Neil Peart -- The Latest News

Guitar Center will be displaying Neil Peart's Snakes & Arrows tour kit at the Percussion Arts Society show in Indianapolis, IN. The show runs from 11/11 - 11/14, and the kit will be displayed in Booth #620. Go to www.pasic.org for more details about the show.

Here's the Guitar Center flyer:

If you go to the show and take pictures, please send them to me and I'll post them for you.

Thanks to Rushisband for the head's up and the flyer image.

Labels: drums, pasic, Rush SnakesArrows

There are a few things to report for this week:

The Snakes & Arrows Live DVD and Blu-ray disc was released on Monday, 11/24. I bought the Blu-ray (High Definition) version, and I have to say it's breathtaking. If you've been thinking of getting a Blu-ray player, this would be a great excuse. Here are some streams from Rounder:

• Limelight
• Far Cry
• The Spirit of Radio

The Drum Channel now has a free preview available of the Buddy Rich Memorial 2008 concert. The full concert is scheduled to be available on-demand on December 23, and then on DVD and Blu-ray in 2009. The Neil Peart segment is near the end, and it includes a bunch of camera angles including a footcam!

Neil Peart Studio ProFile Update

Back in April this year, we learned about a Neil Peart Studio ProFile project from Sonic Reality. While there's no confirmed release date, Sonic Reality told me in e-mail this week that they were looking at a possible April 2009 release. I'll keep you posted about this project.

To read more, go to this blog category.

Labels: Buddy Rich Memorial Concert, Neil Peart Studio Profile, Rush SnakesArrows

9/22 Update: The release date is now 11/25/08. The official press release is now on Rush.com.

------

I just got the details about the new Rush Snakes & Arrows DVD coming out on 11/18/08 11/25/08. Thanks Monica Z! The highlights include:

• Released on DVD (3 discs) and Blu-ray
• Material from 2007 and 2008 tour
• Different versions of Far Cry and The Way the Wind Blows
• Lots of extras

Details

RUSH

SNAKES & ARROWS TOUR - THE DVD

Release date 11/18/08

UPC 601143112492 --- I/O 75,000  DVD -- 20,000 BluRay

D24 DVD -- D29 BluRay

• Filmed in Hi-Def and 5.1 surround sound October of 2007 in Rotterdam, Netherlands this 3 disc DVD captures the Rush's instrumental virtuosity, complex compositions and raw energy that their fans have come to expect.
• Rush in Rio was more about crowd's response to the band -- the DVD is all about the band -- a real close up look at what Rush does on stage
• Encompasses both 2007 & 2008 Snakes & Arrows tour content
• Successful tour breaking attendance records and making Billboards top grossing tour list
• Since their debut in 1974, Rush has been universally regarded as one of the most inventive and exciting groups in rock.
• DVD includes their Grammy Award nominated track Malignant Narcissism
• Includes an explosive performance of Workin' Them Angels
• Rush -- Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart added another round of dates to this successful tour
• DVD will include bonus material and outtakes
• Extraordinary body of work includes the following: 1976's 2112, 1981's Moving Pictures, 1996's Test for Echo and 2002's Vapor Trails.
• Last 2 DVD released by Rounder Records R30 and Rush in Rio have both scanned around 250,000 units
• Available on DVD and BLURAY!  This is the first time you can see Rush in BluRay.

FULL CONCERT

Set 1

Limelight
Digital Man
Entre Nous
Mission
Freewill
The Main Monkey Business
The Larger Bowl
Secret Touch
Circumstances
Between The Wheels
Dreamline

Set 2

Far Cry
Workin' Them Angels
Armor And Sword
Spindrift
The Way The Wind Blows
Subdivisions
Natural Science
Witch Hunt
Malignant Narcissism/De Slagwerker                                       
Hope
Distant Early Warning
The Spirit of Radio
Tom Sawyer

Encore
One Little Victory
A Passage to Bangkok
YYZ

Different Versions

• Far Cry (Alternate cut featuring rear screen footage)
• The Way the Wind Blows (Alternate cut featuring rear screen footage)

Atlanta Tapes

• Ghost of a Chance
• Red Barchetta
• The Trees
• 2112

S&A DVD Extras

• "What's That Smell?" vignette
• 2007 outtakes
• "What's That Smell?" outtakes
• "Red Sector A" from R30 tour
• "What's That Smell?" trailer

Labels: DVD news, Rush SnakesArrows

Neil has posted a new update to his website. You can read it here:

Independence Day - July 2008

In this update, among other topics, Neil writes about how much he enjoys the crowds at Rush concerts and the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle.

