{"id":31,"date":"2011-12-22T04:49:25","date_gmt":"2011-12-22T12:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/blog\/?p=31"},"modified":"2011-12-22T04:49:25","modified_gmt":"2011-12-22T12:49:25","slug":"anvil-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/interviews\/31\/anvil-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Anvil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [https:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moussavianlaw.com%2Fconcerts-interviews%2Finterviews%2F31%2Fanvil-2%2F&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/interviewanvil1.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Metal Mayhem<\/span>: The roots of Anvil began in 1973 when you [Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner] met as high school friends. What are the influences for each of you as musicians?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Robb Reiner<\/span>: Black Sabbath, [Led] Zeppelin, Cactus, Grand Funk [Railroad].<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Steve Kudlow<\/span>: Michael Schenker and [Deep] Purple<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Glenn Gyorffy<\/span>: Uriah Heep.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: Any bands with a theatrical stance, like Kiss or Alice Cooper?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: Sure. We love them too. Who didn\u2019t love Alice Cooper?!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: The band initially released its first record Hard \u2018N\u2019 Heavy (1981) independently, correct?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Yes.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: Was the band called Lips at the time of the initial, independent release of Hard \u2018N\u2019 Heavy (1981)?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: For a short while.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Previous to that [Hard \u2018N\u2019 Heavy (1981)]. Previous to the signing [with Attic Records] we were originally called Lips. But because of the band Lips, Inc., the label did not want to put us out with that name. They did not things to get mixed up.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: [It would be] confusing. They [Attic Records] also felt that with our music Lips did not signify the metal energy and sound we had. It was a decision to find something suited for the music. Lips did not mean anything. With [the name] Anvil you kind of know what it is.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"padding:10px;\" title=\"Steve Kudlow\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/interviewanvil2.jpg\" alt=\"Steve Kudlow\" align=\"left\" \/> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: What I am getting at is whether the Hard \u2018N\u2019 Heavy (1981) was ever released using the Lips band name?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: Sure. There are 1,000 copies.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Yes it was.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: So those 1,000 copies of Hard \u2018N\u2019 Heavy (1981) must be worth quite a bit of money?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: Sure.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Same music.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: It is a tradable collectible item.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: When you got signed with Attic Records it was released under the Anvil band name.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: That\u2019s right.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: We changed the name and the album cover.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: Was it shortly after the release of Hard \u2018N\u2019 Heavy (1981) that you [SK] got a call from Lemmy Kilmister to join Motorhead?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Not it was not until later, 1982. We were getting ready to record Forged in Fire (1983). Motorhead came to Toronto to play. For whatever reason that is when \u201cFast\u201d Eddie Clark had a blow out with the other guys and was going to leave the band. Lemmy called me and asked me if I would fill in and at least do Motorhead\u2019s North American tour. I could not do because I was in the midst of writing and recoding Forged in Fire (1983), which came out after Metal on Metal (1982).<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: If the timing had been different, would you have considered joining Motorhead?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: No.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: I presume that is because of your loyalty to Anvil?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Absolutely. Why would I want to joint someone else\u2019s band when I have my own? I am the lead singer. Why would I want to become less than what I am? It does not make sense.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: After Forged in Fire (1983) was released David Krebs [Aerosmith personal manager] approached you about representing Anvil as its personal manager, correct?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Yes. The label we were signed to [Attic Records] would not license our music in the United States and continues not to. So our first three records can only be bought as imports in the US. When he [Krebs] went shopping for labels, they all insisted they wanted the back catalog, which they could not acquire. Without the back catalog no record label wanted to sign the band.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"padding:10px;\" title=\"Steve Kudlow\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/interviewanvil4.jpg\" alt=\"Steve Kudlow\" align=\"right\" \/> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: Hard \u2018N\u2019 Heavy (1981), Metal on Metal (1982), and Forged in Fire (1983) are the classic records. I gather it is for that reason that Attic Records does not want to license those records for US release?