Author: bradbirzer

By day, I'm a father of seven and husband of one. By night, I'm an author, a biographer, and a prog rocker. Interests: Rush, progressive rock, cultural criticisms, the Rocky Mountains, individual liberty, history, hiking, and science fiction.

Happy Birthday, USA!

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music2 Comments

Dear Progarchists,

As some of you might know, I’m in the middle of moving to Colorado.  We begin our cross-country odyssey this Monday.  By Tuesday night, I hope, the Birzers will be in their Longmont residence.  So, as you might guess, today has been very hectic.  So hectic, in fact, that we almost skipped celebrating Independence Day all together.  Not an easy thing for someone who spends his professional life studying the founding of the American republic.

Suffice it to say, the Birzers simply couldn’t let the holiday pass without notice.  So, we raised the flag, blew up lots and lots of stuff, and spontaneously belted out a full-throated version of the Star-Spangled Banner in the front yard.  The Birzers are nothing if not full of noise.  And, thank the good Lord that my 13-year old, Gretchen, possesses a marvelous voice.

So, in the spirit of the day–a few songs, not all uncritical.  Happy Birthday, America.  May you attain the moral excellence of which you are capable.  Someday, if not today.

Yours, Brad

RochaNews: New Engineers, September 16

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment
ENGINEERS TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM “ALWAYS RETURNING” ON SEPTEMBER 16 VIA KSCOPE

Teaser video featuring track snippets posted on YouTube

ENGLAND – Engineers will release its upcoming fourth studio album, Always Returning, on September 16 via Kscope. The band has unveiled a teaser video containing snippets of the tracks “Fight or Flight,” “Searched for Answers” and “Always Returning” on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GswJTg4ykGw.
Written and recorded alone at home in York by multi-instrumentalist, Mark Peters, before being coated with deft brush strokes of ambient electronica by celebrated German artist/producer, Ulrich Schnauss, Always Returning is a record that unhurriedly drifts in and out of focus, hinting at themes without ever making them so explicit that the listener can’t map out their own personal interpretations. It delivers an overall emotional heft that’s impossible to pull away from.

1.  Bless the Painter

2.  Fight or Flight

3.  It Rings so True

4.  Drive Your Car

5.  Innsbruck

6.  Searched for Answers

7.  Smiling Back

8.  A Million Voices

9.  Smoke and Mirrors

10.  Always Returning

Engineers – with London based drummer and composer, Matthew Linley, rounding out the line-up – has been creating mesmerizing music with brilliantly shaded guitar textures and teasing lyrical ambiguities for over 10 years across three albums – 2005’s debut Engineers (“hypnotic lullabies from beautific Brit newcomers” **** Q), 2009’s Three Fact Fader (“a blistering statement of intent” **** The Sunday Times), and 2010’s swift follow-up In Praise Of More (“should be given to most UK bands as an example of in making an album that is a joy to behold” 8/10 Clash).

 

Stay tuned for more information on Engineers and Always Returning, out this September on Kscope.

 

UPDATE (July 10): 

The band is now offering a free download of the new track “Fight or Flight” via the Kscope website at:http://www.kscopemusic.com/2014/07/10/engineers-offer-free-download/. The song is also streaming on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/-MxRgFAWjMo.

 
Engineers online…https://www.facebook.com/engineersband

http://www.kscopemusic.com/artists/engineers

 

Fuzz Club Introduces The Underground Youth and Sadovaya

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

THE UNDERGROUND YOUTH

01d051f6-1460-400d-91b8-407eae96fc48TUY is the name under whichManchester’s underground poet, Craig Dyer, has produced his records since 2009. In 2011, Fuzz Club Records started putting out his prolific catalogue, bringing to light a number of LPs and singles that had only circulated virally on the Internet.

Since then, TUY, with Craig and Olya Dyer as the core of the band, have expanded to a four piece, gaining a solid international fan-base and touring all around the UK and Europe.Gideon Coe has spinned their single “Juliette” on BBC6 and they took part in the “Reverb Conspiracy – Volune One”, curated by Fuzz Club andAustin Psych Fest. In June, they rocked up the Eindhoven Psych Lab and they are set to headline Paris Psych Fest in July.

