Exit Stage Left Vinyl Reissue Now Available, Signals Coming In Two Weeks

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As announced last fall, Rush is reissuing the complete Mercury era albums on 200-gram heavyweight vinyl in chronological order throughout 2015. The next release to hit store shelves is Exit...Stage Left, which hits store shelves today, September 25th.

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The next reissue is the Signals vinyl reissue, which is set for release on October 9th, just two weeks from today.  The Signals 5.1 surround sound "blu-ray-audio remaster" is already available, and was released August 14th.  This surround sound release was previously only available as part of the Sectors 3 boxed set.

The vinyl reissues will continue into next year with the final release being Snakes & Arrows.  Previous vinyl reissues include Rush reDISCovered, Fly By Night (vinyl and blu-ray pure audio in 5.1 surround sound), Caress of Steel, the 2112 hologram edition, A Farewell To Kings (vinyl and blu-ray pure audio in 5.1 surround sound), Hemispheres, Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures (vinyl and vinyl/t-shirt bundle).  These vinyl reissues also include a 320kbps MP4 vinyl ripped Digital Audio album download, and can also be purchased separately as high resolution Digital Audio. 

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - September 2015

Neil Peart has updated his website with the September 2015 issue of "News, Weather and Sports." Titled BubbaGram™#1, Neil lets us know that he is currently writing his next book, which will chronicle his experiences on the R40 tour. He states that rather than have his blog go dark in the meantime, he is going to update his website with occasional "BubbaGrams" with the explanation "At semi-regular intervals I will post a photograph or two and an anecdote, to represent the work in progress." This BubbaGram is about the tshirts he creates for himself and his riding partners for each tour, and includes photographs of each. You can check it out here.

Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart's "Clockwork Lives" and "Clockwork Angels Graphic Novel" Now Available

Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart's eagerly awaited followup to the Clockwork Angels novelization, titled Clockwork Lives, finally arrives in bookstores today (September 15th).

"Clockwork Lives is a novel in its own right, a story wrapped around a steampunk Canterbury Tales, and some of those tales are of familiar characters from Clockwork Angels (Golson the Strongman, The Fortune Teller, Guerrero the pickpocket, for example) and there are also many cross connections and cameos. You can read it on its own, but if you have read Clockwork Angels, you will get a bigger smile on your face." - Kevin J. Anderson

Also available today is the Clockwork Angels Graphic Novel, which collects the complete six issue comic book arc published in 2014, into one gorgeous volume.  The graphic novel script was written by Kevin J. Anderson with artwork by Nick Robles.

Also be sure to check out:

• Kevin J. Anderson talks "Clockwork Lives", "2113", Rush and more

"Neil Peart: Cultural Repercussions" by Brad Birzer Now Available

Also released today (September 15) from WordFire Press is a new book about Neil Peart titled Cultural Repercussions. Written by professor of history Brad Birzer and published by Kevin J. Anderson, the book focuses on Neil Peart's literary works and influences.  It is available in paperback and ebook formats.

"Though Neil Peart is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest living drummers, few studies have been devoted to his writings. Yet, Peart is very much a man of his words. He writes lyrics, travelogues, short stories, essays, and books of cultural criticism. In terms of his cultural impact, he is also one of North America's greatest living men of letters. The themes he offers in his writings are timeless;: philosophy, journeys, growth, exploration, excellence, art, satisfaction, happiness, religion, politics, individualism, expression, natural history, cultural criticism, life, love, loss, redemption, and beauty.

Peart wants every person to persevere through individual trials, and find his or her unique gifts and abilities and, ultimately, true happiness. Most tellingly, Peart does not just profess such things, he has lived them and continues to live them.

Never satisfied with second best or any form of defeat, Peart challenges himself time and time again to live up to his own philosophy. And he has succeeded through great personal adversity and, at times, irrational professional jealousy of and hatred toward him, and he has always succeeded through grace.

This book carefully examines the influence his life, his witness, and his words have had on others. Neil Peart has lived life to the fullest, and he has made us each better for it."

- Thanks to Brad and Kevin for the headsup!

Neil Peart: Marching To The Beat Of A Different Drum - Classic Rock

As a followup to the Rush feature published in the October issue of Classic Rock magazine, today Classic Rock posted a new article written by Neil Peart titled "Neil Peart: Marching To The Beat Of A Different Drum".   Neil writes about the drum solo he performed on the R40 tour, and tells how the solo was developed beginning in rehearsals, and how it came to represent 50 years of drumming.

"My vague design for that solo was deceptively simple. I would approach it as if I was just sitting down at the drums to start playing -- to exercise the improvisational skills I have been working on for, oh, about ten years now. Technically, I was determined to exemplify everything I thought I knew about drumming, and everything I love about the drums -- almost 50 years of experience and passion had to go in there somehow."

Check out the full article here.  - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Apple Uses Rush to Demonstrate The 3D Touch

Not for the first time, Rush appeared in another Apple product demonstration.  "The Analog Kid" made an appearance during today's Apple 3D touch announcement; you can see it here at the 2:40 mark:

For the past presentations, check out the Rush Sighting at Apple's WWDC 2014 Keynote Presentation and when Rush was used to demonstrate iOS 7. - Thanks to Rosmakloma for the headsup!

