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Capone wants ANVIL! dropped on his head every day for a year!!!
Hey, folks. Capone in Chicago here.
Straight out of the gate, let me say that my interest in metal music is minimal at best, and my awareness of the Canadian metal group Anvil was nil. That said, this documentary from director Sacha Gervasi that traces the band once on the precipice of megastardom through some of their roughest moments over nearly 30 years together is one of the single greatest docs about music ever made. What's even more incredible is that I'm about the billionth person on the planet to say as much about this movie since its premiere at Sundance 2008. I'm not exactly sure what it is about this film that taps into something so wholly universal. This isn't just a movie about music; it's about following one's dreams no matter how unlikely it seems you will ever achieve them.
A lot of people have called ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL (the group and the movie) the real-life version of the band Spinal Tap, but to me this story is eerily similar to that of the filmmaker Mark Borchardt from the AMERICAN MOVIE doc. Both Borchardt and Anvil's two core members, Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner (no relation to the man who directed THIS IS SPINAL TAP), live in extremely cold climates, hold menial jobs that pay shit, and are amounting debt that they will likely have until they die. But their in something in their fiber that drives them to finish what they started. And when Lips and Reiner met when they were only 14 (they are both in their early 50s today), they made a pact to rock until they dropped. A few of their early albums released in the 1980s were highly influential, if you believe the testimonials from the likes of Slash, Metallica's Lars Ulrich, Lemmy from Motorhead, Scott Ian of Anthrax and many others. Their influence on a generation of metal mainstays is well documented, but for reasons no one ever quite has figured out, their own success never translated into million-selling albums or stadium tours of the world.
Kudlow and Reiner are the classic coulda-been/shoulda-been guys, and they grasp onto any small thread of hope at reviving their careers. When the opportunity to tour Europe comes their way, they leap at the chance. Some of the gigs are tightly packed, near-sold-out events, but occasionally they are met with a handful of fans thanks to poor promotion on the part of either their own management or the club owners. In Spinal Tap, these moments are amusing; in ANVIL!, they are downright tragic. The never-ending string of disappointments causes a great deal of friction between Lips and the band, with some painfully heated exchanges between the singer and Reiner, who is like a brother to him. Their arguments often result in the film's most heartfelt moments, and don't be surprised if you shed a tear or two watching Anvil! You can't help but become emotionally invested in these men and their relationships.
Along their journey, we get to meet the band's families, their wives and kids, and their most devoted fans, who the band at one point turn to for help earning money in particularly lean times. Meeting these fine folks provides the much-needed perspective to make these two men seem less like guys who just don't know when to quit and more like passionate keepers of the metal flame.
Lips and Reiner seem convinced that getting back in the studio with legendary producer Chris Tsangarides (who produced their three most successful albums) will somehow result in an album that will bring them back to the forefront. At this point in the film, director Gervasi almost dares us not to conjure SPINAL TAP in our minds. Anvil's lyrics are a combination of mysticism, dark arts, and sexual prowess. Tsangarides has recording equipment with dials that do, in fact, go up to 11; and since the band is recording in Dover, they have no choice but to make the long trip to Stonehenge. The experience seems to rejuvenate the band.
What's particularly strange about watching ANVIL! is that you come to realize that the very existence of this movie is the unofficial next chapter in the band's life. They haven't been this popular and in the public eye since the early 1980s, and the overwhelming critical success of the film make give the band an audience it never could have imagined... or not. That is the true nature of the beast. However things work out for these fine lads from Canada, the simple fact is you will be hard pressed to find a documentary as wholly entertaining as ANVIL! in 2009.
-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com
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This looks to be good.
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...loved this movie. Loved it. And they hate everything. The New Yorker in particular had a great review.
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Like Capone my interest in Metel is virtually none. But I'd heard of Anvil due to one off their albums being played constantly by an uncle of mine when I was a kid. The metal aspect has kind of put me off but I'll search this out now.
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And Anvil blocks, hardy cones, saddles, forks, horns, cutoff hardies, fullers, round swages, stakes, and stake plates. What about the rest of the anvil family? Don't they get a story too or will they forever languish in obscurity?
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SPINAL TAP's a really fun film, and I urge any fan to get the deluxe DVD that comes with around an hour of extra footage. The stuff they didn't use is pretty much as good as the stuff they did, and constitues almost a whole nother TAP movie.
I'll definitely check ANVIL out when it comes around to rent. -
I was total metalhead in the 80s and I really want to see this.
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Saw it about 4 months ago in NY. Last time I saw Anvil live was about '98 in a bar in Brooklyn opening for Savatage.
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...and let me tell you: as heartfelt and honest as all involved are on celluloid, they're even more so in person. Not only is the band's hometown TO but the Director's uncle lives here, which is what enabled him to roadie with the band for no money 20 years ago.An extraordinary film, do yourselves a favour and seek it out, you won't be disappointed.
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i'll go. maybe some big band like metallica or iron maiden will have them go on tour or something.
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"but occasionally they are met with a handful of fans thanks to poor promotion on the part of either their own management or the club owners."
Or maybe they're just not very good. Nice guys, great film. But the music is fuckin' awful! I'm speaking as someone who paid a shitload of money so my family could watch Ozzy Osbourne jump around the stage like an escapee from a care home.
Good luck to them though! If this film makes people turn up to their shows, that's great! Who knows, maybe sometimes a bit of hope & perseverence does work afterall! -
My friends saw the Anvil Experience in Chicago two days ago and said the live music was amazing.
