Welcome to Rash ... version whatever
WHOA FELTON!
”And now for something completely different”.
— The Pythons, 1971
Typical show day. We drove for hours and hours, we set up for more hours … Nice venue and a great audience filtering in, great sound check, almost showtime — fed and waiting backstage. Ready for that special “RUSH” of playing for these waiting and enthusiastic folks …
And then THUD. Lights out!
For a brief moment, the sound was total silence.
Then slowly, sound began to grow (all too familiar in California when a power outage silences everything and everyone) as the quiet of momentary disbelief gradually modulates into murmurs and grumbles, cheers and “aww shit …”
The stage was dark, along with the whole venue and half of Felton’s downtown. Everyone felt that odd mix of excitement and uncertainty at finding themselves tossed back to the centuries before PG&E.
All believed the power would return soon. No one had given into the thought that, “hey … this could impact the evening.”
The staff immediately produced tiny LED pop-up lanterns that were placed throughout the bar and concert hall. The shadows of sunset deepened, casting faint light on an exuberant crowd now milling around and flowing out into the warm twilight outside.
Everyone waited patiently, the bar still serving drinks and people quite jovial. All knowing that — in this mountain town — losing power is a common and usually fleeting event. All were sure we’d get back to our modern lives soon.
Now PG&E’s website shows the power outages in California, so we are never “in the dark” about what the status of a power outage in a particular area is. Give or take … So when a staff member informed us with a look of consternation that the company reported a 2 a.m. restoration, another patron added, “they always say that, and then it comes back on in 20 minutes” Hope springs eternal!
Immediately after the outage, Rash sound engineer Eric and I attended to the minutiae of the reset process for making a concert like ours actually work. I went to the stage and turned off power switch after power switch on gear that a few minutes before had been humming away in a state of ready quiet (before the storm) but now in complete darkness.
Lit only by my cellphone, I carefully managed to get from one side of the stage to the other, taking inventory of all of the equipment that was powered, making sure that when the power surged back we didn’t blow up anything. Our sound engineer Eric — his face illuminated by the ghostly glow if his laptop — was a man with a mission, getting the show files ready for restart.
Back in the bar people were making the best of this new situation. Then in the growing sense of restlessness, guitarist Jay (the “Lerxst” of RASH) met me near the stage. We came from different parts of the venue as if some force pulled us there together. He suggested “a little acoustic thing … Maybe you could sing Closer to the Heart … I can play it on the acoustic”.
I was game. So with Jay’s electric acoustic guitar — and the faint sound it produced — a small gathering appeared and off we went.
Within seconds there was a crowd of 20 to 30 people standing in the dark, smiling and listening. The two of us — lit only by a single mobile phone light — did our best to entertain and bring music to the dark hall.
People flocked to the sound and sang along:
“… the Blacksmith and the artist … reflected in their art …”
It was a taste of the reason we all came this place and spirits were lifted. Singing in the dark is good magic when the certainty of modern life reveals its fragile nature.
Minutes dragged on and the power didn’t return. But that didn’t stop the party. In 13-plus years of being in this band, i can only describe our audiences — Rush fans everywhere — as a special segment of humanity. Very forgiving and accepting of what is. Their enthusiasm for Rush is worn proudly as a badge of honor.
I‘ve been in the music industry for a large part of my life and have been in many bands. The energy from a gathering of RUSH fans something unique. Both exciting and terrifying in its intensity. Not only because they love to hear the music, but that most know every note, every word and every nuance of every song. It’s our job not to let them down. Performing in a room full of such discerning ears is as challenging as it is rewarding. We do our best and it’s always met with wild enthusiasm and lots of RUSH love. Mistakes are forgiven because we’re just like them. Enjoying and sharing RUSH music with what we’ve got to share it with.
Outside there was the van with a gathering of people listening and singing along to Natural Science, Subdivisions and more. All having the time of their lives, seeming not to notice that the concert that they spent their money and time on didn’t happen. The bar continued to serve and the people were happy to be with each other.
Jay and I resumed our little vagabond style busking at the door to the venue, keeping things entertaining. Voices and spirits were so high and the whole room sang along with every word (and note, and even filled in for missing electric instruments!) Everyone found such joy in simply being together for a common experience. A different experience than expected, but in some ways maybe even a better one.
As I ponder this night, I realize that it was the best concert I never played.
A huge thank you to all that came to our show!
Michael Lomax (with enthusiastic agreement from Jay Leek, Eric Bedes, Brian Cline and John Gonzales)
Felton Music Hall, Felton CA, August 17, 2024
It's been so long since we've spoken!
