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Anvil (band)

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Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in Toronto in 1978. [2] The band currently consists of founding members guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner, along with bassist Chris Robertson who joined in 2014. As of 2024, the band has released twenty studio albums; they have been cited as having influenced many notable heavy metal groups including Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica.[3]

Anvil
Anvil in 2010. L-R: former bassist Glenn Five, Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner
Anvil in 2010.
L-R: former bassist Glenn Five, Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner
Background information
Also known asLips (1978–1981)
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active1973–present
Labels
MembersSteve "Lips" Kudlow
Robb Reiner
Chris Robertson
Past membersIvan Hurd
Sebastian Marino
Ian Dickson
Dave Allison
Mike Duncan
Glenn Gyorffy
Sal Italiano
Guitarist and singer Steve "Lips" Kudlow at Rockharz Open Air 2019
Drummer Robb Reiner at Rockharz Open Air 2019
Bassist Chris Robertson at Rockharz Open Air 2019

Reviewers described Anvil as a pioneering heavy metal band which was popular in the 1980s but then faded into obscurity in the 1990s, while refusing to stop playing, recording, and gigging.[4] Anvil's antics on and off stage, the setbacks they suffered, and their determination to keep going have been compared to the fictional band Spinal Tap.[4][5][6][7][8]

History

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Formation (1973–1981)

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Anvil began in April 1973 in a suburb of Toronto, when high school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner began playing music together. They met through a friend, guitarist and neighbor Marty Hoffman, but "musical differences" caused his departure after their first show.[9] In 1978, the first full line-up of the band included Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Reiner (drums), Dave "Squirrely" Allison (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Ian "Dix" Dickson (bass).[9] At that point, the band was called Lips.

Success in the 1980s (1981–1989)

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In 1981, the band released an independent album called Hard 'N' Heavy. Shortly after that they were signed by Attic Records and changed their name to Anvil. Their independent album was rereleased by Attic as their debut album for the company. After its release, British rock musician Lemmy asked Kudlow to play guitar for Motörhead, to replace "Fast" Eddie Clarke, but Kudlow declined.[10]

By 1983, Aerosmith manager David Krebs and assistant Paul O'Neill had signed a managing contract with Anvil and convinced Attic to release the band from its contract, so the band could sign with a major label.[11] However, after initial interest, Krebs eventually stopped returning phone calls and did not get the band a major label recording contract; he released the band in mid-1986.[12]

In 1987 the band was signed with American label Metal Blade Records by William Howell, a fan who became a DJ with KNAC radio.[13] The band released three records with Metal Blade, starting with Strength of Steel, which was the group's most commercially successful record in the United States; it peaked at No. 191 on the Billboard 200.[14]

Obscurity (1990–2006)

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In 1991, Anvil was signed by Mausoleum Records which, in 1992, released their sixth album Worth the Weight. In 1996, they were signed by Hypnotic Records in Canada and Massacre Records in Germany. Hypnotic and Massacre released the albums, Plugged in Permanent (1996),[15] Absolutely No Alternative (1997), Speed of Sound (1999), Plenty of Power (2001) and Still Going Strong (2002). The albums were not particularly well-received, and Kudlow said that Anvil would not have continued had it not been for the German fans and the German contract, adding "We'll play gigs sometimes where there's no one there".[9][16]

In 1995, guitarist Sebastian Marino left the band to join Overkill. He was replaced by Ivan Hurd.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil documentary, and This Is Thirteen (2006–2009)

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In 2006, the band recorded with Chris Tsangarides, who produced their acclaimed 1982 album Metal on Metal. After failing to find a new label, the album, This Is Thirteen, was self-released in 2007[17] and was available exclusively from the band's website. Guitarist Ivan Hurd left the band at this point to settle down with his new wife, Anvil's former tour manager Tiziana Arrigoni.

In 2008, the band was the subject of the documentary film Anvil! The Story of Anvil, directed by the screenwriter and former Anvil roadie Sacha Gervasi. The film garnered critical acclaim from many major publications; Rolling Stone called it "the year's most praised rock doc."[18][19] At the film's premiere, which took place at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, the band played "Cat Scratch Fever" with Slash and Anthrax's Scott Ian.

The high praise for the movie[20] put Anvil back into the public consciousness,[21] and brought the band opening slots with AC/DC[22] and Saxon, as well as appearances at major festivals, including the Download,[23][24] Hellfest,[25] Bumbershoot[26] and SXSW.[27]

After 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", which was written by the band during the 1980s. The double-vinyl LP contains re-recorded versions of Anvil classics "Metal on Metal" and "666".

