REVIEW: Rush – Rush 50 (2025)

RUSH – Rush 50 (2025 Mercury)

Don’t try to do any math and figure why Rush 50 is out in 2025 instead of 2024.  What matters is:  Rush 50 is out.  It is stunning, both sonically and visually.  The box art by Hugh Syme fits right in that Rush mold, akin to Chronicles.  That’s to say nothing of the hardcover book inside, which we will discuss later on.  The design is excellent.  In the back, the CDs peek out of thee sleeve like golden coins.  It’s just a really cool looking, and sounding, box set.  The remastering here is terrific.  Geddy’s bass is wonderfully separate from the guitars, and you can really hear the details as you remember them.  Brilliant job here.

Rush 50‘s four discs follow roughly chronologically.  They include a generous number of live tracks, which is not at all to the detriment of this set.  Some of the live tracks come from other box sets, from live albums, and some are rare or unreleased versions.  “Garden Road” is one long desired by Rush fans, though “Fancy Dancer” is conspicuous by its absence.  (Don’t assume this is the last collection that Rush will release.)

In the days of downloading via Bittorrent, I found crappy vinyl rips of Rush’s first single “Not Fade Away” / “I Can’t Fight It”.  I burned them to a CD, and lamented that this would likely be the only “physical” copy of the single that I would ever own.  15 or 20 years later, this new anthology-style box set Rush 50 includes the single as the first two tracks on disc one.  To finally have these songs, officially, physically, and sounding so full and rich compared that that old CDr, it scratches that itch that I have as a collector.  If I could afford that first single, I’d have it already.  This will do even better, because it’s clean and digitally perfect.  It’s also quaint.  The almost psychedelic echo on “Not Fade Away” is a detail I didn’t remember.

Similarly, about 15 years ago Rush released the “Vault Edition” of the track “Working Man” for a limited time on iTunes.  I burned that to a CD too.  Now it is here physically, along with another “Vault Edition” of “The Trees” that I was unaware of.  Now we have both on CD.  Itch scratched once again.

Wisely, Rush made sure some of the biggest hits that people want are studio versions:  “Closer to the Heart”, “Tom Sawyer”, and “Subdivisions” for example.  Joe Average, who just wants a cool box set instead of all the albums, often ends up complaining when bands out live versions instead of studio versions of the songs they really wanted.  (Trust me, I worked at the Beat Goes On for 12 years.)  The other thing is, the live versions they did select are superb.  Let me tell you, the Bonham-esque drums on the jammy “Before and After (live)” sound absolutely massive.  It’s certainly appropriate for a band of this reputation to include so many live versions.  Most of disc two is live.

With equal wisdom, Rush ended this box set with the last songs plays at the their last ever concert.  Going back to the very beginning, Rush end the anthology with those final live takes of “What You’re Doing/Working Man”, with just a smidgen of “Garden Road”.  It’s an emotional way to end the journey, and this box set is indeed a journey.  That’s the wonderful thing about anthology style sets.

 

The remarkable Hugh Syme worked overtime to produce the art for the hardcover book.  Yes, not only do you get words and photos, but also brand new double-page artwork for most of the songs on Rush 50.  It is the kind of box set that will give you enjoyment every time you listen to it, because you can crack open that book and just study.  My study has barely begun; I have not really been able to look at each and every piece of art yet.  Rest assured though, Hugh Syme provides all the justification for the price of this set, with the book alone.  If this were a hardcover sold in a store on its own, it would probably be at least $60 bucks as a book.

A massive career like Rush’s deserves a massive box set.  You won’t believe it until you hold it in hand.  This thing is monolithic; a purchase that will not be regretted.

5/5 stars

RE-RUN: Steph Honde – An Artist You Should Know!

No show tonight, as Harrison and I are busy working on 50 Years of Iron Maiden!  So, instead, we bring this 2020 interview with former Paul Di’Anno guitarist Steph Honde. It originally aired on my old show the LeBrain Train.  This newly edited interview with the friendly French fireball will run tonight at 7:00 PM EST at the usual places.  My writeup is below.

