Rush is a Band Blog: Rush Clockwork Angels, 2012 tour rumor update

Blogospheres

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Rush Clockwork Angels, 2012 tour rumor update

Rush finished up recording their upcoming Clockwork Angels album late last year and are currently in the process of mixing the album as described by Neil Peart in his most recent news update at NeilPeart.net:

... While Alex and Geddy were finishing the writing and arranging in one smaller room of the studio, over in the big room I was working with The Mighty Booujzhe, recording my drum parts. As we prepare to start mixing in the New Year, it is too early to say anything about the results. (I once described mixing as "the end of waiting," while Geddy calls it, "the death of hope.") About the process, though, I can't resist spilling a little. ...

It looks as if the band is working on the mixing in Los Angeles as several Twitter users have reported spotting the band there recently. In interviews over the last year or so the band has consistently mentioned that they were shooting for a Spring release for the album with a tour to follow. Alex Lifeson said as much in his Planet Rock interview back in November along with saying that the band hopes to be out on tour in May or June. Since before the Holidays the band has not given any new interviews, so we've been relying solely on rumors for information ever since. In my latest Friday updates post I relayed the latest credible rumors I had heard regarding both the album and tour. These rumors came from a source close to their record label and jibed with what the band had been saying up until late last year; namely that they are aiming to release Clockwork Angels in late April and kick-off the tour shortly after in May/June. But it turns out that this information may have been a little outdated. In just the past few days I'd heard that in the last month or so the band's plans have switched direction and they have now pushed the tour to September. Indeed, Rush Forum member yyzyy had reported late last month that he ran into Rush lighting director Howard Ungerleider at a Trans-siberian Orchestra show and was told by him that the tour would start in September. I didn't put much stock in that report until just recently when this was corroborated by another source who let me know that up until last month the band had been on track for a May/June tour start, but then abruptly changed plans and will instead tour in the Fall. I haven't heard anything regarding the reasoning behind this decision or whether it would affect the release of the album, but there you have it. As always with rumors, take this all with a big grain of salt. My policy is and always has been to report any credible rumor I hear and let my readers make of it what they will. Hopefully we'll get some official information from interviews or a press release in the near future. More as I learn it.

COMMENTS

#1 - Posted 1/25/12 @4:37PM by OntariOFace [contact]

I say June!

#2 - Posted 1/25/12 @4:43PM by Armeee [contact]

Damn........... it must take along time to re-learn jacobs Ladder. Oh well, be worth the wait! Ottawa/Montreal or Vegas in October would be suitable.

#3 - Posted 1/25/12 @4:45PM by Carugati [contact]

For what it's worth, I have a close friend who works at the rock station KSHE-95 here in St. Louis. He told me last week that Rush will be playing in St. Louis in September. He said details are still be worked out.

#4 - Posted 1/25/12 @4:58PM by shooter90 [contact]

I hope these remain rumors. I'd really like them to appear at Summerfest or Red Rocks before it gets to cold.

#5 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:01PM by RushInHawaii [contact]

If true, a fall tour will give me more time to save money for better tickets. I've come to enjoy outdoor concerts more which would, I presume, be less likely in the fall. B sides, please!

#6 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:06PM by snowdog987 [contact]

I for one am bummed. Not about the tour start being pushed back, if true. This most assuredly means the album won't be out until summer. I love the band but the last albums have always managed to get pushed back every time. Lest we forget back before Caravan was released the latest was supposed to be released spring of last year. Gotta be honest....its annoying.

#7 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:11PM by Get up and go the distance [contact]

This is the worst news I've heard in awhile and it has just ruined my day! I doubt very much I'll be able to attend if the tour starts in September. My work situation does not allow time off in the fall. Major bummer! :(

#8 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:19PM by John E. [contact]

As long as the new music comes out in late February, I'm fine with it. If CA gets pushed back, I'll be disappointed.

#9 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:19PM by DrummerSteve [contact]

I'll attend a Rush show whenever they can make it to the Chicago/Milwaukee venues but a September or later date would likely interfere with my other love, college football/NIU Huskies, so I'm hoping for a tour earlier in the summer. That'd also mean we get the album in our hands earlier so it's a win/win.

Why yes! I'd like my cake and WILL eat it too. lol

#10 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:25PM by dinoman [contact]

I will take the album and the tour whenever they are ready to present them. Just knowing they are on the horizon is good enough for me.

#11 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:30PM by hfd413

#4 You read my mind. My wife and I were just talking about going to Red Rocks this time since we've always seen them in Houston/Austin. It's an awesome venue given the right climate. It would be interesting to know if specific dates are used (relative to location) as cutoff times for how they determine whether to book indoors or out.

#12 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:32PM by Jaybird [contact]

They're not spring chickens anymore, so they need to pace themselves.

