Mediate To Sport Rush Hat During Canadian Open

"If all the world’s pro athletes were forced to make an in-their-prime career change, it wouldn’t take a pollster to project the majority vote. They’d mostly morph into rock stars, or rap stars. And you could count Rocco Mediate, the PGA Tour pro, among the first in line to make the switch. At least this is what Mediate was saying on Monday between practice putts at St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Etobicoke, where the RBC Canadian Open will commence its 101st edition on Thursday. Mediate, who famously tangled with Tiger Woods in an 18-hole playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open, is a big music fan. He is also a close friend of Alex Lifeson, the Toronto-bred guitarist for the rock band Rush. And Mediate admires the acclaimed trio so much that this week he’ll be a rare sight among PGA types. Not currently under contract to sport the obligatory logo of a sponsor on his cap, he’ll pull on headwear bearing the logo of Lifeson’s band. 'I absolutely would trade my job for Alex’s. Tomorrow,' said Mediate, 47. 'He still loves what he does...and he’s a psycho golfer. Psycho. He plays literally every day...He’s probably about an eight handicap now, which isn’t bad.'...Mediate, though he offered kind words for the St. George golf course, seemed much happier to tell of the vicarious pleasure he takes in Rush’s continuing success. The golfer was in L.A. a few weeks back to watch the band rehearse for its ongoing summer tour. And there he was Monday, wearing the name of a rock institution on a place usually reserved for the highest bidder. 'I just called Alex this morning and said, ‘I need more hats, damn it,’ ' Mediate said. 'This one’s looking a little worse for wear — I’ve been wearing it so much — but I love it.'" - Canadian Open challengers ready to rock, July 19, 2010

Lucky Uke's cover of "The Spirit Of Radio"

In June Quebec ukulele band Lucky Uke released a light hearted 12 track album of classic rock covers which includes "The Spirit Of Radio". The complete song can be heard at luckyuke.com (look for the player in the upper left cover of their home page), and the track and/or album can be purchased here. - Thanks to Patric Lafortun for the headsup!

Rush Featured in July's Prog Magazine

Rush is once again is featured on the cover of Classic Rock Presents "Prog" Magazine. The July 2010 issue has a 6-page article including interviews with Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, as well as documentary filmmakers Sam Dunn and Scot McFayden. To purchase online, click here. Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Neil Peart, Drum Magazine's 2010 Drummer Of The Year

The current issue of Drum Magazine includes their annual Drummie Awards. For the 4th straight year, Neil wins Drummer Of The Year, and also was runner up for best Live Performer as well as best Progressive Rock Drummer. For the complete list visit DrumMagazine.com. - Thanks to Frank Ray for the headsup!

"My Favorite Headache" and "Victor" Reissues

Last December, Wounded Bird Records reissued Alex Lifeson's long out of print solo project Victor, which had been out of print since its original release by Atlantic Records in 1996. Now, Wounded Birds is reissuing Geddy Lee's solo album, My Favorite Headache, listed on their website at $12.99.

Formed in 1998, Wounded Bird Records is a label that specializes in the reissue of albums from the 60's, 70's and early 80's on compact disc. All of their releases are properly licensed from the owner of the original masters, in most cases the original record label and sometimes the artists themselves. - Thanks to Blake Willis and RushIsABand for the headsup!

Rush "Breaking Through The Gender Barrier"

Selina Martin's Disaster Fantasies was released June 29th, including a "thoughtful cover" of "The Spirit Of Radio (click here for a sample).

"Toronto singer-songwriter Selina Martin, whose upcoming album Disaster Fantasies will include a thoughtful cover of the 1980 Rush hit Spirit of Radio talks about the gender disparity among the band’s fans." - Globe & Mail, June 5, 2010

The PRS “Hollowbody 12” Endorsed by Alex Lifeson

"In May of 2010, the first “Hollowbody 12” prototype from the PRS factory was sent to Alex Lifeson for his feedback. He delivered the following comment: “The playability is instantly silky and facile, the tone bright, clear and shimmering, and the finishing details are a testament to the PRS craftsmanship. The broad fretboard is a joy to play, and I was blown away by the intonation–of course, split saddles!! Why doesn't everyone do that?” Alex Lifeson gave his opinion, and now you can too. PRS will be building these guitars, to order only, as of July 1, 2010. Please see an authorized PRS dealer for details." - PRS.com, June 16, 2010 - Thanks to RushTheBand for the headsup!