Labels: neilpeart.net, NEP motorcycling, News updates, Rush SnakesArrows, web article, written by NEP

On Friday, April 11, Rush began its 2008 leg of the Snakes & Arrows tour in Puerto Rico.

As with the 2007 part of the tour, I'll be following all the action on my Snakes & Arrows page. If you want to see the Snakes & Arrows tour blogosphere on one handy page, including concert review, blog reviews and stories, interviews, articles, and CD reviews, see my category page. I'll continue to add to this page as the 2008 tour gets ramped up.

SPOILER! Rushisaband had up-to-the minute coverage of the first show, including the new setlist. It's amazing to live in a wired world.

The Snakes & Arrows Live 2 CD set will be released on tax day (U.S.), Tuesday, April 15. If you'd like a preview of the CD packaging, CygnusX-1.net has a scan available here.

Here's a photo of Neil Peart on opening night (from Rush.com).

If you want to see the Rush press conference in Puerto Rico on April 9, here's the embedded video:

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows, Snakes 2008

Here are a few updates from the site.

• I've created a new section about Neil's prose writing called Catalog of Neil Peart's Writing. My goal with this page is to list everything that Neil has written for magazines, newspapers, websites, and other media -- even if I don't have a link to the article or story. If the article exists online, I've included a link to it. In addition, you can download an Excel file of the list if you want to sort the columns yourself. Thanks to Cygnus-x1.net, Power Windows, and NeilPeart.net for making most of these articles and stories available online.
• One new postcard posted to the Postcards from Neil section. Thanks Jeff T! 
• I updated the Snakes & Arrows section with Snakes & Arrows 2008 tour dates. I've also created a tag on my del.icio.us site for 2008 tour information.
• Rushisaband recently posted some very rare photos of Neil's Fort Wayne, Indiana, drum clinic. I've also posted them to the 1990-1980 gallery section of my website.
  Thanks RIAB webmaster Ed and RIAB reader karissas1fan for the photos.

Labels: pictures, postcards, Rush SnakesArrows, Site updates

Rush.com announced the 2008 Snakes & Arrows tour dates today, and also announced that a live Snakes & Arrows CD will be released sometime in April. Here are all the details:

Press Release:

TORONTO, ON - January 18, 2008:
After a hugely successful 2007 tour, the fans have spoken and they want more. Rush officially announce dates for their extended 2008 Snakes & Arrows World Tour. The tour will kick off with their first ever appearance in San Juan, Puerto Rico April 11 and hit over 45 cities throughout the United States and Canada. For Rush fans this will be the first time in over a decade the band will make stops in Orlando, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Reno, Moline, Boise, Austin, Jacksonville and Winnipeg to name a few. Also for the first time in years the band will play Albuquerque, Edmonton, Vancouver, Hershey and Manchester.

The 2008 tour dates and venues are listed below. Tickets for New Orleans, Reno, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver and Detroit go on sale SATURDAY JANUARY 26.

American Express Cardmembers will also have the opportunity to purchase advance tickets January 26th through February 1st for Rush performances in Boston; Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Holmdel, Wantagh and January 27th through February 2nd in Los Angeles and Irvine. In addition there will be a MUSICTODAY fan club presale for all Rush performances in conjunction with RUSH.COM starting January 22 through January 24.

A SNAKES AND ARROWS LIVE CD will be released sometime in April. Details are forthcoming. In addition, the track "Malignant Narcissism" from the band's 2007 release "SNAKES & ARROWS" (Anthem/Atlantic) has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Fans will experience the technical virtuosity and hard-rocking compositions they have come to expect from Rush members, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart. In addition the band will update their set list for the 2008 tour.
The Rush tour in North America is produced by Live Nation Global Touring and SRO/Anthem.

