That Metal Show - Ed Trunk, John Petrucci, Geddy Lee & Big Manny P - 2/17/15 - Nep/Metropolis Studios - New York City

My friend and comrade Manny had a last minute ticket to attend the taping (tape ?) of the premiere episode of the 14th season of the popular "That METAL Show" and was gracious and thoughtful enough to invite me knowing I am a fan of the band RUSH and Geddy Lee was the featured interview, also we are friends and comrades, I mean that Manny and myself are friends and comrades. Joe Elliot (Def Leppard) also had a segment on the program. 

What makes this show Great in most peoples opinion (Paul Stanley notwithstanding) is that its just a trio of guys sitting around kvetching about their favorite bands and favorite albums (remember those ?) just like sitting around in a teenage or adult bedroom discussing Music seriously with a hell bent for leather attitude which I must admit is also my favorite thing to do EVER so this show is certainly for all the Music geeks and even casual (or not) fans out there which are most of us.

Solidarity In Music.

In hindsight as I felt completely crappy that day I must say the VH1 "Metal Show" crew did a fantastic job frisking us for weapons and narcotics, taking our coats, getting us into our seats and making sure all was well. Instructions were given in an orderly fashion and everything went smoothly, If Ozzy had bitten off the head of a dove in the studio amidst taping I bet they would have handled it like troopers.

(L to R) - some Korean dude and The Manny.

This photo was taken after taping (umm capturing/filming) via Manny's cellphone since there was a strict NO PHOTOS or Recording policy "held within these walls" and I cannot blame that.

Eddie Trunk I hold in high regards as a fine interviewer, and why ?

He Is A Fan Himself.

And as dare I call them sidekicks he couldn't do it without Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson who are also Uber No Nonsense Fans of Rock Music also knowledgeable and Hysterical in their own right.

I actually learned a few things from this interview tonight (not claiming I know everything but they asked the right questions and got the right answers) that I did not know before.

I did ask her about the t-shirt, it went like this.

Q (me) - And where have you been all of my life ?

A (her) - Not Near You, You Creep !!!

(L to R) - John Petrucci, Manny

(L to R) - Satan Girl, Hell Hound of Satan, Satan (Ed Trunk), Angel Manny.

And the King of Purgatory. Geddy Lee.

Geddy Lee excerpt "That Metal Show" 2015

RUSH - Barclays Center 10/22/12 Brooklyn, New York

Rush is not a "Hits" band but an entity in itself and to some like me feel like old friends, What differentiated the set list on this tour from previous tours is that a few "Hits" were saved for the end of the show but the entire first half of the show was comprised of deep cuts (as they say) and album tracks. It was a pleasure to hear songs like "The Manhattan Project", "Force Ten" and "Bravado" performed for the first time in many years.

My first concert ever was Rush on the "Moving Pictures" tour of 1981 at which they performed 6 of the 7 tunes on that record ("Witch Hunt" notwithstanding). Time was allotted during their sets on following tours for the "Hits" and a healthy dose of a track or two off every album from their growing back catalogue that only left room for maybe 4 or 5 songs from the latest release. On the Clockwork Angels tour the setlist is sequenced with 9 songs from their newest album (Only 2 tracks "BU2B" and "Wish Them Well" were left out) which is unprecedented in the most Awesome Way and appreciated since the new record is so strong. Joining the band onstage for this portion was the Clockwork Angels string section, a first.

 

Geddy.



Neil.



Alex.



RUSH AT BARCLAYS CENTER 10/22/12, SETLIST - Subdivisions /The Big Money /Force Ten /Grand Designs /The Body Electric /Territories /The Analog Kid /Bravado /Where's My Thing? /Far Cry /INTERMISSION /Caravan /Clockwork Angels /The Anarchist /Carnies /The Wreckers /Headlong Flight (with drum solo) /Halo Effect /Seven Cities of Gold /The Garden /Manhattan Project /Drum Solo /Red Sector A /YYZ /The Spirit of Radio /ENCORE /Tom Sawyer /2112 Part I: Overture /2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx /2112 Part VII: Grand Finale




Last 2 pics by Jamie.



Overture/Temples Of Syrinx.

THE VIDEOS



I peeked at the setlist so knew when to roll it for "Clockwork Angels"



I'm watching this thinking "WOW, Grace Under Pressure" then thought FILM IT You EEEDIOT !!!



In the 'Clockwork Angels' novel Owen Hardy witnesses a windup Drummer as one of the sideshows in Chronos Square that mechanically flounders ending its solo prematurely, I was pleased to see Neil playing with a CGI windup drummer behind him bringing this scene from the book to life, Neil did not flounder but the backdrop film did. This clip and the next two were taken by Jamie.



YYZ.



The Spirit Of Radio.



Jamies Pics

It was 30 years ago today - RUSH - Moving Pictures Tour Brendan Byrne Arena 12/21/81

RUSH - Time Machine tour 9/3/10 PNC Arts Center - Holmdel, New Jersey

RUSH - A Jew, A Slav & A Canuck Walk Into A Bar - Beyond The Lighted Stage DVD

It was with great Relish and high expectations that I personally (and individually) sat down with before my first viewing of the long overdue and justly deserved Rockumentary concerning the peoples band from the Great White North (none other than our favorite canadian power trio) RUSH. Upon first viewing I was highly entertained and paid very close attention to detail as vintage clips and interviews never before seen flashed before my eyes (a photo of Neil Peart with Peter Criss in Cat makeup 1975! Etcetera!!!) and almost instantly knew that the film makers approached this as a labor of love placing me firmly amongst the RUSH fan that was in for quite the ride.

Whilst meandering a bit much on the early years of the band (as music bio's tend to do) this is still an almost perfect documentary with a winning formula of variety and execution, What was first tried in the wonderful QUEEN-The Magic Years video films and then perfected by the likes of The Beatles (Anthology) and The Who (Amazing Journey) is an MTV style/short attention span singsong editing formula leaving little room for the chaffe but working extremely well in music and movie documentaries where certain portions of a career must be strung together very briefly with a sense of continuity as told in interview and performance clips. Being an Uber-fan I learned very little new information but seeing my heroes praises sung and respected in an honest and non judgmental arena was extremely fulfilling.

A commercial ran (thrice?) during the broadcast advertising the DVD release and to my utter surprise and delight I was overjoyed to see that its coming out TOMORROW !!! More on that in a few hours - 6/29/10 3:41 a.m.



Arrived at Best Buy (Bay Parkway) only to find zero copies of the DVD in the section so approached a staff member to ask him to check their database for a new release music DVD to which the lad replied "Rush?" immediately. I was directed to a new release display where there was 1 copy left of the DVD/t-shirt bundle pack and 2 copies of the DVD, I am curious how many they ordered and was quite surprised that they had run out of stock and on a weekday as well. Got my t-shirt (and in my size) so I cannot complain at all. - 6/29/10 3:14 p.m.

Geddy Lee 1981

My First Concert EVER. RUSH December 21st 1981. Boy was I Impressed.