Anvil (band)

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Anvil
Also known as	LIPS
Origin	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre(s)	Thrash metal Heavy metal Speed metal Power metal
Years active	1978 to Present
Label(s)	Attic, Maximum, Massacre, Hypnotic, Metal Blade
Website	http://www.anvilmetal.com/
Members
Robb Reiner Lips Glenn Five
Former members
Ivan Hurd, Sebastian Marino, Ian Dickson, Dave Allison, Mike Duncan

Anvil are a Canadian heavy metal band.

The roots of Anvil began in April 1973 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada when Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner began playing music together. It was not until 1978 that the first lineup that was to become Anvil was formed: Steve "Lips" Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Robb Reiner (drums), Dave Allison (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Ian Dickson (bass). Together they were known as LIPS.

In 1981 they released an independent album called Hard 'N Heavy. Shortly after they were signed by Attic Records they changed their name to Anvil and the independent album was released by Attic as their debut album. Between 1983 and 1986 there was no activity until 1987 when approached by American label Metal Blade Records. They put out their US debut: Strength Of Steel after a handful of releases there in 1991, Anvil were then picked up by Maximum Records, an independent Canadian label that was formed by Helix's manager-at-the-time William Seip. From 1996 and on they were signed by Hypnotic Records in Canada and Massacre Records in Germany.

Anvil! The Story of Anvil is the name of a movie about Anvil directed by Sacha Gervasi, who wrote the Steven Spielberg movie, The Terminal. It will be premiered at the Sundance Film Festival which runs January 17-27, 2008. Sacha is an old friend of the band's that used to do some roadie work for them back in the 1980's. He has filmed some of their shows from their November 2005 and June 2006 European tours. He also filmed Lips 50th birthday show at Heads or Tails in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada on February 25, 2006. As well he filmed some of the recording of This Is Thirteen. Sacha also interviewed many people from Anvil's past and present, including former band members.