Drown In Sound said of their Eindhoven set:  “combining the mesmeric rhythms of The Velvet Underground – Olya Dyer’s driving beats make her the new psych generation’s Mo Tucker – with rippling feedback associated with Bad Moon Risingera Sonic Youth and a dash of the Mary Chain thrown in as well, they’re a captivating force”.

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“8f3d19f5-9b42-44e7-b8e6-b0e37a1f89d1Sadovaya” is the 4th lost gem of TUY. Entirely written in St. Petersburg, it takes its name from the street where Craig was living with Olya at that time. Most tracks are love songs inspired by Russian novelists and poets Craig was being introduced to, such as Lermontov, Dostoyevsky and Pushkin. The music was highly influenced by Soviet era Post-Punk bands like Kino and by Russian cinema. Craig said: “the sound of the album has a raw quality that I was never able to recreate. There’s a genuine naivety to the recordings that makes it my most visceral, personal record”.

The record will come out on limited 400 white vinyl copies and an additional special edition of 100 midnight blue copies with a gatefold cover and silkscreened artwork, which have already sold out on pre-sale. It will also be available digitally on I-Tunes and Spotify.

 

Progsphere Invites Submissions From Bands

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Prog Sphere’s Progstravaganza progressive rock and metal compilation series have been around since August 2010, and during that time over 400 bands paraded through it. Prog Sphere is currently taking submissions for the jubilee, twentieth edition and bands from all around the world are welcome to take part.
psnewsl
Some of the bands that previously appeared on the Progstravaganza samplers include:Astra, Scale the Summit, The Wrong Object, Exivious, Blotted Science, Soft Machine, Fughu, Galahad, and many more. The twentieth edition will be calledLandmarks and besides new bands it will feature some of the artists that were featured on the previous samplers. Prog Sphere is also starting a mini-documentary series titledThe Story of Progstravaganza, where some of the artists that were featured in the past will be talking about progressive music today, their work and more. On top of that, every band is showcased with an interview on the Progstravaganza website and is also featured on Prog Sphere’s Progify streaming service.

Artists interested in the Progstravaganza feature should send an email toinfo@prog-sphere.com with short biography and links where their music can be previewed. The deadline for submissions is July 20th.

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Links:

www.prog-sphere.com
www.progstravaganza.com
www.facebook.com/ProgSphere

Tim Bowness with Henry Fool, Tour 2014

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment
7500628d-f308-4221-b189-c61d325c48e6
TIM BOWNESS WITH HENRY FOOL FEATURING COLIN EDWIN
11 JULY & 12 JULY
INTRODUCING “THE GREAT HENRY FOOL SONG RAFFLE”

Following the release of his new solo album, recently released via Inside Out to widespread critical acclaim, Tim Bowness together with Henry Fool (feat. Colin Edwin) play two UK dates on 11 July at The Borderline, London and 12 July at The Wesley Centre, Maltby.

These gigs represent a unique opportunity for fans to hear songs from Bowness’ new solo album “Abandoned Dancehall Dreams” in a live setting, 

As well as the debut of the Bowness solo material, the gigs will see the first outing of bass legend Colin Edwin with Henry Fool. Additional material at these special“Evening With…” concerts will come from Tim and Steven Wilson’s celebrated duo, No-Man and Henry Fool themselves.

To mark these auspicious occasions, the band are offering the opportunity for fans who attend to take part in the “Great Henry Fool Song Raffle”, the prize being a custom composed and recorded track by Tim and Henry Fool, pressed up as a single CD and presented to the winner. No other copies of this piece will ever be made, so the lucky fan will have a truly unique and precious artefact to treasure.