Rush Receives Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

"Rush, Canada's most successful rock band, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, appropriately in front of the Musicians Institute on Hollywood Boulevard. On hand to induct the musicians were Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan and Donna Halper, a former music director at Cleveland's WMMS-FM who was among the first to champion the enduring band's 1974 self-titled debut album...Frontman-bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson were in attendance to claim the 2,412th star on the Walk of Fame. Noticeably absent was drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, who was riding a motorcycle to the band's first tour date in Albuquerque on Tuesday." - Hollywood Reporter, June 25, 2010

• Click here for Rush at the HollywoodChamber.net
• Click here for the Hollywood Walk of Fame's YouTube channel
• Click here for CNN's coverage of the event
• Click here for photos of the ceremony courtesy of The Canadian Music Scene

"Porcupine Tree - Atlanta" download only live album to benefit Mick Karn

Porcupine Tree have released a download only live album to benefit bassist Mick Karn. If you are unfamiliar with live Porcupine Tree, this is a great way to check them out, and it's for a great cause!

"Porcupine Tree - Atlanta: This download comprises a complete 2 hour live performance from the Fear of a Blank Planet tour. The show was recorded and mixed to the usual PT standards in order to provide material for a planned live album, but when the decision was taken to film much of the same repertoire in Holland for a major DVD release instead, the Atlanta recording ended up back in the vault. Now PT have now decided to make it available in complete form as a download only release in order to raise funds for Mick Karn's treatment for cancer. Although the repertoire is similar to that on the Anesthetize DVD, the performance has its own atmosphere, and also includes the first ever officially released live recording of 'A Smart Kid'. Please note that all Porcupine Tree's profits from the sale of the Atlanta download will go directly to the Mick Karn Appeal. Burning Shed's profits will go to Macmillan Cancer Support."

Knucklebonz Rock Iconz™ Limited Edition Rush Statues

Knucklebonz, the makers of the Rush Starman figurine, are releasing statuettes of Neil Peart, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson circa '78/'79. The Neil Peart sculpture is shipping Fall 2010, with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson's statues available to reserve via pre-ordering, exact ship date to be determined. For more info visit Knucklebonz.com. - Thanks to Pat Komadoski for the headsup!

"Tom Sawyer" on "The Hard Times Of RJ Berger"

During last night's series premiere of the all new MTV original series "The Hard Times Of RJ Berger", after most of the players are ejected from the school's basketball game, RJ is forced to suit up and "Tom Sawyer" was heard. - Thanks to Andy Newby and Colin Riggs for the headsup!

Rush Referenced on "Wizards of Waverly Place"

During the opening scene of Saturday's episode of "Wizards of Waverly Place" (season 3 episode 20), Alex and Harper discover that Max has a girlfriend. To keep his girlfriend a secret from his parents, he has told her his name is 'Tom Sawyer'. Alex exclaims "'Tom Sawyer'? That is such an obvious lie, it's the name from the Rush song." Harper interjects "...and the classic book!" and Alex concludes "Wow that song was good, I didn't know they made a book out of it!" Click here for the video clip. - Thanks to Robert Mooty for the heads up!

Rush Pulls Spirit from Rand Paul's Campaign

"In Web ads and at campaign appearances, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul sometimes has called on the music of the band Rush to give his message a little pop. It turns out the campaign wasn't using the music with the band's permission, according to Rush's attorney, Robert Farmer. Farmer, general counsel for the Anthem Entertainment Group Inc. in Toronto, which is Rush's record label, has sent a letter to Paul campaign officials informing them that they have violated copyright laws - and urging them to stop. 'This is not a political issue - this is a copyright issue,' Farmer said in an interview. 'We would do this no matter who it is.' Besides, all three members of Rush - Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart - are Canadians, not Americans, he pointed out." - Louisville Courier-Journal, June 2, 2010 - Thanks to J Grismore for the headsup!

