2113: Stories Inspired by the Music of Rush - Now Available

Last year author Kevin J. Anderson announced the new anthology 2113: Stories Inspired by the Music of Rush, of which he said "it’s more than just a direct sequel to 2112, and I guarantee there will be some very cool surprises."  The anthology is now available, make sure you grab your copy now.

Overview
The music of Rush, one of the most successful bands in music history, is filled with fantastic stories, evocative images, thought-provoking futures and pasts. In this anthology, notable, bestselling, and award-winning writers each chose a Rush song as the spark for a new story, drawing inspiration from the visionary trio Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart.

From stark dystopian struggles to uplifting triumphs of the human spirit, the characters populating 2113 find strength while searching for hope in a world that is repressive, dangerous, or just debilitatingly bland. Most of these tales are science fiction, but some are fantasies, thrillers, even edgy mainstream. Many of Rush’s big hits are represented, as well as deeper cuts . . . with wonderful results. This anthology also includes the seminal stories that inspired the Rush classics “Red Barchetta” and “Roll the Bones,” as well as Kevin J. Anderson’s novella sequel to the groundbreaking Rush album 2112.

2113 contains stories by New York Times bestselling authors Kevin J. Anderson, Michael Z. Williamson, David Alan Mack, David Farland, Dayton Ward, and Mercedes Lackey; award winners Fritz Leiber, John McFetridge, Steven Savile, Brad R. Torgersen, Ron Collins, David Niall Wilson, and Brian Hodge, as well as many other authors with their imaginations on fire.

Be sure to check out "Kevin J. Anderson talks "Clockwork Lives", "2113", Rush and more"

Geddy Lee Answers Fan-Submitted Questions At U.K.'s PLANET ROCK (Video)

Geddy Lee recently answered a number of listener-submitted questions at the studios of the U.K. digital radio station Planet Rock. Important issues covered include: tobogganing, mysterious discs, playing in cowsheds, and just how in the heck he manages to remember all the songs! Check out his answers below.

Rush: "We weren't defiant, we just figured 2112 was the last record we'd make" - Teamrock.com

For the record, 2112 was released in early March 1976 (as confirmed by press from March '76), not April Fools day as stated in this new interview from Teamrock.com...

"Rush: 'We weren't defiant, we just figured 2112 was the last record we'd make'" includes an 8 minute video interview with Geddy Lee, where he looks back on their landmark album, from the recording of the album, recording the live follow-up (All The World's A Stage), to the kimonos worn in album's photoshoot.  By the way, I would never presume to correct Geddy, but 2112 was played in its entirety on the Test for Echo tour in 1996/1997, not the R30 tour as he says here. - Thanks to Skip Daly for the headsup!

Rush to reissue all 14 Mercury Albums On 8-Track

Today Rush.com has announced that after the success of last year's vinyl reissue program, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will soon begin reissuing all 14 albums from the Mercury era on 8-track tape. 

This is great news for audiophiles and more importantly collectors who love to buy up anything with Rush's name on it. In addition, all reissues will include a code to download a copy of the 8-track audio converted to 64 kbps mp3, for that authentic 8-track sound on your mp3 player. 

As an added bonus, three of the albums, Fly By Night, A Farewell to Kings, and Signals, will also be released in 8-track monaural sound for the first time ever. 

"I think it's great," said singer Geddy Lee.  "People have been asking us for years, 'what happened to the 8-track?' and since we have some extra time on our hands, we decided to bring it back." 

"I have an 8-track player in my Audi," said guitarist Alex Lifeson, "and that's where I do all my heavy listening.  8-track is where it's at!" 

Click here for the Rush 8-Track reissues trailer.

Alex Lifeson on 40 Years of '2112': 'It Was Our Protest Album'

Rollingstone.com has posted a new interview with Alex Lifeson to mark the 40th anniversary of the release of 2112.  Alex talks about the inspirations and thoughts that went into recording of their masterpiece.  You can check it out here.

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - March 2016

Neil Peart has updated his website with the March 2016 issue of "News, Weather and Sports." In BubbaGram™#5, "Man...Alive!", Neil tells of a particularly nasty spill he took on his motorcycle on September 15, 2010, between the Boston and Pittsburgh dates of the Time Machine Tour.  Sadly, Neil is telling us this story at this time, as he is no longer worried about insurance carriers preventing him from riding while touring....   You can check it out here.

