Legacy is a family business - Robb Reiner of Anvil and Tyler Reiner of Spades GT

Originally posted on Barrietoday.com as part of the Scene Setter series (#56 - Oct 14, 2023). 

Legacy. It’s something that most people don’t realize they’ve created until they look back on whatever they built, even unknowingly, and it still stands. Legacy is in the work a person creates, a belief they stood and fought for, and in their families. 

In the case of Robb Reiner, he has forged a legacy all three ways and his son Tyler is hammering out his own. 

As the drummer for Anvil, the iconic Canadian metal band that pioneered the genre in our country, Robb Reiner has been a vanguard of metal. When Anvil began in 1977, they were striding into unknown territory, not knowing that the abuse and alienation they suffered as a band would pave the way for countless artists. 

Walking that path in his own way is Robb’s son, Tyler. Also an accomplished drummer, his band Spades GT experiment with nuances within the heavy-side of music and have crafted a debut album with all the qualities that should stand the test of time. 

After nearly 20 years, Anvil returns to Barrie where Robb and Tyler will share the bill for a night of fast and heavy mayhem. 

Before they hit the stage on November 9th, I had the opportunity to talk to Robb and Tyler about what they’ve created and what happens next. 

Richard: Robb, for over 40 years and spanning 19 studio albums, Anvil has been pioneering and producing a signature sound. How do you continue to pound out new material that blends the quintessential Anvil sound while also striding confidently to new levels of metal?

Robb: In a few months, we’ll be releasing album 20, but who's counting? Haha. The sound and style of Anvil. Hm. We don’t try to do what we do, it happens naturally. We have our own way of doing things and we have had this unique thing all along without trying. We don’t try at anything…we just do. Anvil is Anvil. 

Richard: Tyler, The sound of Spades GT is a mixture of punk, thrash, and hardcore, creating a sonic assault that comes in fast, heavy, and doesn't relent. What did you want to say (or shout) on the band’s debut album Sewer City Radio?

Tyler: The message within the album hit on alot of topics. For example, the song ‘Sewer City Radio’ is about the rampant opioid crisis. All of the guys in the band come from different places across Ontario and wanted to address this crisis that affected all of us and where we’re from. We wanted to create a roots record about the state of our world right now, but also have tracks that are happy like ‘Final Girl’ and ‘Cenobites’. There are so many dynamics on the record. We’ve received great feedback and appreciate everyone who has been pumping the record. 

We’re proud to be from Simcoe County and we’re trying hard to be part of putting Simcoe music on the map.

Richard: Many say that Anvil paved the way for the entire metal scene in Canada. What were those early shows as Lips like when everyone else was playing disco and dabbling in New Wave? 

Robb: That’s great. What was it like? We were doing something no one else was doing. We were playing 100% original music. We weren’t like anyone else at that time. We were loud, we were black sheep but we survived. We took a lot of abuse from promoters, bar owners, but we never conformed. We just do what we do, we did it our way, on our terms, and that’s what it’s been for over 40 years. There wasn’t a name for metal in Canada yet. We were just kids, you know? We had no idea we were pioneering anything. It was cool to us but didn’t realize people would start ripping it off or being inspired by it. You don’t realize what you’re building at the time. Back then, we were full of innocence, passion, and honesty. 

Richard: Tyler, as the drummer, the heartbeat and pulse of Spades GT, how do you create the patterns that feel both frenzied and solid at the same time? 

Tyler: I really wanted to prioritize and focus on more simple, dynamic approaches but also bring my 3 favourite styles together and create a new sound for myself. I didn’t want to overplay, I wanted my parts to be effective. Don’t play for you, play for the song. A great example of what I mean is the bridge on our song ‘Red’ - such a Motörhead feel. It was strong, dynamic, but tasteful. All together, we created this new sound and space. The next record might be a little different but we’ll see where that goes. 

Richard: And where do you draw your style from? 

Tyler: People don’t believe me but I can comfortably say that I wrote 94% of my drum tracks listening to hip hop. Trying to write drums to play within hip hop and soul creates this feeling that people can’t help but jam to. It’s so versatile that it lends itself to any genre of music. I don’t wanna be the guy who does the same thing, plays the same stuff. 

