Roadrunner Video: "Rush - Geddy Lee on Singing Neil's Lyrics"

Roadrunner Records UK has posted a new video with Geddy lee where he discusses singing Neil's lyrics. - Thanks to B-man for the headsup!

Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan on concept albums, jamming, singing and more - Musicradar

UPDATE: Today Musicradar.com posted part 2 of their interview with Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan; this segment is "Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan on concept albums, jamming, singing and more". - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Today Musicradar.com posted an extensive interview with Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan: "Geddy Lee and Billy Corgan talk albums vs singles".

"That both groups, Rush and The Smashing Pumpkins, have hit creative highs while rejecting the notion that 'the hit single is king' was the starting point for a discussion MusicRadar recently had with Lee and Corgan in which the two talked about how they navigate through the murky waters of the music business and rise to the challenges of what Corgan calls the 'iPod era.'" - MusicRadar.com, June 21, 2012

Rush on the cover of "Fireworks", June 2012

UPDATE: Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net, the article is now available here.

Rush is featured on the cover of the June issue of the UK's Fireworks magazine (#52).  The issue includes a 2-page spread on the band and Clockwork Angels. For more information click here.

Geddy Lee Receives Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

According to the CBC, Geddy Lee was one of over 600 distinguished Ontario residents to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal last Monday (June 18th) in Toronto.  The special medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.

The commemorative medals were presented to distinguished Ontario residents who have already been invested with the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario. All living Order of Canada and Order of Ontario recipients were invited.  For more information visit CBC.ca. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart To Participate In Drummer's Reality Camp In Los Angeles June 27 to 30

As previously announced, today the Pasadena Sun reported that Neil Peart will participate in the Drummer's Reality Camp at the Los Angeles Music Academy College of Music in Pasadena from June 27 to 30.  Also participating in the camp are legendary session drummer Jim Keltner, Doane Perry of Jethro Tull, Uli Frost and drumming instructors from the LA Music Academy. - For more info visit Pasadena Sun, June 24, 2012.

Neil Peart With Jim Ladd On Sirius XM Now Online

Neil Peart appeared on Jim Ladd's show on SiriusXM Deep Tracks channel 27 on the evening of June 13th.  The interview is now online and can be heard here. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headusp!

Rush Feature in Rolling Stone's July 5th issue

Last week, RollingStone.com posted two Q&A's with Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson. The author merged them together for "Inside Rush's New Sci-Fi Rock Opera: The prog gods return with heavy concept album, monster fall tour" which appears in the print edition of the July 5-19 issue of the magazine. - Thanks to Stephen H for the scans!

Engineer Rich Chycki On Recording Clockwork Angels

On Tuesday Rich Chycki updated his website and shared a few interesting thoughts regarding the recording of Clockwork Angels.  Here's a portion of his update, visit his website for more:

It feels like it’s been a time of all things ‘Rush’ over the past while. As you all know by now, we spent most of the late fall and early winter 2011 recording Clockwork Angels at Revolution Studios in Toronto, Canada. I had selected that room for its cavernous but controlled drum room and I was pleased with the recorded results, as was Neil. The clockwork stage kit is one of the best kits I’ve ever had the pleasure of recording.

The making of this album was a further development of technique and technology and also a return to some old ways. In my work with some of Rush’s older masters like Moving Pictures, I learned that at that time much of the processing for guitars was committed to tape — a good example being the solo in Limelight, which is a stellar performance wrapped in lush sonics. Alex and I applied much of the same methodology for Clockwork, where a song like Carnies for example, with complex modulations, panning, eq and echo were committed as a premix during the recording phase for simplicity and reproducibility down the road. And Alex did some amazing solos in preproduction that were again, tweaked with vintage and modern technology during the recording phase so they would sit well within the production guidelines that the band had set.

Geddy’s recording was also expanded to include some additional vintage gear, if you recall the Fairchild I tweeted while we were in the studio ;-) . The rest of Mr. Lee’s secret sonic recipe will have to stay secret.

- Thanks to B-man for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson Talks To Classic Rock Revisited

Alex Lifeson discusses Clockwork Angels in a new interview with Classic Rock Revisited.  Alex discusses the album cover, putting together the drum pattern for "The Anarchist", switching instruments with Geddy on "The Wreckers", the upcoming tour setlist and the longevity of the band. - Thanks to Brad P for the headsup!

“Hugh Syme is a very clever and able designer,” says Lifeson. “He works very closely with Neil on all of the artwork. He has done some really dramatic artwork for this record. It made me smile; I got it.”

“The drum pattern on that song is one that I put together and Neil connected with it. I think I come from a different place than Neil does and sometimes he will find what I do as an interesting approach that he would have never thought of himself. It gave him a launching point.” 

Rush Bringing String Ensemble on Tour - Billboard.com

After being rumored at for months, its official, Rush is going to be touring with a small orchestra on the Clockwork Angels tour.  Alex shared the news today with Billboard.com:

"Our intention is to take strings out on the road," guitarist Alex Lifeson tells Billboard.com. Orchestrations, arranged by David Campbell, feature on several of "Clockwork Angels' " tracks, and Lifeson says Rush will employ a small string ensemble, likely eight to 10 pieces, to recreate those pieces and to be added to some of Rush's older material. "It's just something different for us, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like."

