Howard Ungerleider Interview - Rush's Clockwork Angels Tour 2013 & Lighting Rush for almost 40 years

Long time Rush fan Brad Parmerter recently sat down with Rush's lighting designer Howard Ungerleider to talk about the Clockwork Angels tour as well as work he has done over his nearly 40 career with Rush.  This in depth interview covers a lot of ground, and a lot of years:

"I’ve put light bulbs that didn’t exist in PAR-cans in PAR-cans before, things like that. That has driven people crazy. I made my crew one year put up 158 lights surrounding one of my rigs and I only used it for 22 seconds and they hated that.  That was for 'Countdown.' It was the light that surrounded the whole system that were on as the Space Shuttle launched. I heard about that for years, 'You made us hang those every single day for 22 seconds!' 'Yes. I did. [smiles]"

In addition, Howard provides an update regarding the band's tour plans for the next tour years:

"Are they talking about touring again? Yes. They’re talking about possibly touring in two years. But there will be nothing again for two years, we know that."

You can read the full interview here, thanks Brad for the headsup!

Canada Post Rocks Out New Stamps Featuring Canadian Bands - Now Available

Today the Canadian Post have issued Rush Postage Stamps which you can ordered here. In addition, the Canadian Post is also offering special edition postcards as well as a limited edition (750) framed print.

Ottawa (ON) – Just in time for the celebration of Canadian music and musicians at the JUNO awards next week, Canada Post is proud to give Canadians a preview of this edition of the Canadian Recording Artist stamp series, to be released in July, featuring for the first time, Canadian bands. Beau Dommage, Rush, The Guess Who and The Tragically Hip will be spotlighted in this fourth issue in a series created to honour musical legends.

“This year’s series features Canadian bands that have shaped the music industry in Canada,” says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services for Canada Post. “Each band has achieved national acclaim, along with international radio air-time and extensive tours.”

The Canadian Recording Artists stamp series will be available from Canada Post retail outlets starting July 19 or online at canadapost.ca/shop.

Clockwork Angels tour makes Pollstar's Top 100 Tours chart for first half of 2013

Ed at RushIsABand is reporting that Pollstar.com has released their list of the Top 100 Worldwide and Top 100 North American tours for the first half of 2013. Rush's Clockwork Angels tour came in at #69 on both lists. On the worldwide tour chart, Pollstar reports that out of 23 shows (although Rush actually played 24, so they must be missing one) played through June 30th, Rush's tour grossed an average of $491,304 per show with an average of 5,534 tickets sold. On the North American tour chart, Pollstar reports that out of 14 North American shows played through June 30th, Rush's tour grossed an average of $314,286 per show with an average of 3,937 tickets sold. You can check out the complete lists at Pollstar.com.

Joe Bergamini talks to The Aquarian Weekly about "Taking Center Stage"

Last October, Joe Bergamini's book Taking Center Stage was released as a companion to Neil Peart's Taking Center Stage DVD.  In a new interview with The Aquarian Weekly, Joe talks about the book, how he came to work with Neil, and some of the challenges faced when writing it. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson Produced "David Barrett Trio" Featured In "Guitar Player" August Issue

Back in February, the David Barrett Trio released their eponymous debut album, produced by Alex Lifeson along with Rich Chycki and Alan Parsons. David talks about working with Alex in the August issue of Guitar Player:

