Sabian Announces Limited Edition "Clockwork Angels" Graphic Cymbal - Now Available for Purchase

UPDATE:  The limited edition Clockwork Angels 22" ride cymbal is now available for purchase at MusiciansFriend for $549; the original 22" Paragon ride goes for $369.

Today Sabian has announced it will be offering a limited run of "Clockwork Angels" graphic cymbals, their first available for consumers to purchase:

While quantities last, Sabian will offer a limited release of the Neil Peart 22” Paragon Steampunk Ride and the Chad Smith 19” RHCP-Edition Holy China in North America only.

The cymbals will be well-known to fans of Rush and the Red Hot Chili Peppers alike – they received a huge burst of fan attention during both the Rush “Clockwork Angels” and the Red Hot Chili Peppers “I’m With You” Tours, during which SABIAN social media sites were inundated with fans asking where to buy the unique graphic models.

As a result of the huge demand, SABIAN will produce a limited run of 300 of each cymbal in 2013 for Canada and the US. Although both are current production models, these cymbals are printed with an original, eye-catching graphic, and each one is hand-numbered under the bell and packaged in a deluxe custom bag with certificate of authenticity.

Cymbals will be available for purchase later this month.

Thanks to Mark Rosenthal for the headsup!

"Why Rush Is My Favorite Band" - HeyReverb.com

Tomorrow before Rush's show in Denver, Coohills Restaurant will be hosting a preconcert get together across the street from the Pepsi Center at 1400 Wewatta Street.  Chef Tom Coohill is a huge fan, and will be offering drink specials including a special 2112 cocktail.  In addition, Tom has just penned the article "Why Rush Is My Favorite Band", which will appear in tomorrow's Denver Post. - Thanks Tom for the headsup!

"Gateways To Geekery An introduction to Rush, the biggest cult band in the world" - A.V. Club

As part of their "Gateways To Geekery" series, today the A.V. Club posted "An introduction to Rush, the biggest cult band in the world". A thoughtful and truthful report, the A.V. Club has published a road map that attempts to set any new or young Rush fan well on the way to become a full fledged fanatic.

"A house closer to the heart: See Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson’s country home" - The Globe & Mail

Today's Globe & Mail features Alex's wife Charlene, giving a tour of their new country home.  Included is a gallery with pics of Alex's wine cellar and home office featuring some of his favorites axes...

Vapor Trails Remix, Coming October 1st

CD, Vinyl, iTunes,
Rush: The Studio Albums 1989-2007

Rush.com announced on August 1st:

The Newly Remixed Version Of Vapor Trails And 7-Disc Boxed Set Of Atlantic Studio Albums.

Both Are Available On October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino (September 30 internationally)

In 2009, two tracks from VAPOR TRAILS (“One Little Victory” and “Earthshine”) were remixed for the Retrospective III collection, setting you all into a frenzy in anticipation of a possible remixed version of the entire album being released one day. That time has come.

The Vapor Trails Remixed album will be available on CD, Double LP, and digital download on October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino.

“Vapor Trails was an album made under difficult and emotional circumstances – sort of like Rush learning how to be Rush again – and as a result, mistakes were made that we have longed to correct. David Bottrill’s remixes have finally brought some justice and clarity to this deserving body of our work,” says Geddy Lee.

“Every song has been given a new life, from the fire of ‘One Little Victory,’ ‘Secret Touch,’ and ‘Ceiling Unlimited’ to the melodic musicality of ‘Sweet Miracle’ and ‘How It Is’… these songs have been redeemed. Thank you David!”

The remixed version of VAPOR TRAILS will also be included in the new 7-disc boxed set RUSH: THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1989-2007, which features every studio album Rush recorded for Atlantic Records. The collection includes the Gold & Platinum albums Presto (1989), Roll The Bones (1991), Counterparts (1993), and Test For Echo (1996), as well as their covers EP Feedback (2004) and the Billboard Top 5 album Snakes & Arrows (2007). THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1989-2007 features each album presented in a wallet sleeve that faithfully reproduces the original artwork (except for VAPOR TRAILS, which features a reinterpreted version of the original cover) and is also available on October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino. - Rush.com, August 1, 2013

On July 29th, in his latest News Weather & Sports report, Neil Peart announced:

"The band had recently been overseeing a remixed version of our Vapor Trails album, from 2002, as we had never been happy with how it turned out."

This was obviously good news for Rush fans that have been yearning for a remix since the original release in 2002.  It has now been confirmed that Vapor Trails has been remixed by David Botrill and mastered by Andy VanDette.  In a Facebook post  made July 9th, Grammy award winning Canadian record producer David Bottrill announced:

"So...It's late in Los Angeles and I'm just listening to the 1st mastering job by Andy VanDette at Masterdisk of Vapor Trails, a great underrated record by Rush that I finished re-mixing a few weeks ago. This record was written and recorded just after, and about a time of great tragedy, and there were times, I'm sure, where it was uncertain whether the band would ever record together again.  I just have to say how proud and grateful I am to have had the opportunity again to work with such creative giants.  Please...if you are a fan, or even if you are not, give this new version a chance as I think you will appreciate it for its raw emotion, clarity of purpose, and cathartic appeal.   For those who don't know the story, just check out 'Ghost Rider: Travels On The Healing Road' by Neil Peart."

CBS Boston's Toucher & Rich: ‘Geddy’ Bruschi Performing Hits Of Rush

Yesterday the New England Patriots inducted Tedy Bruschi into the Patriot's Hall of Fame.  In honor of the induction, CBS Boston's Toucher & Rich replayed an old contest featuring Tedy Bruschi, aka "Geddy Bruschi" performing the hits of Rush.  It is not to be missed... - Thanks to Tod O'Donnell for the headsup!

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

Neil Peart has just updated his website with the latest edition of News, Weather & Sports titled "On Days Like These". Neil tells of his latest motorcycle adventures on tour, and also indicates that "The band had recently been overseeing a remixed version of our Vapor Trails album, from 2002, as we had never been happy with how it turned out. Good news indeed. Check it out here!

Rush Included on "Canada 24: Rock Your Cottage Weekend" Compilation

Rush's "Closer To The Heart" is one of 24 tracks by Canadian artist included on the new "Canada 24: Rock Your Cottage Weekend" compilation released this past Tuesday, July 23rd. The compilation can be ordered here; for more information check out the album's review by the CBC. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

"Heart 'Destroy Stigmas,' Profess Love For Rush" - Huffington Post

In a new interview with Huffington Post, Nancy Wilson of fellow Rock & Roll inductees Heart tells of her newfound love of Rush:

"We are into Rush now. We watched that documentary 'Beyond The Lighted Stage.' I found it so completely great I took it on the road and me and [Heart singer] Ann and [other Wilson sister] Lynn watched it on our tour bus and we're like, 'Oh my god, we get it! We understand where it comes from now.'

I wanted to check 'em out because they were so tight with our producer Ben Mink. He's one of Geddy Lee's oldest dearest friends from back in the day in the '70s, so we kind of ended up hooking up with them more recently and I wanted to check 'em out again because of him and because Rush is kind of one of those bands that are kind of like a dog whistle that only men can hear.

I've always liked a lot of their songs on the radio over the years, but I've never felt compelled to pick up their albums.  But now I want to pick up their new one. We've become Rush fans."

For more click here.

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.