Rush feature in Classic Rock magazine, October 2015 issue

The new October issue of Classic Rock magazine includes a six page Rush feature titled "Exit Stage Left?" which you can now read online here.  Interviewer Philip Wilding speaks to the guys and takes in the final show in L.A. on August 1st.  The magazine will be on newsstands soon, and will be available to purchase from Teamrock.com.

New guitar show with Alex Lifeson coming to TableRock Media

According to an article published yesterday, TableRock Media, a new direct-to-consumer video company from Canada, plans on launching a new guitar show next year starring Alex Lifeson:

Out of Canada, TableRock was created by former GlassBox TV founders Jeffrey Elliot and Joseph Arcuri, the latter of whom is also a former president of AOL Canada. Former Discovery Channel Canada president and HDTV founder Ken Murphy heads the new company's board, and with the team in place TableRock is now planning super-niche OTT channels.

"We saw that there is an opportunity in delivering niche content over OTT," Elliot says. "At the start of pay TV people said it was absurd to have a one-genre channel, but they worked, and in 2015 people are willing to pay for well-produced, curated, niche content delivered on-demand."

TableRock's first offerings, launching early next year, will focus on specific interest areas including aviation, guitars and motorcycles. "Each of these are multi-billion dollar industries and cover subjects that go under the radar in terms of conventional TV. They are too niche in the old way of doing TV, but work in OTT."

The company plans to make about 80% of its content, with a guitar show with Rush's Alex Lifeson...

- Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

"The Spirit of Radio" covered on Kobra and the Lotus' Words of the Prophets EP Now Available

"The Spirit of Radio" is one of the tracks included on Kobra and the Lotus' Words of the Prophets EP released today (August 28).  The EP is available here; and you can check it out the track below.

“There’s no prouder moment than to take on the challenge of covering one of the greatest bands of all time,” she says. “Few bands have accomplished what Rush has accomplished, and there will never be another band like them. They opened the door and shaped the way for all musicians to be more creative and brave with their music – and they did it with unrelenting confidence and skill. It is with great honor and respect that we reinforce the message of these virtuosic music monsters and the importance of ‘The Spirit of Radio.’” - Frontwoman Kobra Paige

Words of the Prophets also features their spin on other Canadian-based classics including “Lay It On the Line” by Triumph, “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” by April Wine and Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Let It Ride,” among others.

Rush Brazil Festival 2015

Tomorrow (Saturday, August 29) the "Rush Brazil Festival" celebrating Rush's music will take place in São Paulo, Brazil.  The largest Rush festival in Brazil, there will be four tribute bands and promises to be a good time for everyone. For venue details and more information visit Rush Fã-Clube Brasil. - Thanks to Vagner Cruz for the headsup!

Reality Check Comic Strip featuring Neil Peart

Check out today's Reality Check comic strip from Dave Whamond! - Thanks to Ed Stenger at Rushisaband for the headsup!

"Rush Toons by Fantoons - Volume 2112" - Now Available

UPDATE: Fantoons is currently shipping preorders taken during their Kickstarter project.  If you missed out on that, you can now order a copy from Fantoons here.

Created by David Calcano and launched in 2012, FANTOONS is an on-going comic strip that brings you comedy and art based on the greatest rock bands on the planet.  Funded by their Kickstarter campain, their new book Rush Toons by Fantoons - Volume 2112 includes a forward written by Ed Stenger of Rush Is A Band.  For more info check out ComicbookMoviesAndReviews.com Q&A with Fantoons' David Calcano where he discusses the book and his love of Rush.

Atlantic Era Rush Vinyl Reissues

Last year Rush announced the vinyl reissues of the Mercury era albums, and now we have learned that the Atlantic-era Rush album will also be reissued on vinyl beginning next month.  Currently available for preorder at the Rush Backstage Club are Presto and Roll The Bones to be released September 11th, Counterparts and Test for Echo coming October 10th, followed by Feedback and Snakes & Arrows on November 13, 2015.  Click here for more.

Kevin J. Anderson talks to SFFWorld about "Clockwork Lives"

Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart's eagerly awaited followup to the Clockwork Angels novelization, titled Clockwork Lives, is set for release on September 15th.  The novel is available for preorder in hardback.

Today SFFWorld posted a new interview with Anderson where he talked about his new novel; check it out here.

Foo Fighters Enlist Fan to Sing "Tom Sawyer"

While the Foo Fighters were playing Edmonton on Wednesday night, Dave Grohl enlisted a fan from the audience, who "knew all the words" to "Tom Sawyer," to join them on stage and sing!

"Nobody knows every word to 'Tom Sawyer,'" Grohl says in the above fan-shot video. "You don't go to a karaoke bar and someone sings 'Tom Sawyer'. . . Who can actually sing and knows all the words to 'Tom Sawyer'?"

