Anvil!

There is a long standing trend of awesome coincidences at the Corporation in Sheffield. After discovering some seemingly random or obscure band, the Corp gig guide arrives and we discover that they are playing this fair city in the near future. And just yesterday, we discovered that Anvil are playing Corporation to tour their 14th studio album, Juggernaut of Justice.

We first heard of Anvil just last week, despite them being around since 1978, via the critically acclaimed rock documentary (rockumentary?) Anvil! The Story Of Anvil. It chronicles the tale of Anvil, 12 studio albums behind them and success just as far away as ever. Their chaotic, ill-fated European tour, and the recording of their 13th album, This Is Thirteen.

The film has received many awards, a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered one of the best documentary films ever made, and I can see why. It treads a fine line between straight up documentary and self-parody. It's never entirely clear whether the film is merely chronicling the experiences of the band's founding members, Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner, or if it's a tragic comedy of the trials of an aging rock band trying to make it big after the world has forgotten they exist.

But throughout the film there are occasional moments when it's suddenly very clear that this is a real documentary. These guys really are trying to make it with the band they've nurtured for 36 years. They really are self-releasing their 13th studio album because they can't get representation by the music industry. They really did get lost in Prague.

It's a heartwarming film about everything that's right with rock, and everything about the music industry that makes life difficult for artists trying to get anywhere under their own steam.

If there's one thing I took away from the film, it's that I wanted to support Anvil. Their passion and dedication is long standing and sincere. They have literally put their heart and soul into the music. I can appreciate that. And after all, we Brits will always champion the underdog.

And that's where Corporation comes in. Another awesome coincidence that means I get to see a band play live just weeks after hearing about them for the first time ever. I reckon I'll be picking up at least one CD, and probably a t-shirt too. I wonder if they do zippy hoodies ...