Rush tribute coming to Englert in Iowa City

The Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin have more cover bands than Rush, for a reason.

“It’s difficult to pull off Rush,” Primus vocalist/bassist Les Claypool said before playing “Farewell to Kings,” the fifth album by Rush, last April. “I’m singing in my range, which isn’t anywhere near what (Rush vocalist/bassist) Geddy (Lee) can pull off. The bass parts are challenging enough. The vocal parts are monster.”

Vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Sean Jones understands. Jones fronts The Rush Tribute Project, performing Saturday at the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City.

“Singing, playing bass and keyboards while performing Rush songs is a challenge,” Jones said while calling from Milwaukee. “At times we’ve all said, ‘Bleep (Geddy), bleep (Rush guitarist) Alex (Lifeson) and bleep (Rush drummer/lyricist) Neil (Peart).”

The reason for the frustration is the complexity of Rush songs. No group was ever quite like the Canadian power trio, which delivered tunes that were intricate and grand. Despite being shellacked by critics for much of the band’s 42-year run, which ended in 2015, Rush became the biggest cult act in the world.

The late Peart, who died in 2020, was more comfortable writing about the Manhattan Project than a girlfriend. Peart’s drum fills are unparalleled. Lee’s vocal range is so high that Pavement had fun at his expense during the amusing song “Stereo.”

“What about the voice of Geddy Lee/ How did it get so high/ I wonder if he speaks like an ordinary guy?”

Lifeson has delivered many memorable guitar solos. HIs inspired play during “Limelight,” “Freewill” and “Spirit of Radio” have blown away the band’s predominantly male fan base.

When Peart died, it was evident that Rush, like certain iconic groups such as the Beastie Boys and Nirvana, would never come back.

“I almost felt guilty about us going out after Neil died, but we are filling this huge gap,” Jones said. “Rush fans want to hear Rush songs live.”

Unlike many other tribute bands that finish at 90 minutes, The Rush Tribute Project performs for three hours.

“"There’s just so much to play,” guitarist Bill Heck said while calling from Milwaukee. “We don’t just go out there and play the hits. It’s not just ‘Tom Sawyer’ and ‘Subdivisions.’ ”

The Rush Tribute Project, which also includes drummer Thomas Slawnik, performs the deeper cuts for themselves and the fans.

“People love it if we play a song like ‘Camera Eye’ or ‘Turn the Page,’ ” Heck said. “We stick our neck out on some of these songs and we talk about risk and reward, because if you make a mistake playing some of the Rush songs, it’s hard to jump right back in. But we like to challenge ourselves.”

The Rush Tribute Project has yet to hear from the Rush camp.

“I’m sure they know we exist, since after each show they receive their ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) fees,” Heck said.

It’s been a decade since The Rush Tribute Project debuted.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long, but it’s something we love to do,” Heck said. “We work so hard at what we do because we have a high standard.

“To be in a Rush band like we are, you have to have a singer like Sean. It starts vocally. You have to have someone that can really sing to play the role of Geddy. It’s not a walk in the park for myself or for Thomas. Rush was an incredible band that should never be forgotten.”