RUSH: Phoenix And Dallas Concerts To Be Filmed For Upcoming DVD

Canadian rock legends RUSH will capture the "Clockwork Angels" tour by filming in Phoenix and Dallas on November 25 and November 28,
respectively. The shows are being recorded for a DVD release in 2013.

RUSH kicked off the "Clockwork Angels" world tour on September 7 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

In addition to adding a lot of rarely played songs to their opening set, RUSH is bringing a string ensemble out on tour with the band for the first
time ever in its career. Orchestrations provided by well-known arranger David Campbell were used on several tracks from the band's new album, "Clockwork Angels", and RUSH is recreating that sound during the current tour.

RUSH's North American tour will wrap on December 2 in Houston, Texas.

"Clockwork Angels" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard album chart, selling 103,000 copies in its first week of release. The disc marked RUSH 's highest chart debut since 1993's "Counterparts", which also entered at No. 2.

RUSH Frontman Comments On Upcoming 'RockWalk' Induction

 

Guitar Center has announced the upcoming induction of renowned rock legends RUSH into the retailer's historic RockWalk. The exclusive, invite-only induction ceremony is set to take place on Tuesday, November 20 at noon at Guitar Center's Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard. A special guest speaker will open the event by reflecting upon RUSH's musical impact and welcoming the band to the stage.

"We are very pleased to have been chosen by our peers and fellow musicians for induction in Guitar Center's RockWalk," said RUSH's Geddy Lee. "It is an honor to have our names added to this illustrious list of great and highly talented musicians."

"Not only is RUSH extraordinary as a band, but each member is incredibly talented in their own right," said Dave Weiderman, Chairman of Guitar Center's RockWalk. "With nearly thirty years together, this group has consistently
delivered skilled musicianship, experimental-drive and stylistically
diverse rock to music fans worldwide. In short — RUSH is long deserving of being honored by Guitar Center's RockWalk."

Guitar Center's RockWalk is dedicated to honoring those artists who have made a significant
impact and lasting contribution to the growth and evolution of rock 'n'
roll, blues and R&B. As the newest RockWalk inductees, RUSH's handprints will reside alongside the handprints, signatures, and faces
of other equally accomplished musicians and innovators such as Eric Clapton, George Martin, Jimmy Page, IRON MAIDEN, Carlos Santana, Johnny Cash, VAN HALEN, AC/DC, AEROSMITH, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, RUN-D.M.C. and QUEEN, among numerous others.

RUSH Celebrates 'Signals' 30th Anniversary On 'In The Studio'

 

North American syndicated rock radio show "In The Studio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands" examines a pivotal moment in the career of RUSH.

By 1981, RUSH had built a fiercely loyal fan base through eight albums, only one of
which did not sell more than its predecessor, and road-dog touring, all
the while honing their chops, their arrangements and lyrical themes into a laser-tight focus for RUSH's worldwide blockbuster, "Moving Pictures". So what did the band do for the follow-up when all of their hard work paid off? RUSH changed.

Because
the album also contained the Top Ten hit "New World Man" and sold over a
million copies in its first two months, there is a tendency to assume
that the follow-up, "Signals", was easily embraced by all of the RUSH faithful. It wasn't. With back-to-back million sellers "Permanent Waves" in 1980 and then the massive "Moving Pictures", RUSH risked their new-found fame and fortune with the 1982 album "Signals", expanding their sound with new instrumentation and additional layers of sound on songs "Subdivisions", "The Analog Kid", "Chemistry" and "The Weapon". But if RUSH had not challenged themselves and their fans by continuing to innovate and explore all four corners of the studio on "Signals" in fall 1982, would there even be a RUSH in the 21st century? Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart all weigh in for this classic rock interview.

Here is just a portion of what Neil Peart shared with "In The Studio" host Redbeard: "We were all looking for a new place for the guitar, and Alex was looking for a new way to play it and present it. So 'Signals' is very experimental for us."

RUSH: Deluxe Editions Of '2112' Detailed

 

In time for 21/12 celebrations, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release deluxe editions of RUSH's landmark album "2112" that will feature 5.1 Surround Sound mixes, unreleased live tracks and the first-ever RUSH comic book, available globally starting December 18.

There will be three configurations of "2112": deluxe editions (CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray) and a special super deluxe
edition (CD/Blu-ray/hardbound book case). The deluxe editions contain a
CD/DVD or CD/Blu-ray material including the remastered "2112" CD
with three live bonus tracks and a DVD or Blu-ray disc with a 5.1
Surround Sound audio mix and an interactive digital comic book, a new
album cover by original album designer Hugh Syme, liner notes and unpublished photos.

The
super deluxe contains the CD/Blu-Ray and is meticulously assembled in a
hardbound bookcase packed with a 40-page comic book representing every
song on "2112".

For the complete details, visit Rush.com.

"Every album is a point in RUSH's history," Geddy Lee said in 1978. "And if it's not getting better, something's wrong. Every album has to be the perfect RUSH album."

