Rush Rash with Chaz N Schatz

We spin Clouds off Envy of None's latest release, Stygin Waves. Alex Lifeson gets around, and it will be interesting to see how what he's done with EON and others impacts what he does with Ged (and Anika?) going forward. Still...we'd use protection. We don't mince words, in-and-out, this is a quick show...

On this episode of RushRash, Chaz and Schatz once again fly without a guest but this time, it's due to the unfortunate loss of a much-loved friend of the world-wide Rush Fan Community - Joe Pesch. We'd booked his good friend, Rob Silverberg of Mid-west Rushfest, but understandibly we rescheduled due to the timly nature of when we were all hearing the news. So a few moments of reflection, and as always, the wheel chimes in later with a song that has us reflecting on our own mortality...But we met Joe at RUSHFest Canada, and we know he wouldn't want to bring down the vibe - so we carry on...From there, the guys talk about Chaz spending time as a roadie for the show with Rush Archives, and all of the new shows in our podcasting universe - Rush Rash Reactions coming on YouTube - Those Who Are About To Dive: Chronicling Colosseum Track By Bloody Track with Dr. Glund - yep, it's the full title - the CMPU's Rock Court Season 2 - and all the other cool stuff coming from The Boneless Podcasting Network in 2026.THIS WEEK’S SONG“Available Light” from Presto — what starts as casual reflection quickly turns inward, as the guys unpack “Available Light”—not just as a song, but as a worldview typical of Neil. They explore how he captured time, aging, perception, and motion without nostalgia or regret, and why this track quietly says more than some of the band’s louder statements, and imagine what it might have sounded like with heavier musical accompaniment. Ha! Here we are, second guessing R U S H...oh my!

On this episode of Rush Rash, Chaz and Schatz fly without a guest and let the show breathe—riffing, reacting, and rolling wherever the Rush news cycle takes them.From absurd culinary detours (yes, haggis somehow enters the chat) to the very real shock of Rush suddenly being back in motion, the guys unpack the whirlwind of tour announcements, ticket madness, fan events, and the strange emotional hangover that comes with seeing a “retired” band re-enter the world at full force They dig into:The surreal reality of Rush returning as a live, touring entityFan events colliding across Toronto, New York, and beyondThe economics, logistics, and psychology of being a lifelong Rush fan right nowCharity efforts honoring Neil Peart, including Lakeside Park and cancer researchSponsor shout-outs rooted in community, not commerceTHIS WEEK'S SONG“Open Secrets” from Hold Your Fire—with thoughtful discussion on lyrics, production, era, and where the song ultimately lives: limelight, shadows, or somewhere in between.

Chaz and Schatz are cracking the Haggis Shack doors for our annual deep dive into Bubba Bash, the celebration that honors Neil Peart with musicianship, camaraderie, and the kind of backstage family energy that only Neil's personal friends can generate. This isn’t a memorial; it’s a living, breathing night of joy, excellence, and community. Michael Mosbach, Neil’s close friend of 25 years, joins us. Michael is the guy who helped Neil keep a normal, peaceful life by managing privacy, safety, and everything in between. Not a bodyguard—don’t even start. He’s a threat-management and privacy-protection pro who made sure Neil could live without a spotlight in his face. He arrives not as a celebrity guest, but as part of the Bubba Bash family, bringing clarity, humor, and stories grounded in friendship, not mythology.Tim Starace, bassist for YYNOT and co-architect of the Bash, takes us behind the scenes on how this whole thing came to life—from one frantic phone call to a full-blown annual tradition that sells out even in Pennsylvania snowstorms. Tim breaks down the passion, the planning, the near-misses, the late-night texts, the chaos, and the joy behind making Bubba Bash happen.Cathy Rankin, the metal mistress herself and the host of Bubba Bash, talks about stepping into the whirlwind that first year, balancing the emotional weight of the event with the electric energy of the musicians and fans, and how the backstage vibe evolved into a genuine family reunion—complete with nerves, laughter, and maybe a few tears during “Losing It.”Together, this power trio walks us through:• How Bubba Bash began—and why it exploded• The outrageous level of musicianship (and the zero rehearsals)• The guest artists flying in on their own dime• The mission: raising funds for glioblastoma researchAt the heart of it is the purpose: honoring Neil through action, generosity, connection, and community. Just people coming together to celebrate someone they loved by doing something good.This episode is Bubba Bash as told by the people who build it, live it, and feel it every year. This is the conversation Rush fans rarely get to hear.GET INVOLVED!4th Annual Bubba Bash, celebrating Neil PeartJanuary 10, 2026 • Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PAAnchored by YYNOT:Tim Starace, Billy Alexander, Mike Hetzel, Adi ArgelaziGuest Artists:Jonny Dinklage • Jason Bittner • Ed Toth • Joe Bergamini • John WesleyTyler Warren • kOko pOwell • Alex Figueroa • Rodney McGMike Orlando • Fer Velasco • Greg Russell • Jack Gibson • Tyme RogersHosted by:Cathy Rankin, the metal mistress herselfDONATE & GET TICKETSDonate directly to Cedars-Sinai in memory of Neil:https://support.cedars-sinai.edu/fundraiser/5043373Grab tickets before it sells out (it always does and we got ours):https://www.axs.com/events/1160303/bubba-bash-tickets

