Solar Federation

Hailing from Central Pennsylvania, Solar Federation performs the music of Rush with passion and precision, tuning into all the fine details die-hard fans analyze with every spin of an album. Formed in 2014, the band spent an entire year honing its initial set list and rehearsing what is often called the most complex catalog of songs in rock music. After only a handful of live performances, the band established itself as one of the premier Rush tributes on the East Coast, garnering praise from fans for its accurate interpretation of the material, meticulous attention to detail, and vocalist Julie Schreiber’s passionate delivery of Rush’s dynamic melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. Over the last eight years, Solar Federation has become known as a faithful tribute to the music of Rush and has earned respect among the vast community of Rush fans around the globe.

Following the death of Rush's legendary drummer, Neil Peart, Solar Federation was invited to perform at A Night for Neil, a memorial tribute concert organized by Peart’s parents and family as well as the nonprofit organization, Overtime Angels. The concert was held in Peart’s hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario, at the Meridian Center on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Solar Federation was the only Rush tribute band from the United States invited to perform. The band headlined the event with an hour-long closing set that brought down the house of more than 4,000 fans.

In late 2023, Solar Federation had the tremendous honor of collaborating with Rush’s longtime album cover artist, Hugh Syme, and legendary record producer, Terry Brown, on a studio version of “Witch Hunt” from Rush’s 1981 masterpiece, Moving Pictures. The track premiered on April 12, 2024, on 97.3 WRVV The River and is available on all major streaming platforms. It will also appear on the forthcoming Songs for Neil: Volume 5, set to release internationally on September 12, 2024. The band's live versions of "The Necromancer" and “Chemistry” have appeared on the previous Songs for Neil tribute albums, with proceeds of sales benefitting Cancer Support Scotland (UK) and Glioblastoma Foundation Neil Peart research Award (USA).

Solar Federation was voted “Best Tribute Band” at the 2023 Central PA Music Awards, an accolade it also received in 2021 and for which it was nominated in 2022.

“Rush fans crave that live concert experience because the band is no longer around,” said founding member and drummer Ffej Herb. “Are we Rush? No, of course we’re not. But there is a definite family atmosphere when it comes to Rush fans. Anyone who’s been to a Rush concert can tell you that. Hopefully, Solar Federation helps to fill that void for those fans who simply need to hear this music performed live."

Solar Federation:
Mike Bitts – bass, keyboards
Ffej Herb – drums, cymbals, percussion
Julie Schreiber – lead vocals
Eric Wirsing – guitar, backing vocals