FYI Industry Profile: Pegi Cecconi

FYI Music News has posted a new interview with Pegi Cecconi. a key cog in the Rush machine, Pegi has served as SRO/Anthem's Vice President behind Ray Danniels for literally decades.

As the long-time right hand for [SRO/Anthem President) Ray Danniels, Cecconi has had a pivotal role in the rise of Rush to the title of ‘world’s biggest cult band.’ For instance, she executive produced the longform DVDs that have become a major revenue stream for the band (and SRO/Anthem).

The fiercely loyal and feisty Cecconi is exactly the kind of business person any artist would love in their corner. She notes that “Rush are as big as they are because of Ray Danniels’ total loyalty. I was brought under that wing. When I fight for fuckin Rush, as far as I’m concerned they’re the Beatles, there’s nothing else. You sit there with people having big stars, and we’d be the pain in the ass- ‘you’re not getting this or that.’ That part was fun. Ray’s thing was I want more so you’d figure out what more you could give them.”

As we lured the reluctant interviewee down memory lane, we got a chuckle out of her anecdote about her first dealings with Ray Danniels and Rush. “I met Ray when I was booking bands at my high school, Roland Michener Secondary School in South Porcupine, Ontario. He was my agent and he used to try to sell me Rush. I'd say’ no way. I can get a four-piece band for the same price as a trio. If Rush had ever played my high school the shit would have been beaten out of them!’

“I started with Ray but he wouldn’t give me a job. My first job was as an agent with Tommy and Vic Wilson, who had the Concept 376 agency. At the time it was on 57 Spadina in Toronto. I had a job working with Cliff Hunt there. I made 60$ a week but I was on commission and I was suddenly making $400. That was good money for 1972.”

 Click here for more.

Geddy Lee talks about his affection for the Tragically Hip

Geddy Lee candidly spoke to CBC Music’s Kerry Martin about his affection for the Tragically Hip as part of an upcoming radio pre-show to be broadcast before the live broadcast of the final date of The Hip's Man Machine Poem tour in Kingston, Ontario on August 20th.

"The first time you listen to one of their records it kind of sneaks up on you,” Lee says. “It sounds simpler than it is. There is a particular way the power of those guitars work together.… [They] always sound sinewy and muscular. Then you put Gord's voice and his lyrics on top of that, and after repeated listening, you really start to love it. It just gets inside you. I think that's a trademark of the Hip."

Click here for more. - Thanks to Ed @ RushIsABand for the headsup!

Alex Lifeson to appear on upcoming Rik Emmett album

According to Hennemusic, Alex Lifeson will make an appearance on two tracks on the new album by fellow Canadian guitarist, Rik Emmett, planned for release in November of this year. Lifeson and Emmett have worked together twice in the past, appearing together on "Beyond Borders" with the Canadian Guitar Summit, released as a 45 rpm flexidisk included in Guitar Player magazine, July 1987. The following year, they appeared on "Hands of Man" as part of The Big Picture on Dream On The Horizon: A Tribute To The Olympic Spirit! Also appearing on Emmett's album are original Triumph bassist Mike Levine and drummer Gil Moore, the original Triumph lineup who last worked together in the studio on 1987's "Surveillance" before the guitarist exited the lineup in 1988. - Thanks to the B-man for the headsup!

Tom Sawyer featured on "The Infiltrator" Soundtrack

The Infiltrator stars Brian Cranston (Breaking Bad) as a U.S. Customs official who uncovers a money laundering scheme to take down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.  The soundtrack will be released Friday, August 12th, and includes a number of 80's rock hits including Rush's "Tom Sawyer", which plays at the beginning of the film.  Check it out here.  - Thanks to RushIsABand for the headsup!

Help the Alexander Family - A Rush Fan in Need

Jeff Alexander is a Rush fan who has passed his love of Rush on to his two sons.  Jeff has also served in the U.S. Army and Navy.  Last month Jeff's house exploded, with him in it.  You can read about the explosion here.  A fundraising page has been created to help the family with expenses, any help you can send a fellow Rush fan's way will be greatly appreciated:

"On June 10th, 2016, Jeff woke up and was getting ready to head to work. He was excited because the next day he was flying to AZ to be reunited with Stephanie and the kids, and bring them back to Montana. As he was doing his laundry, a huge explosion occurred, and then a fire destroyed the home. 

"Stephanie is with him, and other family members are arriving as well.  While he has medical insurance, it doesn't cover the costs that his family will be incurring as they deal with this devastating tragedy. There will be travel costs and many expenses in the future weeks and months. Please help this young family out as they face an uncertain future. Your gift is truly appreciated."  If you would like to donate, click here.

- Thanks to Trip Kinzie for the headsup!

Neil Peart's hockey themed drumkit now on display at Canada's National Music Center

Neil Peart's hockey themed kit used to record "The Hockey Theme" for TSN (and in the accompanying documentary, Fire on Ice), is now on display at Canada's new "National Music Center" in Calgary.  Click here for more info.

