Only Jewelry

Rent or Buy The Oxford Times

24.12.09

There were always going to be plenty of real life Spinal Taps on the headbanger circuit. But who knew that one would be so similar to the spoof metal combo that their misfortunes would almost follow the script to the letter? Indeed, such are the freakish coincidences between the bands that only a letter `b' separates the director of the 1984 movie from the drummer from the unluckiest quartet of all time. Director Sacha Gervasi is keenly aware of the congruities and plays upon them with all the subtlety of a Nigel Tufnel piano solo. He even opens Anvil: The Story of Anvil with footage from a Japanese stadium gig that took place in 1984, the same year the Rob Reiner released This Is Spinal Tap, which ended with the fading British rockers making an unlikely comeback in Japan.

A quarter of a century ago, Anvil were on the verge of something big. Their first three albums - Hard `N' Heavy (1981), Metal on Metal (1982) and Forged in Fire (1983) - were hailed as the bedrock of speed-metal and the likes of Metallica and Slayer openly acknowledge their debt. Indeed, Gervasi corrals such titans as Lemmy, Slash and Lars Ulrich to pay homage to guitarist Steve `Lips' Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner and lament that a combination of bad management and poorly produced indie albums cost them their place in the hall of fame.

Yet, Lips and Robb have never given up on the dream that brought them together as Toronto teenagers in 1973. They are now in their fifties, are married with kids and hold down steady jobs that enable them to play the odd gig for die-hard fans like Cut Loose and Mad Dog. Sidemen Glenn `G5' Gyorffy and Ivan Herd have been with them for a decade and they still play to the pedal wherever they perform. But what is most appealing about this bickering, but devoted twosome is their conviction that the corner will eventually be turned and the fame and fortune that has so long been tantalisingly out of reach will drop into their laps.

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