SOLAR FEDERATION
Central Pennsylvania, USA
Solar Federation is PA’s premier female-fronted Rush tribute band. No kimonos, wigs or prosthetic noses, just faithful renditions of Canada’s best!
Biography
In 2015, the iconic Canadian rock band Rush celebrated its 40th anniversary with a career-spanning tour that proved to be the band’s swan song. The death Neil Peart, the band’s legendary drummer and lyricist, in January 2020 sent shock waves across the rock music community and put to rest any rumors of the band ever performing again. Yet the band’s legacy endures, and interest in Rush’s music remains at an absolute peak. With the band no longer active, there is a high demand from fans to witness the music of Rush played live on stage.
Enter 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 and difficult catalog of songs to perform in the pantheon of rock music. After a handful of live performances, the band quickly established itself as one of the premier Rush tribute bands 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 nine years, Solar Federation has become known as a faithful tribute to the music of Rush and has garnered respect among the vast community of Rush fans around the globe.
Following the death of 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.
“You can’t fake it with this band,” said Ffej Herb, Solar Federation’s drummer. “Rush fans are incredibly loyal and know this music inside and out.”
Rush is widely recognized for its legions of devoted fans from all corners of the world. “I’m constantly floored to learn that fans from all over the Mid-Atlantic region travel to attend our shows,” said Herb. “To me, that not only speaks volumes about the loyalty of Rush fans, but it’s also a testament to the quality of our little band.”
Solar Federation:
Mike Bitts – bass, keyboards
Ffej Herb – drums, cymbals, percussion
Julie Schreiber – lead vocals
Eric Wirsing – guitar, backing vocals
Contact
ADDRESS:
P.O. Box #22
Camp Hill, PA 17001
United States
EMAIL: info@solarfederationband.com
BAND WEBSITE: solarfederationband.com
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/solarfederation
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/solarfederationrush
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/solar_federation_band
Holmes Music Management
Matt Holmes – mholmes@holmesmusicmgmt.com
Aaron Miller – amiller@holmesmusicmgmt.com
Julie Schreiber
Vocalist
Eric Wirsing
Backup Vocalist, Guitarist
Mike Bitts
Backup Vocalist, Bassist
Ffej Herb
Drummer
Upcoming Events
Past Events
2112 Suite
The Analog Kid
Animate
Anthem
Bastille Day
Between the Wheels
The Big Money
Caravan
The Camera Eye
Chemistry
Closer to the Heart
Different Strings
Digital Man
Distant Early Warning
Dreamline
Earthshine
The Enemy Within
Entre Nous
A Farewell to Kings
Finding My Way
Fly By Night
Freewill
Ghost of a Chance
In The Mood
Jacob’s Ladder
Lakeside Park
La Villa Strangiato
Limelight
Losing It
Hemispheres: Prelude
Marathon
Natural Science
The Necromancer
New World Man
One Little Victory
Open Secrets
The Pass
A Passage To Bangkok
Presto
Red Barchetta
Resist (Acoustic)
Show Don’t Tell
The Spirit of Radio
Stick It Out
Subdivisions
Tom Sawyer
The Trees
Turn The Page
Vital Signs
Witch Hunt
Working Man
Xanadu
YYZ
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Fantastic Show!
by Rush on 6/4/25 • Music Box at the Borgata – Atlantic City
“Band was great. Really accurate representation of music!”
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Powerful show!
by Pinkfloyd_edd on 6/3/25 • Music Box at the Borgata – Atlantic City
“Last night’s performance by Solar Federation was nothing short of incredible. From the very first note, the band brought an energy that filled the entire venue. Every member on stage — from the drummer to the guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist — delivered a performance full of passion and precision. The vocalist stood out with a powerful and emotional voice that truly connected with the audience. Her presence on stage was both strong and captivating. The lighting and stage effects added an extra layer to the experience, giving the show a professional and immersive feel. Even with some limitations in the casino’s sound system, the band’s talent and commitment easily outshined any technical flaws.”
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Just like the real thing…
by Pooh on 5/6/25 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“Solar Federation was incredible. The vocals were outstanding and the bands timing seemed perfect. By far the best RUSH tribute group around. Can’t wait to see them again in Harrisburg this fall. Mickey’s Black Box is a great venue. I feel fortunate that I live close by.”
