AC/DC: Classic or Dud

Do you really have to choose? I think they can be both. I have to admit that I can't really take much AC/DC at any one sitting, but it's hard to deny the hip-shaking power of something like "You Shook Me All Night Long". Earlier material, while revved up through the amplifiers, is really classic blues with a nasty bent (not that blues can't already be pretty explicit and nasty): Mark Kozalek played this to the hilt with his folked-out reworkings of early AC/DC numbers on his What's Next to the Moon album.

In a way, though, AC/DC is much like the Ramones: if you have one or two of their albums, you probably have all you really need. I'd probably choose Back in Black and Dirty Deeds. Anything post-Back in Black is probably best avoided, though there are sporadic moments worth noting.

Let's see how many of us get to that age and can still rock even slightly, I say. Classic, natch. The Ramones comparison is apt, to be sure, but I feel that all the Bon-era stuff and the first couple of Brian Johnson albums belong in every home. Also, the bottle opener key chain that came with the box-set has proven incredibly useful over the years.

Only strike against them - ditto Sean above - is they've lingered so long, consequently made more good albums than you'd need. But, y'know, some of those less celebrated albums - POWERAGE, FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK - are solid as all get out.

(Also, totally inappropriate to apply the word misogynist to songs about fucking, liking women, and liking to fuck women. Albeit AC/DC's are crudely worded - "Up to My Neck in You," "Inject the Venom" etc. The doggerel's part of their charm. More apt to call 'em "human naturists".)

ANYway, I zapped an e-mail to my New Yorker editor with the flimsiest of hopes that he might be able to hook us up. I don't generally like to exploit this particular avenue, as my connection with the magazine seems TENUOUS at best, and I don't want to ask for extra favours or rock the boat. But, to my considerable surprise, John wrote back (the subject header read: "YOU RAWK TONIGHT!") and all was a go! Trouble is, being that this gig was at the Roseland Ballroom (a large-sized venue for mid-level bands, but tiny for AC/DC), the tix were being distributed in a scalper-defying voucher system. Once I heard from John that there would be two tix in my name at the box office, I trucked on up to Roseland and waited
for a chilly HOUR in the cold with a gaggle of other middle-aged,
leather-clad mooks, only to be turned away when I finally got in with the news that: "Press tickets won't be available `til this evening!"

I went back at 6:00, and the street was crawling with scalpers, mounted police, crestfallen metalheads and grown men with paunches and thinning hair dressed like pre-adolescent Australian schoolboys. After unspooling a giant ball of red tape, I finally got my envelope of two tickets (thank god, I was expecting to get stiffed with only one, and having to explain that to Rob would've been unpleasant and awkward). I jogged over to Ye Olde Tripple Inn on 54th street and celebrated with a few pints of Yuengling while I waited for Rob to show up. Huzzah!

After a quick bite, we repaired back over to Roseland where the mob scene was in full swing. We'd heard rumours that the opening "mystery band" was going to be some sort've R'n'R Hall of Fame amalgam featuring members of the Clash and the Police, but suffice to say.....I didn't really expect as much (can you imagine Paul Simonon and Sting playing at an AC/DC show? Me neither.) It wasn't. Instead it was some nobody band called, I think, Momento, who insisted on chiding the capacity crowd with taunts of "old people" and "how come there are so many old fat guys here tonight?" What did they expect? This is AC/DC, not fuckin' Linkin Park. They left the stage to a smattering of indifferent applause.

The floor was packed like a massive cannister of hirsute sardines. Our press tix got us, however, up to the Mezzanine level, which afforded a bit more elbow room and comparitively unobstructed views (although we were still behind the VIP section, which featured little tables on the balcony.) We settled in, grabbed a few more beers and readied ourselves for rock. I spotted Rick Rubin, but no other notables. The crowd was peppered with a truly diverse cross-section. Aging metalheads, guys in business suits, a few hipsters who could've been Strokes roadies wearing "ironic" shirts featuring bygone luminaries like Rainbow and Dio, a couple of legit Hell's Angels, a few mohicans, a mixed bag.....though no hip hop kids. Surprise.

Promptly on-time, the band hit the stage, opening with "Hell Ain't A Bad Place to Be." Bassist Cliff Williams hasn't aged a day. Malcolm is
significantly trimmer and less goblinesque than before. Phil Rudd on the drums is the *SPITTING IMAGE* of Iggy Pop...it's bizarre. Brian Johnson -- complete with signature cap and indecipherable Geordie accent -- still has the pipes, and comes across as possibly the most grounded, nicest guy in rock. And then, of course, there's Angus.....Australia's finest embodiment, now almost fully bald save a friar tuck ring and a thinning widow's peak. His trademark "dance" while playing (massive, gleaming guitar at trunk-level, left knee-raised, shoulders back phasing into shoulders forward, head down, right-knee raised, full-on rocktastic grimace all the while) is a bit less feverish than in years past...but, y'know, the man's fuckin' in his fifties, for god's sakes, and still rocking absolutely furiously. Majesty.

The set list was a bit soft on momentum. Lots of older numbers, like "Gone Shootin'," "The Jack", "Rock'n'Roll Damnation", "If You Want Blood". They, of course, did do stand-bys like "T.N.T.", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Thunderstruck," "Back in Black" (the second number of the evening), "Shoot to Thrill", "Hells Bells" (the track that got me into them way back in Eighth Grade), "Highway to Hell" and "Whole Lotta Rosie." I was somewhat struck by the absence of "Who Made Who", "Let There Be Rock" and "For Those About to Rock", yet they insisted on playing "Stiff Upper Lip" from their most recent album. After a to-the-minute hour and a half set, they only did one encore (knowing full well that no one paid to get in, save the poor slobs who paid ridiculous scalper fees...I was offered three hundred for my pair) with "You Shook Me All Night Long". To be honest, I've never really liked that song. It's kind of their "Whip It," y'know? Their one "hit single."

After that, following a bit of a tease, the house lights went up, and that was it. Personally, I could've standed a few more tunes, but hey.....I can't complain.

What the heck is with these new reissues? I guess they sold the rights to Sony or something? Ok fine, great, an opportunity to finally put the catalog in order. But no, they're re-releasing the same stupid American versions! So we're going to once again end up with "Problem Child" stupidly on both Let There Be Rock and Dirty Deeds Done Done Dirt Cheap, and a half-assed Jailbreak EP, while great Australia only cuts like "R.I.P", "Stick Around", and "Carry Me Home" languish. How idiotic.

me: do you like AC/DC?
coworker: duh. i'm a guy.

