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I was hoping you guys can help me settle a discussion I recently had with a friend.
My claim (and Im not sure Im right either) is that Hip has become overall a more popular band to Canadians than Rush is/was.
While I admitted that worldwide, Rush's popularity outgains The Hip, for this discussion I was only referring to the impact and importance on music lovers, in their native country. (please note, Im not asking for opinions on who you think is a better band).
I apologize if this topic has been batted around before, but I am looking forward to the opinions of our Canadian Hipbase contingency. I also understand in no way do the opinions expressed prove anything, (and may be a bit biased, seeing that Im asking this question on a Hip fan site) growing up I was a huge Rush fan (and still am) Im just interested in others opinions.
Looking forward to your responses.
Thanks
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I have a lot of respect for Rush as artists and musicians (and I'm looking forward to seeing their upcoming documentary), but to be honest I could never get into them. I've tried a few times, but I'm just not a fan. Their musicianship is incredible, but for the most part I guess I just don't like their songs. For my money the Hip are the most important Canadian rock band of all time in terms of cultural impact on their native country. At their peak in the mid-90s they were arguably the biggest and most popular homegrown band this country had ever seen, or ever will see. I don't think Rush was ever as popular within the borders of Canada as the Hip were/are. When the mighty Midnight Oil (one of the best live acts on the planet at the time) essentially opened for the Hip in 1993 on the first ARA tour, that was the first time I realized just how freakin' huge the Hip had become in this country. Their popularity and impact has certainly dwindled in recent years, but there's no denying the massive footprint the Hip have left on Canadian music over the course of their career.
Just my opinion of course. I'm sure Rush fans feel exactly the same way about Geddy and the boys.
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I can't really give a reasonable answer to this query. I just wanted to say, F*CK I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN THE HIP LIVE BETWEEN 1993 and 1996! :x
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In Canada, i would probably say the hip. But seeing as i wasn't alive for the first 15 or so years that Rush came out, i don't think i can really compare. The hip to me are more relevant now than Rush. The Hip may be bigger right now, but 30 years ago, i would have to think Rush were the biggest canadian band going. Again i'm only 27 so i wouldn't know for sure.
I love Rush's old stuff. I really don't like much of their new stuff. My dad loves Rush. We went to their concert 2 or 3 years ago, and he too was really lost on the new stuff. Not only were we both unfamiliar with much of it, it just didn't sound the same.
They still managed to kick-ass on the old stuff though. And Neil's drum solo is something every music lover should see once in their lifetime.
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A little off topic, but I wish I could hear this song in its entirety.
[youtube]--6lIRRaGgw[/youtube]
"We're forced to bed, but we're free to dream"
Dana
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I say The Hip, first tour I seen them was the 95 Canadian Tour and it felt like the city was bonded by a force for that time,you could feel it in air,see it in the people faces, and I'm sure it was like that for those previous cross Canada tours. During that tour I totally had that sense that what they were sharing with us was something very magical and fans knew it, and we all wanted to be apart of that feeling.I think thats the part I always reveled in being a fan of the Hip, it was something more , you didn't know what the feeling was but it felt great too ride their coatails,it was that sense of coming together and sharing in that 1 night or multiple nights of the unexpected, not knowing what was going to happen.
I do like Rush, they have alot of great songs. and no doubt a true fan of theirs knows the magic they put out. I don't fully understand the lineage of Rush when it comes to touring this great country or even if how often they did major Canadian tours( I assume they mustuv) like the Hip do ,but to me thats where the truth of any great band lies. When a band can bring to any given town, city or country together for a time and I for one couldn't wait to take part in that again, my .02...
I will not give up. My face is set,my gait is fast,my goal is heaven,my road is narrow,my way is rough,my companions are few,my guide is reliable,my mission is clear. I cannot be bought,compromised,detoured,lured away,turned back,diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,hesitate in the presence of adversity,negotiate at the table of the enemy,ponder at the pool of popularity,or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I will not give up,shut up or slow down....Blessed Be!
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Limelight, Tom Swayer, Roll the Bones....couldn't say I could name another Rush song...
never got past Geddy's voice...
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As both a Rush fan and a Hip fan, I'll pitch in my 2 cents American; Rush helped get me into the Hip once I started getting bored with the sameness of Rush's live shows. Rush was one of the first musical acts I got into as a young kid in the late 80's/early 90's and what sold me on Rush was their spectacular musicianship coupled with Neil's intense, thoughtful lyrics on a variety of topics (New World Man, 2112, The Trees, Spirit of Radio, etc ,etc). But, while I love Rush's songs and am always amazed by their musical prowess; their concerts weren't doing it for me anymore. They are, imo, known for their props and light show, but no matter what city you saw them play in, the setlist was basically the same and there was no spontaneity in their shows. Rush, imo, helped give Canada a reputation for powerful kickass music with thought provoking lyrics; The Hip spoke to the Canadian soul and helped broaden its' international reputation as more than hockey lovers and igloo builders. That is why , imo, the Hip are more beloved and appreciated in Canada than Rush.
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I agree with the Hip over Rush statements thus far, but biased responses are to be expected on a tragically hip fan forum... You'd get the exact opposite response on a Rush fansite.
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I grew up with Rush: went to see them for the first time as first year student (1976) at McMaster University in Hamilton On. The opening act was Max Webster and Wireless, and I have to say this was the show that got me into concerts and being a huge fan of live music. From that point on I followed and saw both Rush and Max Webster dozens of times, which eventually led to catching the Hip for the first time in the early nineties. As good as the Rush concerts were\are, IMO the Hip's performances are much more organic, and have a tendency to move me and take me places in a way that Rush cannot. I see Rush's music to be highly technical, in contrast to the Hip's Blues\AltCountry\Jam style delivery. I believe the Hip's music (in general) to be more accessible by a wider variety of music enthusiasts - case in point: the Hip's music can be frequently heard on a variety of radio stations that cater to different music genres. Rush seems to be played mostly on "classic rock stations", while the Hip can be heard frequently on Alt Rock, Classic Rock, Country, University\College, etc, radio stations. So in terms of music accessibility, and the ability to reach into a wider variety of music types I think the Hip comes out on top. This is not an indication of which band is better or who has sold more records, only that the Hip's music tends (IMO) to reach a wider spectrum of listeners\fans.
"we've only got three hundred feet to go ..."
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Wouldn't a comparison of record sales answer the question?
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Gortron Wrote:Wouldn't a comparison of record sales answer the question?
Using that analogy:
Justin Beiber > The Hip
"We're forced to bed, but we're free to dream"
Dana