Rush Sponsor 2016 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award/Geddy Lee on the importance of music education

Today Canada's Musicounts announced that Rush is the sole sponsor of the 2016 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award:

Canada’s music education charity MusiCounts is thrilled to announce Don Bossé of Fredericton High School (FHS) in Fredericton, NB as the recipient of the 2016 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award. Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees and multiple GRAMMY®-nominated band Rush have joined forces with MusiCounts as the sole sponsor of this year’s award, which recognizes teachers with outstanding dedication to inspiring and nurturing the musical growth of Canadian youth. Rush members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson surprised Bossé, who is a fan of the band, while he was in Toronto last week for a private shopping experience at Holt Renfrew Men for his JUNO red carpet-ready suit.

At the surprise presentation to Bossé, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson spoke about the reasons they chose to support this award. “When everything you have in life has come from the fountain of music, you want to spread that around and you want to encourage others,” said Lee.  “Music is a fantastic way to enrich your life and to express yourself, so to encourage teachers to help young people find that in themselves is a very noble cause.”  “It’s also way more fun than math,” added Lifeson.

Bossé received $10,000 plus a $10,000 contribution to his school’s music program. In addition, he will experience VIP treatment throughout JUNO Week, attending the Chairman’s Reception and the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards, and will walk the red carpet at The JUNO Awards Broadcast on April 3rd in Calgary.  For the full story click here.

In addition, in a new interview with Toronto's 680news.com, Geddy Lee discusses the importance of music education:

TORONTO – Rush frontman Geddy Lee says music saved him in many respects as a youngster dealing with teenage angst and the death of his father.

“It was one of the first things I found that I was really good at doing,” recalls the vocalist, bassist and keyboardist. “I was kind of a medium kid in every other aspect.

“I was kind of medium at school, nothing grabbed me in terms of education besides maybe English and history … and I liked the graphic arts and things like that.

“But music was the first thing I found that I was good at picking up and expressing myself with.”

Alex Lifeson participates in the 2016 Warburton St. Jude's Children's Hospital fund raiser

Friday night Alex Lifeson was one of a slew of musicians who participated in the 2016 Warburton St. Jude's Children's Hospital "Golf For Kids" fund raiser and celebrity jam session at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert.  The Warburton event has previously raised more than 3 million-dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and this past weekend raised  $1,725,635, becoming its top grossing golf tournament fundraiser in the United States, according to Rick Shadyac, CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising arm for St. Jude.

The event brought in more than 75 stars, songwriters and rock legends for a weekend of golf and one-of-a-kind music events. All events that were part of the tournament sold out for the first time in the tournament's 6-year history. The tournament and its events were held at JW Marriott Desert Springs and Classic Club in Palm Desert.

Check out these extensive photo galleries of the celebrity jam posted here and here. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson Appearance at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival - Video Available

UPDATE: Monday night Alex Lifeson appeared at the “Hello! Thunder Bay!” comedy show in Toronto. He also did a Q&A with Dave Bidini that is NOT to be missed. Alex talks about some early Rush concerts and is his usual hilarious self. He also tells what REALLY happened when The Runaways opened for Rush...!  Check it out here:

What does the funniest guy in rock do when not on tour?  Take up stand-up comedy of course! The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival has announced that Alex will appear at “Hello! Thunder Bay!” on March 7th, where “some of Canada’s top musical comedians will join a stellar lineup of Canadian musicians sharing their weirdest, wackiest and most hilarious stories from the road.”

The festival’s Facebook page adds further detail, calling the evening “A one-night-only event exploring the funny in rock ‘n’ roll” and noting that “Musicians Dave Bidini, Alex Lifeson, Terra Lightfoot, Grand Analog (and more) share rock ‘n’ roll road stories with comedians Jessica Holmes, Gavin Crawford and Sean Cullen adding musical comedy and rock parody.”

