Porcupine Tree "Fear Of A Blank Planet", With Guest Alex Lifeson

Porcupine Tree's Fear Of A Blank Planet, which includes a guest performance by Alex Lifeson, was released worldwide April 24th.

"I really didn't know [Alex Lifeson] knew anything about Porcupine Tree until I read an interview with him in a British magazine. He mentioned really liking Porcupine Tree, and I fell of my chair when I read that because I grew up listening to Rush and I've always thought Alex was one of the most underrated guitarists in rock. So, I got in touch with him through the journalist, who had also done an interview with me around the same time, coincidentally. And we were right in the middle of writing at that time, so it was kind of an obvious thing to invite him to play on the record. It's like it's come full circle for me now, as the people I grew up listening to are now playing on Porcupine Tree records. So you can imagine the buzz, its incredible!" - Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, ProgArchives, April 22, 2007

Rob Zombie's "Halloween" Includes "Tom Sawyer"

Rob Zombie's latest film, an adaptation of the 1978 horror classic "Halloween", features a scene with "Tom Sawyer" as the background music. Click here to order the film's soundtrack release, which includes a host of 70's and 80's hits, including Rush's "Tom Sawyer".

"Halloween is a trick-or-treat goodie bag of audio clips from the film and ‘70s arena rock that turns sinister when heard in the film..." - Soundtrack.net

The Classical Tribute To Rush: Through The Prism

If you were interested yet passed on previous Rush classical tribute albums Exit Stage Right - The String Quartet Tribute to Rush, Chamber Made: Baroque Tribute to Rush, The String Quartet Tribute To Rush's 2112 and The Piano Tribute To Rush, the record label has a new compilation album just for you. The Classical Tribute To Rush: Through The Prism was released April 3rd containing "14 of the best tracks from these tributes"

"Since Exit Stage Right: The String Quartet Tribute to Rush, Vitamin Records has raised the stakes for paying tribute to Canada’s favorite sons. The first album was a smash amongst fans and was soon followed by the ambitious tribute to Rush’s magnum opus, 2112. More hit tributes were to come and with each record Vitamin surprised the fans with their dedication to the craftsmanship of the godfathers of modern, progressive music. With this collection, Vitamin has highlighted 14 of the best tracks from these tributes. It is an essential collection for any Rush fan and any fan of Vitamin Records’ captivating tributes." - VitaminRecords.com

Neil Peart's News, Weather & Sports - "The Count of Words"

Neil Peart has updated his website with the latest "News, Weather and Sports", subtitled "The Count of Words". In it, he discusses the essay written for the new album, mentioning that at 3,300 words it is nearly half again as long as the essay written for Vapor Trails. Due to this fact the essay will not be included with the cd, but will be posted on Rush.com. He also discusses the purpose of his MySpace page, upcoming articles regarding the making of Snakes & Arrows for Modern Drummer and another article about his favorite motorcycle destinations on the R30 tour which will appear in the May issue of Motorcyclist. He concludes with notes on the dreaded upcoming tour, as well as a tease about his new touring kit, stating:

"As for the finish and hardware, that’s going to be a surprise. I’ll only say, 'Black is the new gold,' and 'Red is the new black.'" - Neil Peart, NeilPeart.net, Mar. 20, 2007

Alex Lifeson in "Wine Spectator"

Alex Lifeson is interviewed in the April 30th, 2007, issue of Wine Spectator. Subscribers can access the article online.

Drumhead Magazine Interviews Matt Scanell

This month's Drumhead Magazine includes an interview with Vertical Horizon singer, Matt Scanell. The article goes into detail of how Vertical Horizon was influenced by Rush, and Scanell also shares the story of his friendship with Neil Peart. Apparently Neil was in Texas selling his BMW car to a lady at a BMW dealership; her husband was Matt Scanell, who was also present and recognized Peart. They hit it off and became good friends.