Steph Honde is a talented singer/guitarist from France who has performed with Paul Di’Anno, Sun Road, Chris Holmes, Hollywood Monsters, Jim Crean, Now or Never, and as a solo artist. In this wide-spanning interview, we discuss his favourite Canadian artists such as Max Webster, Wireless, VoiVod, Rock Candy, and Roch Voisine. We even touch on Celine Dion. We talk about his friendship with Paul Di’Anno, playing live with no rehearsal, and speeding up the songs. Steph talks about the rock scene in France, and going it alone without a label. Steph is a fan as much as musician too, so he gushes over Marillion, touring with DeepPurple, his signed Deep Purple 7″, and a private performance by a favourite musician. We talk about John Sykes, and other influences. Of course, we also had to talk about his epic cover of “Supper’s Ready” on his Ashes of Empire album. Steph’s defiance is refreshing. If he’s going to play without a label, then he’s going to play “Supper’s Ready”, because he wants to. Steph also did an acoustic cover of Deep Purple’s “Sail Away”, which he did to be different. Finally, we ask him what it’s like to open for AC/DC in front of 80,000 people.

This interview was conducted early in the pandemic, so of course that dominates part of the conversation. It’s weird to look back on with 2025 eyes.

Many of those old LeBrain Train shows were too long and could use some refreshing.  This one never got enough views back in 2020.  Let’s expose Steph Honde to a new audience!  You won’t regret giving him a listen.

Streaming Live at 7:00 PM EST on Friday March 28, on Youtube and Facebook.

VIDEO: Harrison Unboxes Some Metal CDs! (Ode to Jake Not From State Farm)

Readers may not be familiar with Jake Not From State Farm, so let me introduce you.  If you tune in to John Clauser’s channel My Music Corner, he’s done several great videos with Jake.  Additionally, Jake will be joining us later this year for some albums on 50 Years of Iron Maiden.  It turns out that both Jake and Harrison love Blaze Bayley.  And so, they became friends.

Jake had a batch of duplicate CDs that he donated to Harrison’s collection, two of which I want!  That damn Harrison keeps ending up with more and more CDs that I want for myself.

Joining us for this unboxing episode is the man who introduced us to Jake in the first place, Mr. Johnny Clauser.  Mostly, we let Harrison do the unboxing, and lots of show and tell.  Enjoy this short episode.

The Contrarians Live: Slippery When Wet

My 20th Contrarians Wednesday Live Stream is upon us!

This was a fun one to do:  Album cover featuring boats and/or bodies of water.  I think Tim came up with this topic, because I accused him of using it as an excuse to show off more Kansas!  My list will include a local legend, and some big metal stars.  Canadian content guaranteed!

THE CONTRARIANS – Slippery When Wet – Wednesday March 26 –  7:00 PM EST

My Contrarians appearances to date:

  1. Nicknamed Album Covers
  2. Minimalist cover art
  3. Brown album covers
  4. Yellow album covers
  5. Albums with Fire and Explosions
  6. Spaceships! Aliens! Robots!
  7. This Album Cover is Hell!
  8. Toys & Games
  9. Dreaming in Stereo:  Beds & Sleep on album covers
  10. Favourite Bands…WORST Album Covers
  11. They Swapped Covers!
  12. Great Album Covers From Bands We Despise
  13. Top 10 NWOBHM Covers
  14. It’s A Piece of Art!
  15. Compilation Kaos!
  16. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Hipgnosis!
  17. Amped Up!
  18. Packaging Fails
  19. Where’s the Band?

 

 

REVIEW: Alan Frew – “Free To Be Strong and Free” (2025)

ALAN FREW – “Free To Be Strong and Free” (2025)

Like my previous review of Jim Cuddy’s “We Used to Be the Best of Friends“, this is more of a share than a review.  Glass Tiger’s Alan Frew is voicing his love of Canada with his new song, “Free To Be Strong and Free”.  Like Cuddy’s already-classic, this song evokes some of what we love about being Canadian.  It is based on simple acoustic instrumentation, and features a nice middle section that you can’t call a guitar solo, but fills that gap.

As for Alan, he still sounds fabulous, even though it will soon be 40 years since hearing Glass Tiger’s debut.   “This is Canada’s song, where my heart belongs,” he sings, and you can feel his passion.  You will rarely find people who love their country so much as Canadians.  Alan Frew was born in Scotland, and he has written songs about that, but make no mistake:  he is Canadian.

5/5 stars

 

 

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: Maiden Grail Acquired

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: Maiden Grail Acquired

 

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK bonus episode

Back in 2013, T-Rev and I hit up the Hamilton record show, where I first encountered Iron Maiden’s Live!! + One EP.  I held it in my hands.  I didn’t know what I was holding, and I put it back, assuming I had all the tracks already.  I did not.  It was $100.

