RUSHfest launches charity Rush tribute album

RUSHfest
(Image credit: RUSHfest)

RUShfest, the annual Scottish Rush festival, are to launch a charity Rush tribute album, and they've got Rush album cover designer Hugh Syme on board to create the artwork.

Tribute - Songs For Neil Vol. 1 will be released on September 12, which would have been the late Rush drummer Neil Peart's birthday. All profits from the album will go to Cancer Support  Scotland (UK) and Glioblastoma Foundation Neil Peart Research Award (USA).

The album features 12 covers of Rush songs, including Canadian singer songwriter Jacob Moon's version of Subdivisions (you can watch the video below) and Brazilian prog rock duo Fleesh who covered The Garden, and from Rush tribute bands from around the world, including Scotland's The Macallan Project, Italy's La Villa Strangiato, Canada's New World Men and Far & Near from the UK.

"Rush continue to be an inspiration to musicians worldwide," RUSHfest organiser Steve Brown tells Prog. "This album showcases some of the best. That old imitation/flattery cliche rings true here. Everyone involved has taken part because they love the band. Soundtrack to our lives? You bet.

"Our main event was cancelled this year - as was every other gig! - but our online event in June was a great success, raising over £8,500 for charity. On the back of that, and with some lockdown inspiration the idea for a tribute album came to mind. Having organised RFS since 2014 I've been in touch with a lot of Rush tribute bands over the years - I play in one myself.

"The call was put out on social media - bands got in touch. This album had to be produced in a short timescale so only those with quality recordings made the shortlist. "

All going well RUSHfest Scotland will be back in May 2021 - with Jacob Moon, Hugh Syme and Terry Brown as VIPs. A second volume of covers is planned for March 2021.

Pre-order Tribute - Songs For Neil Vol. 1.

Rush Tribute Album

(Image credit: RUShfest)

Tribute - Songs For Neil Vol. 1 - Various Artists
1. Far Cry - The Macallan Project
2. Subdivsions - Jacob Moon
3. The Trees - New World Men
4. The Garden - Fleesh
5. Afterimage - Moving Pictures
6. Cinderella Man - Lotus Land
7. The Pass - The Rush Tribute Project
8. Nobody's Hero - 3 Snow Dogs
9. Marathon (Live) - La Villa Strangiato
10. Losing It - Clockwork Angels
11. Vital Signs - The Rushians
12. Between The Wheels (live) - Bravado
13. Closer To The Dave - David King
14. Time Stand Still - Far & Near

Jerry Ewing

Writer and broadcaster Jerry Ewing is the Editor of Prog Magazine which he founded for Future Publishing in 2009. He grew up in Sydney and began his writing career in London for Metal Forces magazine in 1989. He has since written for Metal Hammer, Maxim, Vox, Stuff and Bizarre magazines, among others. He created and edited Classic Rock Magazine for Dennis Publishing in 1998 and is the author of a variety of books on both music and sport, including Wonderous Stories; A Journey Through The Landscape Of Progressive Rock.