RUSH at Red Rocks- August 16, 2010

3 Nerds Who Rock

Don't tell the three nerds in Rush that they're over-the-hill dinosaurs. In some of their most active touring in years, they've returned to Red Rocks for the third time within three years. Each time they've come through promoting a new album or collection and while that hasn't changed, according to Neil Peart, they've realized that creating an album is an excercise in self-fulfillment and not necessarily what the fans want.

When it boils down to it, Rush fans just want to see their heroes play about 20 songs every two years or so. But with a new album not really a priority, the band has announced it as "a work in progress" and have included two new songs, "Caravan" and "BU2B" to their set list. A good decision, because their 2008 tour included a good deal of mediocre tunes from their "Snakes & Arrows" album. While some fans would try to be polite and get into the songs, most were thinking: "darnit, why don't they play Freewill, instead?!" While Rush fans may go out and buy the upcoming album, most would rather hear only one or two new songs played live. The band gets this, as their set list this time out features a great variety covering almost 40 years of music. They've even added a special caveat to this tour, as they've played the entire "Moving Pictures" album, in order. No real reason...they've just realized that the fans love that album.

In accord, the tour's been branded "Time Machine". Once again without an opening act (although, I have to say: a sick curiousity in me would actually LIKE to see a Mr. Big reunion) and arriving at Red Rocks, the show opened with another video "comedy" segment of the band members in heavy make-up and costumes. Titled: "The Real History of Rush" and set in an old diner, the band members acted all grumpy and complained about the oompah band, named "Rash", that was playing. It seemed to go on and on...but luckily the video feed cut out and the audience was left with nothing but a black screen. This actually got a good deal of applause from the audience, as the video seemed to dabble in that "self-indulgence" that the band wanted to avoid. Undaunted, about 60 seconds later, the band walked out to the stage and kicked right into "The Spirit of Radio". Fans could not have cared less about the video, they were just glad to have their old friends back; strumming the strings, banging the skins, tapping the keys and working the pedals.

Limelight The Spirit Of Radio Time Stand Still Presto Stick It Out Workin' Them Angels Leave That Thing Alone Faithless BU2B Freewill Marathon Subdivisions --intermission-- Tom Sawyer Red Barchetta YYZ Limelight The Camera Eye Witch Hunt Vital Signs Caravan Drum Solo Closer To The Heart 2112 Part I: Overture 2112 Part II: The Temples Of Syrinx Far Cry --encore-- La Villa Strangiato Working Man

Without a pause, they kept things going with "Time Stand Still" and "Presto". The latter was a strange choice, as they haven't seemed to play that song sine the 1989 album of the same name. To spice things up, they also included their 1993 semi-hit "Stick It Out", which contains perhaps the heaviest riff Alex Lifeson has ever played. The band finally stopped after their three intial songs, wherein Geddy Lee spoke to the audience and apologized for the video screen foul-up. The screen issue was fixed, as it was then used to display live close-ups of the band members, along with a few video images.

The set started to wane a little bit with stuff like "Faithless" and "Workin' Them Angels", but they ended their first half strong with "Freewill" and "Subdivisions". The stage set-up was pretty traditional to most Rush show. In the recent past they've had clothes dryers and rotisserie chicken ovens on the speaker stands, but this time out they went for old radio/TVs and a meat grinder. Perhaps tied into the opening diner scene and the whole "Time Machine" motif, Lee's speakers were segmented as "Full Time", "Half Time", "Waste Time" and "Sausage Time". The fourth "time" had an animated sausage mahcine that was turning out links all night.

The second half opened with a countdown to 1981, followed by another video segment. This one was in its entirety and was a little more well-received. Apparently in a different time and reality, the band members were in heavy make-up once again while filming a vidoe for "Rash". Alex Lifeson was once again in a fat suit, while Lee was decked out in an Andy Warhol get-up. Neil Peart was an unassuming camerman. Lifeson then messed with an old victrola device that was apparently supposed to be the "Time Machine". Ah...I guess it made sense, now. The Time machine would malfunction and different versions of "Rash" would do an old Rush tune in reggae, disco or even polka style. Some beergarden girls were around as well, but the director Lee was upset that they kept carrying their beer in front of the camera and..."moving pitchers". Nyuk, nyuk. Eventually the segment played out, at which point several pants were pissed as the familiar whale of "Tom Sawyer" kicked in. Without a pause, they went into all 7 songs from "Moving Pictures", including the Holy Quadrangle of the first side (Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta, YYZ and Limelight).

Once they concluded the album, Lee sheepishly got to the mic and said; "thank you...umm, that was Moving Pictures". They introduced another new song, "Caravan" and then sent everyone home with some old favorites. During "Closer to the Heart", they reworked one portion in a reggae style. Probably something they've always wanted to do; ever since they discovered The Police in the late 70's. They even did an alternate intro for "La Villa Strangiato". Nice to know that they're not just going through the motions and are actually messing around with their old stuff.

Have to say, throughout the night some of the big video screen images seemed a little...well, gay. Especially during the second half when they displayed animated flowers, kitty cats and other Stuff That Does Not Rock. The kitties were somewhat approprate, though, as they were displayed during the opening to "Camera Eye"...the keyboards of which, if you've ever lived with a cat, sound like a feline whine.

Following the encore, a final video segment played... one that was acually somewhat humorous. Especially if you've seen the movie "I Love You, Man". The film's characters of Sidney Fife and Peter Klaven returned to do a sequel of sorts. Following their Rush worship, the pre-taped segment followed how they managed to get "All Acccess" (sic) passes and get backstage. It was a harmless piece with a few good jokes, as they talked about "Slappin' Da' Bass" and the correct pronunciation of Peart's name. Sure, it was nowhere near as awesome as getting Bob & Doug Mackenzie or the guys from South Park, but it worked.

The video ended on the fact that Rush were "just regular guys". Actually, with their dedication to their instruments and sci-fi lyrics (inlcuding Neil Peart's new foray into "steampunk" for their upcoming album) and weird quirks, they're actually "just regular nerds". It's safe to satisfy your inner nerd and rock out with Rush.

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