Neil Peart -- The Latest News

There's a really interesting interview with Neil Peart in Hagerty about both his love of building model cars and also collecting 1/43 scale models of (mostly) sports cars and GT cars of the 1950s and 60s. 

Small Beginnings: Models fueled Rush drummer's passion for cars

I remembered reading about Neil's passion about building models in Roadshow:

As our modest success continued, we stepped up to larger modes of touring transportation, from a small RV (the infamous "Barth") to a series of Silver Eagle tour buses. Eventually, we even had our own rooms at the Holiday Inn. Along the way I tried various other pastimes that were portable, like a model-car-building workshop in a small road case, with a surgical array of miniature tools and an aerosol-driven airbrush. I would set it all up in my room on a day off in Jumer's Castle Lodge in Davenport, Iowa (or similar), and build intricately detailed model kits. I spent weeks on one replicating Alex's 1977 Jaguar XJS, white with red interior, with full engine plumbing, working suspension and steering, and even articulated seats that folded forward and slid on little rails.

I also remembered seeing this photo in his May, 2010, update "Time Machines," and wondered about the case of cars in the background.

Labels: cars, models

Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon posted an update on their Pledge Music page, which includes some amazing footage of Neil Peart working in the studio. Matt says that they're working on two songs with Neil, including one called "Instamatic."

Matt also talks briefly about Neil's new DW drum kit, which he says is "maple and mahogany blended together." Hopefully we'll hear more from DW soon about this kit.

Pledge Music is an interesting "direct-to-fan" model where people can pledge to help an artist make an album -- kind of like pledging to NPR or PBS -- and get something cool in return. For example, you can get a signed CD ($25) or Vertical Horizon playing a private event ($25,000). You can pledge here.

The NEP bashing begins around the 4:25 mark.

Check out Neil's performances on Vertical Horizon's 2009 release Burning the Days. Neil plays on:

"Save Me From Myself" drums by Neil Peart

"Welcome To The Bottom" drums by Neil Peart

"Even Now" Lyrics and drums by Neil Peart, Music by Matt Scannell

Labels: Vertical Horizon, videos

Sonic Reality's David Kerzner has been collaborating with other musicians on a unique project called XYZ - A Tribute to Rush. The 4 song EP, along with one bonus track, will be released on April 21, 2012.

This release, which is part of the Sonic Reality Progressive Rock Project, features Neil Peart Drums by Sonic Reality. These were samples recorded by Neil himself at the recording sessions for Neil Peart Drums a few years ago.

Here's more information about the tracks and the musicians:

1. Tom Sawyer

• Vocals, Guitar - John Wesley (Porcupine Tree)
• Keyboards - Dave Kerzner (Simon Collins Band, Thud)
• Bass - Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa)
• Drums - Neil Peart* (*Neil Peart Drums by Sonic Reality)

2. Red Barchetta

• Vocals, Guitar -Rik Emmett (Triumph)
• Keyboards - Dave Kerzner (Simon Collins Band, Thud)
• Bass - Matt Dorsey (Simon Collins Band)
• Drums - Neil Peart* (*Neil Peart Drums by Sonic Reality)

3. YYZ

• Guitar, Bass - Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa)
• Keyboards - Dave Kerzner (Simon Collins Band, Thud)
• Additional Guitars - Alastair Greene (Alan Parsons)
• Drums - Neil Peart* (*Neil Peart Drums by Sonic Reality)

4. Limelight

• Vocals - Randy McStine (Lo-Fi Resistance)
• Guitar - John Wesley (Porcupine Tree)
• Keyboards - Dave Kerzner (Simon Collins Band, Thud)
• Bass - Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa)
• Drums - Neil Peart* (*Neil Peart Drums by Sonic Reality)

5. Bonus Track: Trifecta

(Original instrumental song written with the grooves of YYZ by Billy Sherwood & Dave Kerzner paying tribute to progressive rock)

• Guitar, Bass - Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa)
• Keyboards - Dave Kerzner (Simon Collins Band, Thud)
• Drums - Neil Peart* (*Neil Peart Drums by Sonic Reality)

Release date: 4-21-12 Available for download and limited edition CD.

Listen to more at Sonic Elements' Soundcloud page.

Labels: Neil Peart Drums, Neil Peart Studio Profile, Sonic Reality, XYZ - A Tribute to Rush

Update - 3/24 - Added another photo of drum kit.

Sabian posted a few photos of Neil Peart in the studio with Vertical Horizon, which happened on March 19, 2012.

In the photos, there's also a few shots of a new DW drum kit that Neil is using for these sessions. A few interesting notes about this kit:

• The last floor tom isn't suspended, as we've seen on drum kits since Test for Echo, but is set up flat like the other two floor toms.
• The X-hat is missing on the right.
• There are only two of three China-type cymbals on the right side. (I think the Paragon Diamondback is the missing cymbal.)
• The crash cymbal to the left of the ride is using a regular stand, instead of the usual one connected to the bass drum.