Good lord, so do I.

a drummer friend often says that phil rudd is his favorite drummer. he plays the same beat on every song but he's tight as hell and doesn't try to steal the spotlight or do anything flashy.

(Oh, yeah, classic, btw.)

There's no need for any more than that.

This is so true. I'm glad they got him back in the fold after the years with "the bald guy from the Firm" (as everyone used to call him).

If I had to OPO it would probably be Let There Be Rock. Which sort of a weird choice because it probably has the least amount of Bon's signature humor. Which is of course one of the main reasons I love the band so much. That side is best featured on Dirty Deeds and Highway to Hell.

But Let There Be Rock - it's just so relentlessly heavy. The production is weird, the guitars just crackle with electricity. The album really shows off the way the twin guitars play off each other to create those glorious riffs. Like on "Overdose" which has the long intro w/ the arpeggios and the crashing drums. Then one guitar picks up the riff, then the next one locks in. It just becomes this churning monolith. Like space-rock or something. Yet for all of that there is still space in the music; they don't let the chords ring too long, they clip them off. This sound is nothing like the happier music, still tethered to the blues, on earlier records like High Voltage.

But yeah, every Bon Scott era record is a classic, and a decent number of the Brian Johnson ones as well (I'll take everything up to and including Flick of the Switch, and I actually really liked Ballbreaker).

Also, they played "What's Next to the Moon"!

http://www.dromo.com/fusionanomaly/flow.gif

However, isn't it possible for you to express your opinion about the band without directly insulting the vast majority of the people who have posted to this thread?

AC/DC is, other than Zep, the only hard rock band that every single woman I know —and probably many, many I don't— likes, if not loves.

so Black Ice is now out there, any fans?

http://i33.tinypic.com/2q0rn8k.jpg

official release date it October 18, 2008.

1. Rock N' Roll Train (4:21)
2. Skies On Fire (3:34)
3. Big Jack (3:57)
4. Anything Goes (3:22)
5. War Machine (3:09)
6. Smash N' Grab (4:06)
7. Spoilin' For A Fight (3:17)
8. Wheels (3:28)
9. Decibel (3:33)
10. Stormy May Day (3:10)
11. She Likes Rock N' Roll (3:53)
12. Money Made (4:15)
13. Rock N' Roll Dream (4:41)
14. Rocking All The Way (3:22)
15. Black Ice (3:25)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7792166.stm
AC/DC are about to be paid a glowing tribute at Holyrood in recognition of the rock band's Scottish roots.

South of Scotland MSP Christine Grahame has lodged a parliamentary motion calling for the achievements of the group to be acknowledged.

Founding members Angus and Malcolm Young were born in Glasgow before the family moved to Australia in 1963.

And former frontman Bon Scott was born in Kirriemuir, where there is a memorial plaque in his honour.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45313000/jpg/_45313762_41646570.jpg
AC/DC were formed in 1973 and have sold more than 150 million records worldwide, with songs such as Highway to Hell, Back in Black and For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).

In 2003, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Glasgow gig

They recently released a new album called Black Ice and will play Hampden Park in Glasgow next year as part of a world tour.

Ms Grahame's motion - entitled AC/DC, We Salute You - calls on the Scottish Parliament to recognise the band's Scottish roots; note that their popularity continues to grow and welcome their forthcoming performance in Scotland; and to acknowledge the musical inspiration the band has provided to thousands of Scottish musicians.

Ms Grahame said: "It is clear Scott had a strong sense of his identity, from the 'Scotland forever' tattoo he had on his arm to his playing the bagpipes on the AC/DC track It's a long way to the top.

"When they played Glasgow in 1978 the whole band wore the Scotland national football strip as their concert took place just ahead of the World Cup finals and it would be fitting if they were to do the same when the band play Hampden national football stadium next June.

"After 35 years AC/DC are still contributing to music and giving fans enjoyment worldwide.

"I think they have long deserved official recognition from their homeland for that major musical contribution and my parliamentary motion will go some way towards recognising that."

Angus and Malcolm Young are guitarists and songwriters in AC/DC. Bon Scott died of alcohol poisoning in 1980, aged 33.

so Black Ice is now out there, any fans?

Yes, certainly. Was the fastest and mostest selling hard rock CD straight out of the gate this year. And it was only at Wal-Mart although I picked up mine used after someone needed cash money quick.

How do you rate it George?

Maybe this was just Easy Street in Seattle, but I think some indie stores got some copies in the same day as Walmart. I bought mine on release day.

Black Ice sounds like the superior and mature followup to Blow Up Your Video. Black Ice makes Razors Edge, Ballbreaker, and Stiff Upper Lip seem like atypical experimental albums in comparison.

And of course, Black Ice is great.

"Maybe this was just Easy Street in Seattle, but I think some indie stores got some copies in the same day as Walmart. I bought mine on release day."

I have heard stories of indie stores buying copies of AC/DC, the Eagles, Garth Brooks or whatever else Wal-Mart exclusive is being sold at loss-leader prices and then repricing them for sale at their own shops. In many cases, it's cheaper (and more profitable) than getting them direct from the major label to buy them at Wal-Mart for $9.99 and sell them for $12.99. Affects sales numbers, too, with all the indie bulk buys boosting the bottom line.

How do you rate it George?

I like it quite a bit. Beats hell out of House of Jazz. I might have said in another thread that there a bunch of things which stick on this one. Rock 'n' Roll Train is the obvious one. But my favorites off it are Wheels and Money Made. Spoilin for a Fight, too.

It's to the AC/DC classic albums list what Venus in Overdrive is to Rick Springfield's classics. It's not going to crowd Highway to Hell or Powerage, but it competes fairly easy within the Brian Johnson albums. I never listen to Thunderstruck, Blow Up Your Video, the Maximum Overdrive soundtrack or Fly On the Wall anymore. This one's best songs I can see hanging in there for awhile.

Maybe Angus looks silly in the booklet shot but he sure doesn't sound silly. Plus that rhythm guitar still has it.

The used store on Colorado, Penny Lane, also had a copy of something advertised as the opening band on the AC/DC tour. The Answer? Advertised as sounding like classic rock or old Free. Passed on that one.