But, you have to be in it to win it ! Gig tickets are available now from:-

– 11 July 2014 – The Borderline, Soho, London
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/YGB1107X

– 12 July 2014 – The Wesley Centre, Maltby
http://www.classicrocksociety.co.uk/shop/tim-bowness-and-henry-fool-nosound-matt-stevens/

– Burning Shed
https://www.burningshed.com/store/timbowness/

– Tim Bowness Website
http://timbowness.co.uk/live/

Support for the gigs comes from NoSound (appearing as a duo) and from Matt Stevens.

Henry Fool also play Eppyfest on 05 July and The Resonance Festival on 02 August. Tickets available from:-

– 05 July 2014 – Eppyfest, Stroud, Glos
www.eppyfest.co.uk

– 02 August 2014 – The Resonance Festival, Balham, London
www.resonance-festival.com

Rocha News: Voyager’s Nominated for PROG’s 2014 Awards

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

CONTACT:

Brian Rocha

rocha@fresnomediausa.com

 

Ryan Feldman

ryan@fresnomediausa.com

VOYAGER NOMINATED FOR PROG MAGAZINE’S PROGRESSIVE MUSIC AWARDS 2014 ‘BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST’

Fifth album “V” out now
 

 

AUSTRALIA – Australian progressive metal quintet, Voyager, has been announced as a nominee for ‘Breakthrough Artist’ in PROG Magazine’s Progressive Music Awards 2014 presented by Orange Amplification. Fan voting is now open online at:http://awards.progmagazine.com/.

 

In its short but illustrious history, The Progressive Music Awards has received both critical and public acclaim for acknowledging and celebrating one of the most successful but unsung genres of music. Previous award recipients include Rick Wakeman and Ian Anderson as Prog Gods in 2012 and 2013 respectively, along with other million-selling rock legends such as Genesis, Carl Palmer, Rush and Hawkwind’s Dave Brock also being recognized. It has also awarded up-and-coming artists such as TesseracT, Sound Of Contact and Big Big Train who have all gone from strength-to -strength since picking up awards.

 

‘Breakthrough Artist’ nominee, Voyager, released its fifth album, V, on June 3 in North America with distribution through Nightmare Records. The Kickstarter-funded, 13- track album can be purchased now on Bandcamp at: http://voyager.bandcamp.com/ or via the Nightmare Records webstore at: http://www.nightmarerecords.com/online-store/voyager-v-special-slip-case.

 

V was recorded at Templeman Audio with producer, Matt Templeman. The band calls the release “pure, polished Voyager with a modern feel; we are insanely excited about unleashing this.”

 

The new music video for “Hyperventilating” can be seen on YouTube at:http://youtu.be/RrBF0mhz1ho.

 

1. Hyperventilating

2. Breaking Down

3. Beautiful Mistake

4. Fortune Favours the Blind

5. You, the Shallow

6. Embrace the Limitless

7. Orpheus

8. Domination Game

9. Peacekeeper

10. It’s a Wonder

11. The Morning Light

12. Summer Always Comes Again

13. Seasons of Age

 

With five full-length albums under its belt and shows throughout North America, Europe and Asia with the likes of Devin Townsend, Children of Bodom, Soilwork, Nightwish, Epica and Orphaned Land, the five-piece from Oceania is now firmly entrenched in its international repute as a band with heavy grooves, driving riffs and unforgettable melodies.The band’s fourth opus, The Meaning of I (2011), saw rave reviews and international acclaim of the highest caliber (including #8 in Metal Hammer Germany’s ‘Soundcheck’). The U.K.’s, Classic Rock Presents Prog, called the album a “polished collection of heavy, heavily polished anthems.”

 

Complimented by a fiery red keytar, a feisty female guitarist, and vocals Chino Moreno (Deftones, Crosses) recently likened to Duran Duran’s, Simon Le Bon, Voyager is consistently a live force to be reckoned with. After breaking the record for the longest fan signing session in the 12 year history of America’s “Progpower Festival,” the band will return to “Progpower” Europe this year alongside Chimp Spanner, Agent Fresco, Pagan’s Mind and more.
Stay tuned for more information on Voyager and V.