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Mickey’s lit up with solar energy!
by Tom on 5/6/25 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“Great show. Lots of energy. Played many of the RUSH favorites to perfection. Solar Federation always delivers. Fantastic venue too. Perfect evening. Will definitely return.”
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Greatest cover band I have ever seen in an amazing venue!
by RRRic on 3/26/24 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“Been following Rush for 40+ years and found Solar Federation in 2023 and got tickets for the Lititz show. Not only is the venue one of the best in the central PA area, the band is the greatest Rush cover band there is – no one else comes close. They are passionate and meticulous and gave me the same chill the original band did over the handful of shows I caught in my time. It was a perfect flashback to the glory of the music that I hold so dear. I salute you Solar Federation.”
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What a Rush!
by Bozap on 3/27/24 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“Solar Federation is a Rush tribute band. Every song they performed was a spot on, well polished recreation of the original. If you were a Rush fan, I’d definitely recommend seeing this band for an incredible 3 hour show!”
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Solar Federation!
by Moonie on 3/26/24 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“This band is fantastic. I was skeptical since the lead singer is a woman but they nailed it.”
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AMAZING – Solar Federation!
by RUSH 2.0 on 3/26/24 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“I have been a RUSH fan since 77 so you can never replace the magic that Neil, Alex and Geddy had. BUT – I have to say – Solar Federation put on an AMAZING show at Mickey’s Black Box and I cannot wait to see them again. Thank YOU – Solar Federation for keeping my Rush Memories alive!!”
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Attention all RUSH GEEKS!
by Glenn Hamilton • Radio Personality at 97.3 FM – The River – Harrisburg, PA
“SOLAR FEDERATION is a Rush tribute band from Harrsburg, PA. I love that they have a female lead singer! She kicks ass and totally pulls it off. But can they play La Villa Strangiato? Watch and listen…”
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Fantastic Show!
by Cringle on 3/26/24 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“Talented band. Played each song almost note for note from the originals.”
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Solar Federation!
by Dave D on 3/26/24 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“Spot on and awesome performance. Highly recommended!”
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To call Solar Federation a Rush cover band or even a Rush tribute band would not be a fair assessment!
by Ryan H. • Co-Host of “Digital Men – The Ultimate Podcast for Rush and Prog Rock
“Solar Federation is a group of Rush fanatics who have listened to Rush with such frequency and in such detail that they have mastered every nuance of Rush’s music. They are expert musicians who leave their hearts on the stage with every performance. If R40 is truly the last time we’ll see Rush live, then it’s people like Solar Federation who will keep delivering satisfying live performances of these songs we all know and love.”
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Not to be missed!
by JP on 3/27/24 • Mickey’s Black Box – Lititz
“The band’s energy, enthusiasm, connection to the audience, and set are amazing. Can’t do it justice here, go see them for yourself, as soon as possible!”
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These guys are legit!
by Brent S. • Co-Host of “Digital Men – The Ultimate Podcast for Rush and Prog Rock
“So have you ever seen those Rush cover/tribute bands that just don’t cut it? The drummer can’t keep time or plays some elementary version of the beat? The bassist is a guitarist who drew the short straw. And since he knows a couple scales and can kinda slap in E, he can do Geddy? The guitarist is a speed metal local guy who shreds. But it sounds like nursery rhymes when he plays Alex’s stuff. A buddy of theirs got a Casio PT-180 as a kid, and so he qualifies as a keys player. The guitarist sings because he’s the only one not tone deaf, but he’s a baritone. There’s 20 people on the stage, and you can’t discern Limelight from Dog Years. But they dress the part right?
THIS IS NOT THAT BAND! You will not find a tighter, more dedicated Rush tribute band out there. The love of Rush is in their bones, and you feel it when they vibrate yours. They completely channel the Rush live experience in an amazing way. The singer does a brilliant job of marrying Geddy’s sensitive yet hard hitting approach. Nothing short of elegant. If you close your eyes you’ll swear you hear Alex, Geddy, and Neil up there. Those little nuances you’re looking for? Those are there. Everyone in the band are super Rush fans, and settle for nothing less than getting it perfect. Go get your mind blown.”
