By Avinash Mittur
Feb. 15th 2012, Whisky A-Go-Go, Hollywood CA: The tale of Anvil’s rise to fame has become legendary. Instead of becoming rich young stars with a string of classic albums and hot tours, guitarist and vocalist Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner worked day jobs for decades while continuing to support their dreams and love for metal by recording no-frills straight ahead albums and touring when they could. When their documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil, released in 2008, the music world finally took notice of their struggle and passion. Riding a new wave of popularity and success from the documentary, Anvil have since recorded a killer new album, embarked on a long tour that packed clubs across America, and finally quit their day jobs. I had the opportunity of catching them on their last tour to a sold out crowd at the Fillmore in San Francisco, a fantastic show by all accounts. For the most part, Anvil managed to repeat this experience despite a couple of issues.
To start, the bill for this show was absolutely ludicrous. Set to play were eight opening acts, Anvil and finally the Mentors. I don’t know if this was the fault of the Whisky, the promoter or even Anvil themselves, but putting eight opening bands on a bill with only one headlining act is plain wrong. Most fans (myself included) are more likely to arrive far later knowing that there are so many bands playing before the headliner. The bands lose the exposure they could have gained from a small bill, and the fans either have to wait for hours before getting to see the band they want or miss out on potentially talented bands. Simply put, no one wins when a concert is organized like this. Just as most concertgoers who knew of the bill beforehand did, I entered the Whisky only in time for Anvil’s set.
Just as the houselights dimmed before Anvil’s set, the crowd grew in numbers and solidly packed the ground floor of the Whisky a Go Go. After performing a quick soundcheck, Lips greeted the audience and introduced Anvil’s classic concert opener, March of the Crabs. With a huge smile on his face, Lips ran into the crowd to play a quick solo before starting the track’s iconic opening riff. From then on, I knew Lips would reprise the relentless enthusiasm and hearty joy he displayed in San Francisco two years ago. Robb and Anvil’s new bassist Sal Italiano may not have matched Lips’ level of showmanship, but they more than carried their weight throughout the set. The normally stern-faced Robb could even be seen occasionally cracking a smirk as he bashed his kit to oblivion.
After tearing through the staples 666 and School Love, the band unveiled the first new song of the night, the title track to their newest record, Juggernaut of Justice. One thing I noticed immediately was Lip’s vocals; after delivering a commanding performance in the studio for Juggernaut of Justice (the best of his entire career in my humble opinion), his voice sounded comparatively weak and fragile on these new tracks. When singing the other songs Lips sounded great, and in some cases better than the original versions, but Juggernaut of Justice showed the true capability for greatness and power his voice possesses. I can only hope that Lips can somehow find a way to bring this vocal ability to the stage sometime in the future. Another minor issue I noticed throughout the set was the lack of a second guitarist; even though Lips is as great of a soloist as metal guitarists get, a rhythm guitar would beef up the band’s live sound tremendously and make Lips’ solos stand out against a more active and lively sonic backdrop.
Anvil’s set continued with alternating classics and recent cuts. All in all, the setlist was a healthy mix between the warhorses the band has brought out for decades and new tracks. For Mothra, Lips played an extended solo complete with the vibrator and a shout-along with the audience. Lips’ use of the vibrator, while hilariously offensive, is actually pretty cool from a musical standpoint. Lips would use it as a slide to play some southern rock licks, and even used the motor to trigger high-tech sounds from his guitar pickups. After finishing the track, the band busted out the first song Lips and Robb ever wrote together, Thumb Hang. As fans of the movie know, there might not be another Anvil song that better demonstrates the bands’ goofy sense of fun. How many other bands make a song about being executed by the Catholic Church via being hung by the thumbs?
Next was Swing Thing, Anvil’s surprisingly successful foray into “metal-jazz” as they call it. Robb switched to a traditional jazz drumstick grip for the song, and showed the Whisky just how well he could swing when given the opportunity. After a jazzy, yet shredding solo from Lips, Robb began a relatively short drum solo. This solo was notably far shorter than the last time around, which is always appreciated. A drum solo is still a drum solo though, and unless Neil Peart is the man beating the skins, most of the crowd probably won’t have too much fun with it.
Thankfully the band tore through the rest of their set with no interruptions. Capping off the show with their anthem, Metal On Metal, the band finished their show firing on all cylinders. The audience, who remained enthusiastic and loud for Anvil throughout the show, was more than active for Metal On Metal. Raised fists were not uncommon, the chorus was belted with plenty of volume and a solid pit even formed. After leaving the stage, the band surprisingly did not return for an encore, unlike their last time on tour. Despite an “Anvil! Anvil!” chant from the crowd, the band didn’t come back. With an 80 minute set, and only fifteen dollar tickets, the attendees of the Whisky were certainly given their money’s worth. Sure there were classics from the 2010 tour that were missed this time around, Jackhammer, Forged in Fire and Mad Dog come to mind, but the new songs deserved their place in the set and I’m happy to have heard them.
Anvil
- March of the Crabs
- 666
- School Love
- Juggernaut of Justice
- Winged Assassins
- On Fire
- This is Thirteen
- Mothra
- Thumb Hang
- Swing Thing
- Fuken Eh!
- New Orleans Voodoo
- Metal on Metal
Strangely, despite being billed under Anvil on the Whisky’s marquee, the Mentors set up their equipment and gave the small audience who decided to stay after Anvil’s set an amazingly fun thirty minute set. I had never even heard of this band before this concert, but this set made me into a fan. The band’s songs ranged from sounding like early 1970s garage rock to crossover thrash, and they all had some of the most hilariously offensive lyrics I have ever heard. The band, all dressed in black hoods, clearly didn’t take themselves too seriously, and I found myself loving every ridiculous aspect of their performance. Even though their drummer sang lead vocals on every song, the band still had a dedicated person to stand there and sing the occasional line. It was strange and unnecessary, but I thought it was fun nonetheless. After blasting through a batch of absolutely ridiculous cuts like Donkey Dick, Golden Showers and When You’re Horny, You’re Horny the band finished their short set with the equally hilarious and foul Four F Club. The Mentors’ performance was a pleasant surprise, and I’m more than happy I stuck around to see them.
The Mentors
- Woman From Sodom
- Donkey Dick
- Sandwich of Love
- Golden Showers
- Free Fix
- Going Through Your Purse
- When You’re Horny, You’re Horny
- Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em
- Four F Club
True to their portrayal in Anvil! The Story of Anvil, Lips, Robb and Sal hung around the Whisky after their set, and didn’t leave the venue before meeting and taking photos with every fan who wanted to hang out with them. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the band’s music and their live show, but it’s hard to argue against the assertion that Anvil are made up of some of the nicest and classiest guys in heavy metal.
This was a fun show, despite the minor flaws. Anvil still delivered a truly enjoyable set, even if they didn’t match the high points of their show in San Francisco two year ago, and the Mentors turned to be a bit of unexpected hilarity. Despite the outright silly amount of support bands, and the small issues in Anvil’s set, I had a good time. For the small price of fifteen dollars (and even less at other tour stops), this is certainly a show worth attending.
Rating: 8.5/10
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