Lifeson says Campbell will be writing arrangements for the tour, which kicks off Sept. 7 in Manchester, N.H., and will likely appear at some of the shows as well. "Certainly in the beginning he'll be out for a bit," the guitarist says. "I think his intention is to use these musicians he's been working with for a long time, who he trusts, and once they're settled in he doesn't have to be around all the time and he can come out whenever he feels like it."

Lifeson says the production is "still in a planning stage" but promises that "it's a while new show. It's new staging, new lighting, everything is new and fresh about it. I would say that it's an evolutionary extension of what the (2010-11) Time Machine Tour was, but we are definitely freshening it up and bringing and there'll be a lot of new video stuff going on." And, of course, Lifeson and his mates expect to dedicate a considerable amount of stage time to "Clockwork Angels," a concept album that will be followed by a novel co-written by drummer/lyricist Neil Peart and Kevin J. Anderson.

"The set list is quite fluid these days," Lifeson reports. "We're dropping and replacing songs constantly, and that's the way it always goes before we get into rehearsals. There's a great deal of pressure on us now to do the whole record, which we don't anticipate. I think our intention is probably to prepare the whole thing; whether we'll do it or not we're still not sure, especially on the first leg of the tour. There's still a lot of older stuff we want to do, and we've got some great songs lined up from the past. We'd be loathe to drop them to add more of 'Clockwork Angels,' at least on the first leg. It's always nice to switch up on the second leg and make it a little different."

- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Q&A: Rush's Alex Lifeson on Choosing Their Tour Setlist, Hall of Fame Prospects - RollingStone

Alex Lifeson is featured in a new story at RollingStone.com: Q&A: Rush's Alex Lifeson on Choosing Their Tour Setlist, Hall of Fame Prospects.   Alex talks to the Rolling Stone about the new record, the upcoming tour, playing move of the new album live, the Vapor Trails remaster, and his feelings about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Rush In The Studio With Jeff Woods - Video Now Online

Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee dropped by Toronto's Q107 for a live interview with Jeff Woods this past Monday night.  The interview can be seen here.

- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Permanent Waves Photoshoot of Paula Turnbull - Unused Photo

An unused photo of model Paula Turnbull from the Permanent Waves album cover photoshoot, taken by Fin Costello, has just surfaced. The pose is similar to the photo which eventually was used on the Permanent Waves album cover.

Turnbull "reprised" her role on the cover of Exit Stage Left:

"Paula Turnbull became a noted model in Europe - enough that when I brought her back, she was appalled to know that I didn't have a trailer for her." - Hugh Syme, Chemistry

- Thanks to Tony Riviere for the headsup!

"Rush As Food" Event, Benefiting Andrew MacNaughtan's Art Gives Hope

"The Best Music in the World like you've never tasted it before".

"In celebration of perhaps the greatest rock band ever and their amazing new album Clockwork Angels, Matt Kantor, Chef of Secret Pickle, Hidden Kitchen and an arguably somewhat crazy individual, will be interpreting and deconstructing the music of Rush into a nine-course dinner. And we'll be doing it in Rush's hometown of Toronto Ontario. Coming July 18 and July 17 or 19, 2012. Dinner to be held at The Cookbook Store in Yorkville. One night only. We'll be pouring some really cool wines and beers as well. $150 all inclusive with proceeds to go to late Rush photographer Andrew MacNaughtan's Art Gives Hope."  For more information visit RushAsFood.ca.

- Thanks to Quinn Bradley for the headsup!

Rush Sighting In The Movie "That's My Boy" - Hitting Theaters Tonight

That's My Boy, the new comedy starring Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, hits theaters tonight!

During the opening credits, "Limelight" is heard, and Sandlers' car, a beat up Pontiac Fiero, has a large Starman emblazoned on the hood. This can be seen in the film's the restricted redband trailer.

"Clockwork Angels" Desktop Wallpaper Update

I'm pleased to announce I have added to my collection of wallpaper images from Clockwork Angles, and I now have a complete set of Clockwork Angels Desktop Wallpaper, combining all possible images from the fan pack edition, standard cd edition, and digipack.  (I say all "possible" images, as a few images were not reproduceable as wallpaper).  A couple of images were merged/manipulated into wallpapers, but for the most part they are straight reproductions of what you see in the cd booklet(s).  There are now 20 images for use as Desktop Wallpaper.  Enjoy!

Billy Corgan Talks Clockwork Angels With Rush - FMQB

"To mark the release of Clockwork Angels, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson connected with Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins for a lengthy conversation about the new album...In the interview Lee and Lifeson discuss making music, Neil Peart's lyrical prowess, the development of Clockwork Angels as a story, Rush's disdain for the "c word" (concept), their influence on other musicians, why an album still matters and much more."  For more visit FMQB.com, June 12, 2012

Rush’s Geddy Lee Explains Extended Birth of New ‘Clockwork Angels’ Album - UltimateClassicRock.com

Roadrunner records has posted a new video interview with Geddy Lee where he discusses various aspects of the album.  The video is included in the new story "Rush’s Geddy Lee Explains Extended Birth of New ‘Clockwork Angels’ Album" at UltimateClassicRock.com

Neil Peart On Rush's New Lp And Being A 'Bleeding Heart Libertarian' - RollingStone

Neil Peart is featured in a new story at RollingStone.com: "Q&A: Neil Peart On Rush's New Lp And Being A 'Bleeding Heart Libertarian'".  Neil talks about the songwriting process, the myth of the Seven Cities of Gold, Daphne Du Maurier's Jamaica Inn, preparing for the upcoming tour, and more. - Thanks to John @ Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

"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.