Stepping out of his father Phil Collins’ towering shadow, Nic Collins took on a drumming challenge that would test even the most seasoned musicians—mastering Neil Peart’s notoriously difficult La Villa Strangiato by Rush.
Known for its intricate tempo shifts, polyrhythmic complexity, and jaw-dropping technicality, the instrumental epic is considered one of Peart’s most demanding compositions. But Nic, an accomplished drummer in his own right (having performed with Genesis and his own band, Better Strangers), was determined to do justice to the late Rush icon’s legacy.
He immersed himself in Peart’s original recordings, dissecting every fill, ghost note, and dynamic shift with meticulous precision. To fully embody the part, Nic even replicated Peart’s iconic drum setup—Tama kits with concert toms, a vast array of Sabian cymbals, and his signature rotating riser—to ensure authenticity.
The biggest hurdles? The song’s abrupt time signature changes and the endurance required for its relentless, high-speed passages. Nic spent weeks refining his technique, focusing on stick control, footwork, and the stamina needed to maintain Peart’s machine-like precision.
When he finally debuted his rendition live, the reaction was electric. Fans and fellow musicians praised his ability to not just replicate but channel Peart’s explosive energy, from the song’s jazzy interludes to its thunderous climax.
For Nic, this wasn’t just a display of skill—it was a heartfelt tribute to one of his biggest influences, proving that the spirit of rock’s greatest drummers lives on in the next generation.
