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Anvil (band)
Encyclopedia
Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal
band comprising Steve "Lips" Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar
), Robb Reiner (drums
), and Glenn Five (bass
, backing vocals). To date, the band has released fourteen studio albums, and has been cited as having influenced many notable heavy metal groups, including Megadeth
, Slayer
, Anthrax
, and Metallica
.
The band, in particular Kudlow and Reiner, was the subject of the 2008 documentary film
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
, directed by the screenwriter and former Anvil roadie Sacha Gervasi
. Upon its release, the film garnered critical acclaim from many major publications, and has since brought the band renewed recognition, including opening slots with AC/DC
and Saxon
. Appearances at major heavy metal festivals, including Download
, Bumbershoot
and Loud Park, also followed the release of the film.
, when high school
friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner began playing music together. They met through friend, guitarist and neighbour Marty Hoffman, but “musical differences” caused his departure after their first show. By 1978, the first full line-up of the band included Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Reiner (drums), Dave "Squirrely" Allison (vocals
, rhythm guitar
) and Ian "Dix" Dickson (bass). At this point, the band was called Lips.
In 1981, the band released an independent album called Hard 'N' Heavy
. Shortly after they were signed by Attic Records
, changed their name to Anvil and the independent album was released by Attic as their debut album. Following its release, Lemmy Kilmister
asked Lips to play guitar for Motörhead to replace "Fast" Eddie Clarke
, but Lips declined. By 1983, Aerosmith
manager David Krebs and assistant Paul O'Neill
signed Anvil and convinced Attic to release the band from their contract so the band could sign with a major label. However after initial interest, Krebs eventually stopped returning phone calls and did not get the band a major label recording contract, but eventually released the band from the managing contract allowing the band to find their own record deal in mid-1986.
in 1987, by William Howell (a fan who is now a DJ with KNAC
radio). They released three records with Metal Blade, starting with Strength of Steel
, which was the group's most commercially successful record in the United States
, peaking at #191 on the Billboard 200
. Anvil were then picked up by Maximum Records, an independent Canadian label that was formed by Helix
's manager-at-the-time William Seip. From 1996 they were signed by Hypnotic Records in Canada and Massacre Records
in Germany. In 2001, the band recorded Plenty of Power and continued touring in which Kudlow remarked "We'll play gigs sometimes where there's no one there".
, who previously produced their acclaimed 1982 album Metal on Metal
. The CD was self-released as This Is Thirteen
in 2007, and was available exclusively from the band's official website
.
The band's history has been documented in the documentary film Anvil! The Story of Anvil
released in 2008. The film has received high praise which has put Anvil back into the public consciousness, propelling them to play several festivals including the Download Festival in 2009
at which they headlined the Tuborg stage. Rolling Stone
called the movie "the year’s most praised rock doc." The band played “Cat Scratch Fever
” with Slash
and Anthrax’s Scott Ian
at the Sundance Film Festival
where the movie premiered.
Regarding the movie, Kudlow states:
Following the success of the Anvil documentary, VH1 Classic Records
re-released This Is Thirteen on CD and vinyl on September 15, 2009 with a newly recorded song, "Thumb Hang". Guitarist Ivan Hurd left the band at this stage to settle down with his new wife. The double-vinyl LP contains re-recorded versions of Anvil classics "Metal on Metal" and "666."
released the book Anvil: The Story of Anvil authored by Kudlow and Reiner with a foreword by Slash
. On March 28, 2009 Kudlow and Reiner were the featured guests on VH1 Classic's
That Metal Show
. Anvil played the Rocklahoma
festival in Pryor, Oklahoma in 2009, and opened for AC/DC
at their first few summer Black Ice World Tour
shows (North American leg II). They also supported Saxon
on a leg of UK shows in November.
Anvil appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009, the first network television appearance of their career, to coincide with the release of Anvil! The Story Of Anvil on DVD in North America, and performed "Metal on Metal".
On October 8, 2009, Anvil filmed a cameo performance in a rock club for The Green Hornet
. On October 18, 2009, Anvil headlined the Sanctuary Stage at the Loud Park Festival in Chiba
, Japan.
selling out venues in the UK
, Spain
, Belgium
, Switzerland
, Germany
and the Netherlands
as well as playing festivals in Finland
, Sweden
, France
, Italy
and Germany
. Lips confirmed on this tour that he had in fact paid back his sister the loan to pay for the production of This is Thirteen.
They released Juggernaut of Justice
, their 14th studio album, on May 10, 2011. Lips stated that the band drew from "about 20 songs written".