Geddy Lee praises The Who's "Live At Leeds"

Geddy Lee praises The Who's Live At Leeds in a new feature posted yesterday on Teamrock.com:

“I was a big Who fan. I still am. Like a lot of people, it started with My Generation for me. I used to go up to Sam The Record Man in town to get my music. That’s where I got Live At Leeds one Saturday morning. And the bass in My Generation, I mean, John Entwistle, my god, he was such an absolute influence on me and his playing on Leeds is unsurpassable. I’m a big fan of 'Summertime Blues' on that album, which we covered, to a large degree because of their version.

“I got to see The Who in Winnipeg, Manitoba of all places. They were incredible, but Moon was already gone by then. I never saw them with him, I’m very sad to say. No matter what they do, Pete Townshend’s writing has always been at the very top of his craft, the quintessential combination of heavy and melodic. Even today, Live At Leeds sounds so alive, it’s a real piece of that period of rock. It’s like a bootleg, the artwork, the tone; that was their attitude I think. It was raw: ‘Here it is’.”

 - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Rush Referenced in X-Men Apocalypse

As we've known since December when the trailer was first released, and a film-related UK Sky Fibre commercial, during the film X-Men Apocalypse released May 27th, the character Quicksilver is a Rush fan.  Not only does he wear a Moving Pictures t-shirt in the film, he also has a Signals tour poster in his bedroom (a bootleg poster readily available on ebay), and “I Luv Rush” is written on his cast. - Thanks to Byron Chavarria, Ed Dobbins and Alex Fulop for the headsup!

Rush Referenced on "Veep"

Rush was referenced on the May 29th episode of HBO's Veep, when Jonah Ryan, who is running for US Congress, gets some bad news: "Sir, as your director of communications, I need to tell you that we just got a letter from the band Rush. They said that we can't use the song 'Working Man' anymore because they find you odious."  You can check out the scene below. - Thanks to Lawrence Ghorra, Paul Knox-Roberts and Rick Benak for the headsup!

Paul Gilbert remembers touring with Rush

In episode 15 of his Youtube series "Scarified", guitarist Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big tells of touring with Rush, including meeting Geddy Lee the first time, getting his drill caught in his hair, and learning "In The Mood" to play it on stage with Rush . You can check it out here. - Thanks to Rosmakloma for the headsup!

Chelsea Handler is a Rush fan - as spotted during today's episode of "Chelsea"

On today's episode of Chelsea on Netflix (during the episode titled "Barbara Boxer & Souls To The Polls"), Chelsea Handler is wearing a Moving Pictures t-shirt.  You can check it out here. - Thanks to Sameer Tandon for the headsup!

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

Neil Peart has updated his website with the May 2016 issue of "News, Weather and Sports." In BubbaGram™#6, "Binge Riding", Neil tells of a ride following the July 21, 2015 show in Portland en route to San Jose, which included a journey to Oregon's Crater Lake National Park. You can check it out here.

ole's Andy Curran talks upcoming Rush releases and the band's future

Today Canada's FYImusicnews posted a new story featuring Andy Curran, Anthem’s former A&R executive who transitioned into ole’s new Label Services general manager/A&R.  Andy talks about upcoming Rush releases and the band's future.

"Aside from prepping the 40th anniversary deluxe edition of 2112 and a documentary of Rush’s R40 tour that is looking to be released in 2016’s fourth quarter, Curran is pouring over the catalogue to prep long-unavailable titles for reissue, digitally, on CD and on vinyl." 

As far as the future of Rush, Curran feels positive that Rush will be writing, recording and releasing more music.

“If I was a gambling man, I would say those guys are going to record some more music,” Curran says. “The live component is certainly a question mark with Neil, but they’re still quite young at heart. I don’t see those guys sitting still for too long and we’ll be working with them in the future.”

Click here for more. - Thanks to Ed at Rushisaband for the headsup!

Geddy Lee attends Pearl Jam show in Toronto

Geddy Lee attended the Pearl Jam’s show in Toronto on Thursday night, and the band gave a special shout out to Geddy, as they played a few notes of "Fly By Night" and "Cygnus X-1".  Unable to play more than few notes of each, Eddie Vedder explained "we have been a band for twenty five years but if we wanted to play a Rush song we would probably have to play for another twenty five."    Geddy also took photos with Vedder and drummer Matt Cameron backstage; Cameron drummed on Geddy's solo album, My Favorite Headache.  For more info, click here.

Alex Lifeson: Songwriter, Producer & Musician - Guitar Connoisseur magazine

Guitar Connoisseur magazine has posted a new interview with Alex Lifeson by David Barrett (of the David Barrett Trio).  David speaks to Alex about his solo album, Victor, recording the solo to "The Garden", his current guitar and amp setup, and more.

Auction Item: Signed copy of "Art of Rush" to benefit New Canvas of Life

A copy of "Art of Rush", signed by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart, is part the 2016 New Canvas of Life — The Art of Transplantation, a month-long online auction to raise funds and awareness for organ donations and transplants.

Now open for bidding here, the auction benefits the Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and Aeolian Hall, and ends at 9 pm May 25.  Click here for more info. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Neil Peart writes foreword for David Phillips' "From The Riser, A Drummer's Perspective II"

Back in early 2014 I told you about a new photography book by David Phillips, which includes a forward written by Neil Peart (who also appears on the cover).  Phillips is publishing the book himself and has launched a new indiegogo site to fund the project.  Check out the video below.

