RUSH Weak

RUSH, the Canadian rock group, formed in Toronto in 1968, but not as the trio you see before you, but as three different fellas, altogether.  In fact, Alex Lifeson, pictured to the right, is the only original member.  The original lead singer/bassist, was replaced with Geddy Lee (center), as was the original drummer, replaced with Neal Peart, in 1974.  All facts that a typical super fan would know, but I am not a super fan.  I'm not even a fan.  Often times, if able, when Rush comes on the radio, I immediately change the channel.

I've never met a RUSH fan, but I know they exist.  On TV, when a Rush song comes, up, the actors all clamor and begin playing imaginary air guitars, mirroring the notes played by Lifeson and Lee.  Personally, I can't for the life of me, understand how or why this triad of musicians ever made it to the level of rock star fandom that they have?  Of course, then again, there's no accounting for taste.  After all, look at The Beatles.  Bunch of no-talent hacks who have a special place in the hearts of millions around the planet.  Perhaps, like the case of The Beatles, it's the music itself.  The lyrics, maybe?  Are the words intricate and special, so much that they bring joy and warmth into a captivated audience?

Referring to The Beatles, for a moment, the songs themselves, weren't and aren't terrible, it's just that when The Beatles performed them, they weren't very good.  At least that's what my senses tell me when they come on the radio.  Although when another band performs these Beatle-classics, the songs sound wonderful, fun and good.  I've never heard any bands covering any Rush songs.  I'm sure they exist, but nothing that has ever made it to radio.  Not to my knowledge, at least.  I'm not familiar with their catalogue, so maybe some songs have leaked into mainstream media.

Like nails being drug down a chalkboard, a sound so harsh, it makes most of those around it, recoil and wince.  This is the reaction I get to hearing Geddy Lee's voice screeching out the lyrics to the bands many "classics".  Lee's voice is high pitched and screechy, resembling the sounds emitted when cats fight.  Even many of the fans of the band, have admitted that Geddy Lee has a terrible voice, yet they still love the performances so much.  It blows my mind and I know that if I put too much thought into it, there's a very good chance that I might suffer a brain aneurysm as a result.

I stated before that I never met a fan of Rush, but I am now reminded that I once worked with a fellow who swore up and down that Rush was the greatest band that had ever lived.  We'd work nights and we'd all bring in music to play on the stereo to break up the usual monotonous silence.  The supervisor would bring a plethora of shit that I hated at the time, but grew to enjoy.  I'd bring in my menagerie of shit that would, more often than not, be met with much hatred and Richard (I believe that was his name) would bring in Rush.  Always Rush.  It got to the point, for me, to retain some sanity, I'd sing along to his music, but I'd make up my own lyrics.  This drove Richard insane, but made me laugh.  So much so, that here we are, nearly two decades later and any time I'm unable to avoid listening to the garbage spewing from the mouths of Rush, I still sing along using my own lyrics.  There's one song in particular.  I don't know the song, but I refer to it as the "Brand New Pants" song.  I think the lines go: I'm a new age man. And I've got new pants."

RUSH, the band has had numerous band members come and go throughout the decades and a vast number of albums.  Lee's shrill vocals have always been an detriment and a gift for music lovers.  I hate it, but many adore it.  Again, there's no accounting for taste.  After all, how is it that Fleetwood Mac is the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame?  I think they have one song that doesn't suck.  I'm getting off topic, sorry.

Twenty-four gold records, fourteen platinum and three multi-platinum records to their credit, placing them fifth overall, behind The Beatles, Rolling Stones, KISS, and Aerosmith.  

Alex Lifeson has been praised for his prowess on the guitar and I only grew to be aware of this fella, when he appeared on Trailer Park Boys and played the song "Closer To The Heart". It was a sweet moment in an otherwise, hilarious episode that pitted Bubbles against Ricky in a debate on who the better rock group was.  RUSH or Helix.  Personally, I choose Helix.  They rock!! ✊ "Give me an 'R'.  'O'. 'C'. 'K'...."  Classic!

Drummer, Neal Peart, has been touted as one of music's greatest performers, his drum kits growing larger and larger with each passing year.  He's been voted as one of the top drummers of all time.  He's also garnered much recognition due to his contributions to the lyrics of Rush's music.  Words so unique that they also ruffled a lot of feathers.  While gaining praise on one hand, he was highly criticized, as well, also earning himself a second-place finish in Blender Magazine's "List of the Worst Lyricists in Rock".  I don't know a whole hell of a lot about many things, but I think Blender Magazine pretty much hit the nail on the head with that one.

Not to speak ill-will of the dead.  Peart succumbed to Glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in 2020, canceling any thoughts of a band reunion.  With all due respect to the dead, my ears thank you for that.

Like Global Warming, bitching about it now isn't going to fix anything.  There's no reset button that will allow us to go back in time to the point where everything that was good in the world, will revert back to the way it was.  We're always going to have RUSH and Tom Sawyer will always have brand new pants.

