Rush Rash with Chaz N Schatz

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. 🥃

Part two of our Bubba Bash 2026 recap drops us right back into the thick of it, with exclusive backstage access courtesy of Rush Rash correspondent Jillian Maryonovich of RushCon while Chaz and Schatz were… let’s say administratively indisposed.This episode is anchored by deeply personal, moving conversations with John Wesley (Vertical Horizon, Porcupine Tree) and Ed Toth (The Doobie Brothers), as both musicians reflect on the profound impact Neil Peart had on their lives — not just as a drummer, lyricist, or philosopher, but as a friend, mentor, and fellow traveler.John Wesley shares unforgettable stories of riding with Bubba, earning his trust on winding roads, and the bond forged through music, motorcycles, family, and long conversations about life. His memories — from celebrating Neil’s birthday to living by the mantra WWBD (What Would Bubba Do) — are heartfelt, raw, and deeply human.Ed Toth traces his Rush origin story back to seventh grade, discovering Moving Pictures, receiving a handwritten postcard from Neil, and carrying those words with him for decades. His reflections capture what Rush means to generations of fans and musicians alike — a band that transcends music and becomes part of who you are. And a surprise interloper in the form of Jonny Dinklage, who diverts attention and steals the show along with it!and we wrap it up with reflections from Tim Starace of YYNOT, one of the organizers, on how it all began, what it all means, and where it goes from here.There are laughs, tears, unfiltered honesty, and a shared understanding that Rush isn’t just a band — it’s a compass. From backstage tears to life-altering moments, this episode is a powerful reminder of Neil Peart’s enduring legacy and the way his spirit continues to ride alongside us.So grab a Macallan, find a comfortable chair, and settle in — this is Rush Rush at its most personal, most emotional, and most essential. No effin kiddin'. DONATE - GET SOME STICKS IN THE GAME Please join the cause by donating directly to Cedars-Sinai in memory of Neil: support.cedars-sinai.edu/fundraiser/5043373

The episode’s highlight is a full listen and discussion of "Runaway Train" from Geddy Lee’s 2000 solo album, "My Favorite Headache." Chaz and Schatz react in real time, dissecting the song’s dense lyrics, musical structure, and its unmistakable Rush DNA. They debate whether the track could have been a hidden Rush cut, praise its "Peartian" lyricism, and compare its style to both classic Rush and contemporary influences. The hosts also reflect on the challenges of solo projects, the evolution of Rush’s sound, and the enduring impact of Neil Peart’s writing.As always, listeners can expect candid commentary, inside jokes, and thoughtful analysis as Chaz and Schatz celebrate Geddy’s artistry and muse on the future of Rush-related music.

On this very special part one of a Rush Rash episode, we welcome Jillian from RushCon, officially crowned the show’s Field Correspondent, reporting live(ish) from the 2026 Bubba Bash. Jillian delivers the goods: interviews, live recordings, backstage audio, after-party vibes, and the kind of behind-the-scenes reality you only get when musicians are running on fumes and love for the music.The conversation digs into what these events really take — minimal rehearsal, high pressure, maximum respect for the Rush catalog — including Jillian’s chat with Tyler Warren about the weight of playing this music live. Chaz also reconnects with Greg Russell, swapping stories and reflecting on how these fan-driven events keep evolving year after year.And then there’s that moment — Jillian meeting Neil Peart’s daughter, a powerful reminder of why these gatherings hit so hard for the Rush community. (Also confirmed: yes, she’s very tall.)We go live with recordings of Driven, Natural Science and Working Man straight from the floor of the show. It’s an episode full of travel chaos, Rush family vibes, exhausted joy, and the kind of stories that only happen when fans come together for the music that changed their lives.No matter where they are in the world, Chaz and Schatz keep scratching the itch. Now, let's got to the Keswick Theater in Glenside Pensylvania for the start of our 2026 coverage of Bubba Bash!

Rush Rash Presents: TOM SAWYER — A GENERATIONAL EVENTStep right up for a heartwarming, music-filled adventure the whole family can enjoy! In this special episode, Chaz and Schatz, together with their children, two generations come together to describe the forthcoming Rush Rash Reactions, where a couple of Rushian parents spin a wheel packed with nearly 200 songs from every genre imaginable. Watch as classic rock dads bravely hand over the aux cord to their kids, diving into a vibrant world of K-pop, hip-hop, indie, and anime soundtracks. We preview the new format with Keara and Paul Howley and Emma and Sam Schatzberg, the curators of our new show's soundtrack!After years of forced exposure to their parents’ playlists in the car, the kids finally get a voice. They join the show this week to talk about their own musical tastes, how they experience music differently, and why certain songs land while others don’t. As part of the visit, they unveil a brand-new, 192-song wheel they curated themselves, setting the stage for future episodes of Rush Rash Reactions, the fun has only just begun!THIS WEEK'S SONGWe've threatened to do a special Tom Sawyer episode, and we couldn't have found a better time to do it! The group listens to Rush’s most iconic and widely recognized song and breaks it down together—parents and kids in the same room, hearing it from very different perspectives. The conversation moves from first impressions and familiarity to deeper discussion around lyrics, independence, perception, and what the song represents to longtime fans versus newer listeners.Topics include:How the kids know Rush—and how often they’ve actually chosen to listenWhy Tom Sawyer functions as a cultural constant, even for non-fansFirst-time reactions versus decades of contextNeil Peart’s lyrics as expressions of individuality and worldviewThe contrast between inherited music and personal tasteThe result is a candid, funny, and revealing episode that’s less about explaining Rush and more about learning who the kids are through how they hear music.Tune in this coming Wednesday for the premiere episode of Rush Rash Reactions—a reactional conversation to a generational gap in music enjoyment - because listening matters as much as legacy.

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.