I'm ok with that.

#13 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:32PM by LanceTheShred [contact]

This news is really old hat according to the first reports last year. They said a late summer, early fall tour. I thought it was a big surprise they would tour earlier in the year but all is for the best!

I am bettin, and I mean bettin, the tour starts in late August, early Septemeber with the last tour date being the end of the Mayan Calendar. 12/21/12. "What are the odds?"

Better have a life jacket ready and one of these numbers after the show:

link

HIGH WATER!! LOL!!

#14 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:44PM by aelon2112 [contact]

That six, but oh well. I had heard from a guy with a credible source that they were going to announce the album and tour on 2/1/12. That would've freakin' ROCKED!

#15 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:45PM by aelon2112 [contact]

I meant "sux"... I is right next to U!

#16 - Posted 1/25/12 @5:55PM by SA [contact]

Heard back during the filming of the Cleavland show last year from a pretty reliable source associated with the band that they were looking to play the whole album of 2112 on this next tour. As reliable as this source is, I still did not put much stock in that rumur until recent simialar rumurs started surfacing.
As for this latest news from Ed regarding the possiblity that the tour will not start until September, I again heard from this same sourse of this news about a week and a half ago, so this may be true as well. Only time (and the band) will tell!!

#17 - Posted 1/25/12 @6:18PM by RushInHawaii [contact]

Where or where is the mysterious Deadwing? He/she/it always had good intel on such matters.

#18 - Posted 1/25/12 @6:19PM by RushInHawaii [contact]

"oh" not "or".

#19 - Posted 1/25/12 @6:28PM by losingit2112 [contact]

I wouldn't be able to go to ANY shows because of college starting up again in September. I've been banking on a summer tour/Red Rocks. Bummer of the week...

#20 - Posted 1/25/12 @6:57PM by Bx3 [contact]

I live in Colorado and have seen them at Red Rocks on 2 of the 3 tours that have come through. Personally, while I do love the venue, it is too small for their entire stage show. Anyone who saw them there on the TM tour and subsequently saw the Cleveland show knows that the lighting rig wasn't fully utilized. It's a tough position to be in. I love the feel of seeing them there, and was always hoping that they would play there, instead of Fiddler's Green. But I have to admit...that feeling does not outweigh my want/need to see the show as THEY intended it.

My two cents...

#21 - Posted 1/25/12 @7:17PM by LanceTheShred [contact]

***************************
BREAK OUT THE FLAMETHROWERS
***************************

In regards to #16 post-I'd rather be a tortoise from Galapagos than to hear 2112 in it's entirety this tour at all. We already witnessed this gem on the TFE Tour so why do it again. Hemispheres would be the way to go or Book 1 into Book II. The only problem? The vocals are just a wee bit to high for the Gedster. I would prefer to see 2 or three more other songs they haven't ripped in that 20+ minutes.

I know, I know. They do what they want. And I'll be there even if they crushed out Donny Osmond's greatest hits. I'm just sayin......

#22 - Posted 1/25/12 @7:23PM by katskahnne [contact]

I'll need the time to save up funds anyway, so not bad news for me, really. Wonder if the lack of summer tour will be a logjam at the "usual" outdoor venues? A lot of them book way ahead. Just a guess, not even a theory. Or maybe they have something planned for the immediate post-release timeframe.

#23 - Posted 1/25/12 @7:46PM by mrslaurajones [contact]

While it's a bummer that the tour might not start until fall, it does mean there will be more time to rack up vacation days, save up funds and savor the sweet anticipation of seeing Rush live. My guess: September-October/early November dates, the holidays and early 2013 off, and cranking it into high gear spring and summer 2013.

#24 - Posted 1/25/12 @8:23PM by Nicecoldbeer [contact]

I'm thinking late summer, early fall- The Olivia factor. I had two kids late in life and I happen to have my "Julys" off and I found that this was a great time to spend with my little kids- trips to the zoo, walks to the park, and weekend getaways....Neil and the boys-----take your time, enjoy your family, and we'll see you on the road whenever...

#25 - Posted 1/25/12 @8:26PM by drmike [contact]

Nothing Rush can do will bum me out, even if they fully retire, fail to release CA and don't go on tour. They've given us hours and hours of an auditory cornucopia of musical bliss. There's thousands of hours of listening pleasure to be had with what they have released. I'm still pumped about CA and the tour, even if September isn't good for me either. I can always get a bootleg of a show or two....

#26 - Posted 1/25/12 @8:50PM by holeinone53575

Howard is probably telling the truth. I've met him a number of times and he doesn't come across as a BS'er. Moving the tour back might mean more indoor venues which bums me out because I like the outdoor gigs better soundwise. Rush at Summerfest in Milwaukee is the best. Red Rocks too. If Deadwing 2112 would post we would know more. Deadwing where are you?

