Snakes & Arrows. "Nick is fantastic," Lifeson says. "He's very enthusiastic, has great ideas, gets incredible sounds, and he's so adaptable to our twists and turns."

That includes a more stripped-down, instrumental approach. "The last few records have been quite produced, with many layers of guitars and vocals," he says. "This time, we'd like to keep things simple and direct.

"We'll see if that sticks," he adds after a moment's though. "I might listen to the finished record and go, 'Needs more guitar!' " ...

Guitar World readers also recently voted Clockwork Angels as the most anticipated album of 2012.

Speaking of Alex, Lerxst was scheduled to make an appearance at Wednesday night's 7th Annual Andy Kim Christmas Concert but was a no-show according to reports by some fans who attended the show. There's no word yet on a reason why he wasn't able to perform - hopefully it wasn't anything serious.

Neil Peart was a guest on TSN Radio earlier this week and spoke for about 10 minutes about the rigors of touring/drumming, how he stays in shape, the recording of the new album, the Hockey Theme, and the TSN Snag the Snare contest. The podcast is available on the TSN Radio website (you can directly download it as a wav file at this link) and it's also available on iTunes. The Snag the Snare contest closed at 12PM EST today and the 3 lucky winners will get a limited edition Neil Peart snare drum; a replica of the drums used in the recording of the NHL on TSN's Hockey Theme last year.

Reader 1-2-bucklemyshoe pointed me to this glowing review of the Time Machine Blu-ray from Blog Critics' Paul Roy. He gives the blu-ray a 9 out of 10 rating and has this to say:

... The production quality for this Blu-ray disk is stellar. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is about as good as it gets, and the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track is not too shabby either for you non-surround sound listeners. The video is sharp and crystal clear, and the colors are vibrant. As I mentioned before, I wasn't crazy about the camera direction, but it was certainly better than about 90% of the concert DVDs coming out these days. ...

The Time Machine Blu-ray was released back on November 8th, but was only available exclusively at Best Buy in the US. However, this coming Tuesday, December 20th it gets released to all other US retailers. If you haven't already, you can order your copy at this link. Now that the Time Machine concert video has been out for a while now, I thought I'd ask everybody how they think it stacks up against all of the other Rush DVDs/videos. Take the poll and let us know. For all the results from past rushisaband.com polls, view the poll archive.

Speaking of the Time Machine Tour, reader Sean pointed me to this gallery of photos from the tour from former baseball pitcher turned photographer Randy Johnson. And earlier this week we learned some details regarding a Halifax concert promotion scandal which prevented Rush from hitting Atlantic Canada on the Time Machine tour this past year. The lack of any Atlantic Canada dates on the tour was one of the more high-profile omissions from the tour's itinerary and - as it turns out - it looks like the band definitely did pursue at least one concert date there but were thwarted due to reasons outside their control. An article posted in Halifax's The Coast last week reveals several details regarding the scandal which resulted in Rush being prevented from playing a July show at the Halifax Common. You can read all the details in the article at this link.

A couple of weeks ago Rush and their management acknowledged some minor production flaws in the Sector box sets which were released back on November 21st. Here's what was posted at Rush.com:

We are aware of some slight technical issues surrounding the CD of 'Fly By Night' inside the Sector 1 box set release and the DVD for 'A Farewell To Kings' inside the Sector 2 box set that some fans are experiencing. It stems from a production flaw and it is currently being addressed. As soon as production is completed a formal announcement of how to replace the discs will follow shortly. Please be aware that there may be a time delay in shipping and receiving the disc and we sincerely apologize for this inconvenience - Geddy, Alex & Neil

The band's management has also informed me that they are in the process of setting up an 800 number for folks to get the fixed discs (just replacements for the flawed discs, not a box set replacement), and will have all that information up on Rush.com once the discs are ready to ship. They also shared with me their response regarding some emails they are getting regarding other issues that fans are reporting hearing on the discs:

Please be assured that once the technical issue was found, the entire Sectors masters were revisited (again).

Rich Chycki had good time revisiting By-Tor on All The Worlds A Stage, and the listeners are correct that 'a sound' appears midway through the song. Like the studio version, that is the sound of ByTor-- a phase shifty type of angry animal sound that pops in and out around Alex's guitar solo. It's identical to the original vinyl version. There is no technical issue.

