There are few things as magical as a proper rock act: a band that can perform for decades, grabbing a new batch of eager fans with each passing year while retaining the ingredients that keep them compelling. Rush, the prog-rock outfit from Canada, is just such an act, having eclipsed the majority of their contemporaries and received a resurgence of relevance thanks to movies like “I Love You, Man” and others, that celebrated the rare ability of a band to have a 30 piece drum set and remain humble. So it’s fitting that the three-piece, and in a way their fans, have received the documentary treatment.
“Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this past week, looks into the origins of the band, their rise and ultimately their connection with their fans. And if the trailer is any indication — Rush’s effect is massive. Usually, a rock doc doesn’t have to work too hard to get us alterna-teens-at-heart excited and judging from the massive lines at Tribeca, we weren’t the only ones.
The film was directed by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen, the duo behind the excellent documentaries “Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey” and “Global Metal” and features a wealth of commentary from rockers such as Vinnie Paul (Pantera), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Tim Commerford (Rage Against The Machine), Billy Corgan, Kirk Hammett, Gene Simmons and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters).
The film will open nationwide this June, at the same time as the band will set out on their world tour. Check out the trailer and just try to deny the power that is Rush. — Danielle Johnsen