Richard: Imagine, you two encounter a “Devil Came Down to Georgia” scenario and you had to choose a song to play better than the otherworldly creature that challenged you. What are you playing in that situation? 

Tyler: It would have to be the impossible drum solo by Buddy Rich.

Robb: I am the guy to beat. The devil has gotta beat ME. 

Richard: The supergroup question. If you could assemble a band of any artists, living or otherwise - who are you choosing and what band name would suit this collection of musicians? 

Robb: Oh man, who's the drummer? Haha. Me playing drums, Geezer Butler on bass, Eddie Van Halen on guitar and Sammy Hagar on vocals. And name? Let me think of something good. Specs Sunday. How's that? 

Tyler: Tony Iommi on guitar, Phil Lynott on bass, myself on drums, and a young Paul McCartney on vocals. The name… Cheap Date haha. 

Richard: You’ll be sharing the stage together soon. What song do you hope or demand the other person plays? 

Tyler: I hope they play ‘Winged Assassin’. The patterns, the intensity, the tempo, it has all the signature sounds of old school Anvil. It’s one of my favourite tracks of theirs. 

Robb: In Tyler’s case, it has to be ‘Sewer City Radio’.  

Richard: Robb, you've turned down drumming for other legends like Steve Harris, Ozzy, Dio, and more to focus on Anvil.  Likewise, Lips (Steve Kudlow) has turned down many high profile offers himself.  What do you think it is that makes you both loyal to Anvil?

Robb: The friendship, the brotherhood. I can’t really explain it but it’s Lips’ voice, his riffs, my drums, it becomes that signature sound of Anvil. I also never wanted to work for someone else. I want to work for myself, stay exclusive to myself. 

Richard: You’re also an accomplished painter of fine art with subjects ranging from buildings, natural spaces, unnatural structures, used toilets, and more - how do you choose what is worthy of being committed to canvas?

Robb: Good question. I’m actually in those paintings. You don’t see me, but I’m there. It’s all through my eyes. The paintings are all places I’ve smoked dope at. I take photos at the time and then look back, sketch it, and then decide if it’s going to work. I don't think “aw man, I gotta paint this door.” Things just talk to me, I hear the language.

Richard: If there is one element that tops the fury coursing through each track on the Spades GT debut, it is the band’s live show. From the start, you pull people (sonically and physically) into the action. Did this come naturally with the music or was a plan hatched during a jam?  

Tyler: Our whole approach to Spades GT is to never have a dull moment. Within 5 seconds, you’re hit with a wall of sound and you can’t help at least tapping your feet, or bobbing your head. All the guys bring something different to the table that helps us create sounds that work with a live audience. I can speak for all the guys in the band when I say how proud we are of what we created. For this album, we wanted to keep it fast and aggressive but also make it real and not over produced. Whatever we recorded, we wanted to be able to execute it live and the response to our shows this year while touring has been great.

Richard: There are so many influences throughout the album with tones reminiscent of Motörhead, Danzig, early Offspring, Overkill, and so many more. Are there any particular influences that helped shape the Spades GT sound and what would you say is your unique sonic signature?

Tyler: Crazy. We got compared to early Offspring in a review from the UK but I don’t hear it haha. We definitely get compared to Motörhead which makes me so proud to hear. Being compared to greats like that, it’s a good direction to be going in. 

As for our signature, I don’t know. Everyone’s abilities, influences, they’re all different and so diverse. As a band, we don’t push out anyone’s influences or style. We want to create a Spades GT style that involves everyone, we figure out how to make it work. All of us have been playing and performing for years and we believe in what comes with dedication, hard work, and effort. JD (vocals) said it best, “Spades GT came to save rock n roll” and we hope that people connect to it.

Anvil and Spades GT hit the stage, joined by Battlescarred, on November 9 at The Queens Nightclub, located at 94 Dunlop Street East, downtown Barrie. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Stream Anvil on Spotify here.

Stream Spades GT on Spotify here.