"Clockwork Angels" Released Today

Today marks the official release of Clockwork Angels, RUSH's 20th studio album, their first in five years.  The album is available on CD, Vinyl and iTunes, in audiophile 96kHz/24bit format from HDTracks, as a special edition Classic Rock Fan Pack, and will be the subject of a novelization by Kevin J. Anderson with Neil Peart coming this fall.

• Click here for our Clockwork Angels linernotes and lyrics page (just click on the song titles for the lyrics).  This page also includes the Clockwork Angels "album news archive" which has a complete breakdown of the history of the album thus far from Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart and producer Nick Raskulinecz "In Their Own Words".
• Click here for the Clockwork Angels Transcript Archive, a ever-expanding collection of interviews and stories covering the new album.
• Click here for a complete set of Clockwork Angels Desktop Wallpaper.
• Click here for a ongoing list of album reviews from around the globe.

Rush 'the fruit of a long-term relationship' says Geddy Lee - CBCNews

Geddy Lee appeared on CBC's The National with Peter Mansbridge on Sunday June 10th to discuss Clockwork Angels.  The full video interview is here.

"Nearly four decades after forming in Toronto, pioneering prog-rock band Rush soldiers on, continuing to engage fans around the globe with powerful albums and virtuoso musicianship.

"The trio's 20th studio album, the steam-punk inspired concept album Clockwork Angels, debuts Tuesday and a world tour begins in July.

"Bassist-singer Geddy Lee sat down with Peter Mansbridge on The National and discussed the band's enduring appeal.

"'What does Rush mean to me? To me it's this little group of experimenters. We're this group of guys who want to see what we can do. It's the simplest way I can put it,' Lee told CBC News.

"As other groups that started out in the same era began breaking up, Lee said he and his bandmates — guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart — became intrigued with the idea of staying together.

"'We wanted to see what the fruits of a long-term relationship can do. Here's a band 38 years on and we are pushing it, to see where we can go as a band.'" - CBCNews.ca, June 11, 2012

Geddy Lee Interview on "The Bob & Tom" Show

Geddy Lee was on The Bob and Tom Show earlier today; you can hear the interview here. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Interview: producer Nick Raskulinecz on Rush's Clockwork Angels - MusicRadar.com

MusicRadar.com has posted a new interview with Clockwork Angels Nick Raskulinecz where he runs through each track of the album, including how the new intro to BU2B was recorded in a hotel room, Alex's guitar solo on the title track and The Garden were from the demos, how Geddy initiated writing The Wreckers on guitar, a quick explanation of "who" The Wreckers were, the "mistake vocals" left in Headlong Flight, and other interesting tibdits.

“Part of my responsibility as a producer – the biggest part of my job, really – is to be there for the artist and to help them see their vision through.  This album was Rush’s vision.  It wasn’t mine. I was there to make sure it was played as brilliantly as they could play it, sung as high as Geddy Lee could sing it, and have the guitar solos bring me to tears.  I feel like we achieved all of those elements. There’s so much emotion that we captured, just total from-the-gut expression. Three dudes making music – that’s Rush!” - Nick Raskulinecz, MusicRadar.com, June 11, 2011

Rush’s Geddy Lee not jaded about creativity 44 years later - Jam!Showbiz

In another interview published today by Canada's Jam!Showbiz, Geddy looks back on his 44 years with Rush, and how he doesn't feel his age:

"It’s a youthful game and you can let yourself get old with it but one of the secret rewards of being in a band or being a musician or that you’re kind of allowed to side-step the rules of your adulthood. Rock is such a teen-connected thing. We think in terms if you’re going to rock you better have some youthful energy there or it ain’t rock no more."

- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Rush Tours New Concept Album - Toronto Star

There is a brief interview with Geddy Lee in today's Toronto Star where he discusses comparisons between Clockwork Angels and The Who's Tommy.  In addition, he briefly touches on the passing of longtime Rush photographer Andrew MacNaughtan:

"He shot us on the Monday and I guessed he passed away on Wednesday morning," said Lee, quietly. "It was a big, huge shock. I've known him since he was 15 so he was a lifelong buddy of mine, really. The last 35 years I've known him. It was a terrible blow to lose him. I just miss him and it just feels wrong that he's not here. I just can't believe he's gone frankly. It just doesn't make sense."

Planet Rock – Rush Album Special Now Online

UPDATE: The Planet Rock Clockwork Angels album special is now streaming here.

The UK's Planet Rock will be talking to Geddy Lee on Saturday 9th June at 7pm (UK time) about the new studio album "Clockwork Angels".  In this hour long interview, Darren Redick talks to Geddy about the songs and the making of their 20th studio album.