I saw the movie in Los Angeles and the director showed up at the end. Someone asked what the band was doing and he said that several major labels were suddenly interested in them again!
As for the music, I can take or leave metal, but I have to say as a musician, Anvil is certainly not a garageband that got lucky in the 80s. Robb Reiner is an amazing drummer and Lipps' guitar playing is really tight.
And the live scenes in the film, the production value of their tunes is on par with anything a major label band would sound like. Even if the content might feel a little silly - the band is very aware of the music they are playing and they just like to get out there and entertain. -
Your conjecture that they have smal shows because they suck doesn't explain why some shows sell out. Just because you think something is shit doesn't mean other people do. Nice try...
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I saw this recently here in L.A. where the director did Q&A after the screening. It sounds like the eventual extras on the DVD will be as entertaining as the movie itself, which is wonderful. I had never heard of the band, and loved the film.
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...that came up with this one?
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I didn't see it until just a couple years ago. Of course, everybody's like, "Spinal Tap is the best movie ever! You have to see it!". It was touted as such an awesome movie that I was expecting a lot out of it. I found it rather boring. Meh.
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What are you, 90?
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http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=54820 take out the spaces asses
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has never been funny....stop it
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Seriously, you never saw the movie, you don't know the band and yet you have an opinion. We don't need you here, go troll a Transformers TB.The movie is great. The band is great. 'nuff said.
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Who are the promotional warlocks that think this is a positive thought?
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You should give it another try man, it really grows on you. It's one of the most hilarious films ever. Anvil is awesome also, but a very different film. The similarities to Tap are clear, but its a completely different animal. It brought me to tears a couple of times, both because of how funny it is and because how human and touching it is. It's a really brilliant film, but not as brilliant as Tyson if you ask me.
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Apr 24, 2009 5:53:45 PM CDT
never seen spinal tap but saw the part where
by supercowbell4therequestformorecowbell
they talk about the cover art...hilarious
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If not, Spinal Tap wins!
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You said it perfectly. That Tap special edition DVD is a must own. The commentary is priceless as it is the actors as Tap doing it. The movie is subtle in it's humor and is mostly improv. The famous "this one goes to 11" scene is based off a real in-studio interview with a totally drugged-up Eric Clapton in the 70's where Eric is like "this is my Wah pedal. It makes my guitar go Waaaahhh waaaaah". Reiner was a pure genius. What makes it hilarious is that most of what happens in the film has happened to most bands at some point. Wireless units picking up radio/CB/airline traffic, getting lost backstage, hotel mis-bookings, prop malfunctions and STDs. Greatest line ever... Nigel Tufnel: Well, this piece is called "Lick My Love Pump". Pure Genius!
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First of all krushjudgement, your "nice try" remark. I wasn't trying anything. I simply gave an opinion, which is what these boards are for. Your remark that just because I think they're shit doesn't mean other people do works the other way too. I don't think they're good. My opinion.
Pdorwick, yes I have seen it. I saw it twice actually, at a film festival that you probably buy tickets for. But thanks for talking shit. I'm sorry I made you cry by having an opinion about a band you love. I just happen to think they sound like a pub band. IN fact, I've seen pub bands that play better. & for your information, I wasn't "trolling", you fuckwit. Just because I disagree with your tastes doesn't mean I'm trolling & yeah, I am being insulting, because if you read my post you'd see that I was saying they just aren't my taste, but that the film is great & they seem like nice guys. Fairly balanced opinion. Trolling would be "Anvil are shit, they should all die blah blah blah." That's trolling.
Who the fuck are you to tell me to go somewhere else? I'll go where I like. & I'll say what I like. It's my opinion & I'm entitled to it. I don't work for you, fuckstick. What an arrogant prick thing to say. Go fuck yourself.
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These talkbacks don't exist so that fans of things can sit together agreeing & saying how great something is.
They exist for people's opinions, which may be good or bad & won't always be the same as yours. If you want an Anvil love-in, go to Ifuckingloveanvil.com. If I gatecrash that, THAT'S trolling. This is place is a free for all, where people can say what they think.
You're just gonna have to accept that not everybody shares the same taste as you & they will say so if that's what they think. Deal with it. -
I guess. never heard of them before.
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People keep talking about Anvil like they are this awesome band that never got their due. Their first three albums are the only good albums they ever made, and they're just basic metal. Not bad, but Kill'em All they weren't. It's cool that they might see some money now since two of them have stayed at it this long.
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music. But I have to admit while i am quite knowledgeable about metal bands and the history of metal, i have never heard of these guys. I have not yet seen this documentary (really looking forward to it though) but I have been checking out their stuff on Youtube. I have to partly agree that pat of the reason these guys never really made it is becos while they are an above average metal band, I dont think they are great. They are missing that certain special something that would make them stick out as exceptional. I think luck and good management also plays a big part (2 thingsn tghese guys never seemed to have) But I also think when you look at the era these guys were coimng out in (the 80s) i kind of understand it. There were such great/cool metal bands (all different types of metal too) like Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Guns n Roses, Van Halen (yeah i know they started late 70's, but they hit their commercial peak in the 80's) motley crue, iron maiden etc...It was a great decade for metal imho. Many great guitarists and front men, so when doing comparisons I can get why it never happened for these guys. That being said i admire their perserverance and im happy for them to be getting this exposure. Hope they get some money and success from it...
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it's definitely not to be missed
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