I think I discussed this with da croupier, but Black Ice is the perfect album for the fan of both Jet *and* The Darkness, both of which became popular since AC/DC last released an album. It's likely the band made this with one factor in mind that was "Ah, so the kids like Jet and the Darkness, eh?"

(I stress "one factor")

(also, disclosure: I don't like Jet. I liked The Darkness)

one factor as in "one of many factors". My soul for an edit post function

\m/ //(*_*) \m/

why is Phil Oakey so into AC/DC?

Thanks AC/DC, you make life worthwhile.

AC/DC: no best of, no career retrospective boxed set, no iTunes sales. They are an island unto themselves. They are awesome. One of those rare bands loved equally by Steve Albini and Ian MacKaye and the people one might presume they despise.

Walkin' sideways, sideways walkin', gimme the bluuuuuuues...

Their career retrospective box is every damn album (as it probably should be):

http://www.amazon.com/AC-DC-Box-Set/dp/B000I0QKKG

Temporarily out of stock.

Damn fucking right.

As long as I can find a way back-up my copy of who made who, which I bought in 1989 on cassette for a Nice Price.

Powerage is their high water mark. Every song a winner and it contains Bon's best lyrics. It tends to get forgotten though. My 10 year old son is partial to "Dirty Deeds..." except for "Big Balls", which he hates but can't quite explain why.

Too subtle?

Powerage is the best. Quite agree that it has Bon's best lyrics - and I think it's the only album free of innuendo. It's a proper blue collar struggle album. Dirty Deeds has always seemed to me to be very patchy. Ain't No Fun is way too long, though it has a great lyric and Bon's best asides (Oi! Howard Hughes! Get your bloody jumbo jet off of my airport!"). Squealer is actively unpleasant, and a genuinely misogynist song.

BTW Anyone who reckons AC/DC aren't/weren't misogynist - how do you explain away Squealer and The Jack?

I concur with you, Viva Brother. DD is patchy and the humor is too broad but, when yer 10 like my son, subtlety is a non-issue.
Thankfully, he isn't aware of the misogyny.

Also, your take on "Powerage" otm.

In the band's defense: last time I saw them live, they made a point of women *and* men flashing their chests on the jumbotron.

Not in their defense: "Let Me Put My Love Into You"

"Don't you struggle,
Don't you fight,
Don't you worry,
'Cause it's your turn tonight."

Come on, everybody, sing it with me!

"Let me put my love into you, babe,
Let me put my love on the line,
Let me put my love into you, babe,
Let me cut your cake with my knife."

Great song, though.

I love Dirty Deeds, far and away my favorite AC/DC album. "Big Balls" is the only point at which the humor goes too broad, imo (though I loved it as a kid), and yeah, "Squealer" is p gross. But the title track is such a blast, same for "Rocker" and "Problem Child". Surprised that people think that "Ain't No Fun" is too long. I mean, it is long, but it's one of my very favorite AC/DC tunes, totally mesmerizing from start to finish. "Ride On" too, a real curveball in their catalog.

When I first heard Oxbow's "Gal," it seemed like they were taking "Squealer" and turning it into something totally bonkers and horrifying:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z4ijIQYYNo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDqoJPVaV8M

At least "Big Balls" has a joke to its joke. It's not just being naughty for naughty's sake, like, I dunno, "Given the Dog a Bone."

Bon was the king of innuendo. He made it funny without being crepey, somehow. It's kinda why I have such a hard time with Brian, because Brian makes all those songs just straight up creepy when he sings them, lol

though innuendo's a stretch, lol

So is "Night Prowler" not creepy?

Not if Bon sings it. you've seen Bon, right? :D

sorry, I'm a terrible person.

It is creepy but may get a pass since it was supposedly based on a true story, so I'm told.

I wouldn't be surprised if every AC/DC song was based on a true story!

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/22826391.jpg

the best

Bon rocking the jumbo beer!

beware the ides of march etc

other thing abt dirty deeds is that even if "squealer" and "love at first feel" are lyrically off-putting, they're both kick-ass songs, the former all darkly malevolent, the latter less threatening but no less memorable. and VG otm abt the difference between bon and brian.

With Brian, it's like your drunk weird uncle singing 'Can I Sit Next To You Girl'. Just, no. I like him on stuff like Hell's Bells or Back in Black, but the leering songs are just skeevfests for me

I totally get that. Tough he was around 33 when "Back in Black" came out. Had Bon lived, how gross would he be now?

I reckon Bon would've turned out like Keef

Keef crossed with Mick.

Like, a sraggly chicken grandpa letch.

scraggly, saggy. Oh a bit of current Iggy in there, too.

been listening through their oeuvre whilst working out & gotta say that the drop off from Bon to Brian is huge, just even wrt vocal tone; & the subject matter becomes a lot less carefree, & so these 80s albums have been a drag, man.

euler otm, back in black is really the last stand

cosign

I'll rep for Flick Of The Switch, but that's more for the sound of the band than for anything Brian does. The band is blazing and raw.

Otherwise, it's seriously hit or miss since BiB.

I don't think in some ways for all their greatness and popularity that AC/DC gets the quite rep for just the raw use of minimalism in their sound. Many of their great songs are just that very straight pounding beat tied around those huge open chord stabs. Even by their peak heyday of the 70s, people had been playing rock guitar for a while, yet that hard stripped down use of chords - you start messing with a guitar and crap it sounds like AC/DC. It's easily as genius and signature as how the Ramones used simple changing powerchords. Add in Tony Iommi's use of powerchords, sometimes detuned in Sabbath and you pretty much have the holy trinity of heavy and hard guitar riffage.

Yeah, I liked the MOJO piece on AC/DC a few months back, where Angus really stresses how much the simplicity is conscious, by design. Open chords, nothing fancy. But what makes AC/DC special, I guess, is that Angus can also really play. That's the real key to something like Back in Black - big dumb songs, big open chords, blazing solos.

I also agree that post Back in Black, there's really only one or two killer tracks per album. But those tracks are awesome!

Yeah AC/DC's really pretty deceptive in their simplicity --- once you dig into the music, and Angus, they're really really on their shit.

And this is a really dumb admission but I had NO idea that Malcolm and Angus Young were George Young's little brothers. Easybeats were one of my favorite bands growing up, and it never occured to me that they were related [insert facepalm here]

but seriously, how's that for a Rock N Roll hall of fame family. Amazing to me, really.

i'm not a big hard rock person, but the minimalism and the guitar tone make ac/dc completely amazing. there is just nothing else that compares.

