Aging rock stars never die – they continue to show up in boxed set tribute CDs, reality shows, VH-1 specials, and now, in the case of the Canadian band Anvil, in a wonderfully personal documentary that captures both the passion and hard knocks of the veteran heavy metal rockers ongoing quest for stardom.
Directed by Sacha Gervasi (whose writing credits include The Terminal), Anvil! The Story of Anvil!could be easily described as a real life Spinal Tap. But what it really captures – beyond all the outrageous lyrics and fist pumping rock posturing – is the youthful enthusiasm the band still brings to every note they play, an unquenched passion for rock ‘n’ roll glory that began when lead singer Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner first met as schoolboys in Toronto almost three decades ago.
Over the course of their career in the 80s, Anvil was the equal of any heavy metal act, as interviews with Lars Ulrich of Motorhead and guitarist Slash of Guns ‘N’ Roses attest, and their power riffing on albums like “Metal on Metal” influenced every speed metal band that came after them, including Metallica. They toured extensively with mega hard rock acts like Whitesnake and Bon Jovi throughout the eighties but were never able to break through to the widespread acceptance and enter the pantheon of rock gods many of their contemporaries did.
But it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Anvil has never given up on their dream, even if it meant playing small local venues and bowling alleys, and in 2006 Gervasi, who had worked as an Anvil roadie when he was 16, decided to track his old band down, and found that their rock ‘n’ roll flame was still burning brightly.
At their peak, Anvil could blow the roof off of any concert hall, but their best performance may ultimately be their candid discussion of their passion for rock ‘n’ roll stardom in this very personal film. It’s Gervasi’s empathy for the band member’s personal friendship and their quest for rock’s summit that sets the tone of the film and reveals the real heart of rock ‘n’ roll. Gervasi and cinematographer Chris Soos give you a personal Anvil backstage pass, and include footage from a European tour, complete with the miscues of road life, where Kudlow, instead of being disgruntled, optimistically states that “at least there was a tour for things to go wrong on.”
In the final analysis, Anvil! The Story of Anvil! isn’t just a film about music. It’s a tribute to the passion and friendship involved in any creative project, an anthem to a personal bond in quest of the rock ‘n’ roll grail. Now, though Kudlow and Reiner are both in their 50s, with family obligations and regular jobs, they still answer the call of their muse, playing concerts like the one in the film with limited budgets touring smaller markets, – and like the short play after their film’s Premier in Los Angeles, which was opened by Keanu Reeves who had his own touch of fame with the rock world not too long ago, and as a friend of Gervasi and a fellow Canadian landed support to the band. Kudlow and Reiner are brotherly friends, Reiner being the ultimate drummer, an extraordinary talent, and Kudlow the driving force.
I had a chance to chat with Reiner after the show and we both agreed that boiling blooded Hungarians like Reiner “has nowhere to go but up.” He still speaks the language with a funky accent that he learned from his immigrant father and sprinkles his sentences with a great sense of humor. Both Lips and Reiner are the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll optimists, clearly full of the adolescent enthusiasm and passion that fuels all dreams. Life gets harsh when you go off the path, let opportunities slide and find yourself struggling by. Money is scarce and survival is an issue. Things go wrong, the downright spiral is only getting deeper, you tiptow on quicksand with nowhere to go.
Keeping the hope, knowing your worth, setting out to show the world is what Anvil does in this very funny and very touching documentary that deserves all the awards there are. An honest portrayal of personal struggles and the human condition in a very humane way, the movie is a must see. “Do not die with your music inside of you” – Anvil certainly did not and what a message that is for all of us!
About the Author of This Article: Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist, economist and feature writer, who has written for many publications including Savoir; The Westside Today Publications ; such as Beverly Hills 90210; Malibu Beach; Santa Monica Sun; The Beverly Hills Times; Brentwood News; Bel-Air View ; Celebrity Society ; Celeb Staff ; It Magazine; Chic Today; LA2DAY; West Side Today among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicity and publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazine is owned by Atlantic Publicity that just opened a new extension to it : PublicityLosAngeles. Adrienne Papp is a member of the International Press Academy.She is the Founder, CEO and President of Youthful & Ageless ™, Bringing Information to Billions™, An Honorable Cause™ www.LatestAgeless.com. www.OurMediaVenuesAndCompanies.com, Atlantic Publicity Articles, Latest Ageless, Events Photo Collection, Linked In Profile, Movie Data Base Profile, Twitter, Instagram, Youthful and Ageless Google+, Atlantic Publicity Google+, Atlantic Publisher Google+, Adrienne Papp Google+, Adrienne Papp Personal Google+, Spotlight News Magazine, Atlantic Publicity Productions, Atlantic Altitude, Altitude Pacific, Atlantic Publicity Photography and Filming, About Adrienne Papp What Others Say AtlanticPublicitySEO, BrilliantMarketing365, An Honorable Cause, Academic Research, Knighthood Today, Youthful and Ageless™. She was knighted and became a Dame in 2010. Her official name is Lady Adrienne Papp and Dame Adrienne Papp. Voting Member of The International Press Academy and The Oscars: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She is the Managing Editorial Director of The Beverly Hills Times Magazine, and Hollywood Weekly. She has a Master of Science in Economics majoring Logistics; an MBA Degree; An International Law, Trade and Finance Postgraduate: Marketing and Advertising Postgraduate from NYU and UCLA. Guest Professor at Oxford University; Director and Producer of TV and Airline On Camera Editorials; Adrienne Papp Enterprises