Alex Lifeson Talks Rush's Uncertain Future - Rolling Stone

Today RollingStone.com posted a new interview with Alex Lifeson which you can check out here.  All the news stories surrounding Rush these days basically say the same thing, which is basically summed up by the following:

In addition to wanting to stay home with his family more, Peart struggled with the physicality of touring on R40. "His shoulders were hurting, his arms were hurting, his elbows, his feet, everything," Lifeson says. "He didn't want to play anything less than 100 percent. He was finding it increasingly difficult to hit that mark on this last tour. So, all those things combined, I get it. I'm disappointed and I think Geddy [Lee] is very disappointed and we'd love to continue this tour a little bit longer, but we're off now."...The guitarist has also been speaking with Peart occasionally since the final tour date, and he reports that the drummer is "having a wonderful time" and "very happy."

Looking forward to the future, Alex adds:

"Maybe next fall or something like that, we'll plan something. We took a year off before the last tour and we didn't discuss anything about the band or work, and everybody had a great time, and we came back from that." He laughs. "We're getting older and it's getting tougher, but I don't know. We'll see."

Rush featured on Ninja Sex Party's 'Under The Covers' released March 4

This past Friday March 4th the comedy band Ninja Sex Party released their Under The Covers album featuring their favorite songs from the 70s and 80s.  Included on the 12 track album are "Subdivisions" and "Madrigal".  You can purchase the album here, and preview Subdivisions here and Madrigal here.

This is not the first time this band has referenced Rush. They have snuck "2112" into their music videos numerous times, and on their previous album, Attitude City, is the semi-parody of "2112" called "6969".  It tells the story of the band heading to the titular year  only to find sex has been outlawed. They directly use the line "I know it's most unusual to come before you so...", and one of song's subsections is titled "To Sleep, Perchance to Cream".  In addition, the inner artwork features a parody of Rush's starman where the star is replaced with a red Star of David (relating to the lead singer's Jewish background, which is often played for humor in their music).

- Thanks to Andrew Weiss for the headsup!

"The Girl Who Listened To Rush" by Nerf Herder on 'Rockingham' coming March 11

Check out the new track "The Girl Who Listened To Rush" by Nerf Herder from their new album Rockingham coming next week (click here to order).   As confirmed in the official lyric video Youtube posting (embedded below), the backing tracks were recorded at New Monkey studios in Van Nuys, through the exact Trident A mixing console used by Rush to record many of their greatest songs.

This is not the first time they've name dropped the band in one of their songs; also check out their songs "Golfshirt" and "High School." - Thanks to John Patuto at Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

"Rush Make 2112, 1976" - Mojo, March 2016 issue

The March 2016 issue of Mojo magazine includes a new interview with Geddy Lee on page 23 titled "Rush Make 2112, 1976" where he looks back on the album 2112. You can read it here. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Visit WEBZ Chicago

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will join hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot of WEBZ Chicago to discuss the band's remarkable 40-year career tomorrow, February 26th.  For details and streaming click here. - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Behind The Vinyl: Tom Sawyer - Alex Lifeson from Rush

Alex Lifeson dropped by Toronto's boom 97.3 to share a story about Rush's "Tom Sawyer".  Alex talks about the connection with South Park and the key ingredients to making their “Moving Pictures” album: cognac & volley ball.   Check it out here:

Rush Featured in Prog # 63, Celebrating 40 Years of 2112

The new issue of Prog magazine went on sale last Friday, and includes the celebration of 40 years of 2112 with brand new interviews as well as discussing their immediate future.  Also included "Rush's Career in 10 Albums: By Geddy Lee".  Click here for details.

UPDATE (Feb 19): All three features are now available here. - Thanks to John Patuto for sharing the transcript!

Geddy Lee's guest appearance on Wintersleep's "The Great Detachment"

Geddy Lee makes a guest appearance on the track "Territory" on Wintersleep's new album, The Great Detachment, set for release March 4th (order here).  You can hear the track below.

When Canadian indie-rock band Wintersleep were recording their new album, The Great Detachment, they got sidetracked chatting about their love for one of their country's most famous musical exports. "We were talking about how amazing Rush was ... and how incredible Geddy Lee is," Paul Murphy, the band's lead singer, told Rolling Stone. "He can sing these incredibly complex melodies with complex lyrics, while playing perhaps even more incredibly complex bass parts, while also operating foot pedals. If there was an instrument he could play with his eyeballs, I'm sure he'd be able to!"

