Rush drummer Anika Nilles detailed her preparation routine for the band’s lately launched Fifty One thing reunion tour, explaining how the prog rock legends’ catalog pressured her to change her typical apply routine.
Nilles mentioned the method in a brand new interview with Rick Beato, which you’ll be able to watch beneath.
READ MORE: Watch Anika Nilles’ Full Drum Efficiency From Rush Tour Kickoff
How Rush Compelled Anika Nilles to Put together in a ‘Fully Completely different Means’
When requested how she discovered so many Rush songs in preparation for the tour, Nilles responded bluntly, “I do not know.”
She continued: “Generally I used to be sitting there and thought, ‘I do not know how I am studying that,’ however in some way it is working as a result of I discovered these songs in a very completely different manner. My preparation was so completely different to how I put together myself normally.”
Nilles then defined her typical preparation course of and why it wouldn’t work for Rush. “Normally I simply pay attention, then I make a fast chart for myself to have it visually in entrance of my eyes after which I simply pay attention, learn and play. And I figured with this, it would not work proper. So typically you can not actually write it out as a result of a whole lot of it’s also type of a sense.”
“And technically you possibly can write it out, however I’d have spent a lot time with simply that,” she added, “And I assumed, I haven’t got that point. I simply need to pay attention, make chunks for myself and simply study it step-by-step after which that is how I did it. However simply memorizing all of the components is one factor after which studying the sensation is a distinct factor.”
Watch Rick Beato’s Interview With Anika Nilles
How Rush ‘Began a Little Bit Collectively From Scratch’ With Anika Nilles
Moving into the function of the late Neil Peart, one of the vital achieved and beloved drummers in music historical past, was no small feat for Nilles — particularly contemplating Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson had about 50 years of expertise on her with the Rush catalog. However after connecting with the band by way of Lee’s bass tech, John “Scully” McIntosh, Nilles threw herself into the problem.
“I used to be diving instantly into the Rush rabbit gap and simply listened to every little thing I might catch — the music, movies, interviews, dwell exhibits, every little thing you’ll find on-line, principally, simply to get to know the songs a bit higher,” she stated. “As a result of I simply knew a bunch and likewise not intimately. So I began my entire analysis, however we additionally ready, I believe, six or seven songs for the primary rehearsal. And as I acquired these titles, I used to be simply specializing in these songs as a result of they’ve an enormous catalog.”
Nilles stated that Rush’s almost 11-year break from touring helped stage the enjoying area as they started rehearsals.
“All of us type of began a bit bit collectively from scratch,” she defined. “I imply, they did not actually begin from scratch, however as a trio, we needed to discover a option to come collectively. And it is one factor while you come right into a band and everybody is aware of every little thing and it is identical to enjoying, it’s clean as a result of they’re doing it day-after-day onstage and you are the beginner [who] has to regulate and study all this. It did not really feel like that. So it was additionally taking the strain a bit bit away as a result of they’re type of like, ‘Okay, how does this go?’ ‘Trigger they hadn’t performed it in 10 years. Positively took the strain a bit bit off my shoulders.”
READ MORE: Rush Delivers Shock-Crammed Second Present With Even Extra Rarities
Evidently, the preparation paid off, as Rush’s first two comeback exhibits have earned rave evaluations, with explicit reward for Nilles’ masterful drumming.
The Fifty One thing reunion tour continues on Thursday in Los Angeles, with dates booked by way of April 2027.
See images from opening evening of Rush’s Fifty One thing reunion tour beneath:
Rush Opening Night time 2026 Picture Gallery
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson carried out their first present collectively in 11 years.
