ANVIL! The Story of Anvil

Yeah, am going to go check it out this weekend I think. Heard great things.

Saw the film, and it's a real-life 'Spinal Tap' story, for sure. It's not even funny. It's just plain sad. The whole film seems to be a long info-mercial; a desperate plea to support Anvil. It's a very important film though, especially for young people wanting to break into the music industry.

Putting everything into perspective, this is a 'real life' 'Spinal Tap'. Someone once said, 'if you take tragedy, and exaggerate it enough, it becomes comedy.' Or Does It? Where Spinal Tap was clever in rendering the story of a fictitious band (which only later became briefly real as a spin-off to cash in on the success of the film), ANVIL - The Story Of Anvil is an actual true story. With Spinal Tap, we are offered passage through the device of a fictional band, to laugh at their mis-fortunes. With a real band (ANVIL) however, is it really that funny? Not being paid. Not being permitted onto a train to your own concert. etc Would we want those things happening to us? Would we want people laughing at our misery? Would we even laugh when getting screwed over? The band members themselves are not laughing. And these band members are not hamming it up a la Ozzy Osbourne. These are real people just being themselves. The director of this film is a long time fan of ANVIL, and made this film as an homage. I admit, I did chuckle when they were not allowed on the train, but it was more out of disbelief that such a thing happened to them. I did not laugh at them, but at the ludicrous situation iitself. The film severely fails on another point. The other original members of the band are not focused on, and that is wrong of the director. Even the other 'at-the-time-of-filming-current-other-members' were barely seen. 2 of the other members have now quit. ANVIL today, is only a trio. The other members probably quit because they had the sense to not waste their time on a dying enterprise. Perhaps they quit because they were not given proper screen time in the film. It was a slap in the face to them, as they work just as hard as the 2 principles. The 2 main band members who are left (or left behind) are obviously doing this for the love of their music. They are not businessmen. They are just really nice guys who play music. Who knows? Perhaps this film will give them the boost they need (deserve?). Maybe they will rise again, and re-invent themselves as the first Geriatric Metal Band. Anything is possible. I am glad you enjoyed the film. People perceive things differently, that is all I am saying. To me, the message in this film is: 'If you want to get into professional music as a career, consider this outcome, because it speaks for the majority of bands.' Peace.

This is my feel good movie of the season. I came away from it with more hope for struggling musicians, who slug it out in thankless venues again and again and never stop.
My brother, graduate of Berkeley, is slugging it out at 54. Meaningless day time job but lives to do his thing. Play music to however will listen. Trying to get his second CD finished but it takes cash and hope. I've seen him lose hope but he has his god, which brings him closer to his endeavor. I have countless friends who are doing the same thing and I hope that they see this movie. Yes, the movie is blatant self promotion at that but what would you do if all else seems to be like pissing into the wind. Make a movie. God damn it, that's what they did and their dance card is filling up fast.
I will say that if these guys had had a better business side to their endeavor from the beginning, that they would have been famous long before this. But their musicians and not businessmen.
Music never dies! See it and feel good for one of your friends.