Brian calls out from the crowd, but Grohl is skeptical of his Geddy-head credentials. "Don't be bullshittin' me, motherfuckers," he says. "Can he sing? Don't yank my crank!. . . You're trying to tell me your big ass can sing those high notes?" Greeting the fan onstage, he warns, "Welcome to my nightmare." But Brian rises to the occasion, nailing every word." -RollingStone.com, August 14, 2015

Clockwork Angels: The Graphic Novel Delayed Until September 15th

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It's what you've been waiting for, the complete six issue story arc of the Clockwork Angels comic written by Kevin J. Anderson with Neil Peart, illustrated by Nick Robles, will be released as the 144 page Clockwork Angels - The Graphic Novel.  Unfortunately, originally set for release April 14th, Barnes & Nobel now is showing a release date of September 15th - click here to order.

The graphic novel adaptation of the unprecedented concept album and novel from the multi-platinum, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame music legends RUSH and NY Times Bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson!

Owen Hardy, like all the people of Albion, has lived his whole life under the rule of The Watchmaker. His entire life has been planned down to the exact second. But what happens when a young boy decides that things should not always goes as planned?

Rush's CLOCKWORK ANGELS is a testament to the band's creative versatility - it has been successful as a concept album, novel, and international tour. Now, Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart and New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson are bringing the story of CLOCKWORK ANGELS to comics, where newcomer artist Nick Robles will bring the journey of Owen Hardy to visual life! Die-hard Rush fans have longed for Peart's narrative songwriting to be adapted into comic book form for decades, but fans of steampunk fantasy will enjoy journeying into the world of Albion thanks to Anderson's skilled storytelling. Collects the complete story originally published in CLOCKWORK ANGELS #1-#6.

A note for collectors: you can still buy the complete set of the original comic series from BOOM! Studios here.

In addition to the Clockwork Angels - The Graphic Novel, be sure to preorder your copy today of the followup story, Clockwork Lives, which is now available for preorder in hardback and is scheduled for release on September 15th.

Rush R40 Tour News and Reviews

Rush's R40 Tour visited 34 cities throughout North America from May 8 in Tulsa, Oklahoma through August 1 in Los Angeles, California.

At the final show in Los Angeles, Jonathan Dinklage joined in one final time on "Losing It." Other than that it could have been any other show on the R40 tour, until at the end of the show, between "Working Man" and "Garden Road", Geddy and Alex paused as Neil pulled out a camera and took a couple of photos. Then, after "Garden Road" Neil wrapped his arms around the shoulders of Geddy and Alex and joined them in an emotional bow before running of stage. 

Click here for the R40 Tour Archive, which includes details about the show setup, the setlists, the tour book transcript, and more. See below for the latest news and reviews from the road:

• You’re An Idiot If You Don’t Think Rush Is the Best Live Band in the World - Noisey, August 9, 2015
• Great expectations: Rush concerts attract cargo shorts, long man-hair, and really nice guys - Santa Maria Sun, August 5, 2015
• Rush at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre and The Forum - KLOS.com, August 4, 2015
• Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Tool & The Police Drummers Rock Out At Rush Show - Alternative Nation, August 3, 2015
• Rush at the end of the road - ClassicRock, August 2, 2015
• Star-Studded Crowd Toasts Rush at the Forum for Last (Ever?) Show - Hollywood Reporter, August 2, 2015

Randy Johnson receives R30 Drumkit as the Diamondbacks retire his jersey

Today as the Arizona Diamondacks retired Randy Johnson's jersey, he received a special surprise:

"The Diamondbacks presented Johnson with an exact replica of the drum set used by the rock group Rush. Johnson is friends with members of the band, particularly bass player and lead singer Geddy Lee.". - ESPN.com

Here's the entire ceremony, he receives the drumkit at the 5-minute mark:

 - Thanks to Joe Pesch for the headsup!

Outer Limits: Rupert Hine - Prog

Last week Prog magazine posted a new interview with Rupert Hine where he looks back on his career.  Hine produced Rush's Presto and Roll the Bones albums, and in the interview, tells about how his work with The Fixx, led to his gig with Rush:

He is especially proud of his work with The Fixx, the British band who became prophets without honour in their own land, yet enjoyed huge success in the States with their Hine‑enhanced attack.  “I came up with an entirely new guitar sound,” he asserts, marking the transition from the traditional “big, heavy, dumpy, lumpy rock guitar sound” to something “far more shiny but no less exciting”. It was a sound mimicked by countless acts. “It had a huge appeal to rock bands,” he marvels. Rush, for example. “Doing The Fixx led to Rush [1989’s Presto and 1991’s Roll The Bones] – they required constant sonic refreshment and they loved The Fixx. Neil Peart also loved the thinking behind my early 80s solo albums and thought that would be good for Rush.”

You can check out the full interview here. - Thanks to RushFanForever the for the headsup!

Buy a Sabian Paragon Cymbal, Get a Neil Peart T-shirt

Between August 1 - September 30, 2015, get a free Sabian limited edition Paragon t-shirt designed by Neil Peart with the purchase of any Paragon cymbal model.  Click here for details. - Thanks to Rosmakloma for the headsup!