Peart and Scanell's friendship has been documented by Neil in his recent books, Traveling Music and Roadshow. In June of last year, Neil Peart posted to his website that he will be appearing on the forthcoming Vertical Horizon album (release date unannounced):

"Late in 2005, Matt [Scannell] and I started working on a song together, with lyrics I wrote especially for Matt’s voice — literal and metaphorical. Matt suggested I might like to play drums on that song, and when I agreed to that, he started sending me demos of other songs he thought I might like to play on. (Trickster!). So while I was in Toronto working on Rush songs, I was also 'moonlighting' on three of Matt’s songs, playing to his demos and working out drum parts for them...Through the miracle of modern technology, I was able to e-mail those recorded sketches to Matt, and collect his comments as I went along. Thus it came to pass...on June 14, 2006, at Capitol Records Studio B in Hollywood (Hollywood and Vine, in fact), I recorded three songs for Matt’s upcoming Vertical Horizon album...The following day I told Matt that session had been one of the greatest challenges, experiences, and — now — rewards of my life. That’s the way I have always felt about making Rush albums, and I have every faith the same will be true when Alex, Geddy, and I reconvene in September." - Neil Peart, NeilPeart.net, June 17, 2006

The Updated Rush News Page

For some time now I've wanted to bring some interactive functionality back to Power Windows, ever since dropping my "guest book" back before the turn of the century (literally), which was followed by the death of my newsletter two years ago. With that in mind, I've converted my News page over to a Newsblog (my RSS news feed has been automatically replaced as well). I've tried to keep the format as close as possible to my original News page, and the frequency and number of my entries will essentially remain the same as in the past. Now, however, you have the ability to comment on each entry as well. The forthcoming release of the new album should make for some interesting talk in the next few weeks, so please speak up!

Geddy And Daughter on Gilmore Girls

Geddy Lee and daughter Kyla made a non-acting appearance in the final scene of a recent episode of "Gilmore Girls". The episode is titled "Will You Be My Lorelai, Gilmore?" (season 7 episode 16). In a recent MySpace blog entry, singer Sebastian Bach, who also starred in the episode, writes:

"Sure enough, when I get to the production office to rehearse the song we perform in the episode, there in the flesh is Mr. Geddy Lee & his beautiful daughter Kyla! Turns out Kyla has impeccable taste & never misses an episode of her favorite show, 'The Gilmore girls', right beside Dad who watches every one with her! Geddy told us that he was in LA listening to mixes of the new Rush CD, & set up a tour of the WB lot with Kyla, who had a great time meeting the cast & watching us work. I said to Geddy 'Well, hey ..... why don't you guys BE IN THE SHOW???'" - Sebastian Bach, MySpace blog (click here for more), Mar. 8, 2007

Sucking the 70's: Back in the Saddle Again

Sucking the 70s: Back in the Saddle Again, a 2-CD classic rock covers compilation released February 27, includes a cover of Rush's unreleased "Garden Road" by the band Mos Generator ["Garden Road" is an unreleased Rush original last performed live on the '74 tour; in the 1988 "Rush Backstage Club Newsletter", when asked why it was never officially released, Neil replied, "... original songs written before I joined the band... Well, why do you think we never recorded them?"]

On a related note, a cover of "Working Man", performed by the Suplecs, was included on Sucking The 70s released in 2002.

Trailer Park Boys: The Movie

Released only in Canadian theaters last October, Trailer Park Boys: The Movie was released on DVD February 20th. A must for Rush fans, Trailer Park Boys fan Alex Lifeson has a cameo role as a police officer in the film, which also includes many Rush references. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee also perform on the soundtrack (for more information regarding the soundtrack, click here).

Rush On "The Family Guy"

Someone involved with the animated television series The Family Guy must be a Rush fan!

Back in November, a scene included Chester Cheetah (the Cheetos mascot) playing "Tom Sawyer" with a Rush poster on the wall and saying , his Rush poster and his saying "Ah God there is no f(bleeped out) drummer better than Neil Peart (pronounced 'Pert')!".

During last night's episode, there was another Rush reference: as Stewie and Brian are leaving Aspen, Colorado, a highway mileage sign gives the distance to Rhode Island as 2112 miles! (Note, this is in fact the actual milelage from Aspen to Rhode Island, +/- 6 miles! Coincidence?).

Rush on "The Knights Of Prosperity"

During the opening scene of tonight's episode of the new television series, "The Knights Of Prosperity", the leader of the group chooses "Tom Sawyer" as their theme song, then begins to sing Tom Sawyer along with a karaoke machine as the other members join in. Twice later in the episode the Rush version is played as well. The episode can be seen at ABC.com.

