Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Canadian Music Scene profiles Showtech's Patrick McLoughlin and the Rush Backstage Club
Paul at The Canadian Music Scene recently posted an article profiling Patrick McLoughlin of Showtech Merchandising, where he picks his brain about the Rush Backstage Club and the business of band merchandising:
... RUSH is on the top end of the scale when it comes to merchandising. Just like the quality of RUSH's music and shows the quality of the merchandising products needs to be at the same high level. RUSH does not get involved deeply in the design of the products but have the ultimate say whether it gets sold or not. Hugh Syme works closely with the band on album designs and tour programs. Patrick does a lot of the design for the products. ...
He also touches on the logistics of touring with a band like Rush:
... Showtech has a semi-tractor trailer that is on the road with the rest of the band's convoy. ... Patrick shares the tour bus with Skully, Scott Appleton, George, Lorne Wheaton, John Arrowsmith, Jack Secret and Howard Ungerleider. ... On days off they usually explore the city and in the case of John and Patrick they bring their inline skates to help keep them in shape. Days off provide the luxury of going to bed as early as you want, the problem is actually trying to get to sleep! Was Patrick's tour bus the place to party on the Clockwork Angels Tour... apparently not, that honour fell to the String Section's tour bus!
Be sure to check out the entire article online at this location.
Comments
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I really wish I would have picked up the 3 quarter sleeve burnout shirt when I saw the boys in Ireland for the TMT in 2011. Still bummed that they did not sell these online...
They have always given me top notch service!
I want Patrick's job
My favorite Backstage t-shirt would have been the ultra rare BU2B and BU2B2 shirt:
link
#10, guess so. we were out of pocket in the concert scene for a few years with little kids.
I didn't see anything about the Rush Backstage Club per se.
I remember when they worked out of an Las Vegas office. Dotty would answer my questions, by writing me hand written notes on the RUSH logo-ed notepad.
#9-I got my R-30 t-shirt during that tour. I also have a white one but the red one is my favorite. It's a higher quality shirt and launders better than some concert t-shirts I have owned. Is it not available anymore?
#3 holeinone,
where'd you score the R30 shirt?
Sorry message #4 not #6!!!!!!!!!!!
Old prog rock fan.
London England.
Message #6 lance the shred.
Thanks for your funny comment about the Ten Years After DVD from 29 years ago.
My comment that it was a DVD recording when yes it was recorded for VHS tape and that I still have a copy of the recording on that format in my collection.
Many young people on this site probably do not know what a VHS tape is ( I asked my 14 year old daughter this morning and she said "wot")
The DVD is still out in the USA and the new title is called Ten Years After "Going Home Live in London".
If any one on this site has a copy you can see me on the right hand side of the stage in a black and blue shirt taking pictures!
Have a nice day!
Old prog rock fan
London England.
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