Rockin' News for Week of Nov. 10,2008
IRON MAIDEN Singer Contributes Recipe To 'Vulcan To The Pie' Cook Book
IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson has contributed a recipe to "Vulcan to the
Pie", a cook book sold in support of Vulcan Bomber XH558. The book, which was
made, produced and inspired by the club members of the Vulcan To The Sky club to
help raise money to keep the Vulcan bomber XH558 flying, features additional
contributions from Sir Jack Hayward, Gordon Ramsey, Rick Stein, Pete Waterman
plus the crew and supporters of XH558. This book also inculdes exclusive photos of
XH558 and her crew. All money raised in this auction will go directly to the Vulcan
To The Sky.
(Courtesy of blabbermouth.net and vulcanshop.com)
IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson has contributed a recipe to "Vulcan to the
Pie", a cook book sold in support of Vulcan Bomber XH558. The book, which was
made, produced and inspired by the club members of the Vulcan To The Sky club to
help raise money to keep the Vulcan bomber XH558 flying, features additional
contributions from Sir Jack Hayward, Gordon Ramsey, Rick Stein, Pete Waterman
plus the crew and supporters of XH558. This book also inculdes exclusive photos of
XH558 and her crew. All money raised in this auction will go directly to the Vulcan
To The Sky.
(Courtesy of blabbermouth.net and vulcanshop.com)
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Film brings rockers taste of fame
(Story courtesy of BBC News, Emma Jones, Entertainment reporter)
Imagine a year in the life of a heavy metal band, from a disastrous tour of Europe to the
tears and tantrums of recording their 13th album.
They finally get offered a big gig in Japan - but will anyone come and see them play?
This is not a sequel to Spinal Tap, although some critics think it's just as funny.
It's a documentary about Canadian rock band Anvil, which has premiered at the London
Film Festival.
Few people have heard of Anvil, even though multi-platinum sellers Metallica, Guns N
Roses and Motorhead cite them as an influence.
(Story courtesy of BBC News, Emma Jones, Entertainment reporter)
Imagine a year in the life of a heavy metal band, from a disastrous tour of Europe to the
tears and tantrums of recording their 13th album.
They finally get offered a big gig in Japan - but will anyone come and see them play?
This is not a sequel to Spinal Tap, although some critics think it's just as funny.
It's a documentary about Canadian rock band Anvil, which has premiered at the London
Film Festival.
Few people have heard of Anvil, even though multi-platinum sellers Metallica, Guns N
Roses and Motorhead cite them as an influence.
Few people have heard of Anvil, even though multi-platinum sellers Metallica, Guns N Roses
and Motorhead cite them as an influence.
Even Actor Keanu Reeves turned up on the red carpet in London and declared himself a fan.
But Anvil: The Story of Anvil by Hollywood writer Sacha Gervasi is no retrospective on a
career.
After more than 30 years in the business and now in their 50s, Anvil are still trying to
make it big.
and Motorhead cite them as an influence.
Even Actor Keanu Reeves turned up on the red carpet in London and declared himself a fan.
But Anvil: The Story of Anvil by Hollywood writer Sacha Gervasi is no retrospective on a
career.
After more than 30 years in the business and now in their 50s, Anvil are still trying to
make it big.
Obscurity
They formed as teenagers in 1970s Toronto, when high school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner began the
band together. The current line-up consists of the pair plus bassist Glenn Five.
Their biggest breakthrough was their 1982 album Metal on Metal, and they shared stages with a young Bon Jovi.
After this, Anvil slipped back into obscurity and day jobs - in Lips's case, working for a catering company.
But they have never stopped releasing albums and playing concerts.
Lips says that when he heard Gervasi wanted to make a film about them, he burst into tears.
"It was actually a really emotional moment. We always wanted to be successful and to be able to hold our heads high, but
we've never been able to do that.
"When Sacha said, 'I'm gonna make a movie', it was what I've been waiting for my whole life. Finally, someone's taken notice.
I've been yelling into a black void and someone's heard me.
"I know I've got an incredible story and the tenacity and optimism that's in my soul have been crying out for 30 years, and
finally someone was saying, 'Here's your chance'."
Gervasi is the screenwriter of the Tom Hanks film The Terminal and has a daughter with Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
He also has a unique connection with Anvil - he ran away from home to be their roadie when he was 15 years old.
Years later he met up with them - and says that within a day he knew he had to make a film.
"There are these two kids, Robb and Lips, who made a pact at the age of fourteen that they were going to rock forever - and
they really meant it," says Gervasi.
Amplifiers to 11
"Here they are in their 50s. How many kids are still pursuing their dream 40 years later? That's what's awe-inspiring and
hilarious and insane, and incredibly moving at the end of the day.
"I was working with a veteran Hollywood crew on this project who were quite cynical. They ended up being totally inspired by
the band because they could see they were doing it for real."
With albums called Plugged in Permanent and Juggernaut of Justice, the parallels with Spinal Tap are there to enjoy.
The drummer, like Spinal Tap's director, is called Robb Reiner. Anvil's amplifiers do indeed go up to eleven, and they also visit
Stonehenge during a visit to the UK.
"The truth is that's just the entry point for the film," Gervasi says.
"I've had 80-year-olds offering to buy the Anvil album because they just want to help the band. It's not really about heavy
metal - it's about perseverance and friendship."
This underdog spirit also prompted stars like Slash and Lemmy from Motorhead to go on camera and pay tribute to the group.