Geddy Lee endorses Orange Bass Amps

"Orange Amps are proud to announce rock legend Geddy Lee of Rush is now using their Orange Bass amps...For more information on orange amps visit Orange Amplifiers. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

"Backstage Secrets: On The Road With The Rock Band RUSH" DVD5 ReRelease

Backstage Secrets: On the Road with the Rock Band RUSH, was originally released on DVD last September 11th. Filmed during the 2008 Snakes & Arrows tour, the 250 minute documentary gives a backstage look at what it takes to put on Rush's show. Longtail Distribution Network has announced they are rereleasing the 250 minute documentary on DVD5 media for improved quality. If you previously purchased the original release, click here for info on how to obtain a replacement copy. To purchase the rerelease, click here. - Thanks to David Kutz, President of Longtail Distribution for the headsup!

"Longtail Distribution Network has re-released the DVD “Backstage Secrets: On the Road with the Rock Band Rush”. This new release has been replicated onto DVD5 media with better quality video. The previous version, duplicated to DVD-R media is no longer available for sale.

For those of you who were disappointed in the technical quality of the original release, for a limited period of time, we are making the newly released version available at our cost of $6.00 plus shipping. This is for all five episodes on two discs.

If you originally purchased the DVD from Amazon.com or Filmbaby, please send a copy of your purchase receipt or any other reasonable documentation validating your purchased to support@longtailnet.com. We will then provide you with a password for the special page on our website built to accommodate this replacement pricing.

If you originally purchased the DVD from the Longtail Distribution Network you do not need to provide a receipt. To validate your purchase we need to know the email address of the person who originally ordered the DVD or the address to where it was shipped. It would be helpful to also provide the approximate date of purchase. Simply write to us at support@longtailnet.com with that information and we will then provide you with a password for the special page on our website built to accommodate this replacement pricing.

If you cannot validate your purchase we are very sorry, but we will not fulfill your order. If you place an order on our password protected page without our pre-approval your purchase will be refunded and the product will not be shipped.

The newly released DVD is now available for sale at a price of $24.95 for home use on our website at http://www.longtailnet.com/1290."

New World Man: A Tribute To Rush

New World Man: A Tribute To Rush, is now available. The new release includes four new tracks, three of which are recorded by members of Coheed And Cambria, The Dillinger Escape Plan (Chris Pennie), KORN (Shane Gibson) and The Mars Volta (Juan Alderete) on the tracks "New World Man", "Fly By Night" and "Force Ten". The fourth new track is I, Omega's version of 'Tom Sawyer'. The remaining selections include previous releases from Magna Carta's Working Man (1996) and Subdivisions (2005) tribute albums featuring performances by Robert Berry, Dave Martone, Sebastian Bach, John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan, as well as Alex Skolnick Trio's jazz interpretation of 'Tom Sawyer' from their album Last Day In Paradise.

Truth Behind Rush's Absence At The Winter Olympics

In early February, it was rumored that Rush would be one of the Canadian bands to represent their native country during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. This past Tuesday during a radio interview with Philadelphia's WYSP to promote Beyond The Lighted Stage, Geddy Lee finally shed some light on the band's absence. - Thanks to John at Cygnus-X1.net for the headsup!

"We had an opportunity to play but there were all kinds of crazy rules going on about lip-synching and all stuff like that and that's just not our bag, man." - Geddy Lee, April 27, 2010

"2112" Heard In "High School" Trailer

The film High School premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this past January. Starring Adrien Brody and Colin Hanks, the trailer uses the opening keyboards from 2112 as its background music! - Thanks to Kevin Leclerc for the headsup!

"Tom Sawyer" on "Fringe"

"Tom Sawyer" was featured in the opening moments of tonight's episode of Fox's Fringe. During the episode "The Man from the Other Side", the song played on a car radio as a young couple gets high (yes, yes, "A Passage To Bangkok" would have been more appropriate!). If you missed it, it will be available in the next few days on the Fringe website. - Thanks to Jeff Lucas for the headsup!

