Record Store Day 2014 - 7" Single with Rush's Cover of "7 & 7 Is"

Saturday, April 19th, is Record Store Day 2014, and we have just learned that there will be a Rush release. Yesterday a photo was tweeted by Encore Records showing a 7" vinyl single of "7 And 7 Is" by Rush, their cover released of Feedback of Love's classic from their album Da Capo which is found on the flip side.  To find a participating store in your area click here. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Paul Northfield talks Le Studio and Rush in new interview

As a follow up to part one of the documentary "Le Studio: Temple of Sound", yesterday the Le Studio Channel posted a "Bonus Feature" featuring a 45 minute interview with Paul Northfield, who served as engineer on the albums Permanent Waves through Grace Under Pressure, recorded at Le Studio.  Paul has many great stories, and discusses his friendship with Neil Peart and his role in the recording of Vapor Trails. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Neil Peart writes foreword for Gavin Harrison & Terry Branam's "Rhythmic Composition" - Now Available

Gavin Harrison, best known as the drummer of Porcupine Tree, has announced the upcoming publication of his latest book Rhythmic Composition: Featuring The Music of Porcupine Tree.  Co-written with Terry Branham, the book includes a 20 note-for-note transcriptions of Porcupine Tree songs, and it will also feature a foreword by Neil Peart.

Although advertised with a May 2nd publication date, copies are now shipping.  Order yours here.

"Coming soon....'Rhythmic Composition' (on Hudson Limited) - myself and Terry Branam have been hard at work transcribing and writing stories about 20 Porcupine Tree songs. More than 40 great photos too. Release date to be announced here. There will be a limited amount of signed copies for sale at burningshed.com in the near future." - Gavin Harrison, Facebook, February 20, 2014

Le Studio - Temple Of Sound - Episode One

LeStudio was a world class recording studio in the Laurentian Mountains of Canada. It was the private retreat of Rush for the writing and recording of eight of their albums, as well as hundreds of other artists over the years. It closed in 2003 and now sits stripped of all it's furnishings & equipment, abandoned in the forest.

Check out episode one of "Le Studio - Temple of Sound", a new Youtube documentary which covers the LeStudio backstory from inception to current state. This episode gives viewers a strong foundation for future episodes to come later. - Thanks to Ed at RushIsABand for the headsup!

Rush Sighting In "The Both"'s New Video "Milwaukee"

Check out the new video for "Milwaukee" launched Wednesday by "The Both", a new collaboration by Aimee Mann and Ted Leo.  Their self tiled album will be released on Tuesday and can be preordered on iTunes.

In the video, they hire a drummer (Ted's uncle, also played by Leo) who has Rush and the star on his jean jacket, and the 4:32 mark it shows "Ed's" list of top drummers including you know who...  

Aimee Mann of course would agree; she appeared as a guest vocalist on Hold Your Fire. - Thanks J'Po for the headsup!

"Red Hot Rock" US #1 Now Available Featuring Rush Cover

Sweden's "Red Hot Rock" magazine has just published their first issue for the U.S. market.  According to their website, "Red Hot Rock" U.S.A. hit all Barnes & Noble locations on April 8 (yesterday).  U.S. Issue #1 is available in two covers, one of which is Rush, and includes the tagline "Time traveling with Alex Lifeson: Two Interviews!". - Thanks to John Patuto with Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

Instru-Metal Symphony: The 20 Greatest Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Instrumental Songs - VH1.com

On Saturday VH1.com posted their list "Instru-Metal Symphony: The 20 Greatest Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Instrumental Songs".

"Some artists build careers around it. Some use it as another weapon in their arsenal. Some simply use it as a bridge between songs. But whatever the reason for employing it, the instrumental track has proven to be an essential element in a hard rock band’s legacy. Because even though lyrics can add a massive layer of emotion to a song, sometimes the story and message can be conveyed with absolutely no words at all. Just a combination of pummeling guitars and drums, heavy atmosphere and a big emphasis on texture and dynamics. And when there’s no concern about matching lyrics to music, the artist can feel free to stretch out, let loose and experiment purely with sound."

Coming in at #1 is Rush with "La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise in Self-Indulgence)":

"The final track on the progressive rock band’s 1978 album Hemispheres clocks in at 9:34 and was the band’s first fully-instrumental release. Drummer Neil Peart has said that they spent more time recording this track than the entire Fly by Night album, but it was worth it – the complex track is considered by fans and critics to be a technical and creative masterpiece."

- Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Classic album covers in Google Street View in pictures - Guardian Online

Today the UK's Guardian newspaper posted a story online featuring classic album covers in Google Street View – in pictures.  Included is Moving Pictures. - Thanks to Reed Lover for the headsup!

Official Rush Lighters In 2014 Zippo Lighter catalog

The 2014 Zippo lighter catalog includes two official Rush lighters found on page 71 with a retail price of $30.95 each.  One lighter has the album cover from Vapor Trails, the other was a group shot of the band from the Hemispheres era.

Unfortunately, the lighters are unavailable!  According to Zippo's headquarters in Bradford Pennsylvania, the licensing agreement fell through before going into production but after the catalog had gone to print. - Thanks to Tod O'Donnell for the headsup!

Walmart To Become Exclusive Retailer of Rush - April Fools!

I hope you all enjoyed our April Fool's joke!

Back in Februay Rush caused quite a stir when their 1974 classic "Working Man" was used in a commercial for Walmart as part of an advertising campaign announcing the superstore's pledge to invest $250 billion in products that support American jobs over the next 10 years.