In 2009, Bantam Press released the book Anvil: The Story of Anvil, authored by Kudlow and Reiner with a foreword by Slash.[28] 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.[29]

Anvil appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on October 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; on the show, the band performed "Metal on Metal".[30]

On October 8, 2009, Anvil filmed a cameo performance in a rock club for The Green Hornet.[31]

2010–present

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Anvil at Headbangers Open Air 2014 in Germany

From June to July 2010, Anvil went on a tour of Europe, selling out certain venues in the UK, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands as well as appearing at festivals in Finland, Sweden, France, Italy, and Germany.[32] The band released Juggernaut of Justice, their 14th studio album, on May 10, 2011, care of The End Records.[33][34]

After the release of the album the band completed yet more tours in Europe and North America, often playing alongside artists such as Alice Cooper[35] and Saxon.[36] The band released a new greatest hits album Monument of Metal: The Very Best of Anvil. Anvil also started re-releasing their old material, starting with Strength of Steel, Pound For Pound, and Worth the Weight later that same year.

In January 2012, bassist Glenn Gyorffy quit Anvil, citing creative differences.[37][38] He was replaced by Sal Italiano, late of Iron Maiden tribute band Live After Death.[39][40]

Anvil embarked on a 2012 Winter Tour of the US and in May 2013, released Hope in Hell, a studio recording produced by Bob Marlette. Kudlow said that in some songs he was inspired by his love of heavy rock'n'roll, which made him feel he "found his way home",[16] to the time when they did their first record. In an interview with The Drummer's Journal, Lips outlined how the record was written "as if it was 1983 again."[41] At that point, the band had signed with Steamhammer, which would release its next two albums. Anvil toured to promote the new album; they opened for Metallica in Singapore,[42] played Wacken Open Air in Germany, swung through Australia[43] and, in 2014, went on an extensive US tour.[44]

In 2014, Anvil parted ways with Sal Italiano and replaced him with Chris Robertson, who was already acting as the band's rehearsal bassist and a member of their road crew.

The album Anvil Is Anvil was released on February 26, 2016; the band toured Europe and Japan in support of it.[45] Anvil continued touring as its seventeenth album, Pounding the Pavement, was released on January 19, 2018.[46] The band's 18th album, Legal at Last, was released on February 14, 2020, by AFM Records.[47][48] On May 20, 2022, Anvil's 19th album Impact Is Imminent was released.[49][50]

On January 1, 2023, former guitarist Sebastian Marino died at the age of 57.[51] The band released their twentieth studio album, One and Only, in 2024.[52] Former guitarist Dave Allison died on September 30, 2024, at the age of 68.[53]

Band members

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Current members

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  • Steve "Lips" Kudlow – guitars, lead vocals (1978–present)
  • Robb "Robbo" Reiner – drums (1978–present)
  • Chris Robertson – bass, backing vocals (2014–present)

Former members

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  • Dave "Squirrely" Allison – guitars, backing vocals (1978–1989; died 2024)
  • Ian "Dix" Dickson – bass (1978–1993)
  • Sebastian Marino – guitars (1989–1995; died 2023)
  • Mike Duncan – bass (1993–1996)
  • Ivan Hurd – guitars (1995–2007)
  • Glenn "Glenn Five" Gyorffy – bass, backing vocals (1996–2012)
  • Sal Italiano – bass (2012–2014)

Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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Live albums

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Compilation albums

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Singles & EPs

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  • School Love (1981, Polydor Records)
  • Anvil (1982, self-produced)
  • Stop Me/Tease Me, Please Me (1982, Attic Records)
  • Metal on Metal (1982, Attic Records)
  • Forged in Fire (1983, Attic Records)
  • Make It Up to You (1983, Attic Records)
  • Blood on the Ice (1988, Metal Blade Records, Enigma Records)
  • Juggernaut of Justice (2011, The End Records)
  • Daytrotter Session (2012, Daytrotter)
  • Hope in Hell (2013, Steamhammer)
  • Flying (2013, Steamhammer)
  • Mankind Machine (2013, Steamhammer)
  • Nabbed in Nebraska (2019, AFM Records)
  • Legal at Last (2019, AFM Records)
  • Feed Your Fantasy (2024, AFM Records)

Other media

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Books
  • Anvil: The Story of Anvil by Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner (Foreword by Slash) Bantam Press (March 13, 2009) ISBN 0-593-06364-3
Film