For complete tour & ticket information, fan club presales and more, visit: www.rush.com & www.livenation.com

Tour dates:

APRIL 2008

11th    San Juan, PR              Coliseo de Puerto Rico                        
13th    Ft Lauderdale, FL        Bank Atlantic Center                        
15th    Orlando, FL                 Amway Center                                
17th    Jacksonville, FL           Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena            
19th    New Orleans, LA          New Orleans Arena                                         
20th    Houston, TX                Woodlands Pavilion                        
23rd    Austin, TX                   Frank Erwin Center                            
25th    Dallas, TX                   The Music Center at Fair Park                        
26th    Oklahoma City, OK     Ford Center                                    
29th    Albuquerque, NM        Journal Pavilion                    

MAY 2008

1st      Phoenix, AZ                  Cricket Pavilion                     
3rd     Reno, NV                      Reno Events Center                                     
4th     Concord, CA                 Sleep Train Pavilion                                
6th     Los Angeles, CA           Nokia Theatre                        
10th   Las Vegas, NV              Mandalay Bay Events Center                            
11th    Irvine, CA                    Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre                                    
20th    Moline, IL                   iWireless Center                        
22nd   St Paul, MN                Xcel Energy Center                
24th   Winnipeg, MB              MTS Center                                     
25th    Regina, SK                 Brandt Center                     
27th    Edmonton AB             Rexall Place                                
29th    Vancouver, BC            GM Place                     
31st     Seattle, WA                The Gorge Amphitheatre                              

JUNE 2008

1st        Portland, OR              Clark County Amphitheatre                        
3rd        Boise, ID                    Idaho Center                            
5th        Denver, CO                Red Rocks                        
7th        Kansas City, MO        Starlight Theatre                            
9th        Chicago, IL                United Center                        
10th      Detroit, MI                 Joe Louis Arena                        
12th      Montreal, QC             Bell Center                
14th      Philadelphia, PA       Wachovia Center                
15rd      Boston, MA                Tweeter Center                
25th      Indianapolis, IN         Verizon Amphitheater                 
27th      Milwaukee, WI           Summerfest                
28th      St Louis, MO             Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre                    
30th      Cincinnati, OH           Riverbend Music Center                        

JULY 2008

2nd     Pittsburgh, PA             Post Gazette Amphitheatre                 
4th      Atlantic City, NJ          Marc Etess Arena                        
5th      Saratoga, NY              SPAC                      
7th      Uncasville, CT            Mohegan Sun                          
9th      Toronto, ON               The Molson Amphitheatre                              
11th    Manchester, MA         Verizon Arena                                        
12th    Holmdel, NJ               PNC Bank Arts Center                                    
14th    Wantagh, NY              Jones Beach                                            
17th    Hershey, PA               Hershey Stadium                            
19th    Washington, DC         Nissan Pavilion                    
20th    Charlotte, NC             Amphitheatre                                    
22nd   Atlanta, GA                Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park

Labels: press release, Rush SnakesArrows, Rush.com

It's official. Rush is touring in 2008. Here are the details from Rush.com:

-----------------------------------------------------------------

RUSH EXTEND WORLD TOUR INTO 2008

TORONTO, ON -- December 12, 2007:

After a hugely successful 2007 run, Rush are pleased to announce they will extend their Snakes & Arrows World Tour into 2008. The band will begin rehearsals in March to revamp the set list before kicking off the tour with their first ever appearance in San Juan, Puerto Rico in April.

2008 will see Rush tour in over 40 cities throughout the United States and Canada making stops in many where they haven't performed in well over a decade including: Orlando, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Austin, Jacksonville and Winnipeg to name a few. Along the way, Rush will play new venues in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Seattle and will revisit some familiar ones in Boston, Washington and Charlotte amongst others. Rush fans can look forward to a complete tour announcement in mid January. As details develop more information will be made available at www.rush.com and www.livenation.com.

