Sabian Nashville Experience

TEXT courtesy of: SABIAN
If you follow the link above you will see some amazing photographs.

Something about 'the road' gets to you after a while. Traveling becomes addictive. If you sit in one place for too long, the longing starts. You get the urge to go somewhere, anywhere. Staying one step ahead of whatever. At a time when most companies are cutting costs and banning travel, SABIAN still relies on a plane ticket and a handshake to get things done. That's the way Bob Zildjian has always done it and if you know Bob, that ain't likely to change. So, Bill Morgan and I hopped on planes, he from Boston and I from Los Angeles to go see a friend and wish him Happy Birthday.

Their music is timeless, but RUSH is turning 30 and celebrating with a summer tour.

Neil Peart (pronounced Peert; not Purt) has been with Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee as RUSH since 1974. They know a thing or two about the road as well and are out there thanking the fans with a 30th anniversary tour this summer. Considering most marriages don't last 30 years, it's pretty incredible that these 3 guys not only made it this far, but were on the cutting edge the whole time! Trading image for integrity, they embraced their talent as musicians and became true innovators. Neil was using electronics before most, he is undeniably one of the most influential drummers of all time, he writes the lyrics AND they're really, really good! He's affectionately known as "the professor." A quiet and imposing figure Neil is on first impression, but 5 minutes with him and his endearing personality is hard to hide. In that same 5 minutes you're likely to hear in his booming bass voice about his latest book project (coming this fall), his new BMW 1200GS motorcycle that has "more power and less weight than my last one!" He prefers to ride on two wheels from show to show rather than a bus. For a personal encounter with Neil, one only needs to pick up his book Ghost Rider. I highly recommend it and you can get it at the concert!

Bill and I showed up at The Starwood Amphitheatre in Nashville around soundcheck time to find Neil and Lorne Wheaton (Neil's tech) working out the kinks before opening night. The new kit looks spectacular. The riser has panels that match panels on the drum shells. We were happy to hear that Neil hadn't broken a single cymbal in the tour rehearsals and recording sessions. When you see Neil play up close you realize he plays very hard. That's why he's always sounded so dynamic. His Fortissimo is louder than most metal drummers are so when he plays softer it's delivered with so much more conviction. Many of you have been following Neil's switch to SABIAN and are aware that, together we designed and built a new series of cymbals called Paragon. Pick up the latest copy of SABIAN's Newsbeat for the story in his own words. Neil has put his new cymbals through the paces the last couple of months and he couldn't be happier. It seems we achieved exactly what he was looking for. A cymbal with a lot of high end cut for projection with the response of a thinner cymbal. Heavier cymbals have the high-end cut and clarity when struck heavy, but can be a little clangy when played softer. We put the pin-point tonal grooves on the top to make the cymbal respond quicker. We kept the high end by applying deep grooves on the bottom of the cymbal. There was still some fundamental pitch in the cymbals so, we hand hammered the bell to lower that fundamental pitch so it is less recognizable. What you get is one of the most versatile and dynamic cymbals we've ever made. They're working in the studio, on the stage and satisfying Neil's discriminating ears.

After a visit with Neil and giving him a birthday gift of his "favorite Scottish beverage" we were treated to our own private RUSH concert. They'd call it a sound check, but we know better. You can't beat a concert with the crowd and energy, but just once everyone should hear a band through a PA system without the crowd. Everything is crystal clear with every frequency within reach. Bill leaned over at one point and said, "Neil is on fire!" He was right. That made me think how far Neil has come as a student of the art. Serious fans will remember some years ago Neil switching to traditional grip. Changing his set up and telling everyone how Freddie Gruber put him on to so many enlightening concepts. It seems he is always looking for knowledge. For someone who has been emulated so often by others, it takes a special person to have that in them. It's so fulfilling to watch him play. Many fans, old and new were turned on to that fact with RUSH's DVD release last year RUSH IN RIO.

When the doors opened, it's obvious what a diverse crowd they draw. Hippies, Mullets, Metalheads, Goths, Average Joe's, plenty of girls and of course, musicians branded with tee shirts of their favorite gear. One fan said to us that he'd always played another brand of cymbals, but when Neil switched he gave SABIAN a closer listen and realized that we were making great cymbals.

Show time and the place is packed. What can I say? It was amazing! Opening night after 30 years together and it was just obvious that Geddy, Alex and Neil are on top of their game enjoying every note. Fans will be treated to some surprises at the show, which I'm not going to give away here. You must go to the show. I promise you won't be disappointed. Log on to RUSH.com for the tour information. Keep checking SABIAN.com for more updates from "the road." -Chris Stankee SABIAN A&R