"Alex brought so much to the table at every stage of the process. When he first offered to produce, I gave him a bunch of demos that had layers and layers of guitar parts that sounded good, but he said, 'Look, you're going to need to be able to play this material in the trio setting, so we're going to have to edit stuff down to what's most important.' ... The funny thing is, it wasn't just about the logistics of the format. As soon as I started writing with the trio in mind, the material got way better and the arrangements just came together, which is exactly what Alex said would happen. Another thing he's a master at is knowing how to take an otherwise pedestrian-sounding riff and change one little element - maybe the key or the time signature - to give it an extraordinary quality. A wonderful example of this is the end of 'Great Eastern Sun'. The last section was originally going to be based on the same riff as a previous section, but Alex suggested we change the time signature by adding bars of 5/8 in certain places, and then he had us put the riff in a minor key. Before long, the song had evolved into what I believe is the best track on the record. Also, at the end of 'Sonar' there's this abrupt key change and solo, suggested by Alex, that wasn't on the original demo. Aside from his input on arrangements, Alex also had a big influence on how I tracked my parts. In the past, I had always tended to record at low volumes and tried to cut out noise, but he encouraged me to turn things up - sometimes to the point of feeding back in the studio monitors like on 'Hollowbody' - and it really freed me psychologically to be a little more in the moment."

The David Barrett Trio is available now from iTunes.  CD's are available at davidbarretttrio.com.- Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Calgary Show Update: Rush To Perform Alberta Flood Relief Benefit Concert

The latest from Rush.com:

CALGARY SHOW UPDATE

RED DEER – ENMAX CENTRIUM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013
Doors: 7:00PM Show: 8:00PM

Due to recent flooding and water damage at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the RUSH concert originally scheduled for Wednesday July 24 had to be cancelled.

Rush has been moved by the situation in Alberta and have decided to perform their Clockwork Angels show at the closest location possible on the same date – Wednesday, July 24 in Red Deer, Alberta at the Enmax Centrium – and have ALL PROCEEDS to go Alberta Flood Relief.

Rush will be donating their fee, and paying for all their expenses. Their promoter partner Live Nation will also be donating their time and fees towards this cause. The venue, Enmax Centrium, will be donating goods and services to the event as well. It’s an all –hands-on-deck situation to donate time in order to raise as much money possible for our Alberta friends and fellow Canadians in need.

Lead vocalist and bassist for Rush, Geddy Lee, has made the following statement: “After seeing the devastation from the recent floods, we felt compelled to do what we could. While we had hoped to avoid cancelling the Calgary show, venue safety concerns have closed the venue. Our apologies to all of the fans that bought tickets to the Calgary show for any inconvenience. We’re hoping they – along with the great people of Red Deer – can come to the Enmax Centrium for what has now become a benefit concert. We’d like to thank everyone helping to put on this show for joining us in donating their time & services so we can raise as much money as possible to help those in need.”

Calgary ticket holders will have a chance to access a pre-sale to purchase tickets to the new Red Deer show starting Friday July 12th 10AM, until Sunday July 14 at 10PM (or while quantities last), before tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, July 15 at 10AM. Presale information will be sent directly to those who had purchased tickets to the Calgary show. For further inquiries, fans can visit the Live Nation Alberta page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/livenationalberta

All tickets purchased online or via telephone will be automatically refunded starting on July 12th. Tickets purchased in person from a Ticketmaster outlet can be refunded at the original point of purchase outlet, starting July 16th. Tickets purchased in person at the Scotiabank Saddledome Box Office can be refunded at the Box Office, which is now reopened.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE RED DEER RUSH BENEFIT CONCERT WILL GO TO THE CANADIAN RED CROSS TO SUPPORT THE ALBERTA FLOOD RELIEF.

BUY TICKETS AT: LIVENATION.COM

Charge by Phone 1-855-985-5000
Tickets also available at Ticketmaster Outlets

Tickets on sale Monday, July 15th at 10am

Tickets (incl. GST) $60.00, $86.00, $116.00
(Plus Service charges)

Geddy Lee Comments on the Festival d’ete de Quebec show

Rush have posted the following statement regarding last night's Festival d’ete de Quebec show, which was cut short due to weather:

