Anvil band movie#
Anvil band full#

Anvil band full#

Full of unrehearsed hilarity – a highlight being the final date of a disastrous European tour which culminates at the Monsters Of Transylvania rock festival, where only 200 Romanian headbangers show up and the support act is a raffle – there are also moments of victory (like when the band are reunited with producer Chris Tsangerides to record their new album, This Is Thirteen). “Sometimes I close my eyes and imagine I am playing to a full house,” Lips admits during one of the many melancholy moments in the film. There is no stage, lights or even a roadcrew, but the band are still playing as if their lives depend on it. The documentary kicks off with the band at the height of their powers, performing at a sold-out Japanese festival, and then quickly cuts to the present day and the less salubrious surroundings of a Toronto bar populated by their faithful few older fans (or ‘dogs’, as they describe themselves) in various states of disrepair, some of whom appear to be drinking beer through their studded noses. 26 years later, Lips and Robb are still plying their trade – still believing that their big break is just around the corner. They had the keys to the proverbial kingdom and then they disappeared. In the early 80s, Anvil (Steven ‘Lips’ Kudlow, guitar/vocals, Robb Reiner, drums, Ian Dickson, bass, and Dave ‘Squirlly’ Allison on guitar/vocals) had everything going for them: a major record deal, top producer, heavyweight management, positive press, and a successful string of shows at the legendary Marquee club (witnessed by rock royalty like Motorhead and Def Leppard). It is a tragicomedy/homage/all-too-familiar tale of what happens to the 99 per cent of the musicians who don’t make it in this business – but maybe this time it comes with a happy ending. 'It just doesn't get better.Gervasi’s film, Anvil! The Story of Anvil documents the relative rise and spectacular fall of the Canadian cult heroes who at one time were acknowledged as the precursors to the thrash metal movement. 'We couldn't have a better opening act than the movie,' Reiner says. They've got a big-name manager, and they are working on a new album. They've quit the day jobs, and they are touring with the film. 'They are actually rooting for it and hoping for success for the people involved.'īecause of the film, Anvil has a new lease on life. 'And it's actually quite amazing that people coming in to have a good laugh at something, realize they are not laughing at it after too long,' he says. Some people compare the film with the mockumentary 'This is Spinal Tap,' directed oddly enough by the guy Reiner calls 'The other Rob Reiner.' Kudrow says if people think they are coming to see another Spinal Tap, that's not be a bad thing. It turned out that even people who hate heavy metal felt some kinship and respect for the Anvil struggle. There were raves in national magazines including the New Yorker.

Anvil band movie#

The movie went out on the festival circuit, and word of mouth began to build. The finished film called 'Anvil! The story of Anvil' didn't gloss over any of it. He caught Anvil at high points when they were on stage and low when a European tour turned into a bizarre mess of misunderstanding and small crowds. My 30 years of stuggle and perserverance was to make this movie.' It was sort of like a meant-to-be.' Kudrow went to see him and within a week Gervasi said he wanted to make a movie about the band. He said he was now working as a screenwriter in Hollywood. A guy named Sacha Gervasi who had been their roadie when he was a teenager almost twenty years ago gave them a call. Then one day the story took a fairytale twist. Over the years they produced 16 albums, but none brought them the attention they had in the early years. Kudrow worked delivering school meals, and Reiner worked construction to support their families and their music. Reiner says being on stage is still where he feels most alive. This is not an unusual rock and roll story, except Anvil refused to give up.