over my head? Rush Concert

[Shovelbone]

I havn't gone to a concert in years. Actually, my concert history is pretty sad.

Violent Femmes, Stereomud/Saliva/Crazy Town, George Carlin (not music, i know, but still awesome), Proclaimers/Barenaked Ladies (awesome live show), Hed PE, Keith Urban/Kenny Chesney, some country music festival in Minnesota, and other than some small bar gigs, nothing of interest.

Anyway, a buddy and I are going to Rush at Target Center in September. I love Rush's hits, YYZ is a masterpiece, but I'm not well versed in their ancillary songs that the true fanbase goes crazy for. I do know that a lot of Rush fans are crazy as hell. We couldn't afford floor seats, so I trust that we'll be seperated from the true fanatics, but have I gone a little over my head considering my lack of concert experience? My friend is even worse off. He's NEVER gone to a concert. So for him it's trial by fire.

What can I expect, and what should I be prepared for when I witness the Holy Triumvirate.

Just go and enjoy it! The first time I saw Rush was the Farewell To Kings tour. I had heard of them but knew nothing about them or their music. A friend talked me into going and I have been a fan ever since. Even though I did not know any of the songs I was blown away by the musicianship and showmanship that each member displayed that night. It was captivating.

 

[svt1233]

if I can just learn, and perform YYZ, I can die happy.

I think I have scanned a transcription of YYZ I wrote out somewhere, THEN I CAN KILL YOU

I actually have not seen rush live yet and just got my tickets yesterday to see them at the honda center. I'm not as close as I would like and I'll have to fly home just to see rush, but worth it.

 

[kraigo]

Just remember that the rhythm is "YYZ" in Morse Code and it all falls into place.

KO

 

[LB75]

You'll have a great time. I've seen them several times and there has never been anything but people enjoying the show. One of the coolest things I've seen at one of their shows was actually a mishap. It was back in the 90's in Atlanta, don't remember the song, but Geddy was playing his Ric, Taurus pedals, and singing at the same time (as I remember it). Something flew off his bass and hit the stage just to his right, I was too far away to see what it was, but he kept singing and playing the pedals and lifted his arms up. The guys appeared out of now where with another bass and had it strapped on in just a few seconds. Geddy continued on like nothing happened. A well oiled machine indeed.

 

[Dean N]

Just enjoy the show. I've been seeing them live since the 80's and it's like I'm a kid on Christmas morning every time I get tickets.

Aside from the "holy crap, they actually do that stuff live" and being totally blown away by some of rock's greatest musicians, I always take away 2 things from their shows.

1) It's inspiring to see a couple guys that are the "stand and deliver" kind of guys (no weird antics, no cursing, no jumping around, no destruction,etc.) just hang out and play their hands off for two hours, and clearly have a blast doing so. If you were close enough to really see the interactions, you'd be laughing out loud because they're hilarious guys.

2) You'll never be at a more polite concert. You'll be in line for a drink with a dad with his 10 year old kid, a high-school band geek, a old burnout with a Zeppelin shirt, and a couple grownups with Dungeons & Dragons shirts on, and everyone will be chatting it up like it's... Christmas morning and everyone's a kid again.

 

[atticpenny]

I have seen Rush on every tour since Power Windows in 1986 (except for the last tour, time machine tour. I actually missed them that time. ).

My experiences:

1. Obviously, lots of air drumming/guitar/bass playing and lots of lyric lip-synching in the crowd.
2. Lots of bored wives, with a scant few women who are insanely die-hard fans who will be lip synching every single word to every single song, probably better than their husbands who will just be air drumming. If you are lucky, you might see one who is single. Marry that one.
3. An INCREDIBLE stage show. Awesome lighting / lazers / video screen / goofy props and the occasional explosion with flames. They know they aren't the most active people on stage, so they have always incorporated a great stage show.
4. Be prepared to leave the concert with the epiphany that Alex Lifeson is a damn guitar GOD and very few people in the world know it or give him the props he deserves. Geddy and Neil are awesome, but they have gotten the majority of the hype over the years. By the end of a Rush concert, most newbies leave going..."whoa...that guitar player is freaking insane. I never realized it... "
5. After your first live Rush experience, be prepared to boycott the Rock and Roll hall of fame, as you won't ever be able to comprehend WHY Rush has not been inducted into that silly museum yet.

 

[JMimbs]

I saw Rush on the Snakes and Arrows tour in Chicago. We had lawn seats, and nearly everyone around us were big fans (as were most of us). Everyone was very polite and friendly. Even the stoned teenager wandering around was fun.

The concert was incredible. They play stuff from all eras, so even if you don't enjoy all of it you won't be bored. Listening through one of their compilation albums on the way to the show wouldn't be a bad idea though. Those usually cover a lot of the core material they play.

 

[Dean N]

4. Be prepared to leave the concert with the epiphany that Alex Lifeson is a damn guitar GOD and very few people in the world know it or give him the props he deserves. Geddy and Neil are awesome, but they have gotten the majority of the hype over the years. By the end of a Rush concert, most newbies leave going..."whoa...that guitar player is freaking insane. I never realized it... "

+1. +A frickin' bazillion. Alex tearing up a 12-string = life-changing.

 

[swaps]

I think I have scanned a transcription of YYZ I wrote out somewhere, THEN I CAN KILL YOU

Will you let me perform it live first? (that should give me time, I doubt I can find anyone around here who play drums or git like peart or lifeson.)

atticpenny
If you are lucky, you might see one who is single. Marry that one.

I'll definitely keep my eyes out!

JMimbs
Even the stoned teenager wandering around was fun.

Ha! I told my buddy we might be leaving with a contact high.


I was never into Rush until I bought Exit Stage Left. I knew all the main hits, like Tom Sawyer, Spirit of Radio etc. But when I heard that live recording of YYZ I was hooked.

Lifeson's name was the last one I learned. I knew of Geddy, and Peart. But I couldn't remember Lifeson's for some reason. Then I think it was an episode of Trailer Park Boys, where they kidnap him, that the name finally stuck on me. But yeah, I know that all 3 are easily in the top echilon of musicians playing today.

atticpenny
5. After your first live Rush experience, be prepared to boycott the Rock and Roll hall of fame, as you won't ever be able to comprehend WHY Rush has not been inducted into that silly museum yet.

I have a problem with the Rock and Roll HOF anyway. Rock was built on a foundation of rebellion and sticking it to the establishment. The HOF is an establishment orgaized by the 'man' that rockers were supposidly fighting in the first place. Which is why I kinda stand behind Axl Rose for now showing up when Guns n Roses were inducted. That and I dont believe a band should be entered into the HOF on the success of 1 album. Great as it was, it was only 1 album. But that's like just my opinion, man.



(I love John Goodman's character in that movie. Walter Sobchack is my idol.)

 

[kraigo]

My first band (top 40 band) had a bunch of veteran players in it. The bassist and I (on drums) were both into Rush. "Subdivisions" was a current single. We learned it. It took us three weeks and never got easy to pull off live. If I hadn't played along with a lot of Rush for years before I wouldn't have been able to do it.

KO