Phil Rudd is one of my fave drummers. Fascinating to me how he never uses a ride.

everybody OTM

this beer is coming out next week from my local microbrew gods:

http://brewdad.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Ninkasi-Helles-Belles.png

Bon would be bald as a cueball or wearing a wig

The funny thing is that brian seems creepy but bon probably did way worse things to women irl....like he had a bad look in his eyes

But great frontman obv

old bon-era live vids are the best. that wise ass grinning all the damn time. brian is just so straight down the barrel and boring and just. he's okay but.

Oh Bon looked like the perennial 16 year-old boy up to no good, I don't even want to know half of what he got up to irl.

Brian gives the creepy vibe singing but to clarify, I think that that uncle thing works in his favor off stage. He seems like a nice bloke. You'd probably be relatively safe to have a conversation with him if you're of the female persuasion.
Bon, I'm not so sure about, lol.

Malcomn is really the secret weapon in the band. He's riff guy in that group and his playing is so fxxxxxg tight that the whole band swings around him like a clock gear.

Yeah there's not much dead weight in AC/DC.

^

No props for Cliff Williams? Utilitarian for sure but somehow perfect for the band. He knows his place. "Love Hungry Man" is the only song I can recall when the band let him do some fret walking.

Malcolm, Cliff and Phil are my heroes in AC/DC. Malcolm especially. For the absolute self-discipline required to spend the last four decades doing as little possible while the other two do the crowd pleasing flash. Love watching them on stage, too: the factory workers who clock on, go to their work stations and just do it for two hours.

Cliff is the king of the one-note arena bass line. One of my favorite concert images is Cliff and Malcolm hanging out at the back by Phil, then sauntering up to the mic for the big choruses, only to return to hanging back after.

http://fuckyeahcliffwilliams.tumblr.com/

Love that family photo.

The thing about Cliff is that, while it may seem like he has the least demanding job in the world, the subtle swing he applies to those eighth-note parts is an utterly essential ingredient in the AC/DC sound. Their signature rhythm is defined by the tension between Malcolm and the drums, who tick away like clockwork, and the push-pull feel of Williams's basslines.

Hey look: A live show from 1981, with a video quality so poor that once Brian loses the hat it looks like Epstein from the Sweathogs is fronting the band:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1BKB-11ISM

But man, the sound! Brian before the voice went, the band a veritable monster of rock. So good.

so 'moneytalks' just popped up randomly on my ipod and you know, I don't hate it as much as I thought I did

fucking hate Thunderstruck though, still always forever

Booo! Even my kids know to sing along with Thunderstruck when it comes on the radio.

it was played to death by bogans in my bogan hometown and THEN it was used for a car commercial

I am so done with that song forever and ever amen

"Moneytalks" is about the only Rudd-less AC/DC I can moderately dig, but yeah, I can't stand "Thunderstruck."

fucking hate Thunderstruck though, still always forever

when i was i dunno 13-14 i went on a school trip on a bus full of chorus people, and at some point someone played thunderstruck, which i had never heard before, and THE WHOLE BUS STARTED CHANTING

that is the main reason i have for not giving in to my natural distaste for chorus people

You anti-"Thunderstruck" people are insane. But maybe it's a song that's got to be experienced live.

yeah cuz it sure ain't working from here

You anti-"Thunderstruck" people are insane. But maybe it's a song that's got to be experienced live in a titty bar.

― 誤訳侮辱, Thursday, July 25, 2013 7:47 PM (43 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

fixed

I can't imagine any "Money Talks" > "Thunderstruck" argument that doesn't hinge around a personal trauma related to "Thunderstruck"

like they're both rewrites of earlier smashes (albeit still hook highlights of the period) but where "Thunderstruck" takes "Who Made Who" and turns it up to eleven, "Money Talks" just adds Brian goading a hooker (or a maid) to a rehash of "You Shook Me All Night Long"

But maybe it's a song that's got to be experienced live.

I'd go along with this, mainly because experiencing it live now would mean experiencing it live with Phil Rudd.

I have experienced it live! It's no less traumatic! At the same show I was forced to watch Angus disrobe.

Your point is moot.

("100% Angus beef" joke)

(nope, never mind)

;_;

http://www.punkmagazine.com/images/vault_images/punk_14/punk14acdc.gif

http://youtu.be/K-Op1Mng4oY

Shuffle just spit up "The Razor's Edge." I think this album is pretty good!

apparently doubt has already been cast on this prediction, but still...

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-to-split-report-20140415-36oc1.html

Huh. There's a real dark cloud hanging over that piece.:(

''AC/DC members have previously made a pact that no band members will be replaced should someone need to leave the band.

Unless they made that pact in 1995, this makes no sense. Obviously, they replaced Bon Scott, but they're on their 3rd or 4th bassist, they had two different replacements for Phil Rudd, and even Malcolm was replaced on some 80s shows.

Bon was their second singer.

(Obviously there's no point in AC/DC without both Youngs though.)

http://theorstrahyun.blogspot.com/2014/04/rip-acdc-1973-2014.html

"About 3 weeks ago, founding member, rhythm guitarist, co-producer and co-songwriter Malcolm Young had a stroke, which left a blood clot on his brain."

Another link says confirmed by Malcolm's son.

Man, that's awful. He was such an amazing player; he was AC/DC's Freddie Green.

man, i've spent so many hours of my life blissing out on his riffs. let's see what happens, but yeah very sad stuff if any of it rings true.

xpost They've had the same line-up since Rudd came back, I assume that's the line-up they've been talking about. The classic "Back in Black" line-up.

From 3 months ago, nice brotherly tribute:
http://www.guitarworld.com/let-there-be-rock-acdcs-angus-young-rhythm-playing-malcolm-young

That is a lovely tribute. Should really be an AC/DC album called "All in the Wrist."

ugh that suuuuuuucks

LET LOOSE FROM THE NOOSE NEWS: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6053874/acdc-not-quitting-retirement-rumors

Still, the management/pr wing not climbing all over themselves to squash this makes me nervous.

Hmm. I think the fact that it's already been six years since the last album, which means at minimum two more 'til the next one, if there's a next one, hints that announcing a formal split or retirement or whatever is sorta beside the point. Every band is on hiatus between albums and tours. But yeah, that Billboard piece is pretty rife with a non-denial denial vibe. It'd be pretty easy to kill this rumor right now, and that article does not do it.