Former members
Film
Video games
Television
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band comprising Steve "Lips" Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
), Robb Reiner (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
), and Glenn Five (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals). To date, the band has released fourteen studio albums, and has been cited as having influenced many notable heavy metal groups, including Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, and Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
.
The band, in particular Kudlow and Reiner, was the subject of the 2008 documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Anvil! The Story of Anvil is a 2008 documentary film about the Canadian heavy metal band, Anvil. The film is directed by screenwriter Sacha Gervasi, whose previous credits include The Big Tease and The Terminal....
, directed by the screenwriter and former Anvil roadie Sacha Gervasi
Sacha Gervasi
-Early life and career in screen-writing:Born Alexander Gervasi in London in 1966, Gervasi was educated at Westminster School, and then read modern history at King's College London...
. Upon its release, the film garnered critical acclaim from many major publications, and has since brought the band renewed recognition, including opening slots with AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
and Saxon
Saxon (band)
Saxon are an English heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart...
. Appearances at major heavy metal festivals, including Download
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
, Bumbershoot
Bumbershoot
Bumbershoot is an annual international music and arts festival held in Seattle, Washington. One of North America's largest such festivals, it takes place every Labor Day weekend at the 74-acre Seattle Center, which was built for the 1962 World's Fair. Seattle Center includes indoor theaters,...
and Loud Park, also followed the release of the film.
The Early Years
The roots of Anvil began in April 1973 in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, when high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner began playing music together. They met through friend, guitarist and neighbour Marty Hoffman, but “musical differences” caused his departure after their first show. By 1978, the first full line-up of the band included Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Reiner (drums), Dave "Squirrely" Allison (vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
) and Ian "Dix" Dickson (bass). At this point, the band was called Lips.
In 1981, the band released an independent album called Hard 'N' Heavy
Hard 'N' Heavy
Hard 'n' Heavy is the first studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil. It was originally released independently under the band name "Lips".- Track listing :-Personnel:*Lips - Vocals & Guitar*Robb Reiner - Drums*Ian Dickson - Bass...
. Shortly after they were signed by Attic Records
Attic Records (Canada)
Attic Records was a Canadian independent record label, founded in 1974 by Alexander Mair and Tom Williams. The label was known for developing Canadian talent, including Anvil, Lee Aaron, Maestro Fresh Wes, The Nylons, Teenage Head, and Triumph...
, changed their name to Anvil and the independent album was released by Attic as their debut album. Following its release, Lemmy Kilmister
Lemmy Kilmister
Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister is an English heavy metal musician....
asked Lips to play guitar for Motörhead to replace "Fast" Eddie Clarke
Eddie Clarke
Edward Allan Clarke better known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke, is a guitarist who was a member of British heavy metal bands Fastway and Motörhead.-Early days:...
, but Lips declined. By 1983, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
manager David Krebs and assistant Paul O'Neill
Paul O'Neill (rock producer)
Paul O'Neill is an American music composer, lyricist, producer, and songwriter.-Early years:A New York City native, O'Neill began playing guitar with a number of rock bands in high school and quickly graduated to folk guitar gigs at downtown clubs...
signed Anvil and convinced Attic to release the band from their contract so the band could sign with a major label. However after initial interest, Krebs eventually stopped returning phone calls and did not get the band a major label recording contract, but eventually released the band from the managing contract allowing the band to find their own record deal in mid-1986.
Obscurity
Free to pursue a recording contract, they were signed by American label Metal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
in 1987, by William Howell (a fan who is now a DJ with KNAC
KNAC
KNAC is an internet based heavy metal music radio station. It was previously a Los Angeles, California area FM radio station.-KNAC at 105.5 FM:...
radio). They released three records with Metal Blade, starting with Strength of Steel
Strength of Steel
Strength of Steel is the fourth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.It is the group's sole charting album in the United States, peaking at No. 191 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 1987. It was also the band's first release on Metal Blade Records...
, which was the group's most commercially successful record in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, peaking at #191 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. Anvil were then picked up by Maximum Records, an independent Canadian label that was formed by Helix
Helix (band)
Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
's manager-at-the-time William Seip. From 1996 they were signed by Hypnotic Records in Canada and Massacre Records
Massacre Records
Massacre Records is an independent record label based in Abstatt, Germany.The label was founded in 1991 by Torsten Hartmann. The label is specialized on bands of the harder varieties of metal...
in Germany. In 2001, the band recorded Plenty of Power and continued touring in which Kudlow remarked "We'll play gigs sometimes where there's no one there".