Due to the overwhelming response of their fans in North America, the "Snakes & Arrows" tour has been Rush's highest grossing tour ever and the best attended in many years.

Snakes & Arrows (Anthem/Atlantic Records) was recorded in the fall of 2006 with Grammy Award-winner Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver) with Rush co-producing. Their first album of original material in nearly five years, Snakes & Arrows debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200. In addition, the track "Malignant Narcissism" has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Since releasing its self-titled debut album in 1974, Rush has been universally regarded as one of the most inventive and exciting groups in rock, famed for virtuoso musicianship, epic soundscapes, and dramatic lyricism. The band's extraordinary body of work -- which includes such acclaimed works as 1976's "2112," 1981's "MOVING PICTURES," 1996's "TEST FOR ECHO," and 2002's "VAPOR TRAILS" -- has achieved worldwide sales exceeding 35 million units.
Fans will experience the technical virtuosity and hard-rocking compositions they have come to expect from Rush members, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart.

The Rush tour in North America is produced by Live Nation Global Touring and SRO/Anthem.

For complete tour & ticket information, fan club memberships and more, visit: www.rush.com

Labels: press release, Rush SnakesArrows

Neil has posted an update to his website for December: The Hour of Arriving.

There are lots of great pictures and more stories about the European leg of the Snakes & Arrows tour.

In the story Neil mentions a sign that someone held up at the Clark County (Portland/Southern Washington) show, "NP--THIS IS YOUR LIFE." I was at that show, and I remember seeing that sign and being somewhat confused. It's interesting to read Neil's take on it.

Labels: neilpeart.net, NEP motorcycling, Rush SnakesArrows, written by NEP

Neil has posted an update about the European leg of the Snakes & Arrows tour, "Haste Ye Back." No mention of the 2008 leg of the tour.

This is Neil's fourth update of the tour. The other three include

• "Shunpikin' it Old Skool," posted on August 20, 2007
• "Every Road Has Its Toll," posted September 26, 2007
• "That's the Way We Roll," posted on July 13, 2007

Labels: neilpeart.net, NEP motorcycling, Rush SnakesArrows, written by NEP

Ross Halfin, a UK freelance photographer, shot Rush many times during the European leg of the Snakes & Arrows tour. He's posted many of his photos up on his website, and I think he's really captured some unique moments and images -- even some of Neil backstage. You can see the photos at this link:

Ross Halfin - Rush

Labels: pictures, Rush SnakesArrows

Update - 10/18/07 - 12:36: Go to this Rushisaband post for an update on the Rotterdam shows.

------------------------------

There are a couple of news items that were released on 10/15/07.

Rotterdam DVD

Rush is filming both shows in Rotterdam, Netherlands, according to a Rush.com Newsletter sent on 10/15/07. Here is the information:

RUSH will be filming a LIVE concert DVD in Rotterdam October 16th and 17th. For more information on this project, stay tuned to the Rush.com email blasts and the website.

Ask Rush

If you've always wanted to ask Rush a question, here's your chance. The deadline is 10/18/07.

Here are the details:

Is there something that you have always wanted to ask RUSH? Well, here is your opportunity! Fans may now submit questions that they would like the band to answer from Monday, October 15th through Thursday October 18th. Please be creative, because the band will only be choosing the BEST questions to answer. Visit http://www.rush.com/fanquestions to submit your question.

Labels: contests, Rush SnakesArrows, Rush.com

Labels: Anatomy of a Drum Solo, awards, drums, Rush SnakesArrows

Today, Rush started their European leg of the Snakes & Arrows tour with a show in Glasgow, Scotland.

But the BIG news is that Alex Lifeson confirmed the rumors of additional Rush shows in 2008 in The Herald.

"The Police and bands like that are doing their greatest-hits thing now and we really covered that three years ago on our R30 tour. We want to move forward and we'll be touring this album until next summer, when I think we'll have done 110 shows."

This means Rush will be adding around 45 shows in 2008. No word on when and where. Stay tuned.

Neil Peart and Rush ringtones available

The Mobile Rush site now has ringtones and "drumtones" available to buy. These are, evidently, the first drum ringtones ever released.