Basically, no official word from the band or management, let alone anyone on the record, so I fear for the worse.

if true, it's the end of an era. what a band and malcolm should go down with ppl like nile rodgers and steve cropper as all time great rhythm guitarists

otm

Well, here's Johnson on the record:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10769783/ACDC-We-are-not-retiring.html

Again, sorta vague. Confirms someone in the band has a debilitating illness, confirms there is still a plan to head to the studio to see how things go, and maybe that there will be a 40th anniversary tour. But then he also says everything is up in the air, so I guess plans don't mean that much.

it'd be nice if they got to do one last big album and farewell tour, a lot of big bands end their run unexpectedly and don't get to soak in a moment like that. but they're old guys and nobody lives forever, it's okay whenever it ends, they've had a great run.

I'd be perfectly happy if it just ended unexpectedly, without the three year Final Farewell Forever Tour. As befits a band who thus far has refused to release a best-of or comprehensive boxed set.

Formal word:

https://www.facebook.com/acdc/posts/10152370344752930

After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.
In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family’s privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music.

thus far has refused to release a best-of or comprehensive boxed set.

What else would you have included on the box sets?

If you have Who Made Who and the Iron Man 2 soundtrack you have a decent best of.

A "best-of" would be rough to whittle down for AC/DC, but I'd listen to a "greatest hits" comp on the reg anyway.

maybe it's strategic, their hits are such high points that it must really boost their catalogue sales to have them spread out on albums that are otherwise plenty listenable

Man, there have been tons of best-ofs and greatest hits released for all sorts of shitty bands. It has nothing to do with I'd want - that is, nothing - but what the band could get away with releasing and yet has not released. Boxed set-wise, the two sets - Bonfire and Backtracks - are sort of odds and sods, no? There's no equivalent of the 4-disc career-overview best-of that, again, lots of other acts release. Whether one is warranted or not is another question, but again again, that has not stopped lesser bands from doing it.

but what the band could get away with releasing and yet has not released

this is the thing - they're proud of their albums as individual works, they reasonably think there's no need to fleece fans, the two movie soundtracks are functional best-ofs, Family Jewels has almost everything you'd want to see, and the DVD in Backtracks has the alternate videos.

and as one of the best-selling bands in the world, they're likely not under any irresistible pressure to cash in from any record companies. (and even if they were, I'd guess have enough control via George and Alberts to refuse if they wanted.)

Name me some other best selling acts with no greatest hits on the shelves.

Conversely, New Order (a band I imagine sells reasonably large numbers) has more compilations available than proper studio albums.

Name me some other best selling acts with no greatest hits on the shelves.

― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, April 16, 2014 9:23 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Metallica

Good call.

Oh yeah, good one.

kind of amusing to think of what those would look like, though. lots of bands do periodic greatest hits (ie, "Best of 1983-1989"), can you imagine how rankled the diehards would be with a "Metallica Greatest Hits: 1991 - 2011" release.

Nutallica has its own very devoted following of people who have almost nothing in common with the fans of the 80s stuff.

totally, and it'd sell really well, but I'm just amused thinking of all of the diehards going "THE CD SHOULD BE A BLANK CD-R" on newsgroup message boards (ok ok it's 2014 not 1996 but w/e)

if AC/DC was going to do any kind of best-of, they'd probably have to do a Bon and a Brian comp separate

what Metallica and AC/DC also have in common is that they were two of the biggest holdouts in not putting their music on iTunes for years before finally giving in. interesting how it's a couple bands who have dozens of singles in permanent rock radio rotation that are really trying to uphold the sanctity of the album.

Bon disc 1 and Brian disc 2 comp would be pretty killer. Van Halen should've done that, too, but they had to go and mix up their comp chronologically, which seems like a terrible idea.

Van Halen should've done that, too, but they had to go and mix up their comp chronologically, which seems like a terrible idea.

otm

Name me some other best selling acts with no greatest hits on the shelves.

I ought to have been clearer: obviously the band don't want to do it, and their sales success gives them the ability to reject any suggestions*. Presumably most best-selling acts are happy to sell EVEN MORE copies of Greatest Hits Vol. III / come up with the idea themselves.

*or to do it twice in the same non-obvious way

Well, yeah, that's why I respect AC/DC's decision. They could, and it would sell millions, but they clearly don't want to. See also: the delay selling stuff online, the dogged dedication to formula, the lack of some weird trendy outlier in the band's catalog ...

Well, yeah, that's why I respect AC/DC's decision. They could, and it would sell millions, but they clearly don't want to. See also: the delay selling stuff online, the dogged dedication to formula, the lack of some weird trendy outlier in the band's catalog ...

this is why I feel this strange melancholy at the idea of AC/DC shutting down, even though I have no interest in hearing more material or seeing a 2014 show. Loosing that singleminded dedication to formula with the Ramones long gone and Motorhead wobbly too. I've always assumed it was Malcolm who was the force behind that.

the lack of some weird trendy outlier in the band's catalog

We were Back in Black/but now check this rap!

Apparently Malcolm is indeed the band's undisputed leader/creative director. And, vitally, co-writer of everything.

Brian Johnson would have probably looked good with dookie chains on though.

Wait, they've apparently got a nephew replacing Malcolm!?!

ugh, why

I guess Stevie Young subbed for him in 1988?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HuQdjgltFA#t=115

Stevie filled in for Malcolm on occasions during the Black Ice tour when Malcolm wasn’t well and on the 1988 Blow Up Your Video tour when Malcolm was being treated for alcohol dependency. Stevie’s first band Starfighters also supported AC/DC on the 1980 Back In Black tour.

I mean I'm not even remotely one of those lineup pedants, I can appreciate incarnations of bands through changing lineups, but being w/out someone that founded the band and was integral to the band's sound like that, I ain't down with at all.

for the occasional live show, ok...but recording w/out him, which I saw some articles suggest = fuck that.

Hopefully he and Wolfgang and Jason can form a band called the Reboots.

I ranked every AC/DC album for Stereogum. Have at it, if you can get the thing to load.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tky4USPxFok

http://www.nme.com/news/acdc/79959

Unfortunately, due to the nature of Malcolm’s condition, he will not be returning to the band

:(

Frontman Brian Johnson previously said he toyed with the idea of calling the album 'Man Down' in reference to Young's absence, "But it’s a bit negative and it was probably just straight from the heart. I like that."

I love the band and like having them around, but kind of screw them for not calling it quits.