We know Rush fans in particular appreciate that the product being released now is the highest resolution to date, and that can reveal details that weren't apparent previously as well as revealing limitations of past media formats. I'm sure that fans appreciate that the masters are simply not recycled but fully re-transferred and remastered and will enjoy the differences in the products.

The Sectors box set was listed on both the Phoenix Times' list of Five Holiday Gifts for Dad, and NoiseCreep's Holiday Gift Guide.

This past Tuesday a Rush 3-pack was released for Rock Band DLC which includes The Spirit of Radio, Fly By Night and Caravan. They also hinted at more Rush releases for the near future, so stay tuned.

Rush's Limelight and 2112 were recently made available for the Jammit app. From the Rush Facebook Page:

Rush have teamed up with Jammit, the number one app for you to learn your favourite songs, and have made available Rush's classic songs "2112" and "Limelight".

Rush on Jammit gives you access to the original Rush multi-track masters, with instrument-specific versions available for drums, bass, guitar and vocals with the precise notation and tablature. In addition to being an exceptional learning tool, each Rush song can be analyzed by isolating the individual instruments from the rest of the mix, slowing down the speed (without changing the pitch) and looping difficult sections.

For more information and to listen to some demo tracks, visit the Rush page at the Jammit website. The Jammit app is available for both the iPhone and iPad. The Jammit website also promises more Rush songs to come.

Chromey is the classic 1974 chrome Slingerland drum kit that Neil Peart used from 1974-1977 on Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, 2112 and All the World's a Stage. The Critical Mass blog recently posted an interview with Chromey owner Dean Bobisud along with Chromey team member Tom Bronkema. Bobisud purchased the kit via an eBay auction back in 2009, restored it and for the past 2 years has been touring it around the country to raise money for charity with the help of other Chromey team members such as Tom Bronkema. The two discuss Chromey's colored past along with its new role as a means to raise money for the American Cancer Society and other charitable organizations. Here's Bobisud with some background on how he obtained the kit:

To be honest, being a Rush collector, I didn't even put a thought as to the whereabouts of this drum kit or if it even still existed until a fellow collector informed me of the auction. The auction ended on August 9, 2009 with 18 different bidders and placing a total of 53 bids. After the auction, the drum kit was restored back to it's former original playing condition as last used by Mr. Peart and was then decided to share the kit with Rush fans who can appreciate this unique piece of rock history and help raise money for the American Cancer Society. In November 2009, "Chromey" made its first public reappearance in 32 years at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana . We have since been displaying the kit and raising money for charity for the past two years with the help and support of the fans.

You can read the entire interview at this link. For more information on Chromey, check out their Facebook page and the Chromey team page at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer site.

Radio DJ and That Metal Show host Eddie Trunk announced on his blog this week that he will be interviewing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation CEO Joel Peresman for his Sirius XM radio show this coming Monday, December 19th:

... Yes it is true! The President of the R&R Hall Of Fame Foundation is coming to Eddie Trunk Live to discuss the Hall and my feelings about it! Joel Peresman from the Hall will be in studio 12/19 at 6:30PM ET for a discussion about one of my favorite targets, how it works, why it works that way, your calls, and more. Joel does NOT make the decisions on who goes in exclusively, but he is the top guy for the R&R Hall Foundation and hopefully we can make some progress and figure out why these injustices for so many great legendary rock bands have taken place for decades! I appreciate Joel stepping up in response to my years of rants on TV and Radio. Nice to know they are paying attention and he is at least willing to hear us out. ...

Knowing how huge of a Rush fan Eddie is, it's pretty much a given that Rush will get discussed. It should be very interesting. Here's a scathing article on Rock Hall snubs from the Washington Times that was posted earlier this week which mentions Rush:

... Rush, the band every critic loves to hate, was snubbed again this year - a streak that's now nearing Ron Santo/Susan Lucci-like levels of absurdity. Nearly 40 years after the Canadian power trio released their first album, the classic rock radio staple is still recording new music, still touring - with all the original members - and still packing huge venues around the world. Rush has 14 platinum albums - 14!

Only three bands in rock history have more platinum albums than Rush: the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Kiss. Obviously, the first two are in the hall. The third, brace yourselves, is not. Let that sink in. Kiss is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a band, keep in mind, that has sold 100 million records - and whose biggest single celebrates the phrase "rock and roll" in its title. ...