-###-
 
Voyager is…

 

Scott Kay – guitar
Alex Canion – bass/vocals
Daniel Estrin – vocals/keytar
Ashley Doodkorte – drums
Simone Dow – guitar

 

 

Voyager online…

 

www.facebook.com/Voyageraustralia

www.twitter.com/Voyagerau

BillyNews: Big Drum Bonanza Live

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment
Drum Channel BDB med resLearn From The Best – Lang, Coleman, Garstka, Roddy, Borlai and Priester Featured On Drum Channel’s Exclusive, Daily, “Big Drum Bonanza Live” Webcasts, July 2-6, 2014
 
Special “Big Drum Bonanza” pricing on Drum Channel membership also available
 
Oxnard, CA – Six of the world’s top drummers will be featured on DrumChannel.com’s live, daily webcasts of Thomas Lang’s “Big Drum Bonanza” drum camp from July 2-6 at 5:30 PM (Pacific Time). The free, hour-long shows— which can be accessed from computers and mobile devices virtually anywhere on the planet— will include appearances by Thomas Lang (stOrk), Chris Coleman (Prince), Matt Garstka (Animals As Leaders), Aquiles Priester (Hangar), Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal) and Gergo Borlai (Tribal Tech) as well as special guest John Tempesta (The Cult). Each show will offer a wrap-up of the day’s educational activities as well as discussions and performances by the all-star faculty.
 
To celebrate the “Big Drum Bonanza”/Independence Day weekend, Drum Channel is also giving drummers a special, limited time opportunity to become members of the award-winningwww.DrumChannel.com community. From July 1 through 7, unlimited access to hundreds of Drum Channel lessons and shows by drummers such as Thomas Lang, Gregg Bissonette, Terry Bozzio, Chad Smith, Stewart Copeland, Tony Royster, Jr., Peter Erskine, Dave Elitch, Luke Holland, Cobus Potgieter and many more is available for a full year at the reduced price of $49.90. The special “Big Drum Bonanza” deal not only provides 2 months of membership at no charge, it also includes a free $25 gift card good for downloads at Drum Channel’s online store. The gift card can be used independently or to augment Drum Channel’s online lessons with downloads of popular DVD content by Daniel Glass, Danny Seraphine, Buddy Rich, JR Robinson, Tony Royster, Jr. and Neil Peart, to name just a few.
 
Learn from the best and improve your drumming over the Fourth Of July weekend by tuning in to “The Big Drum Bonanza Live” shows and signing up for unlimited Drum Channel membership at a great price at www.DrumChannel.com. For more information on the Big Drum Bonanza or to purchase Guest Passes for the Big Drum Bonanza Live! at Drum Channel studios, please visit www.muso-mart.com
 
Drum Channel is a state-of-the-art provider of a wide variety of interactive drum education content, including www.drumchannel.com which features 100’s of lessons, lesson plans and live events as well as Drum Channel’s traditional DVDs and Digital Video Downloads (available at http://www.drumchannel.com/store).
 
Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

 

My Top 10 Rush Albums–Ranked

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music7 Comments

rush at 40.001 - Version 2

Just today, our own progarchist and professional classicist and philosopher, Chris Morrissey, challenged us to name our top ten Rush albums.  Not alphabetically, but actually in the order we love them.

So, I feel up to the challenge.

As I hope I’ve been clear in my writings here and elsewhere—I love Rush, and I have without interruption since I first heard MOVING PICTURES back when I was in detention in 7th grade!  Yes, that was the spring of 1981, only a month after the album came out.

I can never offer enough thanks to my fellow junior high detainees, Brad and Troy, for introducing me to this band.  At the time, they were shocked I knew everything about Genesis and nothing about Rush.  Thank God for their evangelism.

Now, thirty-three years later, I would give much to call Neil Peart my older brother.  That said, I can state unequivocally that in my own life, Peart’s lyrics have shaped me as much as any other great artist and thinker.  Really, he’s up there with St. Augustine for me.  As a Catholic boy (well, middle-aged, graying, Catholic man), this is saying a lot!