They didn't quit after Bon died so why now?

Didn't Stevie Young fill in for him in the 80s at some point?

Yeah, the cousin or nephew or whatever? This isn't filling in, though. Mal is gone.

I dunno. I guess we'll hear the results, but everything I've read has stressed how vital and valuable Malcolm was as a songwriter (as far as that goes) and as the band's rudder, while Angus even considers his brother a better guitarist. I hope the new album sounds like AC/DC and not like AC/DC trying to sound like AC/DC.

When Stevie filled in, Simon Wright was the drummer, leaving one original member (Angus) for those shows.

Yeah, and how did the music fare?

Supposedly, says the internet, most fans did not even know, because they look close enough:

http://www.ac-dc.cc/shared/members/photo_stevie_young_150x200.jpg

I would assume the music fared poorly, but mainly due to Rudd's absence.

Fun fact, though: Paul Thompson was among those who auditioned for the job after Rudd left. I think I could've gotten on board with that.

Yeah, Rudd-free AC/DC was pretty barf.

When they say "nephew," it's important to remember that this isn't a Richie Faulkner-in-Judas Priest situation where the new guy is half the age of the rest of the band. Stevie Young is 57; Malcolm is 61.

Even so, I'm kind of tired of no bands breaking up, ever.

I'm really glad I got to see the 2008 tour twice.

Didn't the band state that AC/DC would continue until they're all dead?

Even so, I'm kind of tired of no bands breaking up, ever.

― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, September 24, 2014 10:46 AM (37 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

AC/DC will eventually become a ghost band, like the Count Basie Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, or the Mingus Big Band (all currently active entities).

"Stevie Young presents the AC/DC Band!"

i dig that they were actually considering naming the album "man down" but agree it's a little mean - the beauty of "forget the hearse cuz i'll never die" is that they're not directly referencing bon so much as refusing to alter their course, "rock or bust" is definitely more appropriate

as to whether this will be any good, whether they should break up, all these questions were resolved about thirty years ago

rock or bust!

:(

AC/DC's Malcolm Young reportedly in care for dementia in Sydney

https://albumoriented.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/162-young-boys-03.jpg
I'll always love those young bros

as to whether this will be any good, whether they should break up, all these questions were resolved about thirty years ago

A-plus

Hey btw if any of you missed Phil's Stereogum article that's linked above, it's a great read, even got me to check out some of the later albums. And "Powerage" is a weirdly underrated album.

may have even said it on this thread but i like to think of powerage as a concept album about bon scott belatedly experiencing being dumped for the first time in his life and just losing his mind about it. "hell ain't a bad place to be" on the last album even being kind of a foreshadowing

Dementia at 61? Man, I wonder what's going on. My dad had a rare form of Alzheimer's called post cortical atrophy, but I don't think that affects short term memory as radically as that article indicates Malcolm is dealing with.

Stroke can have profound effects on memory, but who knows what came first.

New song "Play Ball":
http://youtu.be/0-ksJ8ItQT4

Sounds exactly what an AC/DC custom-made-for-use-as-a-tv-sports-bumper-anthem song should sound like imo.

Sounds like Van Hagar if Sammy had a cold.

if Sammy had a cold.

Worst Esquire piece ever.

Sounds like Van Hagar if Sammy had a cold.

that sure sounds like a new ac/dc song

I'm sort of warming to it? After the initial disappointment I think I just accepted this is no new Thunderstruck, not even a new Heatseeker or Stiff Upper Lip, but just an OK AC/DC song, and that's something I can appreciate. I like it better than Rock n Roll Train but it's not even close to Anything Goes, which still is my favorite AC/DC track since Big Gun.

"safe in new york city" was great

BUH. The entirety of AC/DC's back catalog on sale at Amazon's mp3 store...for $6.99. You might want to take advantage.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O6DOQES/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00O6DOQES&linkCode=as2&tag=thepartim-20&linkId=XKGGDXO7COKF6ZU6

thanks ned saw this on facebook thanks, damn what a deal

wow!!

Looks like the link is now 404'd so I hope you all took advantage.

dammit! I was going to wait till I got home.

I got it! And because I clicked a couple buttons I'm getting ALL my due amazon mp3's...ever. All 167 hours of them.

Time for a party.

man how good was this fuckin band?

these are so good sounding

Very, very, good.

Damn, I put it in my cart for later and came back to find it all greyed out. Looks like each of the albums are available for $6.99 now.

Lessons I should have already learned from ilx like not to dick around when Amazon fucks up the price on something.

This was everything* too--Bonfire, Backtracks, tons of live stuff.

*Well, the single w/the first singer isn't there (not that that was happening).

YSI??

is it gone already!!!??

Damn.

Not to rub it in, but I was just checking something on my account, and I actually paid $4.99 for the set.

dirty deeds etc

I wish there was an equivalent of Steam sales for music mp3s. I'd love to stay up late at night waiting for a flash sale of the AC/DC or the Fleetwood Mac or the Sparks catalog. I'd gladly have it set fire to my credit card.

Apparently it had been a sneak sale since Friday, believe it or not.

thanks Ned for pointing this out, stoked that I pounced when I did and now, well, I've got 290 mp3s of AC/DC on my hard drive. Now I just need the lifestyle to go with that.

First thing I did was dig through all the boxes and rarities compilations to restore the Australian track listings of the first 4 albums.

been listening to AC/DC all day

about done with Let There Be Rock right now

so fucking consistently awesome! not just every album is good, they basically don't have hardly any bad songs, like at all, i don't think i've actively disliked a song yet

Vanda/Young are such good rock producers, these records sound so awesome and so tuff, like I can't imagine a better hard rock record sound (obv mutt does well later too)

"Overdose" is the greatest thing

ok on to Powerage now - this album rules! "Downpayment Blues" is amazing

I'm so happy to see you discover the joys of Bon Scott AC/DC. Makes me smile.

oh i knew they were great! but i guess i just kinda had the "hits" - dirty deeds, highway to hell, and let there be rock, stuff recycled on who made who.. so there are a lot of great tracks i never heard

Much better albums then people give them credit for. It doesn't last through the Brian years, but a Bon deep cut can be staggeringly good.

yeah a good bon-era non-single can be as good if not better

ridiculously, consistently good output

"Overdose" is the greatest thing

― example (crüt), Tuesday, November 4, 2014 5:10 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Dog Eat Dog is one of the meanest things ever put to wax. LTBR and Powerage are the ultimate in savagery.