"The first record," Alex Lifeson says about '2112', "where we sounded like RUSH."

Originally released in 1976, RUSH's epic, landmark release "2112" was their creative and commercial breakthrough as well as one of the
band's most highly regarded releases among both fans and critics alike.
With lyrics written by Neil Peart, and influenced by author Ayn Rand, "2112" kicks off with the ambitious seven-suite title track (side one), set in a futuristic world run by the "Priests Of The Temples Of Syrinx" who regulate "every single facet of every life," which includes books, music, work and play. "2112" conveys the story of humanity's instinctual, inner need for one's free will.

After the mythological journey through "2112", side two brings you back to the present and continues with five stand-alone tracks. From hard-rocking tracks such as "A Passage to Bangkok", "Lessons", and a trip to into the fourth dimension with "The Twilight Zone", to the album's soaring conclusion, "Something For Nothing", "2112" is the album that ushered in the next stage in their continuing evolution as artists.

PORTNOY, SHEEHAN, MACALPINE, SHERINIAN: Tokyo Show To Be Recorded For CD, DVD Release

 

The new supergroup featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), bassist Billy Sheehan (STEVE VAI, DAVID LEE ROTH), guitarist Tony MacAlpine (neo classical-metal style, STEVE VAI) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, PLANET X, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) will have its November 14 concert at Zepp Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan professionally filmed and recorded for a live CD and DVD.

Portnoy, Sheehan, MacAlpine and Sherinian are playing an all-instrumental set consisting of material from each of their solo records and their previous collaborations as well as classic instrumental covers and extended solo spots.

Immediately
following the European/Asian trek, the group will play a one-off U.S.
show on November 18 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York
City

In a recent interview with Prog Sphere, Portnoy stated about the new band, "It's a blast. I love Derek; he's a fun guy. I still stand by the fact that I'm not sure if he was ever right for DREAM THEATER. But, that doesn't mean I don't love the guy as a player and person. I
really do — I love being with him and I love playing with him and I'm
glad to be able to work with him again. And, you know, it's a cool
project because obviously it's very much… I think of everything I'm
doing it's the most like DREAM THEATER or it's more even like LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, probably. But you know, it's just me being able to play that kind of music with some amazing musicians. Not only Derek, but, obviously, Billy Sheehan's a dear friend and I've got two different things going with Billy at the moment, and I love working with him; he's one of my favorite bass players of all time. And Tony MacAlpine is an amazing guitar player, so I'm honored to be playing with him as
well. It's a great, great lineup and we have a DVD that's gonna come out soon from when we played together back in January and then we have this run of shows coming up in the fall.

Asked if he is going to create some original music with that band, Portnoy replied, "There's no plans for it, but obviously, we are gonna spend
months together playing every day, so I'm sure it will inevitably be
discussed, and who knows?! I think it could be very, very cool. So, you
know, we'll see. I'm sure we'll talk about it."

Portnoy formed the lineup to perfom at two drum events at the NAMM show last January (footage below). Due to overwhelming response, that band has decided to take their show on the road.

"I
knew when assembling this lineup that it would be a magical musical
experience that would be a blast for us as well as the fans! I can't
wait to play again with these tremendous musicians and share the
experience with you all at these special shows!" said Portnoy.

Fan-filmed video footage of Portnoy, Sheehan, MacAlpine and Sherinian performing on October 27 at Milk in Moscow, Russia during the band's European tour can be seen below.

NIGHTWISH Mainman Says New Singer Is 'Very Professional' With A 'Fabulous' Attitude

 

NIGHTWISH mainman Tuomas Holopainen is extremely pleased with the addition of singer Floor Jansen to the group and feels that she is only getting better gig by gig.

"We have done 13 shows with her and every concert has been better than the previous one," he tells Finland's MTV.fi. "We are taking it day by day as much as we can. The vibe in the band is marvellous. We are enjoying every moment."

Holopainen has known Jansen, who is Dutch, for more than 10 years already, having previously toured with her former band, AFTER FOREVER.

"We are very much on the same wavelength and we have a similar sense of humor," Holopainen says of his new bandmate.

Stepping into NIGHTWISH was made easier for Jansen by the fact that she has extensive experience in both classical and rock music.

Following AFTER FOREVER's split, Jansen launched a brand new project called REVAMP, which has thus far released one album and is prearing to record a follow-up effort.

"She has been in these circles since the late '90s," says Tuomas. "She has toured a lot and has been part of this genre of music. This way, it was easier for her to enter the band."

Jansen made her live debut as the frontwoman of NIGHTWISH on October 1 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington following the
abrupt departure of the band's lead singer of the past five years, Anette Olzon.

"[Floor is] a vocal coach herself, so she's very professional," says Tuomas. "The fact that she had about 40 hours to learn 15 songs is quite
revealing. She practically learned our tour set on the flight from
Amsterdam to Seattle. We're talking about a high-level professional and
her attitude is fabulous as well. It can be seen in her stage presence. She clearly enjoys what she does."