The drumtones include parts of Neil's drum solo: Snare, Tom-tom, and Xylophone.

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

Neil has updated his website with "Shunpikin' it Old Skool," about the last North American leg of the Snakes & Arrows Tour.

This is Neil's third update of the tour. The other two include "That's the Way We Roll," posted on July 13, 2007, and "Every Road Has Its Toll," posted on August 20, 2007.

Labels: neilpeart.net, NEP motorcycling, Rush SnakesArrows, written by NEP

Here are a few items I've been meaning to send out the past two weeks. 

Postcards from Neil

I've created a new section called Postcards from Neil. This section highlights postcards that Neil Peart sent to people who wrote to him through Modern Drummer. I've seen a few of these postcards, but had never seen one that was handwritten like what Neil Peart had sent to Neal Scanapico. (Thanks for letting me post this, Neal.)  

If you received a postcard from Neil and want to share it with other fans on this website, please send me an e-mail.

New photos in the 1980s gallery

I've posted five amazing photos that M. Hayden sent to me from the Hold Your Fire tour. (Thanks to M. for letting me post these to my site.)

Snakes & Arrows updates

As of this writing, Rush has performed 39 shows on this tour. The tour has been extremely successful so far, both financially and critically, and many fans have said this is the best tour they've ever seen. I would have to agree.

Here are a few links you might be interested in:

• I've posted two stories about the Rush shows I attended on my personal blog. You can read them here:
  • Rush at Clark County, Ridgefield, WA - 7/21/07
  • Rush at White River, Auburn WA - 7/20/07
• I've continued to update the Snakes & Arrows section of my site.
• I've continued to track and tag information about this tour using del.icio.us, a social-bookmarking site. I've turned a few of these tags (or categories) into feeds that are now available on this page. 

New auctions

My friend has posted more Rush items to eBay. You can check these out at the Featured Rush Auction Items page. This week there are a few rare items.

I found the new Paragon Diamondback cymbal at one online music store location. The list price for this cymbal is $449, but you can buy it for $269. If anyone knows when this cymbal will be available in other locations, let me know.

 Only four 30th Anniversary Commemorative kits remain

I saw on Guitar Center's website that there are only four of the 30th Anniversary kits left. According to the site, these kits are in the following Guitar Center stores:

• Manhattan, NY
• Phoenix, AZ
• San Jose, CA
• San Antonio, TX

Here's a happy owner of one of these kits.

Browser compatibility update

For those of you using Firefox or Safari, you might have had problems reading The Latest News in HTML format. A few weeks ago I updated this blog so that it will now work with these browsers. If you have any other problems, please e-mail me. 

Labels: auctions, cymbals, drums, pictures, Rush SnakesArrows

Neil has updated his website with "Every Road Has Its Toll," about the second leg of the Snakes & Arrows Tour.

You can read the update about the first leg of the tour here: "That's the Way We Roll."

Labels: neilpeart.net, pictures, Rush SnakesArrows, written by NEP

Rush.com has posted the Snakes & Arrows house music playlist. The playlist of songs, selected by Neil Peart, plays on the PA before and after the show.

I've posted the list here.

It's located here on Rush.com.

Thanks to Rushisaband for the head's up.

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

Neil Peart wrote an article for the August 2007 Modern Drummer, entitled "The Drums of Snakes & Arrows."

In the article, Neil tells the story of how "Snakes & Arrows" came to be, and he also analyzes his drumming in each song. He writes a lot about other drummers he admires, too. One of my favorite quotes is about Terry Bozzio (who also likes to play large drum kits):

"During a visit to the DW factory last year to check out the drums I would play on this album, I saw one of Terry's massively intricate drumsets under construction. When I sat behind it with all those chromatically tuned drums, the fantastic array of unique cymbals, and multiple pedals (eleven, I think), I looked around and up and down at that dizzyingly complex instrument and thought, "This is the guy's mind I'm looking at."

An excerpt of the article is now online at DW Drums:

Labels: magazine article, Rush SnakesArrows, written by NEP

I've updated the photo gallery of the Snakes & Arrows tour section with many photos.

