If you've watched any of my videos for any amount of time, you know I'm a huge Rush fan. I love going to see Rush tribute bands whenever and wherever they pop up.

Last night, my wife and I drove down to Naples, Florida, to see The Signals - A Rush Musical Experience at the Norris Center. They were fantastic. It takes serious talent to get up there and play Rush, because those are some of the most technically demanding songs ever written. Rush fans know every fill, every solo, every bass lick by heart, so if you miss something, we notice. These guys absolutely nailed it.



The musicians were all excellent. The bass was solid, the drums were powerful, and the drummer deserves special credit because pulling off Neil Peart is no small feat. The lead singer also handled guitar duties, which is impressive since Geddy Lee sings and plays bass. This guy played lead guitar and sang at the same time, which is a challenge too. They added a keyboard player in the back, which even Geddy and Alex have said they plan to do on their next tour so Geddy isn't stuck behind the keys. Smart move. As I've said before, hey guys, Geddy, I play keyboards, just saying.

One of the things I liked most was their set list. They played plenty of popular songs but mixed in some deep tracks that only hardcore Rush fans would recognize. My wife and I have seen three or four different Rush tribute bands over the last couple of years. Some of them start with Tom Sawyer and then go straight into deep cuts for the next five songs. We love that stuff, but not everyone in the audience is a diehard. My wife, for example, likes Rush but doesn't know every song. The Signals got the balance just right. They alternated between hits and deep tracks so everyone could enjoy the show. True fans got their rarities, and casual fans didn't get lost. Every other song was a classic: Closer to the Heart, The Trees, Red Barchetta. They hit all the big ones while sprinkling in the deep cuts that fans like me really appreciate.

The lead singer impressed me on a couple of fronts. First, he can actually hit those high Geddy Lee notes that even Geddy himself struggles with live these days. Second, he and his brother, the drummer, are from Venezuela, and English isn't their first language, so pulling this off vocally makes it even more impressive.

They also had a great visual setup with a projection screen running above the band. They played actual Rush videos synced perfectly with the songs, which added a nostalgic touch. During Time Stand Still, for example, they showed that gloriously cheesy 80s video with Alex, Geddy, and Neil flying around the screen. It was pure 80s glory, and it really enhanced the whole experience.

Now, I do have one small complaint. The light show looked great overall, but they had a few stage lights pointed straight at the audience. Every now and then one of them would blast me right in the face. We were in the front row on the left side, and when the white lights hit, it was rough. My wife even started to get a headache, so we left a little early. Honestly, that's the only negative thing I can say. Just point the lights at you, not us.

Aside from that, it was a fantastic show. Great sound, incredible musicianship, thoughtful song choices, and pure respect for the original source material. I'll definitely go see these guys again.

Until next time...

LLAP
RR