Buffalo Place

Friday, August 26, 2011

Alice Cooper
www.alicecooper.com

Before Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, Metallica, David Bowie and KISS, there was Alice Cooper.  This highly influential musician and King of Shock Rock, is known for delivering theatrical heavy metal performances combining pure raw rock and roll with an imaginative and dark stage presence.  Vincent Damon Furnier’s alter ego, Alice Cooper is known for delivering outrageous concerts often featuring live boa constrictor snakes, a guillotine and electric chair.  After hitting the rock and roll mainstream in 1971, the original Alice Cooper band consisted of Cooper on vocals and harmonica, lead guitarist Glen Buxton, rhythm guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith.  After great success with the group’s early albums, School’s Out, Billion Dollar Babies and Muscle of Love, the group disassembled in 1974 and Cooper began a solo career.  His first solo album, Welcome to My Nightmare debuted in spring of 1975 and it was around this time that Vincent legally changed his name to Alice Cooper.  After the end of the groups 1970’s heydays, Coopers 1986 album, Constrictor propelled him towards a comeback and the release of his 1989 record Trash, featuring Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Aerosmith, re-launched his group into the spotlight. 

After 40 years in the rock mainstream, Alice Cooper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March of this year.  The induction ceremony marked the first time in years that the original Alice Cooper band members played together.  During the summer of 2011, Alice Cooper is on his, No More Mr. Nice Guy Tour across North America, South America and Europe.  He is joined by stage show guitarist Steve Hunter, guitarists Tommy Henriksen and Damon Johnson, drummer Glen Sobel and bassist Chuck Garric.  Fans will also be very pleased to know that in 2012, their favorite rock villain will launch the sequel to his first solo album, Welcome to My Nightmare, titled Welcome 2 My Nightmare.  If you are ever in Cooper’s hometown of Phoenix, Arizona you should stop into his restaurant Alice Cooper'stown "Where Jocks and Rock Meet."  Cooper opened the sports bar back in 1998 and it features rock music memorabilia, a Fender guitar collection and reasonably priced bar/barbeque food.  Be sure not to miss out on one of The Rolling Stone Album Guide’s most "beloved heavy metal entertainers."


Opening for Alice Cooper…

Anvil
www.anvilmetal.com

Anvil was a pioneer of the new wave British heavy metal rock scene and helped to pave the road to fame for Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax as well as the thrash movement of the 1980’s.  The group was formed in Toronto by vocalist and guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner in 1978.  They were originally named Lips.  Shortly after acquiring bassist Ian Dickson and rhythm guitarist Dave Allison, the group put out an independent album, Hard n’ Heavy.  After signing for a brief period with Attic Records the group changed their name to Anvil.  They are known for their stage antics and lyrics and performed at Super Rock Japan 84’ with the leading heavy metal groups of the day.

In 2008, a former band roadie turned screenwriter, Sacha Gervasi, approached the group about making a documentary of Anvil’s story.  The result was the creation of, Anvil!  The Story of Anvil, which was sold off of the bands website and became the highest grossing documentary in the history of the United Kingdom.  It was quickly picked up by VH1 and distributed across the United States.  The documentary was featured at the 2008 Sundance Festival in City Park, Utah and chronicled the group touring Europe recording their thirteenth album, This Is Thirteen.  At a show in City Park, Anvil was joined by Slash of Guns N’ Roses and Scott Ian of Anthrax to play “Cat Scratch Fever.”  Slash as well as Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and Motörhead bassist Lemmy make appearances in the Anvil documentary to show their respect.  After the triumph of the documentary, the group opened for rock legends AC/DC in the summer of 2009.  The documentary was given recognition from the International Documentary Association and has propelled the group to reach the largest fame of its 33 year history.  According to Rolling Stone, “Sacha Gervasi's powerhouse doc brings humor and fervent focus to Toronto musicians, supporting their families with day jobs, who won't give up the dream.  Ever listen to Anvil rip into "Metal on Metal."  It's hardcore inspirational.”