Rush Congratulates South Park (Neil Peart Sings!?)

Yesterday, Geddy, Alex AND Neil uploaded a congratulatory video to celebrate the 200th episode of South Park. And did I mention Neil sings? - Thanks to Mark Earnshaw for the headsup!

Vapor Trails Deluxe Edition - April Fools!

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

"The T.A.M.I. Show" Now On DVD

Many Rush fans have brought to my attention the fact that the 1964 concert film The T.A.M.I. Show, has been remastered and reissued on DVD. This concert film includes Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and more. In his book Traveling Music, Neil Peart wrote at length regarding the show's impact, beginning on page 130 "Another movie around the same time was a much stronger musical influence on me - in fact, in retrospect, it was the influence. The T.A.M.I. Show, or "Teen Age Music International"... The DVD is now available.

Rush Songwriter's Hall Of Fame Induction

Rush were inducted into the Canadian Songwriter's Hall Of Fame Sunday, March 28th, at the Toronto Centre For The Arts' George Weston Recital Hall. All three members of Rush were in attendance for the induction ceremony and were recognized for Limelight, Closer to the Heart, The Spirit of Radio, Tom Sawyer and Subdivisions. Performing at the induction ceremony were Canadian hardcore rockers Alexisonfire performing Tom Sawyer; Primus frontman Les Claypool playing a version of The Spirit of Radio; and Canadian folk singer/songwriter Jacob Moon doing his rendition of Subdivisions. Neil Peart gave the acceptance speech for the band.

Click Here For Additional Hall of Fame Induction News

"Rush has typically been more associated with their unrivaled musicianship and their restless ambition to conquer every musical genre, sometimes in the span of one song. The band acknowledged that immediately in their speech, which was delivered entirely by drummer Neil Peart. 'First of all, songwriting award? Rush? There must be some mistake,' Peart said to laughter from a crowd that had just serenaded the group with a standing ovation. 'We continue to inspire each other and create music that inspires us all.'" - Rush, Robert Charlebois join songwriters' hall of fame, March 29, 2010

"Millions of record sales notwithstanding, Rush's songwriters have rarely earned income from other artists' covers of their famous songs. The complexity of the arrangements built into Rush's work — sudden time, tempo and key changes — are beyond the grasp of less ambitious or practised musicians, and the soaring melodies and vivid narratives are forsaken...'I understand why no one covers our songs,' Lee said. 'They sound daunting. But, as Moon proved in his ‘Subdivisions' video, most of the songs can be stripped back to their simplest form, and find a new life. When we tried to write songs that are simple and uncomplicated, it didn't work. One of our producers used to tell us, 'You'd have a lot of hits if only someone else recorded them.''" Toronto Star, March 28, 2010

"Peart, who says he would have been an English high school teacher if he hadn’t become a rock drummer, is pleased at the Rush songs chosen for induction, particularly Subdivisions. 'It's a very unusual song construction lyrically and musically that we managed to make work,” he said. “It was written at a time when we weren’t working, so to speak. We were mixing a live album and we just started playing around and wrote a song for fun. Although it’s very serious in it’s musical structure, one of the most complicated actually that we’ve had in terms of arrangement drum part alone, it’s a really intricate drum part to play and consequently I still love playing it almost 30 years later and that’s a good testament.'" Jam!Music, March 26, 2010

• Audio of the complete induction ceremony - CBC.ca
• Jacob Moon talks about his experience with backstage photos. - March 28-29, 2010
• A Rush To The Hall Of Fame - March 29, 2010
• Rush Inducted Into Hall Of Fame - March 28, 2010
• A Conversation With Rush - March 19, 2010

Administrative Update

Just a quick administrative update... For the past 8 years, the Power Windows website has promoted Rush related products through Amazon.com. Earlier this month, Amazon.com summarily severed all ties with Colorado based accounts (including your's truly, email saved for posterity), rather than give in to restrictions imposed by the Colorado State legislature requiring Amazon to collect Colorado State sales tax for all orders placed from Colorado based websites. This story made headlines here in Colorado, and still is the source of many online debates. While I don't blame Amazon, I've been forced to find alternative solutions.