“My bandmates and I are extremely disappointed and apologetic over the sudden and unexpected ending of our show last night at the Festival D’ete de Quebec. The lightning storm that was approaching made it extremely dangerous for all the technicians working the sound and lights and there was a high risk to the audience members as well as the musicians on stage. We were enjoying the show tremendously at the time and we were hoping we could get the whole show finished before the storm returned but unfortunately we were unlucky and were forced to end the show for the safety of all concerned. Thanks to all of our amazing fans for braving the weather and once again our sincere apologies for what had transpired. Hope to see you all again soon!!!” — Geddy Lee

Rush Nominated for Prog Magazine's "Progressive Music Awards" 2013

Prog has announced the nominees for the 2013 Progressive Music Awards to be announced September 3rd.  This year the 2112 Deluxe Edition has been nominated in the "Grand Designs" category, and they have been nominated as Band/Artist of the Year.  Vote now!

Geoffrey Keezer's "Heart Of The Piano" - Includes cover of "Limelight"

Pianist Geoffrey Keezer's latest album, Heart Of The Piano, will be released on Tuesday, July 9th.  The lead off track is a beautiful cover of Rush's "Limelight".  You can hear a sample here. - Thanks to Jana Chase for the headsup!

Rush Pop Culture References Update - June 2013

Here's a roundup of the latest Rush Inspired Literature, Film, And Pop Culture References we've learned about in the last few months.

• Back in 2009, the sci-fi television series Warehouse 13 included a small Rush reference when Pete said "...the best Rush album since Roll The Bones, Snakes & Arrows rocks!"  Last summer Warehouse 13 premiered an online series of webisodes called "Grand Designs" - besides the title, two other Rush songs are referenced, and there is a steampunk theme!  Warehouse 13 is a massive, top-secret government storage facility, and in aisle YYZ 2112, Pete discovers a diorama model of the original warehouse built by Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla and M.C. Escher. Pete accidentally triggers the mechanism, transforming the warehouse and it's inhabitants into a life sized steampunk version of this diabolical diorama.  You can watch the full webisode series here!
• During last Monday night's (June 24, 2013) episode of Cartoon Network's Regular Show titled "The Last LaserDisc Player", there is a laserdisc titled 21-12 Time Attack, a film about the year 2112.
• In the Ubisoft videogame Far Cry 3 released December 4th, there is a easter egg of sorts for Ubisoft's other videogame franchise, Assassins Creed, which has the added plus of also including a 2112 sighting as one of the "Letters Of The Lost" mentions a passcode 122112.
• Rifftrax are downloadable audio commentaries by the stars of the original Mystery Science Theater 3000, which can be played as you watch your own films.  Like the original MST3K, there have been MANY Rush references on Rifftrax, the latest for Marvel's The Avengers, made available December 27th.  During the scene where Loki is commanding a crowd to kneel before him, Kevin Murphy quips "Who do Rush fans say belongs in the Hall of Fame?" right before Loki's second "kneel!"
• Earlier this year, we covered how Harry Styles from boy band One Direction was frequently pictured wearing a Presto tour shirt, making us wonder if it's the only shirt he wears or if he is subconsciously begging for some musical legitimacy.  It's forever captured for posterity in the music video for One Direction's cover of Blondie's "One Way Or Another" which debuted in February.
• The April 27th episode (season 16, episode 4) of MSNBC's prison documentary series Lockup - Cleveland: Extended Stay was titled "Rush", as one of the featured inmates was an old rocker that used to play in a few bands, who was so convinced he would get out soon that he bought tickets to see Rush on tour.

- Thanks to Chad Kilhefner, Matt Dillon II, John Stevenson and Penny for the headsup!

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - June 2013

Neil Peart has just updated his website with "Shunpikers in the Shadowlands" the latest edition of News, Weather & Sports.  Neil chronicles his recent rides on the European leg of the Clockwork Angels tour.   Check it out here.

Unison Fund Announces 'Rush' to Donate Portion of Sales from Concert Tour

The following Press Release was announced today:

The Unison Benevolent Fund is pleased to announce that Canadian music icons, Rush, have offered to support Unison's funding efforts by donating $1 from each ticket sold at 5 upcoming dates to the Unison Benevolent Fund.