And now it's HOT!! Where did Spring go?
So ... What's new? Couple of fun additions/revisions to our set this year and a couple of Big Deals too. At least we think so!
First Big Deal: our show now begins with a new super secret surprise opener (come see us and find out!) followed by the entirety of the Permanent Waves album. Permanent Waves is one of the band's favorite albums and — having covered all of Hemispheres at past shows — we felt it was time to honor this one the same way.
Second Big Deal: we added Losing It to our set. We looked high and low for a violinist who could join us onstage but to no avail. We even reached out to people across the nation who might be able to create a violin track for us but still found ourselves striking out. Then a couple months back we got VERY lucky. We got in touch with a musician from the other side of the country who already knew the song. And not just "could play it." No — this guy played Losing It onstage with RUSH on their last tour in 2015! None other than violinist extraordinaire Jonathan Dinklage! What an honor. Great guy and another huge Rush fan. He recorded a custom, one-of-a-kind violin track to accompany us on the song. If you saw his solo on R40 you know how good he is. This version SMOKES! Thank you, Jonathan Dinklage!
Couple great shows since we last spoke. We debuted our new set and made some great new friends in the SF Bay Area at Cornerstone Berkeley. Really fun show and great people. Their great lighting engineer, Ed Dees, treated our audience to a lovely multimedia show including Rush videos, AI animations and more. Was like having Herns himself along for that one. We will be back! Then we returned "home" to Rock & Brews Sacramento, where we always have a great time playing.
Huge heartfelt thanks to all who have taken the time to come see us!
Now it's on to Felton (near Santa Cruz) to play the Felton Music Hall on August 17. Another new venue for us! Then on August 24th we return to Sweetwater Music Halll in Mill Valley. They treated us so well and the packed, enthusiastic audience was just plain humbling. Last on our current list but by NO MEANS least, its back to Naggiar Winery in Grass Valley on September 28. We love it there. Owners Mary and Shawn Naggiar are such great hosts and the place is just plain gorgeous. You can't go wrong with great wine, great views and top notch hospitality. I expect there will be a couple more shows coming this Fall so stay tuned!
Huh. Long post. Well I guess that's all I got to say about that. Until next time, Rush on! And STAY HYDRATED!
Friday, July 26, Sacramento CA
Great night at Rock & Brews March 23rd
We had a great night at Rock & Brews on March 23rd. What a BLAST.
The show marked the end of the 2023-24 ’Rash Year’ so new material and new setlist are underway. It’s been a fun show to put on and now it’s time for something a little (not completely) different.
We had a couple of noteworthy guests that night. One may be known by many, the other rather personal to us. In deference to the latter we’ll only say thank you, Beth and Dave, for honoring us with your presence and for making us a part of your healing road. Our thoughts continue to be with you and your families.
The other guest is something of a celebrity. Kevin J Anderson is the author of some 140 published books, more than 50 of ’em are on the US and international best seller lists; collaborator on the latter Dune series with Frank Herbert’s son Brian Herbert and — most relevant to the Rush audience — collaborator with Neil Peart on the Clockwork Angels Novels.
He’s a real gentleman and it was quite a privilege to chat with him. You’re always welcome, Kevin! And thank you to Bob Madsen (killer bassist in his own right) for bringing him to the show.
Now on to 2024 proper. New surprises, new challenges and lots of Rush ahead. And new venues across the Norcal Coast. Stay tuned!
Happy 2024!
So far, very happy indeed! So THIS just happened ...
We came close to selling out Sweetwater Music Hall in the North Bay's Mill Valley. Bassist Brian Cline posted this about the storied venue:
"The roster of artists that have crowded onto the club’s little stage reads like a Who’s Who of roots & rock music: Bob Weir, Aaron Neville, Big Mama Thornton, Carlos Santana, Clarence Clemons, Elvis Costello, Etta James, Gregg Allman, Huey Lewis, Jerry Garcia, John Hiatt, John Lee Hooker, Maria Muldaur, Mimi Fariña, Odetta, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Richie Havens, Robert Cray, Sammy Hagar, Townes Van Zandt, Van Morrison and many more musical luminaries. In the ’80s, the Times of London hailed the Sweetwater as one of the best nightclubs in America."
The historic room was packed with very happy Rush fans. I think everyone there knew all the words to all the songs. WE don't know all the words to all the songs! It was SUCH a great time and a heckuva way to kick off the new year.