Downpayment Blues is a perfect Bon Scott song.

on to Highway to Hell now, obviously classic

"Touch Too Much" is totally a test run for Def Leppard, that chorus and something about how they harmonize it is totally Def Leppard

High and Dry is the great lost 70s AC/DC record. Nowhere near as good, but I do love it.

yeah high and dry rules

def leppard kinda rules overall

i think powerage is overall a better album than highway to hell

this here Back in Black album is pretty good, feel like it could be a hit

Interviewed Angus and Brian the other day. Angus was very – surprisingly - frank about Malcolm's dementia and the progression of his illness.

Oh man. Where will your interview appear?

In the Guardian. Online Nov 27, print Nov 28.

Please post a link. Very interested in that.

on For Those About To Rock

good stuff, but definitely the first time that it feels as though the band is straining a bit to make an "AC/DC album"

Such a phoned in record.

always loved the title track, cheesy as it is "we rock at dawn on the frontline" <3<3<3

inject the venom is good

anyway i need a break from ac/dc until tomorrow

Title track is ace. Which is why I'm happy to listen to Who Made Who instead.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd will appear in the Tauranga District Court this afternoon charged with attempting to procure a murder.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/10711053/Serious-charges-for-AC-DC-drummer-Phil-Rudd

WTF!?!?!

Holy shit.

Yeah that's a bummer. He musta really wanted to put the 2 & 4 to someone. His old arms must be too tired to do it himself.
On another note, mucho thanks to Ned for his post. I'm a lucky one that got the deal and whose knees are too tired to sort through vinyl to queue up Powerage exactly when I want. I'm really fascinated in the Amazon internet marketing (& I hate marketing) that made this a hush hush briefly available deal.

I'm really fascinated in the Amazon internet marketing (& I hate marketing) that made this a hush hush briefly available deal.

It was a fuck-up. It happened a few months ago with Metallica, apparently - their entire discography for $15.

DIRTY DEEDS AND THEY'RE DONE DIRT CHEAP!

That reminds me, did I ever mention that I had an AIM chat in, like, 1995 with someone who claimed to be Phil Rudd of AC/DC? I never knew why anyone would want to impersonate him -- he wasn't trying to pick me up or anything and seemed genuinely interested in whether the younger generation still listened to AC/DC -- so I always wondered if it was actually him.
― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, October 25, 2004 11:55 AM (10 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

(I had no idea who he was, btw. I mean, I'd heard of AC/DC, but that's about it.)
― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, October 25, 2004 11:55 AM (10 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

"So you couldn't pick the members of AC/DC out of a line-up, huh? Interesting. Say, on a completely unrelated topic, you wanna make a few quick bucks?"

I don't think the back catalog is going to help him in court..

Guns For Hire...
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Big Gun
Gimme a Bullet...
Gone Shootin

Fire Your Guns
Shoot to Thrill
First Blood

Goodbye and Good Riddance to Bad Luck
Cold Hearted Man

My ACDC drummer will always be Chris Slade.

Rudd released his first solo album a couple months ago. the final track is called "When I Get My Hands On You": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_Job

He's on a Highway to hell

http://www.acdc-noticias.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/BwMvtsPCAAAsPdV1.jpg

...did AC/DC management put their albums on sale because they knew phil rudd was about to be charged with murder? do alleged murders negatively affect the sales of a band's albums, anyway?

basically i really want a conspiracy to emerge out of this

My conspiracies have more to do with AC/DC - band who refuses to license their songs to anyone, even iTunes - and Metallica - Napster's Y2K Band of the Year - being the "victims" here.

You know when the drummer says "hey, I've written a song" and you go "oh.. oh go on then, let's see the lyrics"

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/11/06/world/asia/ap-as-new-zealand-acdc-charges.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=2

Still no "who and why" then?

do alleged murders negatively affect the sales of a band's albums, anyway?

Keith Moon accidentally killed his chauffeur/bodyguard in 1970, and in 1973 he paid someone to have Ian MacLagan killed (when Pete Townshend got wind of it, he stepped in and paid the guy not to kill MacLagan). Didn't affect sales at all.

in 1973 he paid someone to have Ian MacLagan killed (when Pete Townshend got wind of it, he stepped in and paid the guy not to kill MacLagan)

Um...so you're saying I've missed something, then.

maybe he's been poisoning malcolm

Cyanide?

Ian Mac had an affair with Keith Moon's wife. Of course, it was OK for Keith to do such things...

My conspiracies have more to do with AC/DC - band who refuses to license their songs to anyone, even iTunes - and Metallica - Napster's Y2K Band of the Year - being the "victims" here.

― pplains, Thursday, November 6, 2014 8:54 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

hey PP - this isn't true, AC/DC is on iTunes and this whole thread revive was because a bunch of us were getting their compete discography for $6.99 on Amazon MP3 because of an error.

Ah, I'm two years late on the iTunes news.

Crazy news but, as a drummer, Phil could really swing.

Malcolm locked up and Phil charged with this ... This is just to hype the new album and tour. Watch your back, Cliff, Brian and Angus, management is on a roll!

malcolm locked up? i thought he had demenita :(

That's what I meant. Assisted living doesn't let dementia patients wander out.

My conspiracies have more to do with AC/DC...

Well, they only did play 'Night Prowler' once live ...

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd's charge of attempting to procure murder has been withdrawn.

Rudd appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday and was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill.

Rudd's lawyer, Paul Mabey QC, said this afternoon that the Crown solicitor withdrew the charge after a meeting with Mabey and police.

The Crown solicitor said there was insufficient evidence to justify the charge, Mabey said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/10716815/AC-DC-drummer-Phil-Rudd-Procuring-murder-charge-dropped

One would think they would have reason to charge someone with such a heinous crime before doing it and going public with it.

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201445/ruddhouse_620x310.jpg

Wtf

When did Phil get a haircut?

Mabey said Rudd would defend the threatening to kill charge.

What is this weird charge? If I yell "I am going to kill you!" in anger, will that get me arrested in New Zealand?

Fly off to New Zealand and shout things about Peter Jackson and see what happens.

In fact just go and say you want to kill a bunch of hobbits or something.

the alleged hitman speaks: was approached to be hired as a bodyguard to protect Rudd against the angry partners of prostitutes that Rudd has declined to pay after disputes over services.