Coincidentally, later that same night, the band ran into trouble while fine-tuning the bass line on one of the tracks, "Territory." "It was cool but the song didn't feel as lively as it should in the end," Murphy explains. "Someone was like, 'What would Geddy Lee do?' jokingly, and Tony [Doogan, producer] was like, 'Oh, the best bass player in the world? He'd make it incredible. Why don't we just ask him?'"

They did, and Wintersleep's "what if ...?" fantasy quickly turned into reality.

"Wintersleep contacted me a while ago and asked me to play bass on this track," Lee told RS. "I had a listen and loved the song and the vibe of the band. I had a blast laying down a bunch of takes and sent them off to them. I'm happy to support a fellow Canadian band and wish them all the best with their new album."

The result is "Territory" — no relation to the 1985 Rush song "Territories" — a muscular, hard-driving track that builds to a bright, yearning chorus. Lee's trademark gritty tone and melodic inventiveness are easily identifiable, but there's nothing showy about the performance; his bass lines blend perfectly with Loel Campbell's drums and provide a firm anchor for the rest of the track.

"The bass line we originally had for 'Territory' was just kind of playing the roots of the song," Murphy explains of Lee's contribution. "There was a sort of hook-line melody in the choruses, but that melody sort of combated with Tim [D'eon]'s lead line in a weird way. It's kind of an odd time signature, so it sometimes is hard thinking more creatively when a riff is long and kind of odd like that. In the end, the song just felt a little sticky and maybe a bit too dark, lacking the energy it needed. With a relatively dark lyric and a generous amount of minor notes in the progression, you have to be careful because it can just feel a bit dark and a bit too stone-faced or something.

"Geddy's part was perfect because it had this great groove and locked into the vocal melody in the song from time to time, bringing more weight to the melody in important spots. It added a certain playful dimension to the equation because it's so dynamic. Also, Tony was able to strip the song down more in the mix in sections because the bass had such a neat character and fuller sound, which was huge for the song dynamically."

- Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Geddy Lee Talks 2112 Track-By-Track - MusicRadar.com

Today MusicRadar.com posted a new interview with Geddy Lee where he takes us through 2112, track by track, as the album approaches its 40th Anniversary this coming April.  You can check it out in full here.

In The Studio with Moving Pictures 35th Anniversary Special

Dallas, TX - Feb 3, 2016.  North American syndicated Rock radio show and website InTheStudio: The Stories Behind History’s Greatest Rock Bands rolls out the red carpet for the thirty-fifth anniversary of RUSH’s most successful album, Moving Pictures.

Sales alone do not convey the importance of their eighth studio album Moving Pictures to Rush’s long career, nor to rock music itself. “Music was changing,” Rush lead singer/composer Geddy Lee tells us in this InTheStudio episode, and without Lee, guitarist/composer Alex Lifeson and drummer/lyricist Neil Peart embracing the fresh musical ideas in the crosswinds of the early Eighties with songs “Tom Sawyer”, “Red Barchetta”, “Limelight”, “Vital Signs” and “Witch Hunt”, it is doubtful that a path to mainstream success would have been cleared for later major bands including Metallica, Queensryche, Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters, Tom Morello with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, and Dream Theater.

InTheStudio host Redbeard speaks to Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart about the significance of Moving Pictures to the Rush legacy.                                                  

“It (Moving Pictures) gave us a kind of acceptance and credibility that none of our previous records had previously done.” - Geddy Lee

“It was very enjoyable making Moving Pictures. It flowed, everything sounded good. The vibe was good, everybody was in great spirits during the whole process.” - Alex Lifeson

“Being a trio is something that is special to us and I think it’s special to our fans too... We are known as a trio. Our reputation has a lot to do with our live show and what the three of us can do live.” -  Neil Peart

RUSH Moving Pictures @ 35/ InTheStudio interview is now available for STREAMING here.  For a complete list of InTheStudio broadcast affiliate radio stations click here.

Neil Peart's "News Weather and Sports" - January 2016

Neil Peart has updated his website with the January 2016 issue of "News, Weather and Sports." In BubbaGram™#4, "At the Route 66 Motel", Neil tells of filming a drone video of his motorcycle riding to be used on some future project, possibly as the trailer of his next book, to be titled "Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me!" which he states is coming in September 2016.  He also tells the story of coming across a bicyclist from Japan, whom he introduces himself to as "Bubba", and "that he is the only stranger whose camera I have willingly posed for—in about forty years!"  You can check it out here.