Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - February 2014

Neil Peart has just updated his website with the latest edition of News, Weather & Sports titled "Bubba And The Professor".  Neil begins by contrasting his two selves...:"Can’t you just picture the ’60s sitcom, or wacky road movie, that would follow that title? Why, I can hear the theme music. The story would hinge on the classic “odd couple” setup, where a methodical, high-minded, would-be aesthete and intellectual is handcuffed to an easygoing neanderthal everythingaholic drummer.  You know, like the two polar sides of one character are tricked into sharing a long, difficult journey?  Oh wait-that’s my life.  What tales our nicknames can tell. The two in this title have been conferred upon one individual-your reporter-at different times in his life. You may imagine they come with a story or two."  Check it out in full here!

Rush Crew Winners at the Tourlink Top Dog Awards

Rush's Front of House sound engineer Brad Madix and video designer David Davidian both won their respective categories last night at the Tourlink Top Dog Awards ceremony in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Howard Ungerleider accepted the awards on their behalf.  The Top Dog Awards are bestowed upon the very best of the best in the touring community as voted by their peers. - Thanks to Greg Nosek for the headsup!

Walmart "Creating American Jobs" Commercial Featuring "Working Man"

On Thursday Walmart kicked off a new advertising campaign announcing their pledge to invest $250 billion in products that support American jobs over the next 10 years.  One of the television commercials used in the campaign features Rush's "Working Man".  Check it out here. - Thanks to Tim Murphy for the headsup!

Signals Feature in new issue of Prog magazine

The new issue of the UK's Prog magazine, featuring Genesis' Mike Rutherford on the cover, includes a feature on Signals.  From the cover teaser, "RUSH, on creating Signals, a synth rock opus." - Thanks RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart writes foreword for David Phillips' "From The Riser, A Drummer's Perspective II"

In 2010, photographer David Phillips published A Drummer's Perspective: A Photographic Insight into the World of Drummers, a collection of photographs of the world's greatest drummers.  Three years in the making, the followup (part II) is tentatively set for publication later this spring.  The book features Neil Peart on the cover, and in addition Neil also wrote the foreword.

For more info visit http://www.music-images.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/ADrummersPerspective - Thanks David Phillips for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson guest appearance on Keram Malicki-Sanchez album Come to Life

Canadian actor and musician Keram Malicki-Sanchez has started an online campaign via IndieGogo to raise the funds for his album titled Come to Life.  Seven years in the making, the album has been completed and boasts the work of 20 supporting musicians, including Alex Lifeson. Malicki-Sanchez met Lifeson while working on the film Irvine Welsh's Ecstasy, where Lifeson played the role of Dr. Figg.  Lifeson also serves as executive producer on the album.

"Alex did more than just play on the record, he became a mentor and executive producer, and in turn brought mixer Rich Chycki (RUSH, Aerosmith, Jonny Lang, Pink) on to mix 'Mary Magdalene' which set a new standard for the rest of our mixes and mastering engineer Andy Vandette (Metric, David Bowie, Porcupine Tree) to master the the songs, thus some of the most important people responsible for making Rush records sound like they do." - Indiegogo.com

You can read more about the project and the fund raising campaign here. - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Peart & Anderson Tinker With Rush's "Clockwork Angels" at BOOM! - Comicbookresources.com

Comicbookresources.com just published a new article regarding the upcoming "Clockwork Angels" comic book series including a short interview with Neil Peart and Kevin J. Anderson, as well as an exclusive look at the artwork.

