MovieChat Forums > Anvil: The Story of Anvil (2009) Discussion > I can't help but notice...

I can't help but notice...

posted 16 years ago by lisaplus1
16 replies | jump to latest

that when they were shopping around the CD, not one single person mentioned the fact that metal is just not popular/marketable anymore. I mean, maybe it is obvious, but when their morale seemed so low, I kept thinking why doesn't anyone say it - that it isn't their music failing, it's bad timing.

All the 80's bands that "made it" that they mentioned, haven't been popular in years (the last time I used AquaNet and my hair was 4 inches higher than my head). Talk about an uphill battle...God bless them for not getting deflated and giving up!

I dated a musician who "fought the good fight" with his band for years (they did ok, were popular in Japan and even got their songs on the soundtrack of several movies)...but even I was begging him to let it go (and that was only after 7 years). If only that music would make its way back into the mainstream again *sigh*.

And I have to agree with the poster saying that Lars (Metallica) should throw them a bone...for goodness sake, its not like he (or his band) couldn't use some brownie points after that Napster b/s. Lemme too (Motor Head)...YOU HEARD ME...you can have more than ONE opening band on tour! How many metal opening bands are out there to choose from anyway??? Bon Jovi, my a$$, they are not nor have they ever been a metal band (Jon just looked good in spandex). I am a Jersey girl and even I can see that.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] DingusStudley 16 years ago

Actually, the Canadian record producer did talk about how the market has changed. I can't remember his exact words, but he did allude to the fact that this type of music wasn't exactly the "in" thing nowadays, that it would be a challenge.

[–] MikhailCompo 16 years ago

He was EMI Canada's A&R man i think, not a producer.

[–] Mondo-Cane 16 years ago

While metal has not been "Mainstream" big with the exception of a few bands, it always has and will have a steady massive fanbase. The debate on whether "metal is dead" has been going on for years. While trends and tastes may change, even within metal. It shall always be a staple on the music scene.

But after what is happening for the band after the movie, it's safe to say that after years of hard work and hard times things are starting to look good for Anvil.

to the OP: What musician did you date? or what band was he in?

[–] lisaplus1 16 years ago

Mondo-Cane,

We broke up years ago and from what I hear (gossip tsk tsk), he doesn't like talking about it. Maybe he feels like it reminds him of his failure?

Biting the bullet...

He was the driving force behind a band called "Shanghai". They had 2 albums/CDs...you can find them on metalmayhemmusic.com or sleazeroxx.com. Mike Duda of W.A.S.P. collaborated with them on their second album. They had songs (if you can believe it) on the soundtrack of one of the millions of TV movies about Amy Fisher (the one with Alyssa Milano, can't remember the title) and the movie Sunset Heat with Dennis Hopper http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103006/

Weren't really popular here in the US (except locally on the EC), but they were pretty big in Japan - on TV (interviews and music videos) and in magazines.

It was hard back then in the 80's, early 90's when that music WAS popular...now, forget about it!!!

It seems Anvil's movie has done the trick to get their name out there...I really REALLY wish them the best!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] whenbunniesattack 16 years ago

Actually, Lisa, it's not that metal isn't a viable genre when it comes to major labels. It most definitely is. There are a ton of bands that are considered "metal" that are signed to majors and making loads of money. Bands like Killswitch Engage, Slipknot, Metallica, etc.

The problem for Anvil is that they're known for a certain type of metal that was popular in the 80s and just really isn't popular on any sort of wide scale anymore. And the new album that they're trying to push in the movie sounds pretty much exactly the same as the stuff they were doing in the 80s. So it's not so much that it's of the metal genre- the problem for those guys is that they're not a part of the right metal SUBgenre.

And even if Anvil started making screamy, cookie-cutter metal that is popular now, it wouldn't matter because it also has something to do with their ages. Sad, but true. If Janet Jackson made a record that sounded just as fresh, hip, and "right now" as a Beyonce single, it wouldn't chart anywhere near the top because the average 20 year old CD buyer (read: downloader) just isn't open minded enough to accept something that isn't made by their peers, even if it sounds exactly like something their peers would make. So while there's a ton of older metalheads out there, the ones really driving the industry are young- and Anvil just isn't theur brand now...

[–] DingusStudley 16 years ago

"The problem for Anvil is that they're known for a certain type of metal that was popular in the 80s and just really isn't popular on any sort of wide scale anymore. "

Exactly. Maybe if they started barking the lyrics like most of the trash metal bands nowadays, they'd get a good record deal.

[–] grimnail 16 years ago

If Janet Jackson made a record that sounded just as fresh, hip, and "right now" as a Beyonce single, it wouldn't chart anywhere near the top because the average 20 year old CD buyer (read: downloader) just isn't open minded enough to accept something that isn't made by their peers, even if it sounds exactly like something their peers would make.

Oh yeah, just like Madonna or Cher. At first your "theory" may sound good, but it does not hold water.

[–] tron1977 15 years ago

"Oh yeah, just like Madonna or Cher. At first your "theory" may sound good, but it does not hold water. "

When was the last time either of them has a hit? The mys still be "celebrities", but they are not "pop stars" anymore.

[–] Tippy_Cup 15 years ago

Cooki cutter screamy metal?? lol. Check out a band called 'Everytime I die' They're metalcore, but worlds more technical and intelligent (in a musical theory sense) than ANY metal band that made it big in the 80's.

Also the vocalist was a shakespeare major, so unlike most metal vocalists he actually write good lyrics.

'Romeo a go-go' or 'off broadway' to start off with, as they're both fairly technical.

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[–] necrophobia 15 years ago

"Cooki cutter screamy metal?? lol. Check out a band called 'Everytime I die' They're metalcore, but worlds more technical and intelligent (in a musical theory sense) than ANY metal band that made it big in the 80's. "

That band is horrible and Metalcore is horrible. You cannot possibly tell me that Everytime I die is more technical then the band Death. Get the *beep* out of here with the whole metalcore *beep* Metalcore is a fad Metal genre that'll die down soon enough.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] jefgg 12 years ago

The fact that metal declined in popularity was probably one of many things Lips was in denial about.

[–] neuronboy 10 years ago

I agree! This kind of Metal just doesn't have a mainstream following that it used to. And I was also disappointed that this reality wasn't really discussed. Anyway still a GREAT Documentary!