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: They would not do any licensing deals in the US. The main reason is that it is typical of the music industry that the head of the label was not very satisfied with the fact that they [licensees] wanted to pay so little for the titles. When you sell it cheap, they won\u2019t pay you later. He knew that and that is why he would not do it. That continues to be the same situation today. The label [Attic Records] eventually went out of business and bankrupt. Attic sold all their product to another label called Unidisc [independent Canadian record label]. Unidisc now have offers from major labels. But, once again, not enough money is being offered. Therefore, Unidisc is not licensing those records.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: Strength of Steel (1987) was the first record Anvil released on Metal Blade records.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Right.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: What was it like working with Johnny Zazula [founder of Megaforce Records]<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: We did not work with Johnny Z. We were at a crossroads. We had a choice of working either with Johnny Z. or David Krebs. David Krebs managed Aerosmith and offered us Spring dates with Aerosmith. At the time Johnny Z. was just beginning in the [music] business.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: Johnny Z. is responsible for bringing Anvil to America for the first time ever. He had a little record store and promoted a concert. Anvil was part of that show.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: That was in New Jersey, correct?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Yeah.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">RR<\/span>: Route 18. It was a legendary show. People still talk about that show.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: One of your [SK\u2019s] quotes relating to \u201cAnvil! The Story of Anvil\u201d documentary (2009) is, \u201cNow we&#8217;re getting praise for never selling out and sticking to our guns.\u201d Hypothetically speaking, would you have receptive to the idea of hiring Desmond Child or Dianne Warren as a songwriter, releasing a platinum?selling record and doing an arena tour but only having short?lived commercial success until the onset of the grunge movement in 1990?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: But were with another record deal [Attic Records] from 1983 to 1987. There was no opportunity. In fact all opportunities were closed down. That\u2019s what kept us in the underground all along. There was never an opportunity. I can\u2019t say what could have been because I was never there.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: In the opening scene of \u201cAnvil! The Story of Anvil\u201d documentary (2009) when you are driving your car to Choice Children\u2019s Catering you say, \u201cIt can never get worst.\u201d You were being optimistic about things.<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: Absolutely. What could be worst than having unfulfilled dreams. I have been working at it my whole life. It cannot get worst than that. So it could only get better. It has! So my intuitions were correct.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">MM<\/span>: Is there anything I can do as an entertainment law attorney to help with the licensing issue you face with Unidisc relating to your first three records?<br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SK<\/span>: There is absolutely nothing that can be done. It is iron clad. The original record contract is in pertuity. It is forever! The only window of opportunity happened when Attic Records went bankrupt. That\u2019s when we could have used a lawyer. Unfortunately, we sat around with all the other bands signed to Attic Records. None of the other bands wanted to fight Attic Records with me. We went and had a meeting [with label mates]. Everyone else [other artists signed to Attic Records] said, \u201cI don\u2019t care if they fold. I am not going to pay for a lawyer.\u201d No one wanted to pay to get released. Since there was no one representing ANY of the bands to tell the judge that the record contract says that if Attic Records goes bankrupt you guys [musicians] get your licensing back. At that point the judge slammed his gavel and said, \u201cIt\u2019s done.\u201d Once something like that happens, there is no going back!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/images\/interviewanvil3.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Arash Moussavian, Entertainment Law Attorney<br \/>\n<a href=\"maito:arashmoussavian@cal.berkeley.edu\">arashmoussavian@cal.berkeley.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/arashmoussavian\" target=\"blank\">http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/arashmoussavian<\/a><br \/>\nAll photos taken by Arash Moussavian. This article and all photos are protected by copyright. Please contact me prior to use, or I will make shish kabab of your loins.<\/p>\n\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [https:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moussavianlaw.com%2Fconcerts-interviews%2Finterviews%2F31%2Fanvil-2%2F&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Metal Mayhem: The roots of Anvil began in 1973 when you [Steve Kudlow and Robb Reiner] met as high school friends. What are the influences for each of you as musicians? Robb Reiner: Black Sabbath, [Led] Zeppelin, Cactus, Grand Funk &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/interviews\/31\/anvil-2\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[15],"class_list":["post-31","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-interviews","tag-anvil"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31\/revisions\/32"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moussavianlaw.com\/concerts-interviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}