Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Anvil! The Story of Anvil

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Space15Twenty is a little shopping area (rather "anti-mall"ish) in Hollywood that has free movie screenings. Last week I saw Weird Science there because they're doing Tuesdays in September for John Hughes movies (Ferris Bueller's Day Off is tonight). October will be Patrick Swayze month. (SIDENOTE TO ACTORS: if you want a film screening series dedicated to you, all you have to do is die?) Mondays however are often put on by Amoeba Music. I had heard nothing but great things about Anvil, and meant to see it during it's limited LA release, but was broke and lazy at the time (though not much has changed), and missed out. I don't know much about the band, Anvil, other than the fact that they've been around forever! So here's to a love of music and free movies!

 
Ok, so Anvil... dang! Those guys have been around for 30+ years, and have never really "made it". The documentary shows them and their families, and shows their daily lives in Canada. There's 2 original members:  Steve "Lips" Kudlow (guitar/vocals), and Robb Reiner (drums). As high schoolers, they started this band, and it's all they've ever wanted to do! Both are married with families, and their wives just want to see them happy, though Robb's wife seems to think it might be time to hang up the hat. 

The film's director, Sasha Gervasi, met them in London at 15 years old, worked as a roadie for a while, and is still, to this day, and friend and supporter of this band that he so deeply admires for their perseverence and love of their art. Anvil is a band that has just never taken off like a band who is THAT passionate usually would, While showing some older footage mixed in, we see the band where they are at present, still working their day jobs and trying to book tours on their own during their vacation time. They're shown being given an opportunity to play a 10,000 seat arena... and 174 people show up. They book club gigs all over Europe, and money matters aren't resolved til years later! They can't seem to catch a break! As a viewer, part of me feels like they're ridiculous for chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They talk about their career as musicians as if they're JUST on the cusp of making it... 30+ years in... and at 50+ years old.

***SPOILERS???***
At that point, I was really wondering how this documentary was going to end up! They hired one of their old producers to produce "Thirteen", their thirteenth album, and hand delivered it to labels all over the place in hopes that someone, ANYONE, would be willing to pick them up and work with them. This was all AFTER Lips' older sister, still wnting to believe in the band's dream, lent them money to continue on. It brought on such a real sense of love! She wanted her brother to be happy and continue pursuing his dream, no matter how foolish it may seem to most. They finally got a call from a promoter...from Japan... saying that they wanted to  book them to play a festival. They head to Japan to find that they're playing a 20,000 seat arena... and are FIRST on the bill at 11:35am. I was sitting in a PACKED house and audible groans of pity could be heard from almost EVERYONE! The band was trying SO hard to make it and they were just being dealt the WORST hand EVER! They get ready to go onstage... and walk out to a PACKED HOUSE!!! Everyone where I was started clapping and couldn't be happier to see Anvil get some love and respect from fans! (My note of advice: move to Japan, make some money, and then retire in style!)

The documentary sums up the band's current state by saying they're recruiting the same producer for their FOURTEENTH album, and are hoping for success. It's such a bittersweet film that thoroughly enjoyed. It showed the trials of a struggling band wonderfully.

Overall: Thumbs up!!!

Here's a clip that was from Sundance '08, where the film was originally showcased:

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