OT: 30 MINUTES TO MY FIRST RUSH CONCERT EVER!!

by **STORY_TELLER** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:22 am

Playing tonight in Irvine, CA at the same venue the Journey/Heart/Cheap Trick show will play in a few months!

So psyched! Never got to see them live before. I'll report back about the show.

Cheers!

by **Rick** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:23 am

STORY_TELLER wrote:Playing tonight in Irvine, CA at the same venue the Journey/Heart/Cheap Trick show will play in a few months!

So psyched! Never got to see them live before. I'll report back about the show.

Cheers!

Have a good time bro.

by **ProgRocker53** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:42 am

It'll be awesome, I'm sure.

by **Allied Forces** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:46 am

I have no doubt you will be blown away by the trio. They simply never fail to deliver.

by **fightingilliniJRNY** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:02 am

I saw my first Rush show in Indianapolis last August and was blown away. You'll have a great time. Report back here with your review. Enjoy!

by **Angiekay** » Mon May 12, 2008 2:19 pm

You'll be speechless, so we'll be patient.

<-----10 days til Rush concert #5

by **belar** » Tue May 13, 2008 12:17 am

Well?? How was it?

I have about a month and a half until my first Rush show.

by **Rick** » Tue May 13, 2008 1:13 am

Need the recap dude!!! :lol:

by **STORY_TELLER** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:24 am

Jeez! Buncha' impatient mo-fos here I tell ya! :lol:

Well, as you all predicted, it was an amazing fucking concert. Had a blast. The sound system was really loud, but clear. My ears were ringing until this morning because I was pretty close to a bank of speakers. They had about 5 huge video display panels which alternated projecting coverage of the band and graphic imagery. The light show was amazing and pretty complex. Band spared no expense on their stage setup. Before the band hit the stage, the video panels displayed a short film staring the band, which turned out to be one of a series which would be feathered throughout the show. Very bizarre film though. Geddy Lee starred as a heavy accented scottish mike myers movie reject looking for chicken. (wtf?) The supporting cast was comprised of the rest of the band and the occasional famous person cameo.

Band opened with Limelight and at first, I was apprehensive. Geddy sounded pitchy. The high notes were more like shrieks than anything else. I was like, oh no, shades of Augeri? Has age and the massive tour caught up with him? Is this show gonna suck?

By the end of the song however, Geddy seemed to warm up. By the 2nd song he was pitch perfect and in top form. That's how the rest of the night went. God damn that band can play. Watching close ups of Geddy's nimble fingers strumming his base was a sight to behold. They were a blur at times. Band was tight as hell.

About an hour into the show, the band called for a break. Geddy told the crowd they needed it because they weren't "spring chickens anymore", lol...

The second half of the show was longer than the first. When they returned, they played 4 or 5 songs off the new album in a row. Personally, I only liked one of the songs. Most seemed to have a dark tone to them with no keyboard. Not my vibe. I might purchase a track here or there, but overall the new album doesn't do it for me.

Apart from the new stuff, the set list was a mix of hits and deep cuts from their catalogue. Pleasant surprise although some songs I wanted to hear weren't performed. I was really impressed with Geddy. He didn't avoid the high notes and it was obvious he was singing live. The camera wasn't shy about getting close ups of his face on mic. Neal Pert was a machine. The pace of this set would tire out a man half his age. Add to that the fact that the man refuses to fly from show to show and rides his motorcycle across country instead and it's all the more impressive (heard this during an interview with Geddy and Alex on 95.5 KLOS last week). Alex Lifeson's guitar was sick. When it came time for his solo, however, he opted for an acoustic guitar. His playing during this solo really showed a Jimmy Page influence. Went for melody over showing off solo riffs here and I really liked it. Geddy didn't have a solo, but obviously didn't need to, what with multitasking singing, bass and keyboard all night.

All in all it was a kick ass show. The venue was at an outdoor amphitheater and it was largely packed. Great time. If you like Rush, catch them on tour, you won't be disappointed.

by **JrnyScarab** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:14 am

Thanks for the report. I've seen them many times and they always deliver the goods. Those who have never seen them can't appreciate how good they are at what they do. If I run across someone who doesn't particularly like them, I throw in the "RUSH in Rio DVD" and then it sinks in for many of them. The usual reaction is "Wow, I didn't realize how good they are!" or "For a three piece band they have an enormous sound!". They play together like some kind of entity. Machine like but not sterile.

by **STORY_TELLER** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:34 am

JrnyScarab wrote:"For a three piece band they have an enormous sound!".

I swear to god I said the EXACT same thing to my wife last night after the show!

by **JrnyScarab** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:55 am

STORY_TELLER wrote:
JrnyScarab wrote:"For a three piece band they have an enormous sound!".

