Power Windows website mentioned on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim!

Sunday night, May 23rd, Adult Swim ran a rerun of the "Blackwatch Plaid" episode of Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law which contains references to Moving Pictures. The timing of this repeat episode was likely planned to coincide with the launching of the 30th Anniversary tour, much as they aired the episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force the week Rush In Rio was released! Before the episode, Adult Swim reportedly applauded the completeness of this website's listings of their Rush References in Pop Culture, and how it even includes the "(Caress of Swim)" comment which aired after the "Spirit Journey Formation Anniversary" episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force last October. [NOTE: If anyone captured this on tape, please, let us know!]

Rush In Rio, Music DVD of the Year

Recognizing the artist, director and producer, Rush In Rio, Rush's first live DVD, is the inaugural winner of the Juno Award for Music DVD of the Year. Submissions were judged by a panel of industry experts and voted on by the CARAS membership. Other nominees included: Avril Lavigne ("My World"), Alanis Morissette ("Feast On Scraps"), Our Lady Peace ("Our Lady Peace Live") and Simple Plan ("A Big Package For You 1999-2003").

Released Oct. 21st, 2003, the DVD was recorded and filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the final night of the Vapor Trails tour. This is the first Rush DVD to be released on both DVD as well as a 3CD live album. For more information visit the Rush In Rio news archive.

Alex Lifeson remembers "The Worst Gig"

In a recent article which compiles many artists' remembrances of their "worst gig", Alex Lifeson remembers:

"It was a long time ago, the first tour in fact in 1974. We were playing at a university in Baltimore. It was just before the show and we came out to sort of peak around to look at the audience before the doors opened and they came in. And we saw that the girls were dressed in little white socks and long skirts and all the guys had greaser hairdos. It turned out to be one of these '50s sock hop things. We went on and were wearing satin pants and big high boots. And we started with 'Finding My Way' from the first record. They just sort of stood there and stared at us. Then by the second song they started to rumble. By the fourth song it was 'BOOOOO.' Get out of here! Get off!' So of course we turned everything up a little bit and continued to play. Then finally the promoter said, 'Thanks guys. You're done.' But they were nasty. They were really pissed off. I'm sure if we would have kept going they would have thrown their greasy combs at us." - Alex Lifeson, Lawrence.com, February 13, 2004

"Rush rock on for a fine drop of Macallan"

"Whisky on the rocks all round this Christmas for the employees of the Edrington group, quite literally as in go 'heavy on the rocks'. Heavy rocker Neil Peart, writer/lyricist and drummer for Rush, the Canadian rock band, sent them stocking-filling goodies as a sign of appreciation for his visit to Glasgow earlier this year. The band played a sell-out concert in Glasgow a few months ago and Edrington presented a bottle of The Macallan Fine Oak 15-year-old single malt to Neil to celebrate his birthday. Neil, or 'the Professor' as he is referred to, is a fan of The Macallan and makes regular references to it in his book Ghost Rider and the more recently-released Travelling Music and thousands of RUSH fans have become devotees of the brand. The Professor was much taken with the warm gesture in Glasgow and, on his return to North America, sent a package of 'goodies' to the company, including signed CDs, pictures and other memorabilia. These have now been distributed amongst RUSH fans who work for the distiller. Whether they will now play Rush over the Tannoy in the bottling plant remains to be seen." - "Rush rock on for a fine drop of Macallan", Scotsman.com, December 27, 2004

Sabian Signature Neil Peart Paragon Cymbals

"Sabian is pleased to announce the addition of Neil Peart to its family of drummers. In association with this, Sabian is very proud to introduce Paragon, a new range of signature cymbals created in collaboration with Neil Peart, drummer with legendary rockers Rush." - Sabian.com, Jan. 1, 2004

Written for Sabian's Newsbeat Magazine (2004/2005 issue, published Jan. 2004) by Neil Peart, "A Motorbike Trip to Meductic" sees Neil Peart, the legendary drummer from Rush detail his visit to the SABIAN 'Vault' and the creation of his new Signature Neil Peart Paragon cymbals." - Sabian.com, January 20, 2004

"The Stickmen: With Guest Alex Lifeson

As previously announced, Alex Lifeson appears with Toronto band "The Stickmen" on their new release, Side Two. Formed in January of 2002, The Stickmen features founder Bernie LeBarge of The Dexters, and is the regular band at the Orbit Room on Friday nights. Alex Lifeson, co-owner of The Orbit Room, performs on one track, "Hey Bop A-Rebop". Released December 12, the cd is now available at Iridescent Music. For more information visit The Stickmen or The Orbit Room.

Rush on Rolling Stones' "Four Flicks"

The first documentary disk of the new Rolling Stones DVD Four Flicks, which covers their "Licks Tour", includes a section on the SARS benefit concert with excerpts of Geddy at the press conference, partial interviews with Alex, plus clips of Alex meeting Burton Cummings of The Guess Who and Neil being greeted by Stones drummer Charlie Watts as Geddy and Alex look on.

Released November 11th, according to RollingStones.com, "to avoid traditional distribution costs, the band granted exclusive selling rights to the Best Buy chain, where Flicks is $29.99. The European version, sold through conventional channels, costs roughly $70.

Univeral SACD Releases Cancelled

Last week High Fidelity Review.com announced plans by Universal/Mercury to release the first five Rush albums (RUSH through All The World's A Stage) on SACD (Super Audio Compact Disk offering high resolution format with superior sound).  However, these reports were apparently false. A source with Anthem records has confirmed that any such plans are way on the back burner, as Universal is no longer supporting the SACD format.