Air-drummers unite! Adventures of Power with Neil Peart (Rush)

If you’re a Rush fan, or a drummer, this indy comedy film, Adventures of Power, by Ari Gold (who also plays the main character, Power), will have you cringing and grinning widely with fondness of your youth.

In common with many other wannabe muso-kids growing up in the world over the last couple of decades, Rush was the first band I really got into – big time. If you’re a Rush fan, you know what I mean; no further explanation needed.

New cult film classic

I saw Adventures of Power last night and whilst I wouldn’t readily recommend it to my usual non-muso friends, I nevertheless felt compelled to do so here because we just understand these things, don’t we! It’s been playing on my mind all day - just like all good cult movies do - even to the point, now, of propelling me to write this frickin’ post; the first in a long time! Sorry about that.

Have a butchers at Ari actually air-drumming alongside Neil Peart (who has a cameo part in the film) to Rush’s hit tune, Tom Sawyer. Note: This is not from the film.

Air-drumming 'til you drop with Neil Peart

Ari and his co-cast of air-drummers certainly did their homework for this film: most (you never quite get 100% in these things) of the performances are absolutely spot-on; and we’re talking complex drum-patterns here from various soundtracks, not just Rush.

Favourite moment of the film: During an “air-drum ‘til you drop” contest in some dodgy underground Mexican “club” (more like a venue for dog-fighting actually), Power is ripping the air to a series of Thrash metal tunes and other numbers until just a couple of competitors remain (they’re sat “playing” on stools, he’s air-drumming whilst standing).

Then, the opening power chord to Tom Sawyer blasts the room: “Neil Peart!” concerned onlookers shout. “Nooo, it’s too dangerous!”

Power collapses just as the cops raid the place but gets dragged outside by a friendly old Mexican guy.

Power asks the man if he won. “Are you feeling’a crazy?”, he replies, “You tried to play the Rush’a song without’a the stool. You would’a had a heart attack if you’a kept going!”

Guess you have to see it.

This is one of those low-budget indy films worthy of the kind of cult success enjoyed by Spinal Tap, or The Evil Dead, although I have doubts whether the niche audience is big enough.

I wish Ari well with it anyway – it’s already won various awards.

Watch out for the film when it arrives near you; and spread the word!