Ep. 215: David Calcano of Fantoons on his Contribution to the 50 Something Tour
July 20 · 36 min
SF
Music
Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast
Something for Nothing
Two lifelong friends discuss the albums of their favorite band, RUSH.
- 20 episodes
- Updated July 20
Episodes20
- SF
Ep. 214: Kevin Comeau of Crown Lands
This week, we talk with Kevin Comeau, guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist of the Canadian progressive rock duo Crown Lands. Kevin and his bandmate, drummer and singer Cody Bowles, are unabashed Rush devotees, a fact reflected in their ambitious multipart epics. Join us as Kevin discusses the best way to learn Rush songs, working with his musical heroes on their new tour, and Crown Lands latest album, Apocalypse.
July 6 · 1 hr - SF
Ep. 213: LA Confidential
Rush is back! Kicking off the Fifty Something tour with 4 shows at the Los Angeles Forum, Rush ripped through a different set each night. Our LA correspondent, Mark Irwin, went to all 4 shows and delivers his report. Plus, the results of our setlist contest!
June 22 · 1 hr 2 min - SF
Ep. 212: Billy Sheehan
This week we're joined by one of our generations greatest bassists, the legendary Billy Sheehan! With us this week is also our resident bassist, Lex, who is such a huge fan we had to let him in on the interview action. Billy tells us about opening for Rush in the '90s, jamming with Neil and Alex during soundcheck, and his latest band, The Fell. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
June 8 · 54 min - SF
Ep 211: Do You Want to Build a Rush Setlist?
This week, we're holding a contest: guessing what songs Rush will play at the first 4 shows of the Fifty Something tour in Los Angeles in June! We've set up a form where you can choose 38 songs you think will make an appearance in any of those LA shows. Each song you can choose from has a point value attached to it, from 1 for the songs Rush has played most often to 15 for the songs they've never played. The form is set up to ask for a playing order, but we're not expecting anyone to pick every song in order. The winner will receive a set of Rush bobbleheads, modeled after their 70s look. And, if you want to, we'd also love to have you on the podcast to brag about how prescient you are. Good luck! Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
May 25 · 35 min - SF
Ep. 210: Sean Faust
This week we have our first guest who was recommended by two former guests of the pod, Ron Lipnicki and Brian Colburn! Sean Faust joins us to count down the top five songs we hope Rush plays on the upcoming Fifty Something Tour! Sean is a regular on the New Jersey music scene, playing in the Bon Jovi tribute band Slippery When Wet, formerly in Money For The Toll, and doing solo acoustic shows. He's a huge Rush fan--his favorite song is Bravado--and he has opinions for days! Learn more about about his music at seanfaustmusic.com Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
May 11 · 43 min - SF
SFN Counterparts: My Weekly Mixtape
Back in January of 2024, Steve appeared on an episode of My Weekly Mixtape, a great podcast from our friend Brian Colburn. The episode was alliteratively called "The Spirit of Rush: 20 Songs That Define a Band That Defied Definition." Brian and Steve build an amazing mixtape that is perfect for diehards and new fans alike. Enjoy! Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
April 27 · 1 hr 8 min - SF
Ep. 209: Paul Gilbert
For decades, Paul Gilbert has been tearing it up in bands like Racer X and Mr. Big and on his own solo material. Paul joins us this week to talk about his love of Rush, what it was like touring with them with Mr. Big, and his new album, WROC. Go to www.paulgilbert.com to learn more about the album and buy a copy. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
April 13 · 43 min - SF
Ep. 208: 40 Years of RUSH Fandom
40 years ago, we attended our first Rush concert. It's difficult to measure the impact of that show–and RUSH–on our lives. That's why, to celebrate this concert milestone, we asked the 2 other guys who went to the show with us to reminisce about that night: Tony Joslin and Ron Lipnicki. You might remember Ron from episode 79, where he talked about the band's influence on his career as a drummer. Tony though joins us for the first time. We're also joined by past guest Derrick Bacharach, who details the crazy struggles surrounding his attendance at that same show. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
March 30 · 53 min - SF
Ep. 207: Dan Barracuda
Dan Barracuda has a knack for dissecting songs that makes difficult music theory seem easy. Across his social media presence, you can find Dan breaking down what makes songs by your favorite artists tick--including Rush! So we asked him to join us this week to unravel the mysteries of what makes Alex Lifeson such a distinctive guitarist and why Rush sounds like Rush! Places to find Dan: www.danbarracuda.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danbarracuda YouTube: https://youtube.com/@danbarracuda Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KVKCkGuwR Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2BsBe2MTlEaoozx0nnhDaR?si=5kIhA72_Q_KJXtBPSFoGZw Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
March 16 · 55 min - SF
Ep. 206: Cory Marks
