Anvil tour delivers full ‘experience’ to metal fans in early 2010

They opened for AC/DC and were the stars of their very own hit documentary — and all of this after only 30-plus years of hard work and dedication. Now the story of Canadian metal band Anvil enters its next chapter as the crew plans its first major tour in more than a decade.

The Anvil Experience Tour launches January 2 at the House of Blues in Cleveland, OH, and concludes February 13 at Venue in Vancouver, BC. A total of 30 concerts are booked for the coast-to-coast jaunt, including a single 2009 show on December 10 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Other stops on the club and theater tour include January 10 at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL; January 15 at Fillmore at Irving Plaza in New York, NY; January 25 at Emo’s in Austin, TX; February 2 at The Marquee in Tempe, AZ; and February 11 at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR.

Anvil’s tour follows the success of its underdog documentary “Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” which won accolades at the Sundance Film Festival at the start of this year, and the recent September 15 re-release of its 2007 record “This is Thirteen.”

Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner began performing together in the early 1970s and formed the original lineup of Anvil in 1978. The band won a cult following with albums like “Metal on Metal” and influenced current metal heavy hitters like Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. However, Anvil never hit the big-time, instead flying below the radar until screenwriter and former groupie Sacha Gervasi approached them about a documentary.

Gervasi’s final product, “Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” has drawn comparisons to a real-life Spinal Tap saga that is both a hilarious and moving portrayal of one band’s struggle in the music industry. The acclaimed film also pulled Anvil into the spotlight, earning the group a special opening slot on AC/DC’s Black Ice World Tour and, ultimately, another chance to tour on their own terms.

Separate presales offered through VH1 and Live Nation will end today by 10 p.m. (local time) for each tour stop. Public onsales will follow tomorrow, October 9.

Anvil itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)