Rush Rash with Chaz N Schatz

On this week’s episode of Rush Rash, Chaz and Shatz are joined once again by CMPU and Boneless Podcasting Network stalwart Corey Morissette, a man who now hosts approximately seventeen podcasts, three mixtape shows, and possibly a municipal council meeting somewhere in Manitoba.Between discussions of Canadian winters, radio overkill, and the ever-expanding Corey Morissette Podcast Industrial Complex, the gang checks in on the freshly released 40th Anniversary edition of Grace Under Pressure and the new Terry Brown remix of “Distant Early Warning.” Yes — the knobs have been turned. Yes — it sounds different. Yes — the internet will be normal about it.Then the wheel spins.Corey quietly attempts to will Hemispheres into existence through sheer mental concentration. Shatz campaigns for hometown heroics. Chaz stands back and lets fate do its thing.THIS WEEK'S SONG“A Farewell to Kings.”For Corey, it’s a first listen — always a dangerous moment on this show. Is it medieval prog majesty? Is it lute-adjacent wizardry? Is it a band from suburban Toronto suddenly sounding like they’ve wandered into a Renaissance fair with a Marshall stack?All will be revealed as the hosts unpack one of Rush’s most theatrical openings — complete with nylon-string guitars, dystopian lyrics, and the unmistakable moment when the band collectively decides: yes, we are absolutely doing this.No bones. Just Rush.

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

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.

We go all in on what Alex is doing here. Like, really man...pretty Rush-ie trip with Edwin. Check it out.

On this gloriously unhinged episode of Rush Rash, Chaz and Schatz throw all sense of structure out the window and celebrate Haggis Day the only way they know how: by heeding the call of one Steve Brown to invite Paul Beaulieu and make the Haggis Shack the World's Deli in honor of Robbie Burns' Birthday!A full detour involving wild haggis, vegetarian haggis, Robert Burns, bagpipes, kilts, lamb lungs (allegedly), neeps, tatties, whisky gravy, and the eternal mystery of how Scotland continues to function at all. Cultural education may occur. Digestion is discussed. Poetry is threatened and delivered. No empty words here.Once the haggis smoke clears, however, the episode pivots hard into serious Rush business—and there is a lot of it.Steve and Paul unload a whirlwind of updates from the front lines of the Moving Pictures and RushFest universe, including:Massive touring plans and behind-the-scenes realities of running one of the busiest Rush tribute bands on the planetMajor announcements for RushFest Scotland and RushFest Canada, including venues, dates, and an absolutely stacked lineup of guestsAppearances and involvement from Rush inner-circle legends including Terry Brown, Hugh Syme, Kevin J. Anderson, Nancy and Judy Peart, and moreUpdates on Songs for Neil, including upcoming volumes, new contributors, and the staggering amount of money raised for brain cancer researchA brand-new solo piano Rush album in the works, with artwork by Hugh SymeThe return of The Professor whisky with Volume 2 officially on the wayCharity auctions, ticket giveaways, and community-driven fundraising that somehow keep getting bigger, louder, and more meaningfulEventually—because it is Rush Rash—the wheel spins.THIS WEEK’S SONG🎵 “Hope” (Snakes & Arrows)Alex Lifeson’s delicate 12-string instrumental lands at exactly the right moment, prompting reflections on alternate tunings, restraint, beauty, loss, resilience, and why this quiet piece carries so much emotional weight. Guitars are fetched. Feelings happen. The wheel, once again, proves it knows more than anyone in the room. All wrapped into one very Scottish, very Rush-brained celebration. We might not have played How Many Times Did They Play It Live (113 Chaz wins again!) becasue the BPM Monkey was nowhere to be seen, but rthe wheel did bestow a new song for Steve to learn. And in the end...Haggis was honored.News was delivered.Hope prevailed.Slàinte. 🥃