 

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Of course, such a list is subjective, and I might be tempted to follow up tomorrow with a slightly different list.  Regardless, here it is: as of June 30, 2014.

Grace Under Pressure.  Coming out in 1984, this album has ever since defined the meaning of excellence and seriousness for me.  I love the music, the flow, and, especially, the lyrics.  Not only have the lyrics prompted innumerable great conversations with friends, but I proudly wrote my major liberal-arts core paper (sophomore year in college, 1987-1988) using nothing but the lyrics from this album.  I argued that Neil Peart was a modern stoic, a philosopher of antiquity born in the modern world.  I earned an A!

Moving Pictures (1981).  I’m sure this isn’t controversial, except that most Rush fans would probably rate it number one.  It means a great deal to me, and it has formed me—for better or worse—in my own understanding of integrity.

Clockwork Angels (2012).  What a feast for the mind and the ears.  The flow of the album is gorgeous as are the lyrics.  Really, a great story—more of a fairy tale than anything else.  The story is essentially the story of Hemispheres, but it’s told with much greater finesse.  That it came at 38 years into their career is astounding, and it proves that the desire of each member of Rush to improve himself and his skills has not been a pipe dream.  Highlight, the single most un-Rush like song, is “The Garden,” a statement of republican liberty and individualism.  And, “Wish Them Well,” is the closest Rush will ever get to hippie/Beatle lyrics.  Let the air drumming commence!

Power Windows (1985).  As someone who loves both prog and New Wave, I heartily approve of Power Windows.  Lifeson’s guitar has much more in common with The Fixx than it does with Rush’s output in the 1970s, but it demonstrates and reveals a real willingness to explore new areas of music.  It’s fusion of New Wave and Prog was rivaled only by Yes’s Drama.  And, the lyrics. . . sheesh.  Neil is at his best.

Signals (1982).  I know a lot of old-time Rush fans think little of this album, as they see it as a betrayal of the “true Rush.”  But, schnikees has it meant a great deal to me.  The lyrics, especially, have given me great comfort.  Even this spring as I had make a major life decision, Peart’s words, “there are those who sell their dreams for small desires.”  The entire first side is masterful musically as well.  I don’t think side two is as strong, but it’s still quite good.

Caress of Steel (1975).  Man, is this album wacky or what?  And, in large part, I love it for being so weird.  Musically, it’s unlike almost anything else out there—by Rush or anyone else.  There’s as much acid folk on this album as there is hard rock and prog.  But, really, By-tor?  Snowdog?  The Necromancer?   I have no idea what Geddy, Alex, and Neil were thinking or smoking when they made this, but, wow, does it all work.

Vapor Trails (2002).  This album is nothing if not a pure statement of life.  “I’m alive,” Neil screams in every beat and every lyric of this album, especially after the horrific tragedies he suffered.  And, he most certainly is a live.  From the opening drums to the massive swirl of guitars and Geddy’s vocals throughout, this is a work of artistic brilliance, meaning, and drive.  I never tire of this album.

Snakes and Arrows (2007).  Again, this is part of Rush 2.0, the band that remade itself after Neil’s double tragedies.  Everything in Snakes and Arrows is perfect.  Again, the flow of the album just works brilliantly.  And, the fusions and various styles are just fascinating.  Neil’s lyrics are a bit angrier than usual, but still quite a effective.

A Farewell to Kings (1977).  What’s not to love?  The entire album reeks of integrity.  Kevin McCormick, on this site, has explained in loving and intricate detail the musical importance of the album in ways I never good.  But from the first notes of the guitar to the dire plight of Cygnus, I’m in!

2112 (1976).  As Drew commented on Chris’s original challenge, 2112 is a tough one to rank because side one is so radically different from side two.  I agree.  But, side one is so incredible that it makes up for any flaws in the album.  Who can’t just start head-banging when the Overture begins?  Who doesn’t want to just hate the priests?  And, who isn’t disheartened when the Solar Federation reassumes control.  Sigh. . . sci-fi loveliness.

