Rush 'the fruit of a long-term relationship' says Geddy Lee

Nearly four decades after forming in Toronto, pioneering prog-rock band Rush soldiers on, continuing to engage fans around the globe with powerful albums and virtuoso musicianship.

The trio's 20th studioalbum, the steam-punk inspired concept albumClockwork Angels, debuts Tuesday and a worldtour begins in July.

Bassist-singer Geddy Leesat down with Peter Mansbridge on The Nationaland discussed the band's enduring appeal.

"What does Rush mean to me? To me it's this little group of experimenters. We're this group of guys who want to see what we can do. It's the simplest way I can put it," Lee told CBC News.

As other groups that started out in the same era began breaking up, Lee said he and his bandmates guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peartbecame intrigued with the idea ofstaying together.

"We wanted to see what the fruits of a long-term relationship can do. Here's a band 38 years on and we are pushing it, to see where we can go as a band."

On Tuesday, Lifeson and Lee spoke to Q about Clockwork Angels and the newconfidence they bring to making music.