Rush Rash with Chaz N Schatz

You'll swear we were picking up right where we left off, but the itches are harder to reach...even a bit funkier!

Chaz and Schatz burst back through the podcast portal scratching like two men who just sat on a cactus made entirely of Rush vinyl. What starts as a quick catch-up turns into a full-blown Rush news avalanche: rehearsal rumors, Annika taking the drum throne, and the surprise addition of keyboard wizard Lorne Gold. Along the way, the boys debate tribute bands and discover that Alex will soon be tending bar on Canadian television like the world’s most progressive bartender.Listener mail rolls in from a steelworker who accidentally turned his car dashboard into the Starship Enterprise while listening to Subdivisions, a Canadian golden retriever named Maple who howls along to Tom Sawyer, and a dad using 2112 on vinyl to teach his kid the ancient lost art of listening to an entire side of a record.THIS WEEK’S SONG: The Pass – Presto (1989)Neil tackles the difficult subject of teen suicide in one of the band’s most emotionally direct songs. Chaz and Schatz dig into the lyrics, the message behind them, and why Geddy Lee considers it one of the band’s most meaningful accomplishments—even if the production screams late-80s adult contemporary Rush.All that and more as the rash continues to itch.

Oh man,, is this one a doozy...we listen to Al's contribution to the Terry Brown produced Herin, on the track Second Ending. Then on to number two...wait for the solo.

On this week’s gloriously over-caffeinated episode of Rush Rash, Chaz and Shatz throw open the castle gates and welcome back the noble troubadours of prog pageantry — A Farewell to Kings (AF2K) — for a discussion that is equal parts rock summit, gear symposium, and mildly controlled chaos.Adam and Johnny arrive armed with tales of theaters conquered, albums performed in their entirety, and the delicate art of recreating Rush 2.0 without being chased out of town by purists wielding vintage tour programs.There is spirited debate over:The audacity of a four-piece Rush tribute in a three-piece universeWhat happens when Rush themselves re-enter the live arenaThe logistical ballet of hauling enough equipment to invade a small countryPerforming Power Windows, Moving Pictures, 2112… and not collapsingBubba Bash heroics and keeping the community heartbeat loudIt’s tribute band life examined under a microscope — with reverence, with laughter, and with just enough self-awareness to keep the torches lowered.THIS WEEK'S SONGThe Wheel spins and lands on Malignant Narcissism from 2007's Snakes and Arrows. The gang weighs in on this late-era instrumental groove, celebrating Rush’s ability to jam, stretch out, and surprise. And it really isn't a surprise the wheel would spin this song in the presence of these world-class musicians now, is it? Why are we here? If you’ve got an itch, you know where to scratch.Rush Rash.

This week on Rush Rash, Chaz and Shatz crack open the Haggis Shack to welcome a true lifer: Rob Silverberg, the driving force behind Midwest RushFest. Before the wheel spins, the guys dive deep into Rob’s Rush origin story—Signals and “The Analog Kid” as the gateway, Columbia House confessions, and buying Grace Under Pressure on release day like it was a sacred ritual.From there, it’s all about community. Rob walks through the evolution of Midwest Rush Fest—from a heartfelt gathering in 2016 to a full-blown annual celebration at The Pageant in St. Louis. Along the way: Martin Popoff, Kevin J. Anderson, Maya Wynn, Nancy and Judy Peart, Thunderhead, jam sessions, catered dinners, raffle giveaways, and hundreds of Rushians sharing one room where everyone gets the references. As Rob puts it, it’s the rare place where you’re not the only Rush fan in the room.The conversation detours into serious collector territory—basements lined floor to ceiling, the philosophy of “exhibition, not competition,” and the surreal moment of spotting his own Rush license plate hanging in Ray Daniels’ office in Beyond the Lighted Stage. Add 60 live Rush shows, multiple meet-and-greets, and a possible nod of recognition from Geddy Lee, and you’ve got a résumé that earns its stripes.The wheel lands on Dreamline from Roll the Bones.The trio breaks down the song’s urgency, cinematic production, and that unmistakable opening drive. They dig into the themes of youth, motion, and the fleeting nature of time—“we are young, wandering the face of the earth”—and reflect on how the song mirrors the Rush touring life itself: rolling at home when you’re on the run.A celebration of fandom, fellowship, and forward momentum—this episode proves that even decades later, the dream is still alive.

This week on Rush Rash, Chaz n Shatz welcome Paul Rydalch — lifelong Rush obsessive, repentant superfan, and now official roadie for Rush Archives — for one of the wildest, funniest, and most heartfelt conversations the show has ever hosted.Paul traces his journey from a teenage Signals-era gateway moment to 17 Rush shows, backstage misadventures, near-misses, security scares, meet-and-greet miracles, and ultimately finding his place behind the scenes with Rush Archives. Along the way, he shares unforgettable stories involving soundchecks, banners, pit passes, hotel stairwells, Mr. Rush figurines, and the fine line between passion and obsession — all told with honesty, humor, and hard-earned self-awareness.The episode also digs into what makes Rush Archives special: the community, the family atmosphere, and the love-driven dedication it takes to faithfully bring Rush’s music to life on stage. From road crew realities to the emotional pull of Rush’s legacy, this is a deep dive into fandom, forgiveness, and finding your people.As always, the night ends where it should: with the Bone Roller spinning fate’s wheel. The result — Secret Touch from Vapor Trails sparks a thoughtful discussion about grief, resilience, texture, and why this track stands as one of Rush’s most underrated late-period compositions.Big stories. Big laughs. Big feelings.This is Rush Rash at full scratch — and it’s one you don’t want to miss.