Peart took a few moments out of his busy schedule to talk with Comic Book Resources about his history with comics before Anderson went into more detail about the series. "When I was growing up in the '50s and '60s, comic books were a very important part of my life. I devoured hundreds of them, I realize now -- all of the superheroes, and everything else from Archie and Veronica to 'Classics Illustrated,'" Peart told CBR News. "On a family car trip, I might be allowed to select two new comic books from a drugstore rack, and that was about as thrilling as could be for a suburban Canadian boy. Over the years, I shared all the typical flashlight-under-the-blankets experiences. Comic books entertained me, delighted me, inspired me, and definitely taught me a few things, too," Peart continued. "In Grade 8 I won a public-speaking medal for a speech about General Douglas McArthur that was 'researched' in one of the World War II comics that were also popular in that era."  Peart then analyzed his relationship with comics and how that led to this latest adaptation of "Clockwork Angels." "It occurs to me now that not only have I grown up with comic books, but comic books have grown up with me," he explained. "The rise of the graphic novel has been a wonderful evolution, and I am very pleased that 'Clockwork Angels' will be appearing in that genre. Kevin's words and Nick's art are making my visions live and breathe -- a phenomenon I call 'artificial reality' -- and it is exciting to be a part of it."

Kevin J. Anderson also added his comments, and it is confirmed that it will be a 6-issue series with the first issue coming out on March 19th.  For more click here.

Rush album cover featured in iTunes Radio developer preview

Yesterday the website macrumors.com posted a review of the latest Macintosh iOS 7.1 Beta 5 upgrades. One of the items mentioned is that iTunes Radio will now includes a "Buy Album" button; as seen here the album which they used to demonstrate this option is Rush's "The Spirit of Radio Greatest Hits". - Thanks to Blake Willis for the headsup!

Dream Theater discuss Rush Influence on their latest, "The Looking Glass"

Prog-metal group Dream Theater's recent self titled album was released back in September and is available on both CD and iTunes. Music Radar interviewed guitarist John Petrucci where he discussed the Rush influence on the album's track "The Looking Glass":

"The song is definitely a tip of the hat to RUSH. We're such fans - they've been a huge influence on us, and we continue to admire and look up to them. One of the great things about them is how they write really uplifting songs with positive messages, but they always sound cool. It's really interesting. 'The Spirit Of Radio', 'Limelight' - those are big, big songs with big arena-rock riffs in a major key. Even 'Free Will' has that. The songs aren't dark, but they're tough. It's really hard to write something that can cut both ways like that, but that was my goal. 'The Looking Glass' has a few different stylistic changes: There's the RUSH arena-rock major riff, but the verses are tricky as far as time signatures, and the style is a little darker. The pre-choruses are very pretty and flowing - they're in half-time - and the choruses open up and get really hooky. From verse to pre-chorus to chorus to riff, you've got a lot of musical styles, and that helps to keep things interesting."

Click here for more, including the new video for "The Looking Glass". - Thanks to Frank Ray for the headsup!

Power Windows Website turns 16!

Today is the 16th Anniversary of the launch of the Power Windows website at 2112.net.  We went live on February 1st, 1998!

Thanks to everyone who have contributed to this site over the years both in terms of content and Paypal contributions to make it what it is, and thanks again to Blake Willis of 2112.net!

Looking for your ticket stubs!

Greetings readers, I'm looking to improve the quality of my ticket scan archive, and would like your help.  Can you scan for me any of your tickets?  Must be HIGH QUALITY SCANS on white background, not photographs, and email them to me here?  The sooner the better!  Thanks in advance for your help!

Alex Lifeson PRS Acoustic Signature Guitar Premiered At NAMM 2014

PRS Guitars has announced the new Private Stock Alex Lifeson Thinline acoustic guitar, new for NAMM 2014. While the craftsmanship and attention to detail are very consistent with other PRS Private Stock acoustics, this instrument embodies some new design elements that take the instrument in a unique direction. The Alex Lifeson signature PRS acoustic is slightly thinner than the company's Angelus Cutaway and Tonare Grand and is constructed in such a way that it lends itself to louder stage volumes and the rigors of the road.

"During the 2013 RUSH 'Clockwork Angels' tour, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a PRS Angelus Cutaway," said Lifeson. "It quickly became my pre-show warm-up guitar, and I spent many hours in many hotel rooms lost in the gorgeous sound and tone of that beautiful instrument.

"I'm very happy to announce that I have collaborated with PRS to develop an Alex Lifeson signature model based on this superlative platform. If you're like me, you won't be able to put it down."