Cory Marks is a North Bay, Ontario, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and drummer who cites two seemingly disparate seminal influences on his music: Merle Haggard and Rush. To him, they're both outlaws who bucked conventions and stayed true to their spirit, something Cory does with his unique blend of country and rock. Cory is a second-generation Rush fan--the band played at his dad's highschool!--and he joins us this week to talk about the indelible influence Rush has had on his life, the transcendent power of live music, and his latest album, "Sorry For Nothing, Vol. 2." Go to www.corymarks.com for tour updates and links to all of his music. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
March 2 · 47 min - SF
SFN Counterparts: The Carr Stereo Podcast
Back in December, Steve and I appeared on The Carr Stereo Podcast to talk--as unbelievable as this might sound--about Rush! Terrie Carr is not only a New Jersey rock radio legend, having worked at the iconic WDHA as program director and midday host for decades, she's also a huge Rush fan. She jumped into her new podcast venture in 2025, and when she wanted to talk Rush, she knew we would answer the call. Follow The Carr Stereo Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/carr-stereo-podcast/id1841510749 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24wSY55Bzh1BJE1SpEKdYT?si=cAfjHEbfQMSlmrvgW4l5Ow YouTube: https://youtube.com/@terriecarr-f4d?si=2Fkbh0zyD8OGlCBk Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
February 16 · 50 min - SF
Ep. 205: Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach, formerly of Skid Row, is a huge Rush fan--so huge that he was member number 2 of the Rush Backstage Club. Sebastian joins us this week to tell us the amazing story of how he secured that place in the Backstage Club, the demo he recorded for Alex Lifeson's 1996 solo album, and the Rush album with a strange title he bought at a used record store. His most recent album is Child Within The Man, which you can buy from his website (www.sebastianbach.com) and is available to stream anywhere. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
February 2 · 51 min - SF
Ep. 204: Backtracking Rush
Raf Bagdasarian and Dan Fiden are lifelong friends who share a deep love of Rush. On the first season of their podcast Backtracking, they poured over the Rush discography. This week, Raf and Dan join us to geek out on all things Rush. Check out Backtracking--now finished with its second season, covering American Music Club--wherever you get your podcasts. Backtracking: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backtracking/id1723399651 Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
January 19 · 59 min - SF
SFN Counterparts: Primus Tracks
And now for something completely different: an episode of the podcast Primus Tracks in the feed! Primus Tracks hosts Josh and Frankie invited Gerry to discuss Rush's influence on Primus, the general excellence of both bands, and how easy it is to kill a good party vibe by throwing on a Rush or Primus song. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
January 5 · 1 hr 10 min - SF
Ep. 203: Andris Pone on Rush's Tour Branding
Branding expert Andris Pone joins us this week to examine the branding of Rush's Fifty Something Tour. Andris first joined us way back in episode 123 to talk about his article "He Lived The Lives of 10 Men: Lessons I've Learned From Neil Peart." Now he joins us to give his unique perspective on how Geddy and Alex are navigating their return to the stage. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
Dec 22, 2025 · 41 min - SF
Ep. 202: Rush Covers, Pt. 5 (Tom Sawyer Edition)
This week, we're doing something we haven't done in 3 years: a Rush covers episode! But we're doing something different this time. We decided to focus our attention on one song, perhaps the most famous of all Rush songs, Tom Sawyer! We serve up 10 different versions of this classic tune, in styles ranging from bluegrass-flavored jazz to 8-bit arcade antics. So catch the mystery, catch the drift, and listen today! Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
Dec 8, 2025 · 50 min - SF
Ep. 201: Dean Budnick, Co-Author of "Ticket Masters: The Rise of the Concert Industry and How The Public Got Scalped"
We've been talking a lot about our frustration with Ticketmaster, so we thought it would be interesting to talk to someone who could answer our questions about the ticket-selling world. Dean Budnick, co-author of "Ticket Masters: The Rise of the Concert Industry and How The Public Got Scalped," is that person. Dean tells us about the beginnings of Ticketmaster, how they became the juggernaut they are, and what the future holds for concert goers. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
Nov 24, 2025 · 53 min - SF
Ep. 200: Trivia With Ray Wawrzyniak
It's our 200th episode, and what better way to celebrate than by having one of our favorite guests back for some Jedi-grade trivia! Ray Wawrzyniak, the preeminent collector of all things Rush, joins us to answer some of the toughest Rush trivia our listeners could muster. And Lex is here too, so you know it's a party! How did Ray do? You'll have to listen to find out! Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
Nov 10, 2025 · 55 min - SF
Ep. 199: Rush Ticket Frenzy
The moment we were all waiting for happened this week: Tickets for Rush's Fifty Something Tour went on sale! OK, there were 3 different sales in the span of 7 days: the Citi Bank credit card presale, the artist presale, and the general sale. This week Steve and Gerry talk about the frustrating ticket-buying process, why Ticketmaster has been ruining the fan experience for decades, and how we fared in our quest to see our favorite band. Follow us on Bluesky: @rushfancast Follow us on Instagram: @therushcast Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @RushFanCast Follow us on Threads: @therushcast Email us at: therushcast@gmail.com
Oct 20, 2025 · 37 min