I swear to god I said the EXACT same thing to my wife last night after the show!

My boss just listened to the new live CD. His reaction: They have a huge sound.

I finally got him to go see them. We are going in July. I can't wait to see his reaction!

by **conversationpc** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:18 am

STORY_TELLER wrote:
JrnyScarab wrote:"For a three piece band they have an enormous sound!".

I swear to god I said the EXACT same thing to my wife last night after the show!

The Rush concert I went to on their 30th anniversary tour was, hands down, the loudest show I've ever been to. That doesn't necessarily equate to an "enormous sound" but, yeah, they do pretty well for just having three dudes up there. I think a lot of it has to do with Alex not feeling like he needs to noodle around and solo for half the show. Great player.

by **STORY_TELLER** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:50 am

conversationpc wrote:
STORY_TELLER wrote:
JrnyScarab wrote:"For a three piece band they have an enormous sound!".

I swear to god I said the EXACT same thing to my wife last night after the show!

The Rush concert I went to on their 30th anniversary tour was, hands down, the loudest show I've ever been to. That doesn't necessarily equate to an "enormous sound" but, yeah, they do pretty well for just having three dudes up there. I think a lot of it has to do with Alex not feeling like he needs to noodle around and solo for half the show. Great player.

My meaning of enormous was full, not empty. They sound like a larger piece band than they are. Great freakin' show.

by **JrnyScarab** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:51 am

conversationpc wrote:
STORY_TELLER wrote:
JrnyScarab wrote:"For a three piece band they have an enormous sound!".

I swear to god I said the EXACT same thing to my wife last night after the show!

The Rush concert I went to on their 30th anniversary tour was, hands down, the loudest show I've ever been to. That doesn't necessarily equate to an "enormous sound" but, yeah, they do pretty well for just having three dudes up there. I think a lot of it has to do with Alex not feeling like he needs to noodle around and solo for half the show. Great player.

Dave. You are right about Alex. He fills in the sound with all sorts of chord changes and textures. Not to mention the bass pedals and triggered sounds that they all contribute with. Makes for a very full sound.

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:55 am

Travesty that Rush isn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Best damn rock group ever, by my estimation.

by **TRAGChick** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:58 am

We're going to the 'Hegan to see them in a few months....

Neil Peart's drum solos are just.........JAW DROPPING... :shock:

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:01 am

TRAGChick wrote:We're going to the 'Hegan to see them in a few months....

Neil Peart's drum solos are just.........JAW DROPPING...

Indeed. Can't wait to pick up the live Snakes & Arrows double disc set to hear his drum solo from the last tour all over again. It was one of my top five concert moments ever.

by **weatherman90** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:14 am

Angiekay wrote:

You'll be speechless, so we'll be patient.

<-----10 days til Rush concert #5

You're going to St. Paul too? I've got third row by Alex so I can't wait....

by **Escape Artist** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:17 am

ProgRocker53 wrote:Travesty that Rush isn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Best damn rock group ever, by my estimation.

One more example that the "RNRHOF" is nothing more than a joke... I just saw RUSH a couple of weeks ago and they were phenomenal as usual.

by **STORY_TELLER** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:52 am

Fact Finder wrote:Glad you liked the show. I've seen Rush at least 15 times and every time has been great.

They're still on top of their game too. Age Shm-age! Mind over walkers and depends! :lol:

by **conversationpc** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:36 am

TRAGChick wrote:We're going to the 'Hegan to see them in a few months....

Neil Peart's drum solos are just.........JAW DROPPING...

Instrumental solos, for me (including guitarists), are boring and only good for a beer break. It's like "Hey, look at how awesome I am!" That being said, Peart's solo is really the only one I enjoy. It's not just to show off his chops and he always does something "musical".

by **MartyMoffatt** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:09 pm

I've seen Rush on every tour of the UK since 1978, and on this tour I went to four shows in a week, all in second or third row. I truly believe they are playing better now than they have ever played. You will not find a band anywhere with more combined talent than Rush.

What always amazes me is how Alex and Geddy can play such dexterous and technically challenging music and still find time to laugh and joke with each other on stage. They really look like they enjoy themselves up there. As for Neil, watching him drumming up close is an incredible sight. His hands are just a constant blur and he seems to be able to put drumrolls and tap away on his midi trigger pads in places you wouldn't think possible.

And as their mini sketches and cartoons demonstrate, they really don't take themselves too seriously, unlike many other bands in that genre. Going to a Rush show is a thoroughly enjoyable and feelgood experience.

Marty

MR

OT: 30 MINUTES TO MY FIRST RUSH CONCERT EVER!!

OT: 30 MINUTES TO MY FIRST RUSH CONCERT EVER!!

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