Their music may not be to everyone's taste - but Anvil hope the medium of film will promote their music.
"You get overlooked in the music business sometimes," Lips explains. "But the bottom line is you know that in your heart you're
making a difference and you never give up."
"We call ourselves lifers. It wasn't an overnight thing, we wanted to do this for our lives. It was a decision we made as young
kids and we're staying true to what we started."
Drummer Robb Reiner is more succinct about his future ambitions.
"I just wanna rock," he smiles.
("Anvil: The Story of Anvil" is released across the UK in February 2009.)
They formed as teenagers in 1970s Toronto, when high school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner began the
band together. The current line-up consists of the pair plus bassist Glenn Five.
Their biggest breakthrough was their 1982 album Metal on Metal, and they shared stages with a young Bon Jovi.
After this, Anvil slipped back into obscurity and day jobs - in Lips's case, working for a catering company.
But they have never stopped releasing albums and playing concerts.
Lips says that when he heard Gervasi wanted to make a film about them, he burst into tears.
"It was actually a really emotional moment. We always wanted to be successful and to be able to hold our heads high, but
we've never been able to do that.
"When Sacha said, 'I'm gonna make a movie', it was what I've been waiting for my whole life. Finally, someone's taken notice.
I've been yelling into a black void and someone's heard me.
"I know I've got an incredible story and the tenacity and optimism that's in my soul have been crying out for 30 years, and
finally someone was saying, 'Here's your chance'."
Gervasi is the screenwriter of the Tom Hanks film The Terminal and has a daughter with Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
He also has a unique connection with Anvil - he ran away from home to be their roadie when he was 15 years old.
Years later he met up with them - and says that within a day he knew he had to make a film.
"There are these two kids, Robb and Lips, who made a pact at the age of fourteen that they were going to rock forever - and
they really meant it," says Gervasi.
Amplifiers to 11
"Here they are in their 50s. How many kids are still pursuing their dream 40 years later? That's what's awe-inspiring and
hilarious and insane, and incredibly moving at the end of the day.
"I was working with a veteran Hollywood crew on this project who were quite cynical. They ended up being totally inspired by
the band because they could see they were doing it for real."
With albums called Plugged in Permanent and Juggernaut of Justice, the parallels with Spinal Tap are there to enjoy.
The drummer, like Spinal Tap's director, is called Robb Reiner. Anvil's amplifiers do indeed go up to eleven, and they also visit
Stonehenge during a visit to the UK.
"The truth is that's just the entry point for the film," Gervasi says.
"I've had 80-year-olds offering to buy the Anvil album because they just want to help the band. It's not really about heavy
metal - it's about perseverance and friendship."
This underdog spirit also prompted stars like Slash and Lemmy from Motorhead to go on camera and pay tribute to the group.
Their music may not be to everyone's taste - but Anvil hope the medium of film will promote their music.
"You get overlooked in the music business sometimes," Lips explains. "But the bottom line is you know that in your heart you're
making a difference and you never give up."
"We call ourselves lifers. It wasn't an overnight thing, we wanted to do this for our lives. It was a decision we made as young
kids and we're staying true to what we started."
Drummer Robb Reiner is more succinct about his future ambitions.
"I just wanna rock," he smiles.
("Anvil: The Story of Anvil" is released across the UK in February 2009.)
Slayer Begin Work On Next Album
The members of Slayer spent a couple of weeks in a Southern
California recording studio earlier this month, recording three new
songs for a brand new album expected out summer 2009.
A clip of the guys recording one of the brand new songs, "Psychopathy
Red", a Jeff Hanneman-penned track that gives a chilling look into
the twisted mind of Andrei Chikatilo, a notorious Russian serial killer,
can be viewed at Spin.com.
Slayer headlines the European "Unholy Alliance Tour, Chapter III"
which kicks off this Monday, October 27 in Manchester, England, and
wraps in Helsinki, Finland on November 27. The band plans to return
to the studio early next year to finish recording the new album.
The members of Slayer spent a couple of weeks in a Southern
California recording studio earlier this month, recording three new
songs for a brand new album expected out summer 2009.
A clip of the guys recording one of the brand new songs, "Psychopathy
Red", a Jeff Hanneman-penned track that gives a chilling look into
the twisted mind of Andrei Chikatilo, a notorious Russian serial killer,
can be viewed at Spin.com.
Slayer headlines the European "Unholy Alliance Tour, Chapter III"
which kicks off this Monday, October 27 in Manchester, England, and
wraps in Helsinki, Finland on November 27. The band plans to return
to the studio early next year to finish recording the new album.
| *** *** *** *** *** *** |
Fans who attend any of the upcoming European "Unholy Alliance Tour, Chapter III" dates, will receive a new Slayer song via an
exclusive download card that will also include special material from the entire tour's lineup — Slayer, Mastodon, Trivium and
Amon Amarth. The download card, along with a limited edition "Unholy Alliance Tour" clothing patch, will be given away free only
to ticket holders when they arrive at their local venue the night of the show.
(Courtesy of ultimate-guitar.com and blabbermouth.net)
exclusive download card that will also include special material from the entire tour's lineup — Slayer, Mastodon, Trivium and
Amon Amarth. The download card, along with a limited edition "Unholy Alliance Tour" clothing patch, will be given away free only
to ticket holders when they arrive at their local venue the night of the show.
(Courtesy of ultimate-guitar.com and blabbermouth.net)