HOT DAMN, EH! There's a Canadian invasion of the Veggie Haggis Shack this week, and this time it's coming straight from Calgary!
Chaz and Schatz welcome a couple of "hip" Canadians - Heath McCoy, journalist, author, drummer, and Chaz's co-host on School of Hip, along with Nicole Fortin, a healing arts practitioner and a lifelong rock fan whose affection for Rush runs just as deep as her love for The Tragically Hip.
Nicole's got stories! From having her entire Rush CD collection stolen to requesting "Tom Sawyer" at a dueling piano bar on Canada Day (where apparently nobody else understood the significance), to traveling across North America to see the band, she's got a serious case of the Rash. And she's just returned from seeing the newly reconstituted Rush in Chicago!
Heath recounts his own winding road into Rush fandom, including early drum lessons on a Neil Peart-sized kit, his initial preference for Van Halen and Mötley Crüe, and the remarkable experience of interviewing Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson as a music journalist.
The conversation wanders through Canadian identity, Rush's relationship with The Tragically Hip, the changing demographics of Rush audiences, and the friendships that music creates. The gang also takes a moment to remember a special soul, Praetorian Michael Mosbach, Neil Peart's longtime friend and security chief, and co-founder of the Bubba Bash, whose passing brings a poignant reflection on the Professor's nightly drum solos.
THIS WEEK'S TRACK: "THE STARS LOOK DOWN" — VAPOR TRAILS (2002)
Things get a little more philosophical as the gang tackles one of Neil Peart's darker lyrical explorations. Fate, grief, an uncaring universe, and the emotional weight of Vapor Trails lead to a thoughtful discussion about the music Rush made after unimaginable loss, and why certain songs find us exactly when we need them.
AND THEN, THE USUAL NONSENSE!
⚡ Chain Lightning! Four goofy questions for our Canadian guests.
🥁 How Many Beats Per Minute? Two drummers, one Rush song, and absolutely no guarantee of a correct answer.
🎸 How Many Times Was It Played Live? Time to test everyone's knowledge of the Rush touring archives.
📝 Schatz's Scratch List! Your guide to getting that Rush fix from the tribute bands keeping the music alive. And yes, everyone has to say it five times fast!
It's Rush, the Hip, friendship, philosophy, and a whole lot of love for the music that brings us together.
Go scratch that itch!
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