Speaking of Rush and the Rock Hall, Boston Herald music reporter and feature writer Jed Gottlieb is running a contest on the Boston Herald Guestlisted blog where he's giving away a copy of the Rush Time Machine DVD. All you need to do to enter is to explain why you think Rush should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For details on how to enter just go here.

The Ultimate Classic Rock website posted an article earlier this week which pointed out how much Neil Peart and actor Tom Hanks look alike. It must have been a slow news week. Here's what they had to say:

Tom Hanks has starred in countless award-winning and box-office busting Hollywood films, and if a movie studio ever decides to make a movie about the life of Rush drummer Neil Peart, they'd be wise to call him cause he wouldn't need much in the way of makeup to look the part.

Peart has starred on Rush songs like 'The Twilight Zone,' 'The Necromancer' and 'Manhattan Project' which also happen to be names of movies, although that part is probably pure coincidence. We won't even mention that Rush's all-time best-selling album is titled 'Moving Pictures.'

And yet none of that has to do with why these two men are on here, as we mentioned, the reason is because they look a hell of a lot like each other. It's kind of scary. Honestly, without Tom Hanks' picture sitting right next to Peart's to cloud your judgement, we would have sworn that were looking at Tom Hanks. Go ahead and cover Tom's face up with your hand and then tell me the face now left doesn't look like that of a two-time Oscar winner?

They also have a poll asking readers what they think.

Reader Gavin O pointed me to a Rush t-shirt sighting on a recent episode of Disney XD's live action TV show I'm In The Band.
On episode 19 of season 2 (Trippnotized) the character Logan is wearing a Rush Fly By Night t-shirt.

A couple of months ago we learned that Alex Lifeson played guitar on some recordings this past May with Canadian singer-songwriter Jason Plumb for his solo project Jason Plumb and The Willing. According to this Facebook post (thanks RushFanForever) the band is about done with the album and expect it to be released in March of 2012.

Reader RushFanForever let me know that 13-year-old drummer Travis Regnier recently took home the grand prize in the Youth Division of the 3rd Annual Roland V-Drums Contest. One of the judges of the competition was Neil Peart drum tech Lorne Wheaton. You can read a Canadian Musician magazine write-up about Travis and the contest by clicking on the thumbnail, and check out a video of Travis on the V-Drums at this link.

Alex Lifeson and his Coppinwood Golf Club (thanks RushFanForever) get a mention in this article on Coppinwood course president Kevin Thistle. The course will be hosting a charity party/fundraiser on December 23rd.

The first annual Ultimate Classic Rock Awards sponsored by UltimateClassicRock.com kicked off a couple of weeks ago and Rush is in the running for several of the awards; Tour of the Year, DVD of the Year, Live Album of the Year, Box Set of the Year. So go vote for Rush!

Alex Lifeson is up for the Guitar World Hall of Fame in the magazine's 2011 Reader's Poll (thanks John H). So go vote for Lerxst!

While you are purchasing all of your Rush swag for yourself, family and friends this holiday season, take a moment to consider passing on some of that swag to our troops overseas. Tunes 4 the Troops is an organization that collects CDs, DVDs, etc. and sends them to the troops on the front lines. It's a great way to support the troops and Rush at the same time! For details on how you can help, visit the website here. Fox News posted an article (thanks batperez) on the organization earlier this week and briefly mention Rush:

... In addition to new age music, other favorite genres include jazz, oldies and heavy metal. "They'll blare it from their Humvees when they're heading into battle," Radzyminksi's mom said. "Rush, Black Sabbath -- any kind of hard rock." ...

Heavy metal masters Metallica recently celebrated their 30th anniversary and posted a number of video testimonials from other rock artists on their website wishing them a happy anniversary - including Rush. Here's what Alex, Geddy and Neil have to say in their short, 10-second testimonial video:

Alex: Hi guys. Happy anniversary - 30th anniversary - to you guys in Metallica.
Neil: And they said it wouldn't last.
Geddy: Go Puppet Masters! (fist in the air)
Neil: Respect. (with virtual fist bump)

Metallica are huge Rush fans and have been one of the more prominent Rock Hall inductees pushing for Rush's induction. Front-man James Hetfield even mentioned Rush in his Rock Hall induction acceptance speech. You can watch Rush's testimonial video by clicking on this link and scrolling down to Rush, or in this YouTube video at about the 11-minute mark:

That's all for this week. Have a fantastic weekend everybody!

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