“Anvil! The Story of Anvil”, was awarded the “Best Documentary” category at this year’s Independent Spirit Awards, which was held last night (Friday, March 5) at LA Live’s panoramic event deck in downtown Los Angeles. ANVIL also performed twice during the ceremony, which aired live and uncut on IFC. Below is a review of the film by Chris Gore. It’s good to see the Canadians having such a bang on year…first the olympics and now this! Rock on dear readers……rock on!
Rush is an epic band for the ages. Rush is also Canada’s pride and their best-known musical act. Rush has had hit albums for decades. Rush can fill stadiums on tour. Rush has universal appeal having been referenced in recent films such as Adventures of Power, Fanboys and I Love You, Man. Unfortunately, Anvil is not Rush.
Anvil is also from Canada and has been around for decades, but they are not widely known outside their small fan-base and they certainly can’t fill stadiums. Heck, they can barely fill a living room. Despite the fact that you’ve probably never heard of the metal sensation from the Great White North, Anvil is well-respected by members of other metal bands. In fact, when Lars Ulrich of Metallica is asked about bands that have been together the longest there are only two that come to mind, The Rolling Stones and Anvil.
The harrowing and inspiring story of the amazing music doc, Anvil! The Story of Anvil will enlighten members of new bands about the long road ahead. Longtime members and friends Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner (yes, his real name) work horrible jobs just so they can take months off to tour in Europe where they have a modest number of fans. While juggling catering gigs and a simple home life, touring takes its toll in weak venues where unscrupulous owners often refuse to pay. One such deal-gone-wrong results in an owner offering goulash as payment since the band showed up late. The boys did not take too kindly to this insult and he ended up getting his throat throttled.
One has to wonder why they keep playing with all the depressing realities of touring, y’know, never getting paid, empty venues from poorly promoted gigs, awful food, bad hotels or no hotels. The answer comes in the form of the band’s meeting with their biggest fan from Japan who has traveled far to see them play. The looks on the faces of Lips and Robb as they speak to that lone fan provides everything you need to know about why they’ve never quit doing what they do.
Anvil’s never-say-die attitude is a lesson for anyone with a dream they won’t let die.
By Chris Gore
