Recipe for Metal: Anvil
William Koester
Issue date: 11/30/09 Section: Entertainment
For every rock band with never-ending fame and fortune, many times there are more failing bands. Some spend many years pursuing a dream of stardom that never comes true. One such band is Anvil, a Canadian heavy metal band that's the subject of the documentary "Anvil: The Story of Anvil." The film was well-received on the festival circuit over the past year and is now on DVD.
Formed by guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner as teenagers, Anvil achieved moderate success in the early 1980s. The film opens with footage of the band playing alongside such big acts as The Scorpions and Bon Jovi in 1984. The footage is intercut with interviews with famous musicians, such as former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, praising the band.
The film then cuts to present day Toronto, where middle-aged Lips and Robb are living average lives far removed from the rock and roll lifestyle of which they dreamed. The two now have families and work menial jobs to pay the bills. They never stopped recording albums, but their chance at major success has long since come and gone.
In spite of everything, the band sets out on a tour of Europe, still believing they have a shot at fame. The tour, however, turns out to be a disaster. The band misses trains on a few occasions and plays before tiny crowds at dive venues. Upon returning home, they contact their old producer and try to scrounge up the money to record an album as a last-ditch attempt to make it.
Truth be told, it's not hard to see why Anvil never made it big. Not only are they disorganized, but their music and lyrics are pretty dopey and uninspired. Lips and Robb obviously love playing and are so determined to make their dreams come true, it's impossible not to root for them.
There's one flaw to the film-it is quite short, clocking in at only 90 minutes. Director Sacha Gervasi could have gone into more detail in certain parts, such as the rest of the band and the members' families. The DVD contains some deleted scenes, but it still seems like these areas are barely touched upon, even in those.
Despite this, "Anvil: The Story of Anvil" is a very good movie, whether viewed by a true metalhead or someone who knows nothing about music. It's funny, entertaining, and uplifting, all the more so because it's true.
As a happy postscript to the events depicted on film, the movie has sparked a renewed interest in Anvil. They toured the country supporting the film to enthusiastic crowds earlier in the year. They opened a few shows for AC/DC over the summer, and will be touring the U.S. and Australia in 2010. The film has given the band the second chance they were seeking.
Formed by guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner as teenagers, Anvil achieved moderate success in the early 1980s. The film opens with footage of the band playing alongside such big acts as The Scorpions and Bon Jovi in 1984. The footage is intercut with interviews with famous musicians, such as former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, praising the band.
The film then cuts to present day Toronto, where middle-aged Lips and Robb are living average lives far removed from the rock and roll lifestyle of which they dreamed. The two now have families and work menial jobs to pay the bills. They never stopped recording albums, but their chance at major success has long since come and gone.
In spite of everything, the band sets out on a tour of Europe, still believing they have a shot at fame. The tour, however, turns out to be a disaster. The band misses trains on a few occasions and plays before tiny crowds at dive venues. Upon returning home, they contact their old producer and try to scrounge up the money to record an album as a last-ditch attempt to make it.
Truth be told, it's not hard to see why Anvil never made it big. Not only are they disorganized, but their music and lyrics are pretty dopey and uninspired. Lips and Robb obviously love playing and are so determined to make their dreams come true, it's impossible not to root for them.
There's one flaw to the film-it is quite short, clocking in at only 90 minutes. Director Sacha Gervasi could have gone into more detail in certain parts, such as the rest of the band and the members' families. The DVD contains some deleted scenes, but it still seems like these areas are barely touched upon, even in those.
Despite this, "Anvil: The Story of Anvil" is a very good movie, whether viewed by a true metalhead or someone who knows nothing about music. It's funny, entertaining, and uplifting, all the more so because it's true.
As a happy postscript to the events depicted on film, the movie has sparked a renewed interest in Anvil. They toured the country supporting the film to enthusiastic crowds earlier in the year. They opened a few shows for AC/DC over the summer, and will be touring the U.S. and Australia in 2010. The film has given the band the second chance they were seeking.
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