After scouring the various online retailers, I've replaced all my CD and DVD links with links to CDUniverse.com (CDUniverse has a huge selection including those Rush related rarities I detail in my pages), and all book purchases now link to Barnes & Noble (bn.com). I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and thank you in advance for making your online purchases through Power Windows. And now back to your regularly scheduled program...

Rush Tourbooks Remasters Series

The "Rush Tourbooks Remasters Series" is now available in the Rush Backstage Club online store! Tourbooks dating back to 2112 have been brought back to all their glory (and then some) by modern printing technology and are all beautifully crafted with high-end laminated covers. Check 'em out at The Rush Backstage Club.

Drum Playalong Songs From Drum Discounters

DrumDiscounters.com offers downloadable play-a-long songs for drummers. The songs are available in mp3 format with either the music and drums on both channels, just the music on both channels (drumless), or a "split" track where the drums are on the left channel and the music on the right channel. Included in their selection are "Fly By Night", "Limelight", "A Passage To Bangkok", "Subdivisions", "Tom Sawyer", "The Trees", and "YYZ". - Thanks to David DeSantis for the headsup!

Website Updates: Windows 7 Themes and Smartphone Wallpapers

The impetus for this website when it was first launched 12 years ago was the Desktop Wallpaper and "Windows Plus!" Desktop Themes pages. While I still offer Themes for Windows XP/ME/NT, I have updated the Windows Themes page to now include a complete set of Windows 7 Themes. These Windows 7 Themes include Desktop Background Slide Shows along with the same sounds, icons and cursors used in the older Windows Plus themes. The Desktop Background Slide Shows include ALL the linernotes images for any given album, as well as additional live photos taken during that album's tour sourced from the tourbooks. Some of the Windows 7 Themes for more recent releases have HUGE Slide Shows included - the Snakes & Arrows Live theme has 36! In addition, these themes are user customizable, meaning, if you don't want to use the sounds and icons, you don't have to. Visit our Windows Themes page for details.

Next, more and more frequently I've been asked about wallpapers for Smartphones; after all, I offer PSP wallpapers, why not then include Smartphone wallpapers? As I'm a Blackberry user, however, I have been slow to get around to it. But thanks to the urging and guidance of Smartphone user John Patuto at Cygnus-X1.net, I've finally added a complete "Smartphone Wallpaper" page of 360x480 pixel RUSH wallpapers for SmartPhone, Palm, Blackberry Storm, Pocket PC, Apple iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Enjoy!

RUSH Makes Planet Rock's "Top 40 Live Albums"

Listeners of the UK's Planet Rock radio voted in their thousands in a poll to determine the Top 40 Live Albums of All Time. - Thanks to Scot McBean and Matt Kelly for the headsup!

"Thousands of you voted and now we know once and for all that Thin Lizzy's Live And Dangerous is the Greatest Live Album of All Time. The 1978 album has been repeatedly accused of containing more overdubs than live material, but that doesn't hide the fact that this is a definitive "live" record - it captured the band's stunning live energy and sound absolutely perfectly across a tracklist that probably couldn't have been bettered, and that, after all, is everything we could ask for. Deep Purple were so close to stealing this one at the last minute with their classic Made In Japan, and UFO's Strangers In The Night wasn't too far behind either. Rush deserve a notable mention for being the one band who's fans successfully sabotaged their chances for the Top Ten by splitting the vote rather spectacularly across three albums in the Top 40." - Planet Rock.com

Miniature Replica Of Geddy's Rickenbacker 4001

You've asked for it, and now it's here: a precise recreation of Geddy Lee's Rickenbacker 4001 bass. His primary instrument of the 70's, first seen during RUSH's first tour in 1974, Geddy effectively retired this bass after the Signals tour until bringing it back on tour in 2007.

