The design of NeilPeart.net has been refreshed to match his Snakes & Arrows drum kit.
Once you close the splash page (the button is right below Main Monkey Business: Drums-Only, you'll see a nice photo of Neil, his BMW GS motorcycle, and the Snakes & Arrows drum kit on stage at the Hollywood Bowl.
While there aren't any significant content changes to report, I did notice the inclusion of Landscapes by Kevin J. Anderson in the Xtras section. While Neil wrote the introduction for Landscapes, the text on the Xtras page is the generic description used on Amazon and other websites.
The website still uses Flash technology, which is really not recommended for narrowband connections (although the website has dropped its warning). Dial-up users beware.
Today, I got an e-mail from Andrew MacNaughtan about some new Rush and Neil Peart prints he has available. I've ordered a bunch of prints from Andrew in the past, and my expectations have always been exceeded.
Copy of e-mail:
Every year around the first of October I start receiving requests from many of you asking if I'll be adding new prints for the Holiday Season and this year was no exception. So by popular demand I've added the two most requested items another Snakes and Arrows Studio Print and Rush Live At Red Rocks!
I think you're going to love the new forest shot of the boys being boys and Neil has signed two new prints that are just to die for.
If you're looking for a Neil Peart autographed photo for a little less than $475, see the Retrospective 2006 print. I own this one, and it looks great. (See the entire Andrew MacNaughtan Rush catalog.)
I've posted a link to My East Coast Rush Tour from my personal blog. (I saw Rush in Toronto and Ottawa in September, which I'd never done before, so I was able to visit a lot of Rush-related landmarks.)
My friend has another set of Rush items up on her auction page, including a bunch of magazines, a vintage Roll the Bones T-shirt, and mint condition "Chronicles" CD. Check it out.
Neil recently changed his avatar on his MySpace page. You can read the details about how this happened at Rushisaband.
Also, in cased you missed it, NEP posted an update to his website. It's a long read, but a good one.
Update 11/7/07: I actually saw (and played) one of these snares at Guitar Center over the weekend. Here's a picture:
Power Windows is reporting that the November Guitar Center catalog includes an item called the "Neil Peart Snakes & Arrows Snare Drum." Looks like this will be selling for $899.99, with no payments until 2009. I didn't see anything on the Guitar Center website yet. Check out the bit about the "special batter head."
"This stunning 6"x14" snare features an Aztec Red finish with handpainted gold leaf and metallic gray Snakes and Arrows graphics. The finish is done by DW master craftsman Louie Garcia, who paints Neil Peart's own drums. DW's unique Black Diamond hardware is made of nickel, but it's as hard and durable as chrome. The all-maple shell utilized DW's proprietary VLT (Vertical Low Timbre) design, with a vertical grain pattern that allows for a lower overall tone without sacrificing resonance and attack. The special batter head features a printed Neil Peart signature. Everything about this drum was designed in accordance with Neil Peart. This is the same snare Neil is currently using on the Snakes and Arrows tour. See it first at Guitar Center."
