Photos By: Ed Hannigan

Entering the House of Blues last Friday night was a bit of a culture shock to say the least.  Hundreds of people were dressed up in cut up army fatigues with chains hanging out of their nostrils and ears.  Metal spikes could be seen sticking out of everyone’s jacket and shoes, and the only thing I could think was, “Man am I out of place.”

However, I was put at ease when front man of the metal band ANVIL took the stage with his roaring distorted guitar and his engaging smile.  For their first number, Lips, self proclaimed hippie and lead singer/guitar player of the group, decided to shred his guitar for about 3 minutes and astonishingly, the crowd there that night ate it right up.  It was about a quarter of the way through his solo that I realized that I was eating it up just as much as the next person and like the intoxicated girl to the left of me, I let my hair down and rocked out.  Hypothetically of course.

Metal or death metal as sometimes Anvil is classified as, is a dying art form in our world of manufactured pop stars and over produced rock and roll bands.  However, despite the lack of air play that this genre of music gets, its fans are just as strong and ready to party as ever.  Throughout the entire show audience members could be heard screaming their approval to Lips and his drummer of over 30 years Mr. Robb Reiner.  I think I might have even seen one adoring female fan flash her girlie parts toward the front of the stage at which Lips responded with, “It took us 30 years to make it here, but I’m glad we finally made it!”

Lips made a very conscious effort to include his audience in every aspect of his performance including go as far as walking to the edge of the stage during one of his solos and taking a picture with someones digital camera.  It was great fun and it made the show so relaxed and spontaneous that you couldn’t help but laugh and nod along to everything happening on the stage in front of you.

Sadly, not even Lips’s booming personality could save the sound problems that were present at the House of Blues that night.  Not only were the instrument levels unbalanced, but it was nearly impossible to hear Lips singing.  And just based on his dialogue in between songs, I’m sure there were lyrical gems that all of us there missed.

Bottom line, even if metal scares you or its just not your cup of tea, I guarantee attending an Anvil show will entertain you.  Or at the very least, it will give you something to talk about at the watercolor the next monday.