Over the course of their incredible career, Rush has released 25 gold records and 14 platinum records (3 of which have gone multiplatinum), placing them in the top 3 rock bands for the most consecutive certified rock album catalogue, with worldwide sales of 43 million units.

The band's popularity has always been unwavering, and they are currently on their Clockwork Angels tour, having just finished a trek across Europe and returning to North America later this month.
Long known for their support of various philanthropic causes, Rush have generously offered to support Unison by donating $1 from each ticket sold at 5 of their upcoming Canadian dates.

Those dates are:
July 6 Hamilton, Ontario - Copp's Coliseum
July 12& 14 Halifax, Nova Scotia - Metro Centre
July 24 Calgary, Alberta - Scotiabank Saddledome
July 26 Vancouver, British Columbia - Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena

The Unison Benevolent Fund is a non-profit charitable organization that provides counselling, emergency relief, and benefit programs for those in the Canadian music community who face personal or professional challenges due to hardship, illness, unemployment or economic difficulties.

Rush on the cover of Mobile Production Monthly

Rush is the cover feature of the latest issue Mobile Production Monthly (Vol 6, No 3), which includes an 8-page feature on the Clockwork Angels tour. "Rush's Clockwork Angels Completes the Steampunk Journey" details the stage show and includes interviews with the road crew, and "Rush Finally Gets Some Respect" is an interview with Front of House engineer Brad Madix. Check out the entire article here. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

"Rush: The Unauthorized Illustrated History" Now Available

Rock journalist Martin Popoff's lastest book, "Rush: The Unauthorized Illustrated History", is now available.  Click here to order.

"A chronological overview history written by noted music scribe and Rush authority Martin Popoff spans the band’s entire career from 1968 to today. A complete Rush discography chronicles all their albums, from the debut album to 2112, Moving Pictures, and Signals to Grace Under Pressure, Vapor Trails, and more. The authoritative text is complemented by album reviews written by well-known music journalists from around the globe, commentary from fellow musicians, a discography, tour dates, and hundreds of photographs and pieces of memorabilia, including picture sleeves, gig posters, rare vinyl, handbills, ticket stubs, and much more."

This is Popoff's second Rush related book, the first, Contents Under Pressure: 30 Years of Rush at Home & Away was published in 2004.


Check out these reviews:

• Entre Nous: An Essay on Rush and a Review of Martin Popoff’s Rush: The Illustrated History - CaughtInTheCarousel.com, June 10, 201
• Book Review: Rush The Illustrated History - GuitarInternational.com, June 17, 2013

Neil Peart and Geddy Lee: Rhythm magazine's "Greatest Rhythm Section of All Time"

Its official, they are the greatest!  The July issue of UK's Rhythm magazine was just released, and it features the 25 greatest rhythm sections of all time as voted on by Rhythm's readers.  Topping the list?  Neil Peart and Geddy Lee:

Rock's foremost power trio have been locking in perfectly for 40 years, so it's no surprise you voted Messrs Peart and Lee the Number One rhythm section in huge numbers - almost 50% of the overall vote. With every new Rush album, Lee and Peart again push the envelope of what a power trio - in which the rhythm section often shines brightest - can accomplish in rock. Neil Peart admits that this kind of tightness has taken a bit of time to achieve, though, as he told Rhythm recently. "If there is a little train wreck among the three of us, I can suddenly run on two tracks now. I can be playing what I need to be right, but if one of the guys is half a bar out I can say, 'Okay, if I drop that half-bar we'll all be together again.' Even sometimes if I make an error of execution that throws me off, I can still hear the time and that's 45 years of getting to that stage to be able to do that."

- Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Stick it Out: Reflections on Rush and Their 40 Year Journey to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Today Winston-Salem's Camel City Dispatch posted "Stick it Out: Reflections on Rush and Their 40 Year Journey to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Part One" by Dr. Jon Epstein.  Dr. Epstein gives a detailed history of Rush and how they have been a part of his life.  Click here for more.