The Alex Lifeson signature acoustic is made in PRS Guitars' Maryland shop and features a bearclaw spruce top and koa back and sides with a mahogany neck and ebony bridge, fretboard, and headstock veneer. It is adorned with Mother of Pearl and Paua "Birds in Flight" inlays and Paua purfling along the top, fretboard, and headstock veneer.

"We are honored to work with Alex, a guitarist with world-renowned acclaim, experience, and talent," said Jack Higginbotham, president, PRS Guitars. "It would be difficult to find a better person to lend a discerning ear and such voluminous experience to a project like this.

"Our goal has been to develop a musical instrument that can perform equally well at home, on the stage, in the studio, or in the practice room. With Alex, we have found the perfect balance of all the above in an elegant package."

The PRS Private Stock Alex Lifeson Thinline acoustic will be available starting in the spring of 2014. More details can be found at www.prsguitars.com/lifeson.

- Thanks to Blabbermouth.net for the headsup!

DW Drums Collector's Series Icon Snare Drums Premiered at NAMM 2014

The 2014 NAMM show is currently underway in Anaheim, California, and DW Drums has premiered its new Collector's Series Icon snare drums.

"Created by DW Drum Designer, John Good, to pay tribute to some of the most iconic drummers in the history of Rock, the all-new line of Icon snare drums honors Neil Peart of Rush, Roger Taylor of Queen, and Nick Mason of Pink Floyd. The snare drum sizes and shell configurations are as played by each artist, with one dramatic new design element.  The finish is painstakingly laser-cut, then hand-inlayed from a variety of jaw-dropping exotic wood veneers. For Neil Peart’s drum, the Time Machine motif is realistically recreated in the wood, while Queen’s ornate, Freddie Mercury-designed crest is depicted, as is Pink Floyd’s famous Dark Side of the Moon prism and waveform image. Each drum is protected with clear gloss lacquer and includes Collector’s Series® snare drum standard features such as our MAG™ throw-off system with 3P (3 position) buttplate, True-Hoops™, True-Tone™ snare wires, True-Pitch™ tuning, and DW Heads by Remo USA®. Also included are a premium DW snare bag, certificate of authenticity, and a legend that describes the woods used for each specific drum. For more information on this iconic collection, visit: www.dwdrums.com."

You can download the brochure here. - Thanks to Mark Rosenthal for the headsup!

Total Guitar 250 - Alex Lifeson included in Toni Tony Iommi Feature

The 250th issue of Total Guitar magazine is now on sale and features Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi on the cover.  Inside, the magazine includes a feature on Tony where he is interviewed by other guitar greats he has influenced, including Alex Lifeson:

"For our 250th issue, we're celebrating the legend that is Tony Iommi. We rounded up key metal and rock players that have been influenced by Tony's playing - including, Jim Root, Tom Morello, Gus G, Zakk Wylde, Max Cavalera, Zacky Vengeance, Mikael Akerfeldt, Alex Lifeson and loads more – and got them to put their questions to Tony.  We also take a look at Tony's playing style throughout his career with excercises and tips, plus there are five essential alternative Black Sabbath riffs that we think you should know."

- Thanks to Rushisaband for the headsup!

Clockwork Angels graphic novel update with PREVIEWSworld

PREVIEWSworld has just shared a new interview with Clockwork Angels co-authors Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart where they discuss the graphic novel edition coming soon from Boom! Studios.  Included is a sneak peak at a couple of new images, including The Anarchist.  Click here for more.

"Love Me Some Rush" - Lance Hardy Photography

Here's something off the beaten path.  Last September, photographer Lance Hardy posted to his blog "Love Me Some Rush", a series of photographs where Rush album art is projected onto nude models.  I should say in advance, it is tastefully done!  Check them out here! - Thanks to Joe Pesch for the headsup!

