Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to Steve “Lips” Kudlow vocalist and guitarist of the legendary Canadian band Anvil. Lips spoke about their new album, “Anvil is Anvil”,  the firing of bassist Sal Italiano, their tribute song to Lemmy and Motorhead and the bands  momentum and success after their 2006 documentary.

When asked about if the musical direction of Anvil is Anvil vs their last album Hope in Hell

“We wouldn’t have called it Anvil is Anvil if it would have changed. Its not really a change, its not off the trail.It’s what we have been doing all along and just maybe a little more focused, maybe it will become some people’s  favorite Anvil album.”

When asked about the firing of bassist Sal Italinao and the hiring of Chris Robertson

“Basically what happened was, it was made obvious to him we didn’t need him anymore. On the last tour he did we brought Chris with us just to be the roadie. Chris was doing sound checks and it sounded better than it did with Sal and Sal felt like what the F**K am I am doing here and at the end of the tour he quit. You gottta understand we hired Sal in an emergency. So we hired an old friend and it wasn’t a permanent situation. Rehearsing without a bass player is no fun. Sal lived in New York city which is too far to rehearse. So we no choice but to get a bass player in Canada.”

When asked about the song ‘It’s your Move’ a tribute to Motorhead and the passing of his friend  Lemmy

The song was done more in the level of hope that Lemmy would get to hear the song rather than I’m doing it cause he was going to die,  I wasn’t thinking he was going to die. It seemed like he was going to go on forever, but unfortunately that was not the case.

Lemmy was a great guy I’m gonna miss him. It is a real hole in the fabric, no replacing that such a magical man

When asked if the interest in the band has diminished post 2006 documentary

The interest has not changed. I really don’t think so and in fact, more people have seen the movie since. We have an endless amount of work out there. Theoretically we are going to be playing until I die. I can make a living playing in Anvil for the rest of my life.

When asked about their continued success of the documentary

Anvil were an inspiration to Anthrax, Megadeth and Metallica, we were one of their favorite bands we still are one of their favorite bands. You can’t hire Lars Ulrich (Metallica) to sit in on your documentary and say those things, he did for free.

Watch the Interview here:

‘Anvil is Anvil that will be released on February 26, 2016 on Steelhammer