The interview can be heard on Planet Rock - on digital radio, Sky 0110, Virgin Media 924, Freesat 730 and www.planetrock.com. - Thanks to Jon Norman for the headsup!

Win A Clockwork Angels Fanpack & A Signed Drumhead from Planet Rock

The UK's Planet Rock is giving away a ton of prizes over the next few days:

"Rush release their long awaited new studio album CLOCKWORK ANGELS as a stunning, comprehensive CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE FANPACK on 11 June, and we are giving away an array of fantastic prizes all this week including copies of the fanpack, subscriptions to Prog Magazine, a subscription to Classic Rock Magazine and, best of all, a beautiful autographed Rush Time Machine Tour drumhead....

For complete details visit Planet Rock.

Long & McQuade's Ultimate Rush Experience Sweepstakes

Canada's Long & McQuade music stores is giving away the "Ultimate Rush Experience".  Fill out a ballot at any Long & McQuade location between June 1st and 30th for a chance to win:

• A grand prize of a pair of tickets and meet 'n' greet passes for the Rush concert in select cities*
• 10 runner-up prizes of the new Rush album, Clockwork Angels, and the DVD Live in Cleveland.

*Grand prizes available to be won: A pairs of tickets and meet 'n' greet passes for Rush concerts in these cities -

• Edmonton (Sept.30/12 - Rexall Place)
• Saskatoon (Sept.28/12 - Credit Union Centre)
• Winnipeg (Sept.26/12 - MTS Centre)
• Toronto (Oct.14/12 - Air Canada Centre)

Contest runs June 1 to 30, 2012. One entry per person. Transportation to and from the concert is the winner’s responsibility.

- Thanks to John @ Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Neil Peart's Red Tama Drum Kit Auction

Neil Peart's Red Tama Superstar drum kit, used by Peart for Signals - Power Windows, is listed in an auction by Julien's auctions to begin June 22nd.

The kit, which was originally awarded to Jack Hess in 1987 (click here for Neil's announcement in Modern Drummer, October 1987), was later sold by Hess on August 17, 1999 for $26,100. The kit would appear on ebay without a buyer at least two other times before being sold to the current owner, Ian Coley, on May 2nd, 2003 for $14,621.12.  The kit was last seen being restored by Rob Telleria who has stated he has invested $20,000 into the restoration project; accordingly it is unknown why the auction value of the kit has been placed at only $4,000-$6,000.

For more information visit Julien'sLive.com. - Thanks to Joe Pesch and Greg Nosek for the headsup!

Decibrity Playlist: “Best of” Rush | Decibel Magazine

Decibel magazine has posted a new story online, Decibrity Playlist: “Best of” Rush:

"We may not write about these Canadians very often, but it’s undeniable that Rush has had a profound effect on legions of artists that we do cover. So to celebrate next week’s release of the ubiquitous band’s 19th (!) full-length studio album, we compiled a 'best of' Rush playlist that features tracks hand-picked by some of the many musicians who have been slappin’ da bass over the years."

- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand.com, who provided Decibel with background info on the artists featured!

Classic Rock Fan Pack Exclusive Bonus Content

The CD booklet included in the Classic Rock fan pack includes the text "Exclusive bonus content, to unlock the hands of time visit: watchmaker.classicrockmagazine.com. This link includes web page with a six minutes video interview with Geddy Lee where he discusses recording at Henson studios, Neil's drum parts, and "The Garden". - Thanks to Ed @ RushIsABand for the headsup!

"Clockwork Angels" linernotes and lyrics page

Early receivers of the Clockwork Angels fanpack have been kind enough to share detailed photos of the album's linernotes including lyrics.  In turn, John at Cygnus-X1.net has been kind enough to transcribe them and has shared them with us.  Thanks John!

Click here for our Clockwork Angels linernotes and lyrics page (just click on the song titles for the lyrics).  This page also includes the Clockwork Angels "album news archive" which has a complete breakdown of the history of the album thus far from the members of Rush "In Their Own Words".

Toronto's Q107's "Q & A With Rush"

Toronto's Q107's is hosting an upcoming "Q & A With Rush" and you can win a spot in the studio with Rush:

"Be Part of An Intimate Q&A with Rush!  The Mighty Q presents the world album premiere of Rush’s Clockwork Angels, and you could be there when Rush stops by the Q107 World Headquarters!  To win your way into this exclusive event, enter right now! If you’re lucky, you and a pal will join Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson live at Corus Quay with host Jeff Woods for an intimate Q&A about the new album!" - Click here to enter.

- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart Named "Best Prog Drummer/Best Educational DVD" - Modern Drummer, July 2012 issue

The results of Modern Drummer's 2012 Readers Poll are included in their July issue, and Neil Peart won both "Best Prog Drummer" and "Best Educational DVD":

"As the old joke goes, if an entry for progressive rock drummer were in the dictionary, it would be Peart's face that you'd see. Neil's a bona fide cultural touchstone, nearly forty years into his career - but somehow he seems more active than ever. Last year saw the Rush drummer/lyricist appear on MD's December cover, release the book Far and Away: A Prize Every Time, participate in the legendary Canadian band's Time Machine tour, release the DVDs Taking Center Stage and Fire on Ice: The Making of the Hockey Theme, and anchor the first drum solo week on Letterman.

-Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Ernest Cline's "Ready Player One" Now In Paperback - RUSH inside

The paperback edition of last year's sensational Ready Player One (think Charlie And The Chocolate Factory meets The Matrix), the debut novel by Ernest Cline, hits bookstores today.

The writer of the geek-fest Fanboys, Ernest Cline is a hard core Rush fan, and among the tons of 80's references throughout the book, RUSH serves as a major plot device and is a guaranteed, well, rush, for any Rush fan.

In addition, to commemorate the release of the paperback, Ernest Cline is giving away a Delorean!

"[Cline] has hidden an “Easter egg” in the text of both the hardcover and paperback editions of Ready Player One. If readers can find this hidden clue, it will lead them to the first of three increasingly difficult video game challenges. The first person to complete all three of these challenges will win the grand prize, a 1981 DeLorean automobile, complete with a Flux Capacitor! Ernest Cline will be driving this DeLorean Time Machine across the country on his book tour this June, so contestants will have a chance to see the grand prize in person at each of his book signings." - For details visit Ernest Cline's blog.

Ted Leo's Life With Rush: Closer to the Heart - Spin.com

Spin.com has posted an article "Ted Leo's Life With Rush: Closer to the Heart" by Ted Leo, an American punk rock/indie rock songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has played in the bands Citizens Arrest, Chisel, The Sin-Eaters, The Spinanes, and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.

Ted talks about his life-long love of Rush, including scenes of his life where the music of Rush was present and how it affected him. 

- Thanks to John @ Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Get a Sneak Peak at Clockwork Angels: The Novel, and Meet Kevin J. Anderson

Kevin J. Anderson will be at the Book Expo America in New York City this week signing a special limited edition sampler booklet of Clockwork Angels: The Novel.

The booklet includes the first three chapters of the novel (which roughly cover the song “Caravan”), the lyrics to “Caravan,” three full-color paintings by Hugh Syme, and original introductions by Neil Peart and by myself.  The Expo is at the Javitz Center in New York City, Monday–Thursday June 3-7; Kevin will be signing a limited number of the booklets at the ECW booth, #2740, from 2:30–3:30 PM on Tuesday and from 10–11 AM on Wednesday. - Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Geddy Lee Video Interview with Stormbringer

Austria's Stormbringer.at recently conducted an interview with RUSH bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee in Cologne, Germany. Over 16 minutes long, Geddy talks about the album, the tour, and confirms the band has no plans of retiring.  You can watch the video here. - Thanks to Blabbermouth.net for the headsup!

"Geddy did better when Rush fired him" - ClassicRock.com

ClassicRock.com has posted a sample from the new Classic Rock Rush Fan Pack:

"The bassist and singer was dismissed long before the Canadian outfit made their first recording. It happened even before they’d become a three-piece. The band’s new manager, Ray Danniels, who is still with them, carried out both the firing and re-hiring...He says: “That was pre-history really. We hadn’t recorded yet and were still in our embryonic stage, and Ray came along. He had no real reputation yet as a manager or anything. He was just kind of an agent working in Toronto.

“So he started directing the band and he just thought I wasn’t suitable, for whatever reasons he had. I don’t know whether it was the way I looked, or my religious background – who the fuck knew?

“Anyway, he influenced them and they went along with it, Alex Lifeson and John Rutsey, and I was out. They kicked me out.”

Rush were still laying the foundations of the band they’d become playing local drop-in centres with Lifeson, Rutsey and Lee’s brother-in-law Lindy Young on piano. After being dropped Lee formed a new outfit and joined them on the low-end live circuit.

“I started a blues band,” he says, “and I was, frankly speaking, doing better than they were. Then I got a call from John and he said, ‘Can we get together?’ Basically, ‘Can you come back? We’re sorry.’

“They had to go through whatever they went through. We tried it again and that’s really when the band started. We became this three-piece and we were really going in the same direction.”

 - Thanks to Tony Riviere for the headsup!