The Most Overrated Band in History

 

I was perusing my Twitter the other day (@ToontownJuggalo, for anyone interested) and came across a tweet from WWE commentator, Corey Graves who mentioned that the Canadian band RUSH, sucked.  I can't remember his exact wording, but the message essentially translated to them sucking.  I concurred, adding another band, which I'll mention later on.

Fast-forward to this morning.  The phone rang at an alarmingly early time, which isn't that late for normal functioning adults, but being that I'm not working until springtime, 8am is too early for this guy.  The radio was playing the Electric Light Orchestra, ELO for short, song "Don't Bring Me Down".  I f*cking detest this song.  It's SO f*cking annoying, I can't believe it was ever popular.  Sadly, it's only saving grace is a part of why it's so annoying.  The chorus chimes "Don't bring me dooown, Groos!  Don't bring me doooown, Groos!"  I don't know what a "groos" is, but thankfully, it sounds like "UCE!", which is a Samoan word for "brother" or "bro" (I've seen definitions referring to either meaning).  As a long standing wrestling fan, I can appreciate the term, as it's often repeated by WWE's resident Samoan members, The Uso's and their cousin, the "Head of the Table", as he's known as of late, Roman Reigns.  The ELO song, however, remains as one of my most hated songs, but it's not the worst song.  That honour goes to the 1980's questionable hit, "Come On Eileen" by the one-hit wonders, Dexy's Midnight Runners. No matter where I am, what obstacles may be lying between me and that radio dial, when the first couple of notes float into the air, I will stop at nothing to switch the station or shut the radio off.  It is the WORST!!  

Growing up, I remember hearing music that I never cared for.  Most of Queen's library would have been included in that category, but later in life, I learned to like it and even love it.  The song "Radio Ga Ga" was one that I remember listening to on the way to school and absolutely detesting it, yet when it comes on the radio these days, I crank up the volume and belt out the lyrics at the top of my lungs.  It's a song hated by most die hard Queen fans or so I've heard, but I absolutely love it.  That Dexy's Midnight Runners song has never, nor will it ever appeal to me.

Earlier, I mentioned that I concurred with Corey Graves' assessment that the Canadian rock trio, RUSH sucked and I stand by that statement.  I've never liked the band, but I can tolerate that garbage.  Mostly because I've been able to change the lyrics in my head, to make the drivel more enjoyable.  There's one song of theirs that comes on the radio, from time-to-time, that I call "My New Brown Pants".  I don't know the name of the RUSH song, but singing "My new brown pants" as loud as I can, makes me laugh.  If I'm unable to change the station, this is a pleasant consolation prize.

Also mentioned earlier, I commented that I concurred with Graves' comment and added another group.  This has been met with much pushback for many years, although, not so much in recent memory.  It's no secret for those who know me.  I hate The Beatles.

I've always laid the claim that The Beatles are (probably) the MOST overrated band in history.  Many, and I do mean many, people have disagreed with me on this subject, one fellow, a former co-worker, even threatened to fight me if I didn't take back the claim.  I didn't and he didn't follow through with his threat.  The only song that the mop-headed quartet ever did that I do, in fact, enjoy and maybe even love, is "I Wanna Hold Your Hand".  As for the rest of the catalogue...  Well, that's complicated.  While I find the band highly overrated, they did manage to write some great songs, which have been (more) expertly covered by other bands.  Motley Crue's version of "Helter Skelter" is a great song!  Aerosmith's rendition of "Come Together" is practically flawless.  As well as many other bands and solo artists, too many to list here, have covered many Beatle tunes and done so with greatness.  The Beatles, however..., not so much.

A year or two ago, I will admit this.  I was watching The Late Late Show with James Cordon who caught up with Sir Paul McCartney in Liverpool and they did this huge Carpool Karaoke segment, touring around Liverpool, reliving some fond memories, finishing with an impromptu concert in a local drinking tavern.  First revealed to a dozen or so, local residents which soon swarmed to several hundred or more, packing into the tiny bar and listening from outside.  I found the whole thing to be overwhelmingly sweet.  Mostly because they hold McCartney in such high regard and had an opportunity to see this living legend perform live in their neighbourhood pub.  It was pretty cool, but I came away from that experience with a tear in my eye and retaining the belief that The Beatles are the most overrated band in history.

I'm not claiming to be an expert on what is best or superior in music, past or present.  I know what I like and I don't mind announcing what I don't like.  I love the Insane Clown Posse.  Most people don't.  Mostly because the name alone, scares them away.  However, when people tell me that I'm wrong for liking them for whatever reason, I don't get upset.  I don't honestly care.  "They suck!!" people say, trying to get a reaction, to which I always reply "It's a matter of opinion" and really, that's all it is.  Maybe The Beatles aren't as terrible as I think.  Maybe RUSH is a great band.  I doubt it, but maybe.  One thing is for sure.  Dexy's Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen" is the absolute WORST.  That and country music.  I feel sorry for anyone who listens to that horse shit!!