"There are momentous times in your life that you never forget. They vary in poignance and significance, yet the events (becoming history) that paint our individual lives leave indelible memories. For me, one such key memory is the moment I was truly introduced to a band named RUSH.....So where does all this bring me today? Well then… I simply wanted to take this incredible, unforgettable influence in my life and have a little fun making some fun images my way. RUSH album art is incredible and consistently well done by artist Hugh Syme. My tribute, using this life spanning art in a fun photo shoot with always awesome Cassidy and my gorgeous co-conspirator." - Lance Hardy, September 18, 2013

Clockwork Angels tour makes Pollstar's top tours of 2013

Pollstar.com has released their list of the Top 100 Worldwide and Top 200 North American tours for 2013. Rush's Clockwork Angels tour came in at #64 ($14.9 million) on the North American list and #82 ($21.2 million) on the Worldwide list. Note that the numbers reported don't include the festival shows in Sweden, Ottawa or Quebec City. On the worldwide chart, Rush is listed as playing 34 shows with an average gross of $642,424 and attendance of 8129. On the North American chart, they are listed as playing 25 shows with an average gross of $620,833 and attendance of 8338. You can check out the complete lists at Pollstar.com and get the detailed show-by-show breakdown from Billboard for all of the US shows in the tour section. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Rhythm Magazine's "The Story Of The Drum Solo" - Dec 2013 issue

The December 2013 issue of Rhythm is a special drum solo issue.  Included is the feature story "The Story of the Drum Solo" which focuses on the history of the drum solo, and includes pieces of interviews with several drumming greats, including Neil Peart.  John at Cygnus-X1.net has transcribed the article, you can check it out here!

Clockwork Angels: The Novel - Coming to Paperback May 13th

Kevin J. Anderson's "Clockwork Angels: The Novel", based on the story by Neil Peart, is coming to paperback May 13th.   Preorder it here.

"Kevin J. Anderson and Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart have collaborated to convert the legendary rock band's latest album, Clockwork Angels, into a full-lengh steampunk novel. The music throughout the Clockwork Angels - the band's 20th studio album - forms the backbone of a colorful adventure story, which is now fully realized in Clockwork Angels: The Novel. The story tells of a young man caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. On a quest to follow his dreams, he travels across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy, with lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, airships and steam engines, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life." - ECW Press

Clockwork Angels, The Novel is also available in hardback, ebook, and audiobook, as well as the difficult to find limited edition Watchmaker's Edition.

Thinking Big: Rush's "Clockwork Angels" Concept Album to Be Graphic Novel - Huffington Post

Today's Huffington Post posted a new article promoting the CA graphic novel. Looks like the final cover has been revealed as well!

At San Diego Comic Con, Anderson showed several comic publishers the Hugh Syme artwork from the novel. He pitched them the idea of expanding the multi-media platform from music to prose to comics. "All of the companies were interested, but said they would have to consider it, have meetings, run numbers," Anderson says. But when he talked with Ross Richie, founder and CEO of Boom! Studios, he received an entirely different response. In an e-mail, Richie wrote, "HOLY CRAP!!! Rush!!!! WHOA!!!! This is so cool!!!!!" Anderson smiles. "That was more in keeping with the enthusiasm we were looking for."

Boom! signed up for a six-issue series that Anderson would script himself with input and art development from Peart, to be collected as a trade paperback graphic novel when the comic run was complete.

Then began the hunt for an artist who could create the images evoked by the concept album and the novel. After Boom! submitted several possibilities, both Anderson and Peart loved the work of newcomer Nick Robles, a Louisiana-based artist, whose style perfectly captured the world of the Watchmaker, the Anarchist, and Owen Hardy.

Peart says, "I am excited by this opportunity to realize the visions that Kevin and I have shared for a few years-and I am excited by Nick's excellent art. So far we have made great strides in creating characters with true personality, and scenes of imaginative and original 'artificial reality.' (Now there's a concept...)"

"I've never felt so gratefully overwhelmed with a project, and the faith put in me," says Robles. "I hope this is the start to a wonderful career, and I can't wait until the first book is finished and in print."

The first monthly issue debuts in March and is currently available for preorder here.

 Click here for more.