This 1:4-scale replica miniature bass collectible is made of solid mahogany wood, hand crafted and airbrushed with outstanding detail. This bass guitar sells for $24.99; click here to order. As these guitars are hand made, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery as supplies are limited.

Axeheaven is providing a special discount for Power Windows Website Users. To receive the discount, just enter the below coupon code while checking out at AxeHeaven.com:

• For free shipping for all domestic orders: coupon code FS2010
• For an overall 10% discount off of international orders: coupon code TEN2010

Click here for the complete RUSH miniature instruments collection

Rush Slam in Spoof Superbowl Commercial

In the controversial Dodge Charger Superbowl commercial, "Man's Last Stand", morose looking men are shown as a male voice over lists things a man must endure so that they can drive what they want. A spoof commercial has been made by women, "Woman's Last Stand", where the tables are turned. Of course, RUSH gets slammed; afterall, there are no female RUSH fans, right? - Thanks to John Tice for the headsup!

Superbowl Halftime Show Featuring RUSH?

"The NFL is making a very conscious effort to avoiding the conflict over potential lawsuits that came by way of Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction. By most accounts, the last few years have gotten better and better while encompassing a variety of long-time, tenured, rock-and-roll professionals. So here is a list of five bands that would serve the NFL well over the next half-decade...

Number Two: RUSH might be the most controversial selection for those who are not fans of the band. However, this is one of the most technical, influential, and greatest rock bands ever to hit the stage. They have reached legendary status even though they are still snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Perhaps no band is better equipped to pull off a similar medley of their music as quickly as RUSH could. They have still been touring into their late 50’s and producing high quality musical releases as well. Most recently drummer Neil Peart was asked to help revamp the Hockey Night in Canada theme music, and has landed the drum set he used to get into the Hockey Hall of Fame. This band is from Canada, but they have always toured in the United States. RUSH is the most capable band of surprising, while making a few new fans." - BleacherReport.com, February 8, 2010 - Thanks to John @ Cygnus-X!.net

Joan Jett bashes Rush

Back in 1977, one of the many bands who opened for Rush was The Runaways, the all girl band fronted by Joan Jett, Cherrie Curie and Lita Ford. In fact, the Runaways attended a party in Rush's honor as pictured here. However, although it seems out of character for Rush, the Runaway's Joan Jett has less than fond memories of their time touring together. - Thanks to Tony Stiles for the headsup!

"Their Order of Canada is probably safe. But Joan Jett says members of Rush were anything but polite Canucks when the Runaways opened for them in the 1970s. In the new film biopic about the band titled The Runaways, Jett (played by Kristen Stewart) is derided by an unidentified rock group they’re opening for. She later retaliates by breaking into their dressing room and urinating on one of their guitars. Jett doesn’t hesitate to identify the real-life inspiration for the scene. 'Rush! They sat on the side of the stage and laughed at us,' Jett says. 'That sort of stuff pisses me off.'" - Joan Jett, Jam!Music, January 29, 2010

Geddy Lee On The Canadians For Haiti Telethon

Geddy Lee appeared on the Canada For Haiti benefit telethon on Friday night which raised over $9.4 million for a group of Canadian charities working in Haiti following the earthquake of January 12th. Geddy Lee made an appearance at the event but did not perform; click here for Geddy's appearance. For more information visit canadaforhaiti.com. - Thanks to Rushisaband for the headsup!

Caress Of Steel, A Record To Die For

In the February issue of Stereophile, writer Brian Damkroge includes Caress Of Steel in his "Records To Die For" feature. - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

"Caress of Steel, Rush's third album narrowly edges out their fourth, 2112, as my R2D4. The sparse arrangements showcase their playing; in particular, Alex Lifeson's chord-based guitar style is shown off far better here than on their later, more complex albums. With Caress and 2112, Rush exploited the album format with longer, more developed operettas than were possible with their later focus on radio-friendly singles. Yes, 'I think Im going bald' is woefully out of place, the lyrics a little pretentious, and Geddy Lee's vocals are an acquired taste, but the music and sound are incredible. Rush at their very best."

