I recently saw Anvil, a documentary about the band Anvil. Anvil apparently had a run in the 80's where they were a good metal band that played at real shows and had a real tour and following. This takes place 25 years after they were relevant in our world, but makes the film SOOO much better. It essentially follows Lips, the lead singer the most, and his best friend Robb Reiner, not the Harry Met Sally/ A Few Good Men director, but drummer of Anvil. Reiner is very quiet, a true artist who paints VERY good landscape pictures that found a home in his basement.
Lips isn't the brightest fellow, but has so much enthusiasm and drive to carry this dream 30 years. They do a European tour that is a tragedy because their manager has no idea what she's doing, or any real experience, but tried and failed. They play at very small shows and don't get paid on more than one occasion. They play at a festival where Lips runs like an excited kid to catch up with former Black Sabbath guitarist, "Ax Man", Tommy Iommi. He even is in awe of Scorpion guitarist Rudolf Schenker, whom he credits for developing "Half of his style". I was absolutely in awe of the fact that Lips had so much energy and love to keep his dream alive. They fight to record a 13th album "the right way" and try to get a big-time label to back them. After numerous rejections they release 1,000 copies themselves to get it to fans that they feel deserve the album and say that it wouldn't matter if it sold 1 or 100 million, it's a good album that they're proud of. It made me find a new level of respect for bands that didn't make it as an enormous commercial success. Anvil has been grinding for 30 years while the lead singer and guitarist works at a catering company on the side.
It's such a great character study in one example of a million bands who didn't make it. The difference is that Anvil keeps touring and doing what they love for the people that love them. It was really uplifting and powerful. You find yourself wanting their success so badly that you want to run out and buy Anvil albums and help them out. I can't say enough good things about it and the fact that VH1 was showing it was just awesome. I can't recommend it highly enough if you are a fan of music, or a human being with feelings.
A rare 9.6 out of 10 because it's just fantastically done showing their vulnerability as regular people with a dream that they refuse to let die. This one will probably be a purchase for myself and here's to hoping Anvil sees some kickbacks for this one.
Can't wait for the Tigers vs. Twins one-game playoff, or the Packers vs. Vikings. Rivalry games at their finest in the Autumn cold is just a thing of beauty.
Note: I'm going to lose both weeks in fantasy football again since 30% of my starting lineups were on a bye, so I'm still getting fisted on that one. Editors note: Apparently "fisted" isn't a verb, or I'm misspelling it?
No comments:
Post a Comment