A few weeks ago, John Clauser from My Music Corner was heading to a record store in Birmingham Alabama.  I asked, on a lark, if he would mind picking me up a Live!! +One and he said “sure”!  He packed it with care and send it to Canada.  A Holy Grail item for sure, I was thrilled to get it.  Now you can watch me open the record as all three of us (John, Harrison and I) take a solid look at the record.  There are different versions available of varying authenticity, so let’s take a good look at this record.

Would you have bought it?  Let us know in the comments.

Past episodes:

Please “like” and subscribe, and help us keep going this year with 50 Years of Iron Maiden, on Grab A Stack of Rock!

Monday March 24 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube.

Blotto! The Unboxing [VIDEO]

Hey, remember that time we interviewed Blotto on Grab A Stack of Rock?  Me too!  It was awesome!  Since that time, I’ve been allowed to have my own Blotto name, and the guys have kept in touch by email.  Not just a great band, but great guys too.

Guitarist Bowtie Blotto recent reached out to me and offered to send me a Blotto movie tag, as seen in our interview.  Yes, the Blotto movie will be out April 12 2025.  And true to his word, Bowtie sent me a tag – and a lot more.

Interviewing Blotto turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in this little musical hobby that I enjoy.  Amazingly, the experience just keeps getting richer.  I’m proud to be Kitchener Blotto!  Enjoy this video that I recorded with Harrison the Mad Metal Man.  It is spontaneous and 100% real.  We are both Metalheads, and this video is just another example of why Blotto rule.

 

 

The Writer’s Room: Chapter Ten

The Writer’s Room: Chapter Ten

Harrison stumbled into the Writer’s Room more dishevelled than Mike had ever seen him before.  He had dark circles under his eyes, his hair had strands going hither and thon, though his moustache was still as impeccable as ever.  He looked a lot like Geezer Butler on this morning.

Mike was as perky as usual, sitting in his chair at the board table, sipping a hot coffee.

“Coffee?” he asked Harrison as the Australian Mad Metal Man took his seat.  Under his arm, a binder full of notes.  He opened the book and declined the drink.

“You look beat,” said Mike to Harrison with a tad of concern.

“It’s like your boys the Arkells say,” answered Harrison.  “We got deadlines to meet.”

It was true.  In addition to writing the Adventures of the Northern Lights, Mike and Harrison were also knee-deep in their latest project:  a series of videos called 50 Years of Iron Maiden.

“That’s why I called this meeting,” replied Mike.  “We both have a lot of stuff going on, especially with 50 Years of Iron Maiden.  I think we need to discuss priorities.”

Harrison nodded and agreed.  “I believe 50 Years of Iron Maiden should be our top priority now.  As far as our adventures go, we have for now calmed the Multiverse and there have not been further incursions from our Decepticon foes.  We have stopped the urgency of the fictional situations for now and introduced some intriguing threads.  I am OK if we take a break.”

Mike shrugged.  “That’s more or less what I was going to say, even though this is actually around the three year anniversary of our stories.”

Harrison thought a moment.  “I forgot that.  I don’t think it’s a big deal to anyone but us, though.”

“Here, you need to drink something,” said Mike as he poured Harrison a sparkling water from a local Canadian spring.  “A toast.  To three years of our superhero adventures…and 50 years of Iron Maiden.”

“Cheers,” said Harrison as he sipped.

“Cheers,” responded Mike.

They both enjoyed their drinks for a moment before Mike spoke.

“Alright, onto business.  Let’s see the art for the Seventh Son episode!  Allons-y!”

With that, Harrison opened his folder and the boys began jamming on ideas.  It would be a productive day.

The end…for now.

 

THE ADVENTURES OF TEE BONE MAN:  PHASE ONE – THE SQUIRREL SAGA 

THE ADVENTURES OF TEE BONE MAN:  PHASE TWO – THE MULTIVERSE SAGA

THE ADVENTURES OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS:  PHASE THREE – THE UNICRON SAGA

 

SPINOFFS AND SIDE QUESTS

 

THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES OF EDIE VAN HEELIN’

THE WRITER’S ROOM

MIX TAPE! Iron Maiden, KISS, Def Leppard and MORE! (You won’t believe your eyes!) on Grab A Stack of Rock

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 96:  Mix Tape I

 

Recorded while I had Covid!  This special “Mix Tape” episode of Grab A Stack of Rock is a potpourri of metal:  there is something for everyone!  In particular, if you have been following us for Iron Maiden and KISS content, this episode is for you!

