Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - April 2014
Rush On The Colbert Report - Again
Dearly Beloved's Rob Higgins Talks New Album and Uncle Geddy Lee
Higgins is currently bass player and front man of the group Dearly Beloved, and in a new interview with MusicRadar.com, Higgins talks about his relationship with his uncle, touring with Rush and being present for recording sessions.
"My mom is Geddy's older sister, so he would get stuck babysitting me. So for me, I was lucky! I was sitting in the corner of rehearsals. He'd have to look after me for the afternoon, so if he was going to rehearsal I was going to rehearsal. I would sit in the corner and watch the band for six hours without saying a word. I was always a quiet observer. They maybe thought I was tuned out, but I was absorbing every interaction, evert attempt at a song, every beat, every note. I was so enthralled with all of it.- Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!
"Growing up, he was my cool uncle. My mom would take me over there and we would have family visits. He was the uncle who always had the instruments in a sound proof room in the basement. My mom would visit with the family and I would spend the whole afternoon just bashing around on drums and guitars and basses. I can't ever really remember a time not playing music. I think since I was born I've had proximity to it. I guess I've got Geddy to thank for that. I don't think I would have had it otherwise."
When I was a teenager I was able to go to London with them, and I was living with them in a house while they were recording an album in England. I was fortunate enough to go on tour with them, live on a tour bus with them and spend time like that. I've always studied how they operate as a band, and it's certainly influenced the bands I've been involved with. They're all about work ethic but maintaining an incredible sense of humour."
In terms of the music it's always pushed me to push myself. I was afforded some opportunities to see them pushing themselves in the studio. There was one opportunity when I was 12, where I went and stayed with them in Quebec up in the mountains, this little studio called Le Studio just outside of Montreal. It was fascinating to just be in the studio for hours and have nothing to do, just to see their work ethic. Whether laying down a part on a song or figuring out an overdub or working with a producer to get the most out of a piece of music, it was fascinating to be a fly on the wall"
"'You Can't Have Freedom for Free:' On Rush, Ayn Rand, and Not Compromising" - Reason.com
Alex Lifeson visits Ishibashi Music in Tokyo
Ishibashi Music in Tokyo has posted a new video featuring an impromptu visit by Alex Lifeson. Alex signs his both his signature Gibson and new acoustic PRS guitars. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headasup!
Consequence Of Sound Asks "Who’s the Greatest Drummer of All Time? You Suggest!"
Consequence Of Sound has asked "Who’s the Greatest Drummer of All Time? You Suggest!" Click here to enter your three favorite drummers of all time. - Thanks B-man for the headsup!
Record Store Day 2014 - 7" Single with Rush's Cover of "7 & 7 Is"
Paul Northfield talks Le Studio and Rush in new interview
As a follow up to part one of the documentary "Le Studio: Temple of Sound", yesterday the Le Studio Channel posted a "Bonus Feature" featuring a 45 minute interview with Paul Northfield, who served as engineer on the albums Permanent Waves through Grace Under Pressure, recorded at Le Studio. Paul has many great stories, and discusses his friendship with Neil Peart and his role in the recording of Vapor Trails. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!
Neil Peart writes foreword for Gavin Harrison & Terry Branam's "Rhythmic Composition" - Now Available
Gavin Harrison, best known as the drummer of Porcupine Tree, has announced the upcoming publication of his latest book Rhythmic Composition: Featuring The Music of Porcupine Tree. Co-written with Terry Branham, the book includes a 20 note-for-note transcriptions of Porcupine Tree songs, and it will also feature a foreword by Neil Peart.Although advertised with a May 2nd publication date, copies are now shipping. Order yours here.
"Coming soon....'Rhythmic Composition' (on Hudson Limited) - myself and Terry Branam have been hard at work transcribing and writing stories about 20 Porcupine Tree songs. More than 40 great photos too. Release date to be announced here. There will be a limited amount of signed copies for sale at burningshed.com in the near future." - Gavin Harrison, Facebook, February 20, 2014
Le Studio - Temple Of Sound - Episode One
Check out episode one of "Le Studio - Temple of Sound", a new Youtube documentary which covers the LeStudio backstory from inception to current state. This episode gives viewers a strong foundation for future episodes to come later. - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!
Rush Sighting In "The Both"'s New Video "Milwaukee"
In the video, they hire a drummer (Ted's uncle, also played by Leo) who has Rush and the star on his jean jacket, and the 4:32 mark it shows "Ed's" list of top drummers including you know who...
Aimee Mann of course would agree; she appeared as a guest vocalist on Hold Your Fire. - Thanks J'Po for the headsup!
"Red Hot Rock" US #1 Now Available Featuring Rush Cover
Instru-Metal Symphony: The 20 Greatest Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Instrumental Songs - VH1.com
On Saturday VH1.com posted their list "Instru-Metal Symphony: The 20 Greatest Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Instrumental Songs".
"Some artists build careers around it. Some use it as another weapon in their arsenal. Some simply use it as a bridge between songs. But whatever the reason for employing it, the instrumental track has proven to be an essential element in a hard rock band’s legacy. Because even though lyrics can add a massive layer of emotion to a song, sometimes the story and message can be conveyed with absolutely no words at all. Just a combination of pummeling guitars and drums, heavy atmosphere and a big emphasis on texture and dynamics. And when there’s no concern about matching lyrics to music, the artist can feel free to stretch out, let loose and experiment purely with sound."Coming in at #1 is Rush with "La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise in Self-Indulgence)":
"The final track on the progressive rock band’s 1978 album Hemispheres clocks in at 9:34 and was the band’s first fully-instrumental release. Drummer Neil Peart has said that they spent more time recording this track than the entire Fly by Night album, but it was worth it – the complex track is considered by fans and critics to be a technical and creative masterpiece."- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!
Classic album covers in Google Street View in pictures - Guardian Online
Official Rush Lighters In 2014 Zippo Lighter catalog
Unfortunately, the lighters are unavailable! According to Zippo's headquarters in Bradford Pennsylvania, the licensing agreement fell through before going into production but after the catalog had gone to print. - Thanks to Tod O'Donnell for the headsup!
Walmart To Become Exclusive Retailer of Rush - April Fools!
Back in Februay Rush caused quite a stir when their 1974 classic "Working Man" was used in a commercial for Walmart as part of an advertising campaign announcing the superstore's pledge to invest $250 billion in products that support American jobs over the next 10 years.
In a surprise move similar to recent deals between Walmart and classic rock acts such as Journey and The Eagles, Rush has entered into a similar deal with the mega-retailer. According to a new report at HollywoodStar.com, Walmart will become the exclusive retailer of Rush, and in turn, Rush will become an exclusive sponsor of the retail chain, as part of a multi-year contract between Rush and the retail giant. For more info visit HollywoodStar.com.