[Interview with the band Tiles - the Anvil of Progressive Rock]

Reader, Rush fan, and composer/performer Ben Sommer recently created a music discovery podcast and blog called Bands Like Rush where bands that have some kind of connection to Rush are interviewed. To kick off the site, Ben interviews 2 members of Detroit-based progressive rockers Tiles. Besides making great progressive rock music, Tiles has many connections with Rush. Original Rush producer Terry Brown has worked with Tiles since 1997's Fence the Clear, and Rush album artist Hugh Syme has done their last 3 album covers in addition to playing some keyboards on their latest album. Also on their latest album - Fly Paper - Alex Lifeson was a guest musician on the track Sacred & Mundane. I conducted a brief interview with guitarist Chris Herin and producer Terry Brown back when Fly Paper was released which you can check out in this post. Ben's interview is much more lengthy and in-depth; he talks with Chris and bassist Jeff Whittle for around 45 minutes about the band's history, their do-it-yourself approach to making music and running their business, why Tiles is known as the Anvil of Progressive Rock, and the pros and cons of being constantly compared to the band Rush. The interview also includes many amusing anecdotes and stories about their work with Terry, Hugh, and Alex Lifeson. Here's Chris discussing how he met Neil Peart at Terry Brown's 60th birthday party:

... So anyway, there were many luminaries from the Toronto music scene there. This was after Alex had recorded for us, so we were kind of hoping Alex would show up. But, he was already wherever Rush was was touring at the time. So Neil Peart comes walking in and ends up being Rush's representative at Terry's party. And, of course, that causes quite a stir because nobody expected him - they all kind of expected Alex and Geddy. But, Neil was the guy that was still left in town from rehearsals. He showed up, and hung out and I got to chit-chat with Neil. He's just a super nice guy too. You kind of see these stories about invading his space, but either he was kind of expecting it and well-prepared - he was very approachable. Afterward, I had passed him on a copy of Flypaper, and a little paperback book that I had picked up in North Carolina about nature, wind - something that a motorcycle guy might like. ...

You can read the entire interview or listen to the podcast at this link. Ben would also like everyone's feedback regarding the interview and suggestions on other bands like Rush he should interview.

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