Neil Peart "Soulscape" Print

International artist Tom Noll paints various musicians and is now featuring his Neil Peart "Soulscape" as a giclee art print from the original oil painting. The print has an image area of 27" x 18" (68.6 cm x 45.7 cm), is printed on 100 lb cover stock using fade resistant UV inks and sells for $350 plus shipping. For more information visit creativeboneartworks.com; click here for a closeup of the painting. - Thanks to Frank Ray for the headsup!

RushPetition.com Is Back For 2010 Tour

RushPetition.com is back for a fourth consecutive tour to take your votes on the top five songs you would like the band to bring back from "the vault". This go round, however, they are only offering up songs that have not been played in the last 20 years (songs not heard since the Presto tour). Surprisingly, there are 85 songs to choose from! - Thanks to Skip Daly for the headsup!

30th Anniversary Of Permanent Waves On "In The Studio"

The 30th anniversary of Permanent Waves was the subject of "In The Studio - The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands" which aired the week of January 11th. The show was a compilation of past interviews, and can now be heard at inthestudio.net.

"Crafting A Neil Peart Prototype"

"Do artists really influence the designs of the cymbals that bear their names? And, if they do, by what process does a drummer design a cymbal? We sat down recently with Sabian's west coast artist relations director Chris Stankee to discuss the design of a new Chinese cymbal with Neil Peart. You'll see how over the course of two years Neil and Chris worked together, They would receive new prototypes, test the, take them on the road, and then ask the factory for changes. With each generation of the design, this cymbal got closer and closer to what Neil heard in his head. You can see the whole story of Paragon cymbals on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/sabianparagonlounge."- DRUM!.com, January 10, 2010 - Thanks to Frank Ray for the headsup!

Sonic Reality Releases "Neil Peart Drums Vol. 1: The Kit"

Announced at this week's NAMM show: "Neil Peart Drums Vol. 1: The Kit. This sample library for BFD2 and Infinite Player, and powered by Kontakt, is part of Sonic Reality's Drum Masters series. Neil Peart, drummer of the band Rush, collaborated with Sonic Reality and producer/engineer Nick Raskulinecz to digitize the sound of Snakes and Arrows’ Custom DW Drum Kit. It features deep level dynamics, humanized random alternating hits, discrete multiple mic mixing, and more. It gives e-drummers, keyboardists, and composers the ability to play rock drum samples with the distinctive Neil Peart sound, and have a drum kit suitable for many styles of music from Progressive Rock to Heavy Metal. It comes mapped in GM, iMap, V-Drum and a Custom Map mode to be controlled by any electronic drum kit. It also includes discrete mic mixing and album-quality presets. It ships in the first quarter, but the price has not been announced." - Macworld.com, January 15, 2010 - Thanks to Rushisaband.com for the headsup!

Neil Peart On Paragon Brilliant "More Than A Shine - It's A Matter Of Sound"

In a new article at Sabian.com, Neil Peart discusses Paragon Brilliant cymbals. - Thanks to Frank Ray for the headsup!

"The evolution of Paragon Brilliant is about more than spit and polish. It began with the pursuit of the openness and responsiveness of an older cymbal, right 'out of the bag.' I have always found that brand-new cymbals have a certain 'tightness,' both in their physical response and in their sound, and it takes a few shows to play them in. Then they loosen up and start to 'dance' on the stand, and the swell of sound from attack to decay would become smooth and open..."- Neil Peart, Sabian.com, December 22, 2009

Alex Lifeson Makes "VH1's 100 Most Shocking Music Moments"

Alex Lifeson makes list of VH1's 100 Most Shocking Music Moments. Moment number 62, titled "When a Rush Comes to Shove", discusses Alex's New Year's Eve at the Ritz in 2003 (click here for a complete history of the event). Several musicians, including Scott Ian from Anthrax, comment on how Rush is a "geeky prog rock band" and "who would've thought they'd actually be on the list", while a comedian states "maybe Rush is using the prog rock geekiness as a front. Maybe they all could kick your ass." The segment includes Alex saying, "Gives a whole new meaning to spending the night at the Ritz."