Rush is the subject of a new, biographical comic book from TidalWave Productions as part of their Orbit series. The 22-page publication was released earlier this week and is now available to order via Amazon at this location. From the announcement:
TidalWave Comics is proud to announce the addition of the Canadian rock band RUSH to its popular "Orbit" comic book series focused on personalities who impact the world. "Orbit: RUSH" is released this week. Written by Todd Matthyand illustrated by Martin Gimenez, this 22-page comic book is available both digitally and in print and can be found on multiple platforms such as Amazon. It will also be released in paperback and hard cover the same day with a special cover by famed artist Noumier Tawilah. ...
You can learn more about the comic book at TidalWave's website here, and purchase your copy via Amazon.
Prog-fusion supergroup Trifecta officially releases their 2nd album The New Normal today on KScope records. The album features Trifecta's core of former Steven Wilson alums Nick Beggs, Craig Blundell and Adam Holzman, along with guest appearances from Rush's Alex Lifeson and fellow Steven Wilson alumnus Theo Travis. Yesterday the band released the official music video for the album's first single, Once Around The Sun With You, which is one of the tracks featuring Alex Lifeson. You can watch the video below or on YouTube. The 19-track album follows up the band's 2021 debut effort Fragments, and is available on LE white vinyl double LP, black vinyl double LP, on CD and as a digital album. You can order it now via Amazon and other retailers.
Alex Lifeson and Lerxst Amps have announced the release of a new aftermarket accessory for Rush fans who own an S-style electric guitar with an HSS configuration. The Lerxst Limelight pre-wired pickguard has a blade-style humbucker at the bridge position, two high-output single-coils, and is modeled on the same electric guitar pickup configuration as Lifeson's iconic Hentor Sportscaster. It fits any Stratocaster or Strat-style electric that has been routed for a humbucker at the bridge and has a standard vibrato, and joins to the body like any other guard, with holes for 11 screws. For all the details, visit LerxstAmps.com at this location.
Grapes for Humanity is an organization that helps to raise funds to benefit humanitarian causes around the world with the assistance of the international wine community, and Geddy Lee is a member of the board of directors. Over the next couple of weeks the charity is hosting their 2024 Grapes for Humanity Canada Fine Wine Auction to raise funds to aid in the battle against the threat of climate change. The proceeds will benefit Nature Conservancy Canada, The Halo Trust, and Tree Canada. The auction kicked off last week via Waddington's, and will run through April 22nd. The auction includes several items of interest for Rush fans including autographed bottles of wine from Geddy Lee's personal cellar, a Geddy Lee signed book bundle, a signed Alex Lifeson Epiphone Les Paul, a signed Geddy Lee Fender Jazz bass, and dinner for 8 at Barberian's Steak House in Toronto hosted by Geddy and Alex. For all the details and registration information, visit Waddington's at this location.
Back in August of 2022, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone hosted a pair of concerts to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. The setlist included a number of South Park songs mixed in with Ween and Primus tunes, along with a surprise performance from Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Closer to the Heart with Primus and Matt Stone on drums (video here). The concert was televised and the audio can be found on streaming services, but it will now also be available on vinyl as part of a special Record Store Day release this coming Friday, April 20th. The 3-LP set is pressed on Towelie-Blue vinyl and will be limited to 4000 copies. You can check out all the details, including the full 22-track setlist here, and get a list of participating stores here.
Rushfest Brasil takes place THIS weekend starting tonight in S.R. Mampituba, Criciuma/SC, as described in this article. For all the details visit the Rushfest Facebook page. In addition,
LoveToKnow.com posted an article yesterday titled 6 RUSH Album Covers That Prove Dad Rock Is Still Cool where they highlight six of Rush's most iconic album covers.
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the April 12, 1984 release of Rush's 10th studio album Grace Under Pressure. The album marked a turning point in Rush's career in that it was the first album where the band used a producer other than Terry Brown, namely Peter Henderson. It was recorded in late 1983 and early 1984 at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec. Grace Under Pressure peaked at #10 on the Billboard charts and was certified Platinum on June 26, 1984. The album's first single was Distant Early Warning which hit #1 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. Here are some clips from the first-ever airing of the Distant Early Warning video on MTV back in 1984, including some trivia about the shoot from VJ Mark Goodman.
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!