#27 - Posted 1/25/12 @9:07PM by random_sample [contact]

I'd say, when the guys in Rush are all approaching 60 years old and I remember not knowing if they would still be together as a band past the age of maybe 50-55 and they are still together, people should be thankful for ANY concerts , ANY tours, ANY new Rush music at this point.
For the people who have mentioned Jacob's Ladder in concert....I totally agree it would be an excellent song for them to play live in concert.

#28 - Posted 1/25/12 @9:24PM by limelighter [contact]

Forget deadwing. where are the red wings tonight? losing 6-0 after 2 periods.
get excited montreal. i love rush, any tour coming up is well worth the wait even if it is in september.

#29 - Posted 1/25/12 @9:32PM by availablelight [contact]

One thing about a fall, and presumably, winter tour doesn't make sense. Geddy complained on the last tour about throat problems from playing indoor venues where there was ice under the floor; willingly doing that again seems unlikely. I'm also a bit tired of the 2112 obsession. Great album, a seminal album, but they did the entire suite for the T4E tour...why do it again? In those 20+ minutes we could hear 4-5 B-sides that have NEVER been played before, or even rarely played. Let us hear Jacobs Ladder, Middletown Dreams, Chain Lightning, High Water...this list goes on and on.

#30 - Posted 1/25/12 @9:43PM by limelighter [contact]

i agree about not playing 2112 because i have seen it on the echo tour. but i cannot be selfish. i hope they do bring it back for the fans who haven't seen it yet, especially the young kids. they played it 15 years ago. that is quite long enough i say.

#31 - Posted 1/25/12 @10:03PM by holeinone53575

Side one of 2112 should be shelved for now.

#32 - Posted 1/25/12 @10:10PM by dcd2112 [contact]

It's probably a good idea for them to push the tour back a bit and I would guess that would delay the album a couple of months. Rush has toured quite a bit in the last several years and given the economy being sluggish and that another big tour this year, Van Halen, is going to be competing for the business of the same general demographic - middle aged white males, it's probably a wise idea for Rush to wait until Van Halen finishes their run.

#33 - Posted 1/25/12 @11:20PM by Bulldog81 [contact]

Hope that Rush will come to Lafayette, La this time. Last time the
boys from Willowdale played SW La was in Jan of 1986...my first Rush
concert.

#34 - Posted 1/26/12 @3:24AM by scotto2112fan [contact]

Would love to hear "all" of 2112.....Something for Nothing, Passage to BK, and my most underrated Rush song of all-time Lessons. Playing Twilight Zone live for the 1st time would be a gem.....Though I'm not so sure Tears would be a good concert song......Will have a hard time waiting for a tour to begin in September.

#35 - Posted 1/26/12 @8:22AM by Jaybird [contact]

Good point 32. The industry is expecting a healthy summer with VH and Black Sabbath re-uniting. Also Fleetwood Mac will have the fab five. Bruce will tour also.

I guess RUSH can call it the "If You Still Have Money Left" tour. I'm dying to see the Sab, but I know I will have to sell my car first!

#36 - Posted 1/26/12 @9:30AM by Liverpool 78

Oh hello there world...

this is very interesting news. My wife and I are holidaying in New York and Toronto in October; it would round off a great holiday to see Rush at a North American show.

Liver.

#37 - Posted 1/26/12 @9:43AM by nlb [contact]

I heard a stong rumour here in Toronto that Rush may play the halftime show at the Grey Cup this year. I beleive it may make sense even though Rush has a history of not participating in such events. I beleive it may be true for the following reasons,

The CA tour is now rumoured for the fall, the Grey Cup is played in November.

The Grey Cup is here in Toronto this year.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the grey cup which ties in to 100 years to 2112.

#38 - Posted 1/26/12 @9:58AM by SA [contact]

Refering back to my #16 post on the 2112 rumor, I have to agree with most of the other post that I too would like to see 2112 shelved. As much as I enjoy it, I have seen it enough times and it's time to bring out some other unplayed songs or things we haven't heard in a long, long time. I just cannot see Geddys vocal range being that high for an entire album. But also, it wouln't suprise me if they did play it as a pre-centenial theme for this tour. Again, only time will tell.

#39 - Posted 1/26/12 @11:00AM by timintey [contact]

They must be using the summer to book all those backyard high school graduation parties prior to going on tour...

The DNC is in Charlotte in Sept. Sounds like a great time for me to high step it outta hear to catch a Rush show!

#40 - Posted 1/26/12 @11:55AM by limelighter [contact]

sabbath is touring?? i thought tommy iommi has lymphoma cancer and is undergoing treatment. the tour could be postponed or not even happen at all. sad. all songs rush plays have to be agreed mostly from neil. don't expect 5 or more new b side songs they never played. you are lucky to get 2 at most.

