AT 14, THEY MADE A PACT TO ROCK TOGETHER FOREVER. THEY MEANT IT.Is Anvil the real Spinal Tap? That’s a label that could be applied to any number of hapless hard rock bands, but there’s enough evidence in Anvil: The Story of Anvil to suggest that these guys may have, uh, tapped into the motherlode. The parallels are many, including getting lost on the way to a gig, playing before 174 people in a 10,000 capacity venue (in Transylvania, yet), inept management, ridiculous songs (even Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins couldn’t match “Thumb Hang,” an Anvil tune about the Spanish Inquisition)… heck, they even visit (the real) Stonehenge. But dig deeper and you’ll find some real heart in this 2007 documentary. Two hearts, actually–the ones belonging to singer-guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner (remove one “b” and you’ve got the director of This Is Spinal Tap). These two were there when the Canadian metal band formed in the early ’80s and went on to share festival stages with the likes of Bon Jovi and Whitesnake. Now, a quarter century later (a new bassist and guitarist joined in the ’90s), Reiner and Kudlow are in their fifties, living in Toronto with wives, kids, and menial jobs. But they still haven’t given up their undying belief that with a new album (their thirteenth) and couple of breaks, they will be rock stars.
It doesn’t happen on a mostly disastrous European tour organized by a well-meaning but inexperienced fan. It doesn’t happen when they reunite with British producer Chris Tsangarides (Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy) but find little interest in the new recording. But Kudlow, despite some bleak moments, is remarkably resilient (of the tour, he says, “Things went drastically wrong. But at least there was a tour for them to go wrong on”). And while it’s a sad truth that Anvil just isn’t that good–they’re nowhere near the level of some of the bands they inspired, like Anthrax and Metallica–only the hardest of heart will resist rooting for them. Bonus material includes deleted scenes and commentary by director (and former roadie) Sacha Gervasi. –Sam Graham
Buy “Anvil: The Story of Anvil” For Only $17.99
March 28, 2008
#1
Is this supposed to be a joke? Is this supposed to be the new Spinal Tap? If this is a joke — I don’t get it. Everyone likes to root for an “underdog”, but the underdog has to at least have a little bit of talent and a genuine reason why they should succeed. Why has Anvil struggled for 25 years trying to make it? Because they aren’t any good. Their playing is mediocre at best and their songs are lame and amateurish. There are a thousand highschool garage bands who are just as good as these guys.
At least Spinal Tap’s songs were clever and well done.
March 28, 2008
#2
I have never heard of the band Anvil,
upon doing some research of the film ‘Anvil! The Story Of Anvil’
I think this is gonna be really cool! can’t wait to see it!
March 28, 2008
#3
No entertainment value at all. Just a very slow paced movie about two guys that are now in their 50′s and trying to make another record and run into disappointment after disappointment. Reminds me of a very bad version of ‘Behind the Music’ about a band you don’t know.
March 28, 2008
#4
Anvil was always silly and nowhere near as good as they (and some fans) think they are, even if Metallica and Slayer and others have cited them as influences. After their first two albums, things went downhill fast and the band was nothing more than a joke.
However, this docummentary single-handed provides us with a microscope example of what probably happens to thousands of bands around the world (in any genre, mind you, not only in metal). It’s a poignant movie, sad at some times, but at least we know the guys at least canmake a living with their other jobs.
Kudos for who decided to invest in this project.
March 28, 2008
#5
I saw this in the theatre. Its a great flick. Honest, sometimes funny and sometimes downright sad. It is cool to see a real movie about a real band like this. God knows there are thousands of bands still sticking it out and trying to just get by making music that they love. This is one of those stories. A real doc about 2 great friends who refuse to totally throw away their dream. I really enjoyed this movie and my biggest complaint is that there was no real eclipse to the ending even though they got to play in front of a lot of people. The real point of this film is to see the relationship between these 2 best friends. I really enjoyed that aspect of this and I will watch it repeatedly because of it.
4 stars is for the ending and the actual music. Listen, I have known of Anvil since I was a teen. Their music never was the greatest and I believe this is the real reason they didnt make it. Sure, it was fun and had some energy back in the early 80′s, but the reason they didnt get further, IMO, is the fact that they were hard to take seriously. Lyrically they were challenged at best! lol.. They had no real label to back them and they didnt evolve as other bands did. Maybe a great producer and a real mix would have gotten them further way back when, but because of the corny lyrics, I believe they were seen as more of a novelty act. There are so many metal bands out there that its hard to see them as more than a very good garage band.
That said, this is still a great film to see the behind the scenes BS that many bands face. Especially a band that has been around for 25 years and never quite made a name for themselves. These guys are just a couple of real, nice guys. Its hard not to root for them, and you will find yourself rooting for them when you watch this. The scenes with them meeting some of their heroes is sad and funny. Especially the look on Michael Schenkers face! Priceless.
Get this if you like Rock n Roll Doc’s. This is one of the best and the people are real. Doubt they will gain a ton of fans of their music because it truly is a niche audience they cater too. But at least they got to make a statement in the end. It really is a cool flick and I admire the director for following his heart in making this. Good luck Lips and Rob! They really have shown in this film that living your dream is most important, regardless of the size of the audience.