As per tradition, the first show of the year will mark the beginning of the end for the previous year's set. Our next show — Rock & Brews, Cal Expo, March 23 — will see us transition to our 2024 set. We may not have it all together for March 23 but by "Unrest In the Forest III" on May 26 we plan to have another full album in the set as well as a few other deep cuts we know you'll love.
Now a moment of gratitude on this gray Tuesday afternoon. THANK YOU to the Rush fans who make this crazy endeavor viable. It is an honor and an unmitigated pleasure for all of us in the band to perform this incredible music for fans who love Rush as much as we do. If you weren't out there listening, we'd have to find a whole different windmill at which to tilt! We thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for keeping this dream project alive.
So here's to 2024 ... and beyond
Look for more shows than ever. We're hoping to add a few across Northern California in addition to the ones we play every year. And look for a generous sprinkling of new songs, probably more lights (always — ALWAYS! — more lights) and who knows what else. Probably not clowns. We talked about clowns ... Probably no clowns. But ya never know. Y'all keep coming to the party and we'll keep trying to raise the bar. Promise!
Take care, RUSH ON and see you soon!
—Jay
So here we are in 2023
Not just in. Almost halfway through.
Time, stand still. Please!
So much going on.
After numerous false starts (and plenty of dedication and sweat) new drummer John Gonzales has been tearing it up learning this crazy material. Now we're all working hard to revamp the show for ’23 and our new lineup. Call it Rash 3.1. Or — to borrow paraphrasically from the Boys — Part Nine of the Chaos Trilogy. Makes sense either way.
So ... good stuff coming! We've added new songs and revived some DIFFICULT old ones. We've also added lighting director Kevan Brown.
[Side note: I want to call him Broom. Like Broon but with an M, cuz he's cleaning up our light show and making it spectacularer.]
And. And! We've added a ton of new brightly colored swively light thingies to our already ginormous rigging. And time-sync'd scene mapping. That means more fog, more lights, more excitement, more ... swivel
Also in the news: we've just made friends with a new local venue called Rock&Brews at Cal Expo. We haven't had a first date yet, but if we like each other it could be a beautiful thing.
Between you and me, I think she likes us.
Great looking venue with plenty of room for our increasingly monstrous production, a beer selection that must be believed to be seen and food choices galore.
Check out our upcoming shows and find out how you can find out first hand.
Take care, RUSH ON! and see you soon!
—Jay
Hiatus 2022 (WTF? Again?) and our last show with the brilliant Jeff Tuttle on drums
Hey everyone!
Welcome to Rash 3.x Same song, second verse, ought be better ... and yeah we think it will be better. But better takes effort and, well, time. K. So we are going on hiatus — again — until Spring 2023.
You can catch Jeff Tuttle playing drums for us one more time at Naggiar Winery on July 16, or wait to hear our brilliant new drummer, John Gonzales, at future shows. We're already having to turn down bookings so we can promise you, we're coming back! Bigeously.
We really can't wait to reconnect with all of our fans (yanno, Rush fans!) again and put on the best show we can make happen. We have big ideas. We just need our brains and wallets to be up to the task. They just might be.
Your thoughts are always welcome!
January 18, 2020
It was devastating to lose Neil back in January of 2020. And more hard times were certainly ahead — beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
We almost cancelled what was to be our last pre-pandemic show upon hearing the terrible news, but after talking to fellow Rush fans we decided to keep the date and call it a fundraiser. Asking only for donations for Glioblastoma research, no cover, we had a full house with people queued up outside waiting to get in. Many demons were exorcised that night, many tearful thoughts about Neil shared, but ultimately the night was a tremendous, joyous celebration of his life and work. And our generous fans (Rush's generous fans!) ended up giving $4000 for the charity.
During the dark months of 2020 and 2021 we lost members who needed to move on and our website lapsed. As the fall of 2021 approached we found a new drummer and bassist and began the long process of reviving this beast. More "life" happened and we ended up bringing our previous drummer —Jeff Tuttle — back for the first two dates of 2022.
As of this writing, June 29, 2022, we've had one post pandemic show and another soon to follow on July 16 at Naggiar Vineyards. That will be our final show with Jeff. Come see his sublime work one last time if you can possibly make it. After that we will go on another brief hiatus to continue polishing the new lineup. Then we will return with a vengeance. Look for the calendar to come back to life in the fall for Spring 2023.
Stand by as this site is fleshed out as well. As much as I hate those "pardon our dust" messages on incomplete web pages, well, pardon our dust!
Rush on!
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