Last weekend, my friend MonicaZ took some amazing photos from the front row at White River, and my brother ErikO got some great shots from our seats in Clark County (17th row). Thanks to Monica and Erik for taking these photos and letting me post them here. 

Enjoy!

Snakes & Arrows Photo Gallery

Labels: pictures, Rush SnakesArrows

Last night I attended the show at White River Amphitheater near Seattle, WA. The miserable, rainy night didn't stop the 9,000-10,000 other excited fans (there were probably more people there, as I heard it was sold out).

It was an amazing show and the band seemed to be having a lot of fun. The new songs sounded incredible.

I'll be writing up a more detailed review of this show and the Clark County show I'm going to today (near Portland, Oregon).

A friend of mine got front row tickets and took some amazing photos. Here are a few samples (I'll post many more soon).

Labels: pictures, Rush SnakesArrows

After the first leg of the Snakes & Arrows Tour, Neil has updated his website with a news update. You can read it here:

"That's the Way We Roll!"

Labels: neilpeart.net, NEP motorcycling, Rush SnakesArrows, web article, written by NEP

Recently Neil Peart met up with Richard S. Foster, the author of the short story, "A Nice Morning Drive." As most Rush fans know, this story was the inspiration for the song "Red Barchetta." It turns out Richard is a BMW motorcycle enthusiast, and he, Neil, and Michael (Neil's security man) drove around the countryside in West Virginia -- a landscape not unlike the one in "Red Barchetta."

This is a must read with many great pictures.

The Drummer, the Private Eye, and Me (Rush Fans Take Note)

Labels: NEP motorcycling, Rush SnakesArrows, web article

A new article about Neil Peart called Rollin' with Rush is available on Sabian.com. The article was written by Chris Stankee, who is Neil's artist rep at Sabian. There are lots of great pictures and information in this article, so be sure and check it out.

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows, Sabian, web article

PRESS RELEASE

Sabian and Neil Peart Add Diamondback Chinese Cymbal to the Paragon Series
June 28, 2007



The 20" Paragon Diamondback Chinese is the latest collaboration between legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart and award-winning cymbal maker SABIAN. The thin, highly responsive model features a wide-flanged circumference punctuated by industrial cotter pins holding a total of four jingles that vibrate when the cymbal is struck. To increase the sound, the jingles are positioned in the shallow of the flange so they vibrate on both the bow and the edge, while a single rivet is positioned between each of the four jingle placements.

"While recording Snakes and Arrows," said Peart, "I was making good use of the two Paragon Chinese models I had developed with SABIAN's Mark Love a few years ago. The 20" had a sharp, tight attack, while the 19" had a warm, dark swell. However, a couple of the songs called for a different texture, something with a subtle stick sound, and a wispy, kind of ethereal voice, but with a sizzle...like a traditional rivet cymbal, but with more 'presence.'

Mark produced prototypes until we arrived at one particularly innovative combination, which I named Diamondback (thinking both of Paragon's diamond logo and the fact that it 'rattles'). I used the Diamondback prominently in such songs as 'The Larger Bowl' and 'The Main Monkey Business,' where it delivers a wispy, haunting ride effect with the sizzle of rivets and tambourine jingles. It also added a subtle accent in songs such as the opening track, 'Far Cry.'"

As with all Paragon models, the Diamondback combines various hammering and lathing styles including a hand hammered bell. Jumbo-sized HHX dimpling is applied specifically to the bow and lip after the lathing process in an effort to lower the fundamental pitch of the cymbal and give it a dark tone.

"Like the rest of our Paragon range," added Peart, "the Diamondback is a testament to the creative and uncompromising work of Mark Love and the other dedicated craftsmen at SABIAN. They share my vision that a cymbal company's ultimate product, after all, is music." The Diamondback Chinese is handcrafted from premium SABIAN B20 'cast' bronze and features the 'rich gold' logo markings exclusive to the Paragon series. To create a rich high-low response when the jingles and cymbal vibrate together, the jingles are of brighter sounding B8 bronze. This combination of B20 and B8 increases the complexity of sound produced. All Paragon cymbals are quality protected by the SABIAN one-year warranty. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.sabian.com/.

