Kevin J Anderson To Appear at RushCon/Discusses Clockwork Angels Audiobook

Author Kevin J. Anderson, who is writing Clockwork Angels: The Novel (now available for preorder here) and as audiobook here), announced on Friday that he will be appearing at RushCon in Toronto this October.  In addition, he posted the following regarding a special afterward for the Neil Peart read audio book:

"...this afternoon I was in the studio recording a special afterword for the Brilliance unabridged audio edition of the novel (which is read by Neil Peart).  Over the past two days, I worked with artist Hugh Syme to develop a lavish illustrated booklet, 32 pages, which is exclusive to the physical edition of the audiobook. It’s been approved by Neil and already off to press. The audio will be released simultaneously with the hardcover novel on September 1, and both are available for preorder now." - Kevin J. Anderson, July 19, 2012

For more on Kevin J. Anderson, visit his entry on this website's "Rush Inspired Literature, Film, And Pop Culture References" page here. You might also be interested in Neil's introduction to Landscapes, Anderson's short story collection. Lastly, check out Anderson's blog post from 2010 telling of his spending time with Neil during Rush's visit to Colorado on the Time Machine Tour.

Sonic Reality's "Moving Signals & Waves - A Tribute To Rush" Featuring The Drums Of Neil Peart Coming This Summer

Today SonicReality's Dave Kerzner posted to his Facebook page "I'm producing, engineering and playing keys on a full album of Rush covers featuring Neil Peart of Rush on drums via his Sonic Reality sample library "Neil Peart Drums" plus special guests from bands like Yes, Porcupine Tree, Asia FJP, It Bites, Triumph and more. Due to be out on iTunes and on CD by the end of the Summer. :)!"

This is the second Rush tribute by Sonic Reality featuring Neil Peart on drums; click here for info regarding  XYZ - A Tribute To Rush released this past April.

Plates of prog rock: An epic nine-course meal inspired by Rush - National Post

As announced back in June, this weekend saw the "Rush As Food" benefit dinner in Toronto.  The dinner consisted of nine courses representing different Rush songs.  For the full story visit the National Post.com:

The 16 diners at the $150-a-plate, three-hour-plus “Rush as Food” meal (proceeds of which went to the Art Gives Hope charity founded by the band’s late photographer Andrew McNaughtan) ranged from foodies who had never seen the band play live to rabid fans discussing their favourite live Lifeson guitar solos and the merits of new album Clockwork Angels. All were frequently smiling, and not just because of the copious glasses of Entre Nous (an agreeably fruity Pinot Noir by Crowley Wines in Oregon, named after a song on Rush’s 1980 album, Permanent Waves).

Geddy Lee talks Rush's Clockwork Angels, track-by-track - MusicRadar.com

Musicradar.com has just posted a new interview with Geddy Lee, "Geddy Lee talks Rush's Clockwork Angels, track-by-track" (click for full article).

"Following chats with producer Nick Raskulinecz and guitarist Alex Lifeson, we sat down with Geddy Lee, bass player and vocalist with Canadian rock gods Rush to get his insight on the recording and writing sessions of their latest album, Clockwork Angels.

"Written before, in and around the Time Machine tour, Clockwork Angels was perhaps the most eagerly anticipated album by the band to date, but it has since proved to be worth the wait – becoming acclaimed as one of the group's finest collections and selling over 103,000 copies in the US in its first week alone.

"We spoke to Geddy Lee to find out his opinions on the album, the story that binds the collection together and how the fractured writing sessions benefited the concept"

Geddy Lee Cameo In CBC's "Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town" - Now On DVD

UPDATE: Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is now available for purchase here.

Sunday February 12th, the CBC broadcasted a 100th Anniversary film adaptation of Stephen Leacock's Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town.  Geddy Lee has a cameo in the film; he is seen in a barber chair with a towel over his head throughout the film, which he removes during the credits to reveal himself.  - Thanks to RushIsABand and RushFanForever for the headsup!

Geddy Lee: The Grapes Of Rush - Samaritan Magazine

Geddy Lee is featured in a new story posted today at SamaritanMag.com.  The story tells how Grapes for Humanity began, and includes a brief interview with Geddy and his contributions to the organization.  "The wine trips along with the sale of Rush memorabilia have raised more than $350,000 for Grapes for Humanity Canada, confirms Grapes For Humanity’s Tony Aspler." - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson Featured in Summer issue of Guitar World

Alex Lifeson is interviewed in new summer issue of Guitar World magazine.  The feature story is titled "Rock Around The Clock". - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson's "My '77" in Summer Issue of Classic Rock

The Summer 2012 issue of Classic Rock magazine includes various artists' look back on the music of 1977.  Alex Lifeson is interviewed on page 85, and discusses 1977 and the recording of A Farewell To Kings. - Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Geddy Lee interviews with MusicRadar.com

MusicRadar.com has posted five new videos from the Geddy Lee interview which has been published piecemeal over the last few weeks.  In part 1 Geddy tells how the Time Machine tour delayed the new album.  In part 2 Geddy tells how studios have evolved and how Rush have changed their recording approach.  In part 3 Geddy talks about recording Clockwork Angels.  In part 4 Geddy talks about switching instruments on The Wreckers.  And in part 5, he talks about recording drums for Clockwork Angels. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the heads up.