Anvil! The Story of Anvil documentary, This Is Thirteen
In 2006, the band recorded with Chris TsangaridesChris Tsangarides
Chris Tsangarides is a British Grammy-nominated record producer, sound engineer, and mixer. He is best known for his work with many heavy metal bands, including Judas Priest, Anvil, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Helloween, and Yngwie Malmsteen...
, who previously produced their acclaimed 1982 album Metal on Metal
Metal on Metal
Metal on Metal is the second studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.- Track listing :All songs written and arranged by AnvilThe title song was featured on the November 14th, 2010 episode of The Simpsons titled "Lisa Simpson, This Isn't Your Life."-Personnel:*Lips - vocals, guitar*Dave...
. The CD was self-released as This Is Thirteen
This Is Thirteen
-Personnel:*Lips - Vocals & Guitar*Robb Reiner - Drums*Glenn Five - Bass*Ivan Hurd - Guitar solos on "Worry", "Burning Bridges" and "Room #9"...
in 2007, and was available exclusively from the band's official website
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
.
The band's history has been documented in the documentary film Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Anvil! The Story of Anvil is a 2008 documentary film about the Canadian heavy metal band, Anvil. The film is directed by screenwriter Sacha Gervasi, whose previous credits include The Big Tease and The Terminal....
released in 2008. The film has received high praise which has put Anvil back into the public consciousness, propelling them to play several festivals including the Download Festival in 2009
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
at which they headlined the Tuborg stage. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
called the movie "the year’s most praised rock doc." The band played “Cat Scratch Fever
Cat Scratch Fever (song)
"Cat Scratch Fever" is a rock song by Ted Nugent that appears on the album of the same name. The song is well known for its signature riff, which is a 3-tone "blues scale" melody harmonized in parallel fourths...
” with Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
and Anthrax’s Scott Ian
Scott Ian
Scott Ian Rosenfeld , better known by the stage name Scott Ian, is an American musician, best known as the rhythm & lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Anthrax. Ian is also the guitarist and a founding member of the crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death...
at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
where the movie premiered.
Regarding the movie, Kudlow states:
Following the success of the Anvil documentary, VH1 Classic Records
VH1 Classic
VH1 Classic is a television network, launched on May 8, 2000. It is operated as part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom and primarily features music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods...
re-released This Is Thirteen on CD and vinyl on September 15, 2009 with a newly recorded song, "Thumb Hang". Guitarist Ivan Hurd left the band at this stage to settle down with his new wife. The double-vinyl LP contains re-recorded versions of Anvil classics "Metal on Metal" and "666."
2009, post "Story of Anvil"
In 2009, Bantam PressBantam Press
Bantam Press is an imprint of Transworld Publishers which is a British publishing division of Random House.It is based on Uxbridge Road in Ealing near Ealing Broadway station, the same address as Transworld....
released the book Anvil: The Story of Anvil authored by Kudlow and Reiner with a foreword by Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
. On March 28, 2009 Kudlow and Reiner were the featured guests on VH1 Classic's
VH1 Classic
VH1 Classic is a television network, launched on May 8, 2000. It is operated as part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom and primarily features music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods...
That Metal Show
That Metal Show
That Metal Show is a talk show hosted by Eddie Trunk with co-hosts Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. It premiered on VH1 Classic on November 15, 2008. New episodes air on VH1 Classic on Saturday nights and are rebroadcast throughout the week....
. Anvil played the Rocklahoma
Rocklahoma
Rocklahoma is an annual hard rock music festival held in Pryor, Oklahoma...
festival in Pryor, Oklahoma in 2009, and opened for AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
at their first few summer Black Ice World Tour
Black Ice World Tour
Black Ice World Tour was a 2008/2009/2010 concert tour by Australian rock band AC/DC in support of the group's 15th studio album, Black Ice, which was released in October 2008. The tour was the band's first since the Stiff Upper Lip World Tour in 2000/2001.The jaunt began in Wilkes-Barre,...
shows (North American leg II). They also supported Saxon
Saxon (band)
Saxon are an English heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart...
on a leg of UK shows in November.
Anvil appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show that featured Conan O'Brien as host from June 1, 2009 to January 22, 2010 as part of NBC's long-running Tonight Show franchise...
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009, the first network television appearance of their career, to coincide with the release of Anvil! The Story Of Anvil on DVD in North America, and performed "Metal on Metal".
