‘Mystic Rhythms’ Covers Decades Of Rush

Rush tribute band Mystic Rhythms will perform at The Paramount on Sept. 30. Photos courtesy of Paul Armento

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

Renowned Rush tribute band Mystic Rhythms will debut their epic four-part show Rush Thru Time at The Paramount on Sept. 30.

The trio, which mirrors the members of Rush, features New Jersey natives Paul Armento on bass and singing lead vocals, Steve Longo on lead guitar, and Adam Pliss on drums.

Although the band has been playing together for about three years, Armento said their Huntington debut will mark the first time they perform the entire Rush Thru Time show. Each of the show’s four acts will represent one of four eras of Rush’s musical progression stretching from the ’70s to the 2000s.

“It’s a two-hour show with an intermission; each era will be part of a 25-minute act,” Armento said, adding that the show will feature costume changes and stunning visual effects.

Armento said each of the band members “has been playing Rush for over 30 years. That’s how we learned music.”

The trio got together when Pliss and Longo, who hosts a Rush tribute radio, heard Armento perform and asked him to join them. Armento said he had previously focused on older Rush, while Longo and Pliss played newer Rush. The mix of specialties makes Mystic Rhythms well suited to recreate the wide range of songs in Rush Thru Time.

As musical director of the ’80s tribute band Jessie’s Girl, which has performed at The Paramount many times, Armento is familiar with the Huntington venue.

“The Paramount is one of the best venues in the country; the people are amazing,” he said. “The goal is to get people excited so we can keep coming back.”

While most people are familiar with Rush hits from the ’80s, including “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight,” Armento said Mystic Rhythms is excited to cover material from a wide range of styles and songs.

“We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we take the music seriously,” Armento said. “There is no reason for Rush fans not to be there because it’s going to be a celebration.”

Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $15-$30 and can be purchased from the box office or Paramountny.com.