Win An Autographed Gibson Alex Lifeson Guitar from Marshall Fridge

Marshall Fridge is holding a contest where if you buy one of their Marshall amp-themed refridgerators before August 4th, you will have a chance to win an autographed Alex Lifeson Gibson Les Paul Axcess guitar.   Click here for details.

Rick Moranis Remembers Recording Take Off With Geddy Lee in new Spin Article

Today Spin.com posted "Rick Moranis Rides Hard for Rush", where Moranis remembers recording "Take Off" with Geddy Lee:

Geddy Lee and I went to the same grade school. He moved away when we were still young but I remember him like I do all my friends from back then. Then in 1982 Dave Thomas and I were approached to do a record as the McKenzie Brothers on Anthem Records, the same label that Rush was on. So when we did the album we wound up having Geddy sing the vocal lead for the first single, "Take Off." That was the first time I had seen him since we were kids and the first time he had this enormous success. I've seen him subsequently a number of times and he always says, "That's the only number one record I've ever had!" Which is insane to me because those guys have sold about a 150 zillion records.

Auction: Autographed Geddy Lee Signature Fender Jazz Bass to Benefit Camp Oki

June 7, 2013, Toronto, Canada: RUSH fans are going to get a chance to own a piece of memorabilia from Geddy Lee; a one-of-a-kind, autographed Geddy Lee Signature Fender Jazz Bass Guitar. Children’s Charity Lonny's Smile (www.lonnyssmile.org) presents an evening of music and a Live Auction on Thursday, June 20, 2013, 8 p.m. EST, at the Horseshoe Tavern in downtown Toronto.  You must attend this event to bid. You have to be in it to win it, so be there.

Proceeds will benefit Camp Oki (www.campoki.ca), a free weeklong camp for children from Quebec and Ontario who suffer from heart defects and require implanted pacemakers or defibrillators (ICDs).

RUSH’s Geddy Lee has personally donated this Signature Fender Jazz Bass Guitar for the auction and will autograph it for the winning bidder with a personalized message of their choosing. The bass has been personally set-up to Geddy’s live performance specifications by his bass tech, Skully, with a set of ‘live RUSH performance-played’ Rotosound strings. The bass features a pearlized pickguard custom-engraved and hand-painted with the Oki logo by artist James Hogg, who has created the alchemy symbol pickguards on Geddy’s Time Machine and Clockwork Angels tour instruments.

"In Conversation: Chad Smith With Alex Lifeson" Part 4 Now Online

UPDATE:

• The first part of In Conversation: Chad Smith With Alex Lifeson is now available at http://www.musicradar.com/chadsmith.
• Part two of the conversation is now available here.
• Part three is here.
• The final segment, part four, is here.

MusicRadar.com, the world's leading website for musicians, presents In Conversation, a new podcast interview series in which Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith sits down for wide-ranging, one-on-one chats with some of the most inspirational musicians of all time.

Multiple award winning and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, Smith hasn't lost sight of what it's like to be a fan and last month, a few days before the legendary Canadian trio Rush were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, he indulged his inner prog rocker and joined iconic guitarist Alex Lifeson for a laugh-filled, leisurely dinner at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood, California.

...In Conversation is not a traditional interview; it's an insight into the personal and professional lives of two great musicians. Over striped sea bass and baked duck, Smith and Lifeson enthusiastically hold forth on a variety of topics. Although their histories and bands couldn't be more different, their commitment to unconventional self-expression shows a deep, mutual bond.

"I've been a Rush fan since high school," says Smith. "Neil [Peart] gets a lot of attention, as he should, but Al is under appreciated, I think. He is as great a musician as he is to be around. I'm honored for him to be my first. He was gentle with me!" - MusicRadar.com, May 8, 2013