Topics:

  • Iron Maiden ReAction figures including the rare Maiden Japan #50yearsofironmaiden
  • A unique guitar carving from Kerras Jeffrey (RIP) from Prince Edward Island
  • Darth Vader cameo
  • KISS BstAxn 5″ action figures in box
  • KISS 24k Gold CD for Destroyer bought in 1998 at Carry On Books in Waterloo
  • Tee Bone Erickson’s poetic take on the Northern Lights
  • The best of “Ask Harrison” by Tee Bone
  • Soundtrack from the Video Historia (Def Leppard) with Tim’s Vinyl Confessions – an incredible LIVE coincidence from the LeBrain Train days

The Author Reads:

  • A chapter of Unspooled: An Adventure in 8-Tracks
  • The Rules: The First 10 Years of Iron Maiden
  • Record Store Tales Part 7: A Sh*tty Story

Video premieres at 7:00 PM Eastern.

Friday March 21 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube.

 

#1180: Games Without Frontiers

RECORD STORE TALES #1180: Games Without Frontiers

One glorious March break in the early 80s, Bob Schipper and I invented a game.  We were just kids, 10 and 12 years old.  We invented lots of games over the years, but this one was one of the most bizarre to outside observers.  If my mom happened to look out the window, she would have seen two kids running, jumping, leaping, dodging, climbing, tip-toeing and diving through the yard, seemingly around invisible objects and opponents.  I  can’t remember what this game was called (perhaps “The Maze”), but I do remember this:  we had fun.  We played it almost every day of that March break.

It started with Bob and I at the backyard picnic table, at which we brainstormed many an idea.  It was made of wood, painted brown, and starting to wear with use.  The picnic table only had a few years left, but it was like home base.  Across the picnic table were scattered sheets of paper.  On those sheets of paper were drawn detailed maps, all from our imagination.  On these maps, we depicted obstacles and enemies.  Starting at point A, one would navigate the map and its obstacles until reaching the exit, and escape.  Quicksand, poison darts, pits, fire, and water would have to be passed, each in turn, like levels of elaborate video games.  Only there were no video games, only Bob and I.  The back yard was our obstacle course, and our imaginations created the obstacles.

Once our maps had been drawn and agreed upon, we began our quest to escape…wherever it was we were pretending to be.

We climbed on top of the picnic table.

“Ready?” asked Bob.

“Ready!” I exclaimed.

“OK.  JUMP!”  We leaped off the picnic table with exaggerated movement and pretended to fall a great distance.

“You OK?” Bob asked as we got up.

“A-OK!” I confirmed.

“OK, according to the map, our next obstacle is a wall of fire dead ahead.  Let’s go!”  Off we ran until we reached whatever hedge or bush was to be our wall of fire.

“How do we get through this thing?” I asked in mock desperation.

“Well,” pondered Bob, “I think the only way through is to run!  Run as fast as we can.  Ready?”

“Ready!” I exclaimed once more.  With a start, Bob was off at a run in his track pants and jacket.  He leapt through whatever trees or bush we pretended to be our fire.  I followed suit once he was through.

On and on we went, for hours, or what seemed like hours.  We had storylines.  We made use of everything in the front and back yards, as well as garage, as we could.   And it was our own private game.  We didn’t want anyone else playing along with us.  We had ideas for future games in the coming days, and we didn’t need outside ideas or players.  It would ruin the good time we were having.  This we knew from experience.  We often made up our own games, and upon bringing in more people, found that they changed it, either by design or accident.  Bob and I were in sync, but the other kids were not.

“We can’t let George find out what we’re doing or he’ll want to join in,” I warned Bob, referring to the annoying next door neighbor.  “He can easily see us if he goes out the side door.”  Bob agreed, and so we planned a cover story if he inquired what were were up to.  It probably involved practising for track and field, and the words “fuck off”.

And so, for four days that March break, Bob and I navigated the most challenging imaginary obstacle course that nobody had ever seen.  We thought it would make a great idea for a movie or video game, if our amazing ideas could ever be properly captured.

They never were, and so we just have this story to remember it by.