2112

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Long to longish progarchist posts on Rush
Hold your Fire -Rush’s finest? by Tad Wert (*progarchy’s single most popular post ever)

https://progarchy.com/2014/04/24/rushs-finest-album-hold-your-fire-until-youve-read-my-analysis/

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Erik Heter on Moving Pictures as Synergy

https://progarchy.com/2014/04/27/synergistic-perfection-first-and-lasting-impressions-of-moving-pictures/

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Discovering Rush on their 40th anniversary by Eric Perry

https://progarchy.com/2014/04/25/discovering-rush-the-40-year-old-virgin/

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The first Rush album reviewed by Craig Breaden

https://progarchy.com/2014/02/22/rushs-first/

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A review of A Farewell to Kings by Kevin McCormick

https://progarchy.com/2013/01/21/rush-a-farewell-to-hemispheres-part-i/

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A review of Power Windows by Brad Birzer

https://progarchy.com/2013/12/14/power-windows-rush-and-excellence-against-conformity/

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Kevin Williams on Clockwork Angels Tour

https://progarchy.com/2013/11/24/rushs-clockwork-angels-tour-straddles-the-80s-and-the-now/

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Brad Birzer on Clockwork Angels Tour

https://progarchy.com/2013/11/27/rush-2-0-clockwork-angels-tour-2013-review/

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Erik Heter on Clockwork Angels Tour Concert in Texas

https://progarchy.com/2013/04/24/you-can-do-a-lot-in-a-lifetime-if-you-dont-burn-out-too-fast-rush-april-23-2013-at-the-frank-erwin-center-austin-texas/

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A review of Vapor Trails Remixed by Birzer

https://progarchy.com/2013/10/05/resignated-joy-rush-and-vapor-trails-2013/

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A review of Grace Under Pressure by Birzer

https://progarchy.com/2013/02/21/wind-blown-notes-rush-and-grace-under-pressure/

 


And, our favorite Rush sites

(please support these incredible sites and the fine humans who run them!)

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Power Windows: http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/main/Home.htm

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Rush Vault: http://rushvault.com/

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Rush is a Band: http://www.rushisaband.com/

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Cygnus X-1: http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/index.php

What Matt Cohen and Eva Brann Have in Common

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment
Image borrowed from The Imaginative Conservative.
Image borrowed from The Imaginative Conservative.

For regular progarchy citizens, please forgive this unusual post.  As some of you might know, the founding editors of progarchy are also each deeply immersed in the world of the Liberal Arts, the greats of Western Civilization, and liberal education.  It’s what we do when we’re not progging out.  Promoting liberal education by day, prog by night.

Every once in while the world of antiquity and the world of progressive music meet and harmonize.  Here is one such example.  Two weeks ago, I had the incredible privilege of seeing Dr. Eva Brann, tutor at St. John’s College, Annapolis, and widely regarded as the foremost proponent of liberal education in the world.  No exaggeration.

Here’s her talk–well worth reading.  http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2014/06/odysseus-patron-hero-liberal-arts.html

But, of course, how could I think of Odysseus and not think of my favorite The Reasoning song, a song I’ve listened to at least weekly since it came out?  “A Musing Dream.”

So, a huge salute to Homer, to Eva Brann, and to the Cohens for advancing so much beauty, truth, and goodness.

The Art of Brian Watson

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment

Many of you might know (and you should!) Brian Watson from his excellent reviews over at the Dutch Progressive Rock Page.  He also, happily, reviews for us.  Indeed, he’s an extraordinary progarchist.  A man of law and order, he’s also a man of high writing and artistic talents.  He’s also a genuinely great and interesting guy (guy is Kansan for “real person”).  So glad he created this for us.  To check out Brian’s other works, check out his Facebook page, Plan A Art.

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"Progarchy Dot Com" by Brian Watson.
“Progarchy Dot Com” by Brian Watson.