Labels: cymbals, press release, Rush SnakesArrows, Sabian

• The Snakes & Arrows MVI DVD released this week. This DVD includes a 5.1 mix of Snakes & Arrows, and a 45-minute documentary about the making of this album.
• For you collectors out there, Lewis has created a NEP Snakes & Arrows replica kit -- Lego style! You can see it here.
• Michael at NeilPeartDrumsticks.com has posted pics of Neil's new drumsticks for the Snakes & Arrows tour. (Oh, and he also worked with Pro-Mark to design the version of these sticks Neil is using.)
• As the tour progresses, Ed over at Rushisaband is tracking each show (along with readers of his site). This is a great place to find out the latest info.
• If you can't wait to buy a tour book, John at Cygnus-X1.net has added the tour book to his site. You can check it out here.

Labels: drum sticks, pictures, Rush SnakesArrows

• Afterimage -- A new section where fans reflect on their Snakes & Arrows concert experiences (if you have a story you want to share, send it to me)
• Articles, reviews, and news about the tour (available as an RSS feed here)
• CD reviews (available as an RSS feed here)
• Photo gallery - Pictures of Neil on this tour
• Merchandise - Check out the new Snakes & Arrows merch
• Set list - Don't click unless you want to know the Snakes & Arrows set list!

Labels: CD reviews, fan stories, merchandise, pictures, Rush SnakesArrows, web article

Labels: drums, Rush SnakesArrows

SPOILER! Below is a picture of Neil Peart's drum tech, Lorne Wheaton, sitting behind the "Snakes & Arrows" drum kit. Click it for a larger image.

Thanks to Rushisaband for bringing this to my attention and DrumSmith.com for posting the original image.

Labels: drums, Rush SnakesArrows

There are a lot of interesting bits of news about Neil and Rush that I thought I'd compile into one update.

• Snakes & Arrows hit #3 on the Billboard 200, #3 on the Canadian charts, and #13 in the UK. Read the official Anthem release.
• The official "Far Cry" video is now available on YouTube. The video was directed by Chris Mills.
• The reviews of "Snakes & Arrows" have been coming in over the past few weeks (mostly positive). I've been compiling them on my "Snakes & Arrows" page. Thanks to Rushisaband.com for tracking down many of these reviews.
• While Geddy and Alex continue to do a lot of press for "Snakes & Arrows," Neil has also done some interviews. You can listen to a radio interview on IcebergRadio.com. There are also two interviews with Neil: Toronto Star: Closer to the Heart and Globe and Mail (although you now need to purchase the Globe story to read it all).
• The "Snakes & Arrows" MVI disc is confirmed to release on June 5. A few short clips of the documentary have made it to YouTube: clip 1: Alex working on guitar overdubs and clip 2: Geddy singing and entire band playing The Main Monkey Business.
• Andrew MacNaughtan has Neil Peart prints for sale (signed by Neil himself): Neil Peart Retrospective 2006 - $95.00 (sale); Neil Peart Snakes & Arrows Recording Session - $325.00; Neil Peart African Drum - $275.00 (sale).
• Finally, you should be able to find the Drum! issue with Neil on the cover at newsstands now.

Labels: Andrew MacNaughtan, audio interview, magazine article, newspaper interview, press release, Rush SnakesArrows, videos

The highly anticipated "Snakes & Arrows" CD was released today. This is Rush's 23rd album (including live releases, but excluding compilations). Rush.com has been appropriately updated with "Snakes & Arrows" artwork (very cool!).

Once you click the "Snakes & Arrows" CD image, there are other clickable areas, including:

• Lyrics
• Photos (same ones that have been up on Rush.com for a while)
• Player (not working yet as of this writing)
• Biography (the Neil's "Snakes & Arrows" essay (PDF))
• Track listing
• Downloads (screensavers)

Track listing page

On the home page, I also noticed the photo gallery appears to be updated. I've seen most of the photos, but the interface is different.

