I Don't Wanna Work

July 10, 2005 3:31 PM

CGI animation of Neil Peart playing YYZ. Large (43.5Mb) .wmv file.
posted by fandango_matt (26 comments total)

I used to think that the drum solo was the worst rock music had to offer.
posted by gleuschk at 3:57 PM on July 10, 2005

Cheezy/Cool
posted by furtive at 3:59 PM on July 10, 2005

I used to be a big fan of both Rush and CGI animation, and this is like an evil device designed to reawaken my inner nerd - thanks a LOT, fandango_matt!!
posted by jonson at 4:17 PM on July 10, 2005

That was pretty cool, thanks. Like jonson, I felt pretty nerdy enjoying it. I was nuts about Rush during the period when that song came out, lots of good memories.
posted by marxchivist at 4:33 PM on July 10, 2005

Now make him do La Villa Strangiato!
posted by furtive at 4:36 PM on July 10, 2005

Better yet, make him do the LIVE version of YYZ off of Exit Stage Left, with the 9 minute drum solo - my inner nerd cries out for more!
posted by jonson at 4:59 PM on July 10, 2005

Wow is that CGI amazing. I can't imagine the work that went into building such an accurate human character (muscles and everything)...adding all the gravity to the drums, making Neil's head bob to the music... I am impressed.
posted by ArsncHeart at 5:30 PM on July 10, 2005

Pretty wild. I'd be interested in the "how they did it" story if it every surfaces. Even though you couldn't see the kick drum, you could see the knee bobbing.

Although I was disappointed by the lightning strike because I wanted to see what he was going to do!

I'm assuming the animator is also a drummer...
posted by stevil at 5:40 PM on July 10, 2005

That looked great. So much for the 'uncanny valley' theory...
posted by bobo123 at 7:42 PM on July 10, 2005

That was super cool. Thanks for the link.
posted by ehintz at 8:07 PM on July 10, 2005

Cool. Reminds me of a joke:

Q: How many drummers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: 15. One to do it and the other 14 discuss how Neil Peart could have done it so much better.
posted by devetron at 8:18 PM on July 10, 2005

That was pretty entertaining - it'd definitely have to be done by someone who knows the drums.

I do think, though, that this doesn't fit in the 'uncanny valley' area (although sometimes I think it gets close) because it's on the wrong side (the less realistic one).
posted by invitapriore at 9:00 PM on July 10, 2005

Thanks!
posted by Eideteker at 9:08 PM on July 10, 2005

Will someone please explain to me why anyone on earth uses Windows Media? 20 seconds in, it just stops cold.
posted by fungible at 9:15 PM on July 10, 2005

OK, fifth try, finally got it working. I spent a large part of my youth air drumming to this song, so it was satisfying to see it, if a little stiff.

My Rush fan days are behind me now, but they'll always be in a little part of my brain. It tore me up when I heard about his wife and kid dying years back - glad to hear he's still drumming on.
posted by fungible at 9:25 PM on July 10, 2005

I enjoyed it too and would love to see them do Subdivisions.

ObUnsolicitedMorseCodePlug: YYZ is, of course, the airport code for Toronto Pearson Airport. It is also the opening rhythm of the triangle and (wait for it) drum beat in the intro - in morse code.
posted by OneOliveShort at 10:08 PM on July 10, 2005

Cool. Reminds me of a joke:

How can you tell if a drum solo is bad?


Even the bass player notices.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 10:10 PM on July 10, 2005

... and then, further into the jungle, the drums suddenly stop. The bearers drop their burdens and shiver in fear. "What is the problem, men?", demands the explorer. "Why are we stopping?"

The head bearer turns whey-faced to the explorer, with terror in his eyes ... "Bass solo!"
posted by Wolof at 12:16 AM on July 11, 2005

Man, that's a lot of drums. How do he fit them all into his station wagon when he drives to the gigs?
posted by LeLiLo at 1:10 AM on July 11, 2005

The head bearer turns whey-faced to the explorer, with terror in his eyes ... "Bass solo!"
posted by Wolof at 12:16 AM PST on July 11 [!]


Out. Fricking. Standing! Well done sir.
posted by hal9k at 8:46 AM on July 11, 2005

Related: air drumming "Tom Sawyer" (Windows Media, direct link).
posted by kirkaracha at 10:41 AM on July 11, 2005

Cool. Reminds me of a joke:

How can you tell when a drummer's at the door?

The knock speeds up.

How can you tell when a vocalist is at the door?

She can't find the key, and doesn't know when to come in.

Also, Rush fans ought to watch the last 10 minutes or so of SLC Punk!
posted by kurumi at 10:48 AM on July 11, 2005

i like Rush music. Can't stand Rush vocals...
posted by Zampa at 12:37 PM on July 11, 2005

I had no idea Al Gore could play the drums!
posted by basilwhite at 1:15 PM on July 11, 2005

What's the difference between a bass player and a large pizza?

A large pizza can feed a family of four.
posted by eriko at 3:18 PM on July 11, 2005

What do you call a guy who hangs out with a bunch of musicians?

A drummer.
posted by Ynoxas at 8:41 PM on July 11, 2005