#41 - Posted 1/26/12 @12:01PM by nhlrush [contact]

I have to disagree with #24 as far as Neil's daughter goes...she is only like two years old, so not in school and they live in Los Angeles where you can go to the park or the zoo or anything outdoors essentially year round...

other things to consider....if it is a true fall tour that spans through at least november or early december i am wondering how neil will deal with traveling by motorcycle...

my wife and I were in buffalo in mid october one year and they had a blizzard and everything shut down, no power, no gas, nightmare...

also, wouldn't it be better for ged's voice to sing and travel in hot weather and not in the cooler or cold weather when your throat may be sensitive to the conditions...

the only positive might be indoor shows for ged's voice, but generally during the summer shed touring, its usually pretty hot everywhere....

Also, if they tour in the fall, Ged is going to miss the baseball playoffs (not that the blue jays will be involved) whereas he spends his off time on the road following the whole MLB schedule and his fantasy teams and enjoys getting the scores during intermission, etc...

#42 - Posted 1/26/12 @12:09PM by drmike [contact]

#40 limelighter--Heard a sound bite last night from Tony Iommi saying he's doing well and still expects to tour. I'll have to stash some cash away for Rush then see if I have enough to catch Sabbath and/or VH.

#43 - Posted 1/26/12 @12:19PM by GoldenRushFan [contact]

Lance, would you go see Donny Osmund performing 2112? ;-)

If this tour does begin in the late summer/early fall, I hope that they start here in Colorado while Red Rocks is still feasible.

The caravan thunders onward !

#44 - Posted 1/26/12 @1:05PM by The_Righteous_Rise [contact]

middletown dreams, jacobs ladder, xanadu, bangkok, circumstances

#45 - Posted 1/26/12 @3:28PM by rocinante5m [contact]

Hopefully this doesn't conflict with the 2 Live Crew Reunion Tour......

#46 - Posted 1/26/12 @3:33PM by Toner [contact]

#44 Middletown Dreams would be awesome.
Neil said in his new DVD that they would never do Jacobs Ladder, just didnt work for them when they rehearsed it so we can forget about that one.
Xanadu maybe, would rather hear Manhattan Project.
Bangkok and Circumstances was done on the S&A tour so forget those.

#47 - Posted 1/26/12 @3:53PM by yosef [contact]

#45..lol Anytime for a tour is great as long as they are touring.

#48 - Posted 1/26/12 @3:56PM by random_sample [contact]

#38 - " I just cannot see Geddys vocal range being that high for an entire album".
I just wanted to comment on that. Is it just me who found it very noticeable on Rush's last tour (Time Machine tour) that Geddy seemed to be "straining" to try hit high notes in alot of the songs? I'm just curious if anyone else noticed that. I'm not trying to bash Geddy at all, or even criticize his singing. The only criticism I would have ,would be that I found it very noticable and felt like he was trying TOO hard to sign high, when he would probably be better off just singing in a comfortable range ,considering he is older and his voice has changed since the 70's and 80's. Another thing I noticed ,was in songs where even in the original version, he wasn't screaming, he seemed to be screaming when he performed them on the Time Machine tour.
I'd like to hear other people's comments.

#49 - Posted 1/26/12 @3:56PM by hermy [contact]

"We're deeply shocked and heartbroken to learn of the sudden passing of our close friend and long-time photographer, Andrew MacNaughtan. He was a sweet person and a very talented artist. Words cannot describe how much he will be missed. - Geddy, Alex & Neil"

#50 - Posted 1/26/12 @4:03PM by Toner [contact]

#49 That explains the change of tour plans.............

#51 - Posted 1/26/12 @7:00PM by redrocksdave [contact]

Living here in Colorado this is horrible for two reasons, unless they start in New Mexico again they wont play Red Rocks and probably will skip Denver altogether. There is no fall/winter venue for them to play here, Pepsi Center holds 20,000 with no curtain to close off parts of the arena. all others are to small and mega-suck compared to RR. I'm using my saved money on VH tickets, probably wont be able to save up again for a while so i'll hope for summer 2013

#52 - Posted 1/26/12 @7:47PM by nhlrush [contact]

The tour moving to the fall happened way before today's tragic news

#53 - Posted 1/28/12 @11:59PM by woodyj [contact]

I bet part of the decision to nix the summer shows is the oppressive heat at some of the outdoor venues.Two of the last three Atlanta shows we attended were HOT and humid.In 2004 it was about 95 degrees when the show started.Geddy even made several comments about the heat.2007 was also quite hot and muggy.Someone wised up and moved the Time Machine date until the end of September.Playing for 3 hours,3 or 4 nights a week in those conditions wears you down.