Gallery page

On this site, I'm starting to add more content to my "Snakes & Arrows" tour page as it comes in. The latest addition is a "Snakes & Arrows" reviews feed on the top right (you can also view and save this as an RSS feed if you want: Snakes & Arrows RSS feed). I'll continue to update this page as more "Snakes & Arrows" news and information is available. The RSS feed for Snakes info is: Snakes & Arrows information.

Enjoy the new CD!

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows, written by NEP

Rushisaband has posted the first pictures of Neil's new kit. These were taken by Michael Yarberry on a DW factory tour on April 20, 2007.

Update - 4/25 - DW asked Ed at Rushisaband to take down the pictures on his site.

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

I've mapped out the North American leg of the upcoming Snakes & Arrows tour on Live.com.

You can look at maps of the amphitheater locations...

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

A sample of "Spindrift" from the forthcoming "Snakes & Arrows" is available on Rush.com.

Spindrift sample

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

Neil was interviewed in the Toronto Star about his involvement in the "Aqua Teen Force Movie." In the interview, he talks about why he was interested in doing this film.

Rush's Peart shows off comedic chops as drum-playing watermelon seed in Aqua Teen

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

The Rush tour dates for 2007 are now available at Rush.com. They start in Atlanta on June 13 and end in Helsinki Finland on October 29.

Also, the official "Snakes & Arrows" tour website is now live. This site will offer pre-sale tickets, contests, and other goodies. You need to register to enter the website.

Lastly, I've created a dedicated "Snakes & Arrows" tour page on my site. Here you'll find tour info, news, surveys, and more.

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

Rush.com has now been redesigned with the "Snakes & Arrows" artwork. Also available on this new page is the full version of "Far Cry."

Don't forget to check out the Gallery, which includes pics of the band recording in the studio.

Thumbs up from this Rush fan!

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

An e-mail from FMQB Productions to radio stations included a link to a 45-second clip from "Far Cry."

The e-mail also included new artwork--possibly the cover art for the upcoming album, "Snakes & Arrows."

Click to view the FMQB page.

It's worth listening to!

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

Cover art:

Track List

1. Far Cry
2. Armor and Sword
3. Workin' Them Angels
4. The Larger Bowl
5. Spindrift
6. The Main Monkey Business
7. The Way The Wind Blows
8. Hope
9. Faithless
10. Bravest Face
11. Good News First
12. Malignant Narcissism
13. We Hold On

Information from Sales Sheet:

RADIO
 - First single "Far Cry" goes for adds at all rock radio formats on March 19th.

TOUR
- 48-city headline amphitheater tour begins mid-June and hits all major markets

PRESS
- National press around street date includes Guitar One (cover), Guitar Player, Drum! (cover), Bass Guitar (cover), Bass Player, Revolver, and more.
- Regional tour press to break around summer tour dates.

ONLINE
- www.rush.com
- News bulletins and online viral content distributed to the band's rabid online fanbase and music and tech websites

ADVERTISING
- Print and online banner advertising in music, tech, and entertainment publications breaking around street date

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

Also, there's a 10-second snippet of "Far Cry." You'll definitely be wanting to hear more...

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows

Album title: Snakes and Arrows

First single: Far Cry

Single hits radio: March 13 March 19 according to FMQB.

FMQB reports that "Snakes and Arrows" is expected to be released on May 1, 2007. (Now confirmed by Rush.com announcement.)

Update 2/9/06: These are the unconfirmed tour dates that have been circulating around the web:

Jun. 13 - Nashville, TN @ Starwood Amphitheater This venue has been sold with all scheduled concerts now cancelled.
Jun. 15 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Sound Advice Amphitheater
Jun. 16 - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheater @ Florida State Fairgrounds
Jun. 18 - Atlanta, GA @ HiFi Buys Amphitheater
Jun. 19 - Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jun. 27 - Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center
Jul. 02 - Wantaugh, NY @ Jones Beach Amphitheater
Jul. 04 - Darien Lake, NY @ Six Flags
Jul. 07 - Homdel, NJ @ PNC Arts Center

Labels: Rush SnakesArrows