On October 8, 2009, Anvil filmed a cameo performance in a rock club for The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet (2011 film)
The Green Hornet is a 2011 American superhero action-comedy film based on the character of the same name that had originated in a 1930s radio program and has appeared in movie serials, a television series, comic books, and other media...
. On October 18, 2009, Anvil headlined the Sanctuary Stage at the Loud Park Festival in Chiba
Chiba, Chiba
is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000....
, Japan.
The 2010 European Tour
From June to July 2010 the band went on a headline tour of EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
selling out venues in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
as well as playing festivals in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Lips confirmed on this tour that he had in fact paid back his sister the loan to pay for the production of This is Thirteen.
They released Juggernaut of Justice
Juggernaut of Justice
Juggernaut of Justice is the fourteenth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, excluding live and compilations. The album was recorded at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California and produced by Bob Marlette. It was released on May 10, 2011.-Track listing:...
, their 14th studio album, on May 10, 2011. Lips stated that the band drew from "about 20 songs written".
Discography
- Hard 'n' HeavyHard 'N' HeavyHard 'n' Heavy is the first studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil. It was originally released independently under the band name "Lips".- Track listing :-Personnel:*Lips - Vocals & Guitar*Robb Reiner - Drums*Ian Dickson - Bass...
(1981) - Metal on MetalMetal on MetalMetal on Metal is the second studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.- Track listing :All songs written and arranged by AnvilThe title song was featured on the November 14th, 2010 episode of The Simpsons titled "Lisa Simpson, This Isn't Your Life."-Personnel:*Lips - vocals, guitar*Dave...
(1982) - Forged in FireForged in FireForged in Fire is the third studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.-Track listing:All songs written by Anvil-Personnel:*Lips - vocals, guitar*Dave Allison - guitar, lead vocals on "Never Deceive Me"*Ian Dickson - bass, backing vocals...
(1983) - BackwaxedBackwaxedBackwaxed is the fourth album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil. It is a compilation album of music released on previous albums.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Lips - Vocals & Guitar*Dave Allison - Guitar, Vocals on "You're a Liar"*Ian Dickson - Bass...
(Compilation) (1985) - Strength of SteelStrength of SteelStrength of Steel is the fourth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.It is the group's sole charting album in the United States, peaking at No. 191 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 1987. It was also the band's first release on Metal Blade Records...
(1987) - Pound for PoundPound for PoundPound for Pound is the fifth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.-Track listing:*All songs written by Anvil, except where noted.#"Blood on the Ice" - 5:26#"Corporate Preacher" - 4:07#"Toe Jam" - 2:46#"Safe Sex" - 3:22...
(1988) - Past and Present – Live in Concert (1988)
- Worth the WeightWorth the WeightWorth the Weight is the sixth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.It is Anvil's only release on Mausoleum Records, and also their only release with Sebastian Marino on guitar replacing Dave Allison.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
(1992) - Plugged in PermanentPlugged in PermanentPlugged in Permanent is the seventh studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.The title is a parody of the MTV Unplugged series of albums/performances. It is the band's first release on Massacre Records....
(1996) - Absolutely No AlternativeAbsolutely no AlternativeAbsolutely No Alternative is the eighth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.First release with Glenn "Five" Gyorffy on bass replacing Michael Duncan.-Track listing:-Japanese bonus tracks:-Personnel:*Lips – Vocals & Guitar...
(1997) - Speed of SoundSpeed of Sound (Anvil album)-Japanese bonus tracks:-Personnel:*Lips - Vocals & Guitar*Ivan Hurd - Guitar*Glenn Gyorffy - Bass*Robb Reiner - DrumsProduced by Anvil and Paul Lachapelle...
(1999) - Anthology of AnvilAnthology (Anvil album)- Personnel :* Lips - Vocals & Guitar * Ivan Hurd - Guitar * Glenn Gyorffy - Bass * Robb Reiner - Drums * Dave "Squirrely" Allison - Guitar...
(Compilation) (2000) - Plenty of Power (2001)
- Still Going StrongStill Going StrongStill Going Strong is the eleventh studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.-Track listing:-Reception:The album's reviews were generally positive. Critics admired the heaviness of the songs as well as the album's production. However, the lyrics were viewed by most reviewers as poorly written...
(2002) - Back to BasicsBack to Basics (Anvil album)- Personnel :* Lips - Vocals & Guitar* Robb Reiner - Drums* Glenn Five - Bass* Ivan Hurd - Guitar...