This week, Chaz and Schatz welcome a true RushRash first — a father-and-son Rush podcaster duo right out of the Haggis Shack: Trent and Trion Fancher, the minds behind The Digital Man and His Analog Kid podcast.From womb-level Rush exposure to diaper-drumming, from attic-found Neil promo pics to a Rush-themed studio complete with the sacred pinball machine, the Fanchers take us through a lifetime of prog devotion. Trent shares stories from touring with Wayne Brady, playing Massey Hall, and assembling his own Neil Peart-inspired fortress of chimes and cowbells. Trion talks bass wizardry, Midwest emo, band life in Birmingham, and discovering the full Rush discography the right way — chronologically and obsessively.We dive deep into:🎧 Gateway Rush moments across generations🥁 Raising a musician inside a Neil Peart rhythm womb📼 Their podcast origins, rankings, “wish-’em-wells,” and the hardest question: What’s the worst song on a perfect album?🎟️ Thoughts on Rush 3.0 with Anika NillesTHIS WEEK'S SONGThe wheel gives us By-Tor And The Snow Dog. Cue the mythical battle. Cue the chaos. It’s a Living in the Limelight moment if there ever was one.Rush, music nerdery, podcasters who pod about podding, gutteral animal sounds from stringed instruments, and multigenerational fandom — at over 2 effin hours, this episode delivers for you, eh?CALLING ASPIRING TRIBUTE BAND MUSICIANSAre you a guitarist or vocalist who loves Rush? Trent is assembling a Rush tribute band and is actively searching for an “Lerxst” and possibly a lead vocalist to round out the lineup. If you can channel Lifeson’s iconic guitar work—or have the vocal chops to take on Ged’s legendary parts—Trent wants to hear from you. Join a passionate project dedicated to celebrating Rush’s music in the Birmingham area. Interested musicians should contact Trent on Instagram: @trentfancher.

Here comes TRon! Rush love stories, ticket chaos, and dancing to deep cuts in 11/8 at your wedding—this week, Chaz and Schatz welcome Rush Fest All-Stars Terry Hill and TRon into the Haggis Shack for a transatlantic celebration of prog fandom and community.They break down:🎸 Terry and Ron’s Rush origin stories—from Ontario radio waves and summer camp cassettes to buying the entire back catalog in a Cologne record shop🥁 How Rush fandom led to a wedding on 21/12/2012, a circle of lifelong friends, and playing Massey Hall as part of the Rush Fest All-Stars🎟️ The wild ride of scoring tickets for Rush’s new tour🎶 Hear Schatz's “special left-handed cowbell” backing up Terry on In The Mood, live from Massey Hall in their RushFestCanada25 All Star Band Boneless Records Debut Single!!🎶 Hear “Life’s a Rush" a TRon love song, written and perfromed by Maria Wallace (with permission you bastards at Spotify!!)💬 Misheard lyrics, karaoke challenges, and the joy (and pain) of tribute band gigsTHIS WEEK'S SONGAnd then—it’s time to spin the wheel. The mischievous wheel lands on “Beneath, Between & Behind,” launching a spirited debate on why this short, sharp classic still resonates 50 years on, and how Rush’s lyrics remain as relevant as ever.Plug in, laugh along, and “go scratch that itch”—the Rush family is back, and the journey continues.