Labels: drums, Vertical Horizon

Neil Peart will be part of a panel for LA Music Academy's 3rd Drummer Reality Camp on Friday, June 29, 2012.

From the announcement:

Friday afternoon students are treated to a tour of the DW factory and Drumchannel.com studios. They will also be the audience of a very special roundtable discussion featuring Neil Peart, Doane Perry and special guests!

The camp runs June 27th-30th, 2012.

Information about fees:

Workshop: $495 - for the entire week, Wednesday through Saturday (June 27th-30th, 2012)

Click to sign up..

Labels: Drummer Reality Camp

The Governor General of Canada has given Rush the Performing Arts Award.

Read the CBC story here.

Neil Peart's reaction to the award via the Cape Breton Post:

"We are especially appreciative for the presentation of this lifetime achievement award now -- while we are still active (Too active, our families might say!)," said Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart in an emailed statement, noting that the band was putting the finishing touches on its 20th studio album, "Clockwork Angels," with a fall tour planned.

"Since our performance 'lifetimes' aren't quite over yet, this high honour is not just a reward; it is an inspiration. We will continue to try to earn it."

The awards gala will be held on May 5 at the NAC. Typically, the winning band performs at the gala, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

Other winners include:

• Janina Fialkowska, a classical concert pianist with a 35-year career as an international star.
• Paul-Andre Fortier, a dancer and choreographer who has created 49 original works, including Loin, tres loin for dancer Peggy Baker and Cabane for his own company Fortier-Danse-Creation.
• Denis Marleau, a Quebec theatre director, stage designer and artistic director who is regularly featured at Montreal's Festival TransAm�riques and at festivals around the world, including the Avignon Festival.
• Deepa Mehta, the film director and screenwriter who created Oscar-nominee Water and is to release Midnight's Children later this year.
• Mary Walsh, the Newfoundland-born writer and comedian, who starred in CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Hatching, Matching and Dispatching.

Each laureate receives a cash award of $25,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and a commemorative medallion struck by the Royal Canadian Mint.

Thanks to Power Windows and Rushisband.com for the head's up!

Labels: awards, Governor General Award

Update - 3/18

Beware of Mr. Baker won top prize at the SXSW.

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Neil Peart, and many other drummers and musicians, were interviewed for the documentary, "Beware of Mr. Baker," about Cream drummer Ginger Baker.

You can watch a clip, including some Neil's interviews, at this website:

Clip from Ginger Baker Doc 'Beware of Mr. Baker' - Hollywood Reporter

More about the film from the official website:

The documentary includes stories from his ex-wives, children, and many of the greatest living musicians that worked with Ginger including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Charlie Watts, Mickey Hart, Carlos Santana, Max Weinberg, Chad Smith, Femi Kuti, Neil Peart, Simon Kirke, Marky Ramone and many more.

This documentary is one such story -- a marriage of the film and music worlds through the life of one of the most unforgettable and controversial musicians. He was there the night Jimi Hendrix died, shared the drugs, the music, the names, the groups, while stripping away the other voices as the conductor, time keeper, the master drummer of our time. Beware of Mr. Baker catapults the viewer into his beat -- with every smash of the bass drum there is a man behind it smashing his way through life.

Labels: Beware of Mr. Baker

Classic Drummer magazine has inducted Neil Peart, along with three other drummers, into the 2011 Hall of Fame. Here's a picture of Neil with his award.

The other drummers inducted for 2011 include: Doug Cosmo Clifford, DJ Fontana, and Hal Blaine.

Here's an excerpt about this award from the Classic Drummer website.

The Classic Drummer Hall of Fame invites our readers to select and pay tribute to those who have meant so much to music and those who appreciate it. Below is a list of 50 of music's most influential classic drummers of the 20th Century. While many continue to be vital musical forces to this day, all are known for their contributions throughout an era that begins with the introduction of the modern drum set and ends as the 1900s began to wind down. We invite you to vote for the 12 players who, in your opinion, should be The Classic Drummer Hall of Fame's first inductees.

Labels: awards

Brian Catterson, Editor-in-Chief of Motorcyclist Magazine, wrote a story about riding with Neil Peart during the 2011 "Time Machine Tour." (In my own Washington State!) You can read the story here: Workin' Them Angels.

Here's an excerpt:

Following Neil down the twisty road leaving Mount Rainier, I noticed that he was using less of the road than he had in years past. Initially, I attributed this to the fact that he had become a father again (daughter Olivia is now 2), but I later learned that he had low-sided in gravel on the previous tour. Not this time!

The song "Workin' Them Angels" is about risk-taking. Based on an exchange Neil overheard at the side of the road--"You were workin' them angels," the wife told her hard-driving husband--the lyrics go: "All my life, I've been workin' them angels overtime, Riding and driving and living, So close to the edge." Now, Neil was literally riding farther from the edge. Can't blame him for that!

You can also read a pdf file that John at Cygnus-X1.net uploaded that includes a few pictures.

Labels: Brian Catterson, Motorcyclist Magazine