(2004) - This Is ThirteenThis Is Thirteen-Personnel:*Lips - Vocals & Guitar*Robb Reiner - Drums*Glenn Five - Bass*Ivan Hurd - Guitar solos on "Worry", "Burning Bridges" and "Room #9"...
(Self-released, 2007) (Re-released by VH1 Classic RecordsVH1 ClassicVH1 Classic is a television network, launched on May 8, 2000. It is operated as part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom and primarily features music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods...
on September 15, 2009 with bonus track, "Thumb Hang") - Juggernaut of JusticeJuggernaut of JusticeJuggernaut of Justice is the fourteenth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil, excluding live and compilations. The album was recorded at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California and produced by Bob Marlette. It was released on May 10, 2011.-Track listing:...
(2011) - Monument of Metal (Compilation) (September 27, 2011)
Members
Current line-up- Steve "Lips" Kudlow - lead vocals, lead guitar (1978–present)
- Robb "Geza" Reiner - drums (1978–present)
- Glenn Gyorffy - bass, backing vocals (1996–present)
- Note: Glenn Gyorffy often goes as Glenn Five or simply G5 for short.
Former members
- Dave "Squirrely" Allison - guitar, vocals (1978–1989)
- Ian "Dix" Dickson - bass (1978–1993)
- Sebastian Marino - guitar (1989–1995)
- Mike Duncan - bass (1993–1996)
- Ivan Hurd - guitar (1995–2007)
Media
Books- Anvil: The Story of Anvil by Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner (Foreword by SlashSlash (musician)Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
) Bantam Press (March 13, 2009) ISBN 0593063643
Film
- Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy CampersSleepaway Camp II: Unhappy CampersSleepaway Camp 2: Unhappy Campers is a 1988 sequel to the movie Sleepaway Camp, written by Fritz Gordon and directed by Michael A. Simpson. Unlike Sleepaway Camp, Sleepaway Camp II is more of a comedic spoof than a horror film...
: beginning credits contain the Anvil song "Straight Between the Eyes" playing, and "Wild Eyes" is also heard (both from their Strength of SteelStrength of SteelStrength of Steel is the fourth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.It is the group's sole charting album in the United States, peaking at No. 191 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 1987. It was also the band's first release on Metal Blade Records...
album). - Anvil! The Story of AnvilAnvil! The Story of AnvilAnvil! The Story of Anvil is a 2008 documentary film about the Canadian heavy metal band, Anvil. The film is directed by screenwriter Sacha Gervasi, whose previous credits include The Big Tease and The Terminal....
, a documentary by Sacha GervasiSacha Gervasi-Early life and career in screen-writing:Born Alexander Gervasi in London in 1966, Gervasi was educated at Westminster School, and then read modern history at King's College London...
, filmed from late 2005 to 2007. - The Green HornetThe Green Hornet (2011 film)The Green Hornet is a 2011 American superhero action-comedy film based on the character of the same name that had originated in a 1930s radio program and has appeared in movie serials, a television series, comic books, and other media...
features Anvil performing at a club. - The Final Destination, Anvil are heard playing "Burning Bridges".
Video games
- Brütal LegendBrütal LegendBrütal Legend is an action-adventure/real-time strategy game created by Double Fine Productions and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was released during October 2009 in North America and Europe...
, their songs "March of the Crabs" and "Tag Team" are featured in the game. - Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown WarsGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown WarsGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a video game for Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and iOS, developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with Rockstar North. It is the thirteenth game in the Grand Theft Auto series, and the very first for Nintendo DS and iOS.-Gameplay:Chinatown Wars has a...
, a dedicated radio station in the PSP version. - Rock Band 2Rock Band 2Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
, their songs "666", "This is Thirteen" and "Metal on Metal" are available as downloadable content.
Television
- Pure PwnagePure PwnagePure Pwnage was an Internet-distributed, mockumentary series from ROFLMAO Productions. The fictional series purports to chronicle the life and adventures of Jeremy , a Canadian and self-proclaimed "pro gamer"...
: in episode 4 of the television series, Steve Kudlow cameod as a rocker whom none of the characters knew and was referred to simply as "the rocker dude". He was portrayed as being really bad at playing "Rock Guitar Band Hero". - Sons of AnarchySons of AnarchySons of Anarchy is an American television drama series created by Kurt Sutter about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in Northern California...
: Steve Kudlow appeared briefly in the episode "Small Tears" as an extra who is seen carrying a bag of firearms out of a kitchen, assisting Opie and Tig.
External links
- Anvil Movie Website
- ( http://www.friendburst.com/anvilips/ )