References

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  1. ^ Huey, Steve. Anvil Biography at AllMusic. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  2. ^ "Anvil history". metallian. May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  3. ^ Rodman, Sarah (April 12, 2009). "Metal band Anvil lives!". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Alter, Ethan (March 20, 2009). "Film Review: Anvil! The Story of Anvil". Film Journal International. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  5. ^ Yabroff, Jennie (April 10, 2009). "'Spinal Tap' and Its Influence". Newsweek. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  6. ^ Burns, Kenneth (September 18, 2009). "Anvil! is a touching documentary about a flailing band – Heavy-metal poignancy". Isthmus.
  7. ^ Lane, Anthony (April 20, 2009). "Rock Solid". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  8. ^ Spera, Keith (January 22, 2010). "For metal band Anvil, overnight success was just 32 years and one documentary away". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "Anvil a hard act to follow". Jam!. March 15, 2001. Archived from the original on May 8, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ Anvil: The Story of Anvil by Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner (Foreword by Slash) Bantam Press (March 13, 2009) ISBN 0-593-06364-3 page 12
  11. ^ Anvil: The Story of Anvil by Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner (Foreword by Slash) Bantam Press (March 13, 2009) ISBN 0-593-06364-3 page 151
  12. ^ Anvil: The Story of Anvil by Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner (Foreword by Slash) Bantam Press (March 13, 2009) ISBN 0-593-06364-3 page 187
  13. ^ "ALL ACCESS LIVE with DJ WILL HOWELL". accesskevin.com. All Access Live!. August 24, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  14. ^ Charts, AllMusic
  15. ^ Anderson, Jason. "Plugged in Permanent Review". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Interview with Lips: Without Germany – NO ANVIL". entertaim.net. May 16, 2013. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  17. ^ "ANVIL in London: Interview, Performance Footage Available". Blabbermouth.net. February 20, 2009.
  18. ^ "Anvil! The True Story of Anvil, Jan 2008". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. January 25, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Travers, Peter (April 9, 2009). "Anvil! The Story of Anvil". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  20. ^ "'Anvil': For Heavy-Metal Vets, It's A Hard-Rock Life". NPR. April 10, 2009. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
  21. ^ Anderson, John (May 18, 2008). "Heavy Metal, Light on the Success". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
  22. ^ Prince, David J. (July 31, 2009). "AC/DC tour adds a little Anvil, 2009". hollywoodreporter.com. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  23. ^ "Rock band Anvil on a roll as docu hits theaters". Reuters. April 2, 2009. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
  24. ^ "Anvil return to Donington, June 2009". nme.com. NME. June 13, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  25. ^ "Anvil Live at Hellfest, June 2010". metaltraveller.com. Metal Traveller. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  26. ^ Zwickel, Jonathan (September 8, 2010). "ANVIL At Seattle's BUMBERSHOOT, Sept 2010". blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  27. ^ Blog, Rhapsody (May 21, 2009). "ANVIL Members Interviewed At SXSW, May 2009". blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  28. ^ "ANVIL: 'The Story of Anvil' Book Due In March, Dec 2008". blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. December 12, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  29. ^ "Canadian metalheads Anvil to open for AC/DC, June 2009". cbc.ca. CBC Arts. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  30. ^ "Tonight show". anvilmetal.tk. 2009. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  31. ^ "Anvil to Appear in Green Hornet". News in Film. 2009. Archived from the original on October 16, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  32. ^ "Anvil's Concert History". concertarchives.com. Concert Archives. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  33. ^ "This Is Anvil!". Slate. April 10, 2009. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
  34. ^ bravewords.com. "ANVIL – 20 Songs Written For New Record". Bravewords.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  35. ^ "ANVIL: More Dates With ALICE COOPER Announced, Feb 2011". blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. February 19, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  36. ^ "SAXON / ANVIL / CRIMES OF PASSION – Helsinki". kkdowning.net. KK Downing. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  37. ^ "ANVIL Frontman: GLENN FIVE 'Tried To Make It Difficult By Leaving Without Proper Notice'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  38. ^ Vlessing, Etan (January 16, 2012). "Glenn Five Exits..., January 2012". hollywoodreporter.com. Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  39. ^ "ANVIL's Longtime Bassist GLENN FIVE Quits". BlabberMouth. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  40. ^ "Glenn Five Former Anvil Bassist". Hardrock Haven. February 3, 2012. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  41. ^ Hoare, Tom. "More Than Fun & Games Robb Reiner and Lips of Anvil" Archived June 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, The Drummer's Journal, New York, October 27, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  42. ^ "Metallica live in Singapore". concertarchives.org. Concert Archives. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  43. ^ "Anvil's Concert History". concertarchives.org. Concert Archives. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  44. ^ "Anvil". en.concerts-metal.com. Concerts-Metal. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  45. ^ "Anvil Japan Tour 2016". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  46. ^ "ANVIL To Release 'Pounding The Pavement' Album in January". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  47. ^ "ANVIL To Release 'Legal At Last' Album In February". Blabbermouth.net. October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  48. ^ Kelleher, Jack (February 17, 2020). "Anvil Legal at Last". exclaim.ca. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  49. ^ "News: ANVIL – new album "Impact Is Imminent" on May 20th!". MetalGlory. February 23, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  50. ^ "ANVIL release new album 'Impact Is Imminent', out now on AFM Records". R o c k 'N' L o a d. May 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  51. ^ "Former Overkill and Anvil Guitarist Sebastian Marino Dead at 57". Blabbermouth. January 2, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  52. ^ "Anvil band biography". metallian. May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  53. ^ "Original Anvil Guitarist Dave Allison Has Passed Away". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
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