Geddy Lee To Be Featured In Upcoming Documentary Film "Jaco"

Geddy Lee will be one of many musicians to be featured in the upcoming documentary film about the bass great, Jaco Pastorius.  Pastorius was 35 years young when he passed away in 1987.

Geddy has cited Pastorius as one of his influences over the years, and used a fretless Fender Jaco Pastorius tribute bass to record "Malignant Narcissism" on Snakes & Arrows.

Tentatively titled "Jaco", the film is being financed by Metallica's Robert Trujillo. For more info visit USAtoday, or visit the film's Facebook page. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Rush: They Don't Fade Away - The National

From today's TheNational.ae, "The group's 20th studio album Clockwork Angels recently debuted at Number 2 in the US and Number 1 in Canada. Lee explains Rush's enduring appeal."  Click here for the full interview.

Rush: A Brief History of Time Part 9

Cygnus-X1.net has added another installment of Rush: A Brief History of Time. In this edition, John has added contains 118 separate articles and advertisements spanning from 1982 all the way through to 2012. - Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Rush Starman in "Rock & Brews" Restaurant In LA

Gene Simmons is part owner of the new "Rock & Brews" restaurant franchise, which claims to offer an atmosphere that is "like being back stage at a rock concert".

The first restaurant opened April 3rd in Los Angeles; the event served to benefit the Rock 4 Vets program, and was featured on the Gene Simmons Family Jewels episode "KISS A Vet" this past Monday (watch it here); full coverage of the event is also found here.

As seen in this screen capture, there is apparently a HUGE Rush starman logo filling an entire wall of the restaurant!  LA Rush fans, do us a favor and drop by Rock & Brews and send us some additional pics of this wall!

In addition, check out the "Rock & Brews" menu, which includes "Red Barchetta Bruchetta". - Thanks to Mike Hausler for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson on the Humble and Fred Radio Show

Today Alex Lifeson called into the Humble and Fred Radio show to discuss Clockwork Angels and the upcoming tour.  The interview is available for download here, you can hear Alex at the 64 minute mark. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the heads up.

All Axess Video: "Geddy Lee On The Evolution Of ‘Caravan’ and ‘BU2B’"

AllAxess.com has posted a new video with Geddy lee where he discusses "The Evolution Of ‘Caravan’ and ‘BU2B’". - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

PROG Magazine Video: "Geddy Lee Exclusive - What Rush Means To The Fans"

PROG Magazine has posted a new video with Geddy lee where he discusses "What Rush Means To The Fans".

Neil Peart "How to Find Balance in Life" - New York Times

Neil Peart was quoted in Sunday's New York Times' "One Page Magazine" with "How to Find Balance in Life":

As a drummer and a writer, when I get tired of wrestling with words, I can go beat up the drums. Maybe everyone should have a drum to carry around to express their feelings. That would be funny. As told to Spencer Bailey

- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Rush Reference On Aqua Something You Know Whatever "Shirt Herpes"

Rush was referenced on last night's episode of "Aqua Something You Know Whatever" (aka Aqua Teen Hunger Force).  In "Shirt Herpes" (season 9, episode 3), Carl tells Shake about his "Interplanetary Insanitarium" fantasy world, where after stealing the bass axe from a demon, he "continued the bass solo, from a, it was like a Geddy Lee deep cut, Moving Pictures, maybe it was YYZ, I dunno..."  You can watch the episode here. - Thanks to John Stevenson for the headsup!

Geddy Lee on BBC Radio Update

Geddy Lee was interviewed by BBC Radio 5 "Up All Night"; the interview aired June 29th.  You can hear the interview here beginning at the 51 minute mark.

Geddy also appeared on Bob Harris' show on BBC Radio 2, at midnight July 1st for early Canada Day chat.  You can hear the interview here.

And finally, Geddy appeared on Ken Bruce's radio show on BBC Radio 2 Monday July 3rd during his 'Tracks of my years' segment. The interview can be heard here. - Thanks to Chris Flook, Richard Fionda, Mike Smith and RushFanForever for the headsup!

"Rush Tells A Different Story" - Times of Oman

The Times of Oman have published a new interview with Alex Lifeson titled "Rush Tells A Different Story", where he talks about the recording of Clockwork Angels, including the history of songs such as Wish Them Well which went three iterations before they were happy:

"We just were not happy at all with the first two, and it's come so far from what those ideas were. The first one was a meandering kind of rhythmic thing, a little on the sweet side and boring as hell. The second one was a little grittier, and then we kind of reassessed what the song was about and tried to be more positive with the sentiment musically."

He also talks about the radio edit of "Headlong Flight":

"Our expectation was that they probably wouldn't play it, and there was pressure to do a radio-edit version which came down to about five-and-a-half minutes - and yet it's gotten lots of play and is generating attention for the album.  So we get by without radio, really, although it's wonderful to have the support if you can get it."

And in regards to bringing an orchestra on the road:

"It's just something else that's different for us, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like. 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 Time Machine tour was, but we are definitely freshening it up and there'll be a lot of new video stuff going on.