In a surprise move similar to recent deals between Walmart and classic rock acts such as Journey and The Eagles, Rush has entered into a similar deal with the mega-retailer.  According to a new report at HollywoodStar.com, Walmart will become the exclusive retailer of Rush, and in turn, Rush will become an exclusive sponsor of the retail chain, as part of a multi-year contract between Rush and the retail giant.  For more info visit HollywoodStar.com.

Alex Lifeson guest appearance on John Wesley's "Disconnect" - Now Available

Guitarist John Wesley, best known by many as touring guitarist for Porcupine Tree, announced back in February that Alex Lifeson has recorded a "mind-blowing" solo for the track "Once a Warrior" on his album Disconnect which was released UK today, March 31st, and in the U.S. on April 1st. You can order your copy here.

"7 years ago I was fortunate enough to meet and spend some time with one of my early guitar heroes, Alex Lifeson of RUSH. He's been a HUGE influence on my guitar playing throughout the years, and he's also one of the kindest human beings you'll ever meet. Now, 7 years later, he's performed a MIND-BLOWING guitar solo on my song, 'Once a Warrior.'  I'm so happy to have Alex on my new album, 'Disconnect,' and I can't wait for you to hear it!" - John Wesley, February 6, 2014

ProgReport.com posted a video interview with John Wesley where he gave credit to Alex Lifeson as a large inspiration behind the "heavy guitar sound" emulated by Porcupine Tree, and also talked about how Alex came to record on his solo album.  You can tune in here, he first discusses Lifeson and Rush at the 8:55 mark, and again at the 16:50 mark.

HuffingtonPost has posted another new video interview with John Wesley where he expands on how Alex Lifeson became involved with Disconnect. You can check it out online here.

Vote "Working Man" for Cleveland Indians pitcher John Axford's entry song

Cleveland Indians pitcher John Axford has asked the fans to vote to choose the music he uses before entering games this season. Working Man is one of the choices, vote here!

UPDATE March 25th:  Working Man has made it to Round Two in the voting for Cleveland Indians' John Axford’s entrance song. Round two ends tomorrow with round three beginning on March 26th. Keep voting, currently “Working Man” is in the lead for round two at 28% of the vote.

UPDATE March 31st: "Working Man" is in the finals against the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage", and today is the final day to vote.  Vote now!

"Not Fade Away: Rush’s Simple, Straight-Ahead Debut Turns 40" - Radio.com

Today Radio.com posted a new article where they look back on Rush's debut album released 40 years ago this month.  Geddy Lee talks about the album, the inspiration behind "Working Man", and how the album was "saved" thanks to Terry Brown:

"The first version of our first record was really crappy, and that’s when we met the guy who really changed our lives, which was Terry Brown. And he became our producer for the next 10 years and taught us so much about making records.  He saved that album, when I think of that album, I think of him, I think of that first session, when we took those poorly recorded versions of those songs, and he decided what was salvageable and what we should just re-record."

Click here for the full story.

Rush 2015 Wall Calendar Now Available For Preorder

The 2015 Rush wall calendar is now available for preorder.  Tentatively scheduled for release July 28th, you can preorder your copy here.

"Rush Plotting 41st Anniversary Tour for 2015" - Rolling Stone.com

It's finally official.  After previously squashing any plans for an R40 tour with comments that it wouldn't be until at least 2016 before the band tour again, Rush has finally announced that there are now plans in the works for a 2015 spring tour, or as Alex Lifeson put it "It's going to be a 41st anniversary tour, or whatever they're going to call it."

Today Rollingstone.com posted an interview with Alex where he explained:

"We haven't really talked seriously about what we want to do," says Lifeson. "But I think we're probably going to lean towards making it a real sort of fan event, and really try to put something together that's very pleasing for the fans across the board. That's always been difficult, for us to sort of balance things."

I would say that is great news indeed!

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

Today Neil Peart updated his website with the latest edition of News, Weather & Sports titled "Not All Days Are Sundays".  Neil regales us of his latest winter adventures in Quebec, and shares his grief over the passing of his brother-in-law, Steven Taylor. 

Clockwork Angels graphic novel preview from Boom! Studios Comics

Yesterday Boom! Studios posted an extensive preview of the Clockwork Angels graphic novel.  Check it out here.

Rush comes in at #35 on Billboard's List of "The 40 Highest Earning Musicians in 2013"

On Monday Billboard posted their list of "The 40 Highest Earning Musicians in 2013", and coming in at #35 was Rush at $9,050,583.42.  Topping the list was pop star Taylor Swift $39,699,575.60 (yeah, a whopping $30.5 million more than Rush's total!). Thanks to the B-man for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson helping raise awareness for The Kidney Foundation of Canada

The Kidney Foundation of Canada has posted a new press release announcing the launching of a free Online Risk Assessment tool.  The PR reminds us that March is Kidney Health month, and that Alex Lifeson has been instrumental in raising awareness:

"Thanks to celebrity spokesperson Alex Lifeson's participation in a new public service announcement, we are able to help raise awareness of the risk factors for kidney disease. Canadians will also have a health information e-tool at their fingertips and a printed risk assessment they can share with their healthcare provider - crucial resources for their kidney health management."

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1786247#ixzz2vlE1t5Gg

John Wesley discusses influence of Alex Lifeson on Porcupine Tree's "sound"

Yesterday ProgReport.com posted a new interview with John Wesley.  During the interview, Wesley credits Alex Lifeson as a large inspiration behind the "heavy guitar sound" emulated by Porcupine Tree.  In addition, he talks about how Alex came to record on his solo album.  You can tune in here, he first discusses Lifeson and Rush at the 8:55 mark, and again at the 16:50 mark. - Thanks to Brad P for the headsup!