"White Noise 2" Includes Choral Rush

A review of the sequel to the film which starred Michael Keaton, where "A near-death experience gives Abe Dale the ability to see a spooky light emanating from those about to die", provides information about the final half hour of the film. The review concludes with "The final furlong features a stunning set-piece multiple death involving a piano, genuinely disturbing surgery make-up, and a school choir singing Rush's The Spirit of Radio. If only the first hour were this unhinged." - The Guardian, Jan. 5, 2007

Neil Peart Burning For Buddy Now on DVD

Previously only available on VHS, the complete Buddy Rich Memorial Scholarship Concerts and The Making Of Burning For Buddy are now available on DVD (released in 2006). The Buddy Rich Memorial Scholarship Concerts contains Neil Peart performing three songs with the Buddy Rich Band at the Ritz Theater in New York City on April 8, 1991. These concerts ultimately led to the "Burning for Buddy" albums whose recording sessions were documented on The Making of Burning For Buddy.

Tenacious D Rush Star Merchandise

Looking for some off the wall Rush related merchandise in time for Christmas? Check out these official merchandise items by Jack Black's band, Tenacious D, featuring their take on Rush's Starman. Items available via the official Tenacious D website include a t-shirt, keychain and magnet. Jack Black was Rush's original choice to act in the opening film of the R30 Tour, a part which Jerry Stiller ended up doing. Black is a longtime Rush fan, and can be seen 'singing' the music of "Jacob's Ladder" in the film High Fidelity, calling Peart "one of the great drummers of all time" in School of Rock, and even did his laundry on stage during one show of the R30 Tour. Note, while Rush's star has been mistakenly called a pentagram, well...

Alex Lifeson's Painting Auctioned For Charity

Alex Lifeson created a painting for "A Brush of Hope", along with paintings by nearly 90 other Canadian celebrities, which were auctioned off to benefit the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Lifeson's auction ended last night (Nov. 12), and his painting sold for $2,705.

Rush In Rio Single DVD Edition

For those that passed on it the first time around, Rush In Rio is now available as a single disk edition DVD. This edition is apparently identical to disk one of the 2 DVD edition, containing the concert only.

YYZ Covered In "Guitar Hero 2"

The videogame Guitar Hero 2 is now available, and includes a cover of "YYZ". The Playstation 2 Edition was released Nov. 7th, although Xbox 360 users will have to wait until 2007. Besides 'YYZ', the game also includes covers of Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs', Butthole Surfers' 'Who Was in My Room Last Night?', KISS' 'Strutter', Reverend Horton Heat's 'Psychobilly Freakout', and Van Halen's 'You Really Got Me.'"

Neil Peart on Rick Mercer Report

On Tuesday's Rick Mercer report, Rick "takes drumming lessons from Rush's Neil Peart" and they also discuss Neil's motorcycling. The episode aired Tuesday Nov. 7th, at 8:00pm and will repeat Friday the 10th at 8:30pm on Canada's CBC. Click here to view the video segment. Geddy Lee previously appeared on the Rick Mercer report in January 2004, in a report titled "Celebrity Winter Advice With Geddy Lee".

R30 Commemorative Drum Kit

DW Drums has produced thirty limited edition replicas of the drumkit Neil Peart used during the R30 tour. A new article sheds more light on the subject:

"Following last year's nationwide tour of Neil Peart's actual drum kit, accompanied by long-time drum technician Lorne Wheaton, musical instrument retailer Guitar Center has teamed up with Drum Workshop (DW) and SABIAN cymbals to recreate the legendary drummer's "R30" drum kit in honor of 30 years of the enduring legacy of RUSH. The DW Neil Peart Commemorative R30 Drum Kit delivers unmatched sound and is replicated right down to the minutest detail. Each drum is made from hand-selected maple wood with an inner ply of curly maple, while the finish is an extreme custom lacquer process that involves hologram appliques of icons (inspired by Keith Moon's "Pictures of Lily" kit) representing many of RUSH's most famous recordings and tours. Each Black Mirra Flake panel is lined with red pin striping and the entire kit including hardware and pedals are custom plated in rich 24-carat gold. The R30 kit also includes a full complement of Neil's SABIAN Paragon cymbals, which he worked closely with SABIAN to develop. The kit comes complete with 30 pairs of Pro-Mark Neil Peart Commemorative Drum Sticks, an exclusive DVD titled The Making of the R30 Drumkit, as well as a Certificate of Authenticity personally signed by Neil Peart. Guitar Center is making this once-in-a-lifetime, limited production (only 30 are being produced) DW Neil Peart Commemorative R30 Drum Kit available on October 30th at $30,000.00. For more information, visit their web site at GuitarCenter.com ." - Guitar Center Teams Up With DW, Sabian, And Pro-Mark For The DW Neil Peart Commemorative R30 Drum Kit, Harmony Central, Oct. 19, 2006