"Much hard work and love has already gone into the making of this book. The project is near completion with all the photos already taken and approved. The money raised from this project will take the ‘From The Riser’ to its conclusion by covering the majority of the printing, production and design costs of the book. Plus additional costs for re-designing the book website, shipping and storage. This is a self-published book.

"The only way the book will come to market is through your pledges. I would like to say a big thank you in advance to anyone that pledges support for my project. I know from the huge amount of warm feedback and comments on my first book that this second book will not disappoint. I feel that the more I photograph drummers the better I get and I am very excited to show the world this new collection of photos which captures that magic of drumming." 

Click here for more info and to help fund the project. - Thanks to David Phillips for the headsup!

Rush's Tom Sawyer featured on Mike and Molly

Last night on CBS's Mike and Molly, 11 minutes into the episode "The Wreck of the Vincent Moranto" (season 6, episode 8), after Vince sells his boat after promising to take Mike fishing, Mike feels let down, and goes to his mom's house to his childhood bedroom and vents his frustration by air drumming to "Tom Sawyer". 

For a limited time you can watch the episode here. - Thanks to Randy Stringer for the headsup!

"All The Gifts Of Life: 40 Years Of Rush's '2112'" - NPR

NPR.com has posted a new article, "All The Gifts Of Life: 40 Years Of Rush's '2112'", to celebrate Rush's landmark album.  Alex Lifeson shares his memories and thoughts on the album and his memories of the writing and recording process.

"When other bands cite us as an inspiration or an influence, [the theme of 2112 is] what they're talking about, more than anything. I've often read when we're mentioned as an influence for a band they'll say, 'We're big Rush fans, because they did it on their own, they did it their own way, and that told me that I could do the same thing. If I stick with it, persevere, I can do things the way I want them to be.'"

Check it out here.

Alex Lifeson to participate in Alice Cooper's 'Rock & Roll Golf Classic and Vampire Bash'

UPDATE: The Arizona Republic has posted a review of the show, check it out here.

Alice Cooper's Rock & Roll Golf Classic and Rock & Roll Vampire Bash directly benefit Solid Rock and The Rock Teen Center, and bring together some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports, and many PGA veterans and community leaders.

Join Alice and his wife Sheryl as they raise the dead at Alice Cooper's Rock & Roll Vampire Bash on Sunday, April 24 from 4:30 p.m. until 10:00 pm. The nocturnal fun includes a cocktail reception where you can chill in the Pro Em VIP Lounge, silent auction, dinner, live auction and live entertainment on the PCS Stage with Alice Cooper and friends, including Alex Lifeson (RUSH), Danny Seraphine (CHICAGO), Tommy Thayer (KISS), Frank Sidoris (SLASH), and Neal Smith (ALICE COOPER), and the comic genius of John O'Hurley and Jeff Allen.

Tickets are $250 per person and are on sale now by calling Joy Covell at the Solid Rock office at 602-522-9200.

For more information, click here.

Rush takes down Calgary photographer - Calgary Metro

Calgary Metro is reporting that a Calgary photographer who snapped shots of Rush in 1970s is battling with the band’s legal team to sell his photos online. Ian Mark took the photographs on behalf of a magazine that no longer exists. It was right around the time Fly by Night, Rush’s first platinum album, came out.  

Three years ago, Mark began selling them online in an Etsy store. Recently, he was surprised to receive a letter, claiming he was infringing on the band’s copyright and could no longer sell the photos.

Mark reached out to the band directly for permission to sell the photos. A representative offered to buy them for $5,000, which Mark refused.

Rush’s lawyers said it’s about protecting their client’s rights.  “There are many rights besides copyrights. These include trademark rights, personality rights and merchandising rights,” said Bob Farmer, director with SRO/YYZ Entertainment Group Inc. “The owner of the photograph does not own these latter rights and cannot profit by exploiting them.” 

Farmer said he’s asked Mark to forward the profits, which will then be donated to charity.

Entertainment lawyer EB Reinbergs said Rush’s lawyers are correct in their legal analysis.

Geddy Lee looks back on 2112 - Kerrang magazine

The March 5 issue of Kerrang! magazine includes a new interview with Geddy Lee where he looks back on the 2112 album, released 40 years ago last month.  You can read the complete article here. - Thanks to RushFanForever for the headsup!

Rush featured on tonight's "The Goldbergs" episode "Rush"

Rush has been an ongoing fixture on ABC's "The Goldbergs", primarily through Erica Goldberg's classmate Johnny Atkins, the lead sax player in the high school band, who is constantly seen wearing one of a variety of 80's Rush t-shirts. (Click here for previous references).

On Wednesday's episode of The Goldbergs (8:30/7:30c, ABC), Johnny Atkins (Sean Marquette) introduces Erica (Hayley Orrantia) to the prog-rock stylings of Rush ("Tom Sawyer," natch), and it's love at first sight -- in more ways than one. Check out the teaser below.

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: