DRUMlive - Live Performances

RUSH in St. Louis September 22, 2012 (one day after 9/21/12)

RUSH closed a lengthy chapter on their career with the live performance of Clockwork Angels (CA).  A chapter which came full circle with a final encore of 2112.

RUSH in Kansas City - August 14, 2013

If I saw the last RUSH concert 8/14/2013, technically the final show on the Clock work Angels tour, I can’t imagine any show being superior in any possible future or actual past.   The Steampunk Theme of the CD and tour explores the future as seen from the past.

     I got to relive some of the joy and wonderment of seeing RUSH for the first time by taking my niece, Anne Marie. She’s 19…the same age I was when I first saw the band on The Moving Pictures Tour in 1981. I also had so many emotions running through me bringing tears and laughter.  

     I never expected to laugh at a RUSH concert, they used to play a ‘Three Stooges’ audio segment and I just didn’t get it. I figured there’s three guys in the band, close enough.   Over time I discovered how funny the band members are, singularly and collectively…evidenced by Alex Lifeson’s ‘BLAH’ Speech at their Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.   At the most serious of moments the guys knew the value of not taking themselves too seriously. When Paul Rudd showed up conducting the Clockwork Angels String Section (aka La Villa Stringiata as I like to call them) – what could have been more entertaining of funny than Rudd miming ‘Slappin Da Bass Man’?

     Tears? – didn’t expect that either. I guess they came during ‘Limelight’ partially because it was so good, partially because I understood a little of the alienation inherent in the lyrics, partially because I feared I may never see it played live again.

When Geddy said, ‘This is the final show…on The Clockwork Angels Tour’ that little pause gave me pause that this might be the end of their career.   Yet , tonight’s band blew away RUSH of September 22, 2012 (why couldn’t they have showed up a day earlier for 9/21/12). A year on the road made them fierce. I hope this last concert was a ‘magic show’ for them – it sure was for me.

     The only thing that bothered me a little was the $4 dollars for bottled water because the concession worker kept the bottle and poured the water into a plastic cup – Really?...I’m not going to chuck my bottle 70 yards and hit the band especially when the water is priced like gold. They advertised bottled water…but sold me very open and free 2112 individualistic uninhibited water, free flowing and soaking up the chalky residue floating about the venue…used to make the lights look a bit more three dimensional. Well at least I could ingest a little of something that was actually on that stage. In actuality, how many times had I done that…gone to the band and their music to quench my thirst, to celebrate life, to spark my creativity, to be inspired.

       I nearly let the lack of a plastic bottle cloud the view of what I actually was about to experience, so I looked at the cup and I thought… ‘I still have the water, my health, my niece’s rare but treasured company, a RUSH concert.’ That water remained cold and somehow lasted the three hour show. It was a bit miraculous that the water never ran out and I had to chug the last bit during the encore.

     Last year, I saw the Clockwork Angels Tour under different circumstances. Having been diagnosed with skin cancer and very aware of the fishing line in my back which closed the excision of a large area…I wasn’t feeling particularly optimistic or in the mood for a concert. Yet I went because I did want to see the show. Any time you hear the word ‘cancer’, although mine was not particularly threatening, you do confront your own mortality. I did think that if I were to die, “At least I got to see RUSH” and that was comforting, not necessarily for the actuality of the experience but because it summoned a bit of gratitude in my depressed emotions at the time. I thought of the things I did have and what I had to be thankful for…The character travelling throughout Clockwork Angels has some varied experiences, some wonderment, some dangerous, some joyful, things ‘seen never seen before’ with positive resolution at the end.

     Over some 33 years I’ve had RUSH as a soundtrack to my life. Who would I be had our paths never crossed, I don’t think I would recognize that person. I probably wouldn’t be playing drums, so certainly there would be no DRUMline and many of the friends I have today would be strangers to me. I suppose if I wanted to I could interview RUSH, yet I don’t want to cross the front of that stage because what matters to me is the music and the live performance (although I do enjoy watching interviews of the band and reading Neil’s books).  

     Many people are bigger RUSH fans than me and have seen hundreds of shows in many countries. I’ve seen some 20 shows in the states over 30 plus years. There is, however, a bond there…something to return to and be celebrated occasionally.

       What sets RUSH apart is not necessarily their musical prowess but the ability to connect with their fan base and forge a relationship based on unpretentious striving towards excellence.   RUSH are to be respected simply for the effort put forth – 40 plus years with unwavering creativity, despite detours into less commercially successful waters. If success is living your life the way you want to then I wish that for everyone.   I have certainly been afforded that opportunity and I am truly grateful.   I know a lot of that inspiration came from RUSH for me.   I learned that ‘you don’t get something for nothing’ and ‘I will choose freewill’ ….Last year, when I felt like ‘a noble warrior who lost the will to fight’ I saw RUSH perform ‘The Garden’ from Clockwork Angels. It was my first glimpse forward to a place where life lay ahead for me and could be better than my past.

       …So I drank my water at this final Clockwork Angels show, infused with the empowerment of RUSH music and realized…should the band never play again…the inspiration would never run out. A year ago my outlook was bleak and I thank RUSH for helping me look forward.   A few days ago I left the plastic cup at the show because it was empty but my glass remains half full –Cheers!

MS: Where do you live in Germany?   What is the music scene like there?

DM:  Hi all, my name is Debora Müller (25) and I live in the southern part of Germany in a city called Karlsruhe which is near Stuttgart, as you may know from MERCEDES or PORSCHE.

Germany has not such a big music biz like the US but we do have a lot of great musicians over here. I live in the middle of an area where the drum scene is established. One of Germany´s largest drum stores is in the neighborhood and the Drummercircle – a huge drum school – is right beside my flat. It’s an amazing place to live.

To be successful you must be really focused on your goals and willing to go the extra mile for it. You need to stand out of the crowd because there are so many musicians. Today you cannot be a champion in everything but you need to specialize. I have met many great drummers: Steve Gadd, Armin Rühl, Rayan Delling, Phil Maturano…All these outstanding drummers show that it is best to stay grounded. We are all just human beings.

Curiously enough, with a woman on the set the level of expectation in the audience initially drops. And yet, you are measured by the standards set by men! Certainly it is not easy for a woman to stand her ground in this business. It is a challenge! On the other hand, it is incredibly interesting and exciting. People pay much more attention to the drummer if “he” is female, because – unfortunately – this is still rather rare. I no longer perceive myself as a “female drummer” because this has become quite normal and I don’t think about it anymore. Then I see  people’s faces in the audience before I play and this makes me aware again that I am a female drummer...it simply makes me smile.

MS:  What inspired you to play drums?

DM:  I am fascinated by the various possibilities and sound diversity one can discover time and again. You may think you have discovered everything only to find out you are just at he beginning. There is always something new to find out and that’s why it’s never boring. The sound repertoire is never ending and it moves both body and soul.

MS:  You studied international business and law at university - Do you make your living in that field.

DM:  Lots of people ask whether I am a professional drummer. The answer is: No, I was never a professional musician and I don’t earn my money doing it. I want to be independent so that I can play whenever I want wherever I want. Anything else would influence my creativity and I wouldn’t be as relaxed as I am now. My motto is: Give always 100% regardless of whether 5 people listen or 5000.

After high school I earned my Bachelor of Law and right afterwards started in the family company in business law. So during the week I earn my money in a normal job to be financially independent. There are a couple of requests for drumming lessons and I think I would be a good teacher... maybe a little strict. (laughs)  I think every teacher gives part of their own habits, experiences and skills to the pupil. That’s what fascinates me, but unfortunately my diary has no space for it. Nevertheless playing the drum set is not just a hobby – it’s a calling.

MS:  When and why did you learn to play drum set?

DM:  Everything started with playing piano which I did not want to play anymore. I wanted to do something bigger and stronger which will impress the guys around. :-) So at age 14, I started playing drums – actually pretty late. At first I played at the church service and I am still playing there in a band. My grandfather founded this church which has grown to one of largest churches in Germany. That’s how I got to know about life with God since I was younger through being a musician. The church reaches more than 1 million people all over Europe via TV, web-streaming and the church magazine. So I have a huge audience for drumming as well. 

Check out the following websites: missionswerk.de, gebetsnacht.de.

In the beginning I was embarrassed sometimes when people asked me where I play and I answered: 'At a church.' Then one day I realized that this should actually be normal. :-) Even Aaron Spears, Teddy Campbell, Marvin McQuitty and Gerald Heyward started at a church, doing gospel drumming. This seems to be a great start for drummers!

MS:  What was Las Vegas Drum Camp like?