Rudd was described as someone who had "done a lot for the community" by the man, single-handedly keeping some businesses afloat.

"The amount he spends on company is like someone's yearly wage."

the nz police are prone to this kind of extravagant claim dufferishness.

This morning, I heard some 4th or 5th grader kid on the playground at morning drop-off telling his friend, "Yesterday I heard some dude tried to hire a hitman!" Clearly he was talking about Phil Rudd, and needless to say, if the gossip of kids in the single digits is any indication, Phil may have a case that his reputation has been seriously damaged. At least it wasn't about gerbils.

What is this weird charge? If I yell "I am going to kill you!" in anger, will that get me arrested in New Zealand?

Doesn't seem that different from 'making terrorist threats' laws in parts of the US. If you threaten violence with the intention of putting someone in fear of that violence, you can get arrested.

Keith Moon accidentally killed his chauffeur/bodyguard in 1970, and in 1973 he paid someone to have Ian MacLagan killed (when Pete Townshend got wind of it, he stepped in and paid the guy not to kill MacLagan). Didn't affect sales at all.

― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Thursday, November 6, 2014 3:51 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

That's a slightly different story to the one I've heard... the one I heard was that Moon was so pissed off at MacLagan making off with Kim that he paid someone to have his fingers broken to put an end to his career, rather than have him killed. Then Pete paid the guy double not to go through with it.

"done a lot for the community" by the man, single-handedly keeping some businesses afloat"

Obviously not the brothels though

This morning, I heard some 4th or 5th grader kid on the playground at morning drop-off telling his friend, "Yesterday I heard some dude tried to hire a hitman!" Clearly he was talking about Phil Rudd, and needless to say, if the gossip of kids in the single digits is any indication, Phil may have a case that his reputation has been seriously damaged. At least it wasn't about gerbils.

― Josh in Chicago, Friday, November 7, 2014 9:26 AM (23 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

there's gotta be someone out there right now who thinks Paul Rudd has had a very interesting month of confronting homophobes in airports and hiring hitmen

Keith Moon accidentally killed his chauffeur/bodyguard in 1970, and in 1973 he paid someone to have Ian MacLagan killed (when Pete Townshend got wind of it, he stepped in and paid the guy not to kill MacLagan). Didn't affect sales at all.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Thursday, November 6, 2014 3:51 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

That's a slightly different story to the one I've heard... the one I heard was that Moon was so pissed off at MacLagan making off with Kim that he paid someone to have his fingers broken to put an end to his career, rather than have him killed. Then Pete paid the guy double not to go through with it.

― Welcome To (Turrican), Friday, November 7, 2014 8:40 AM (18 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

wow! i had never heard this!

http://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/keith-moon-put-end-rocker-3880810

I'd never heard this moon vs. Mac story either! Crazy

I'd heard the broken-fingers story, but I seem to recall an interview with Townshend, who is notorious for not keeping stories straight, where he leaned in close to the interviewer and quietly said something to the effect of, "No, Moon actually put a hit out on Mac." Probably not the case, though.

It wasn't that long ago, Pete had to write to Mojo or some such to refute an oft told tale about one of his original Mod hard nut mates that had killed four men in a brawl. "Killed" was a more poetic term for "hurt a bit" back in the sixties, you see.

okay back to me going through the AC/DC entire discography....

we left off about halfway through For Those About Rock....ended up being a bit of a slog, obv the title track is all time, but yeah felt like them trying to recreate Back in Black to lesser results...

Flick of the Switch is maybe the nadir (at least until the late 90s/00s)....reaaaaaly uninspired mid-tempo stompers, seems like they were all written by AC/DC coming up with a title they were going to shout in the chorus...."Rising Power" is a keeper, but outside of that I've already forgotten everything except "Bedlam in Belgium" because it had the world "Belgium" in the title and seemed to be a story song about some AC/DC show that turned into a riot

now on Fly on the Wall....again I think this is not well regarded but actually seems a bit better than Flick of the Switch at least...."Shake Your Foundations" is great....

but i mean it's hardly great or anything

"Sink the Pink" - lolzy song title aside is pretty great -- though looking ahead they recycled this and "Shake Your Foundations" for Who Made Who

ok the rest of this outside of those 2 standouts isn't super great, danger is okay

okay wow does the title track to "Who Made Who" feel like a breath of fresh air....their new wave song? Or at least proof they like Eliminator by ZZ Top? way more spare track with the repeating bass and angus seemingly trying to simulate a sequencer with an SG....catchy as hell...

it's such an odd album...a "soundtrack" with a new hit song, a some of their "greatest hits", the two songs from the previous album, one Bon Scott era fan favorite....and two (pretty cool) instrumentals....don't really know what this is supposed to be but honestly it works as a listening experience

Who Made Who is so good.

it's maybe the greatest "filler" album ever made

the instrumentals are really cool, nice to hear them breaking (slightly) out of their mold

i skipped over the hits on who made who because i'd just heard them all

on to Blow Up Your Video

definitely off to a better start than the last few, "Heatseeker" is sprightly, quicker tempo and catchy and Johnson actually bothering to write some vocal melodies, seems in the vein of Who Made Who (the song), seems as though they've struck on a good variation on an AC/DC song with this stuff

so far this is much less plodding than the last few studio albums, nice

meanstreak is kinda funky, little aerosmith goosestep

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p34ISD2fAzs

ok i need something more mellow for while

Black Sabbath

The Cult's "Electric?"

The Red House Painters guy's Bon covers album.

Obviously not the brothels though

Except that that's specifically what the guy seems to be talking about (or agencies, at least)

It is kind of reassuring in this ever changing world that the drummer for AC/DC is still a mad, crazed bastard allegedly doing bunches of drugs, booze and having to hire security guards to keep hookers pimps away. It's way better than being some ex-rocker whiny dude in floral tops, game show host or reality tv star bozo.

Can I get an Amen. My money is on he tours with 'em. I'm there with Hells Bells on.

I never liked Brian Johnson era. Even back in black. Just does nothing for me. Totally no edge. Even Highway to Hell is a little glossy save for a couple of songs (title track, shot down in flames, if you want blood)

I never even heard flick of the fly or blow up your switch or any of that shit. Just put powerage up to 11

Heatseeker's amazing, too bad they never play it live.

Who made Who is also amazing, the video's great with those cybermen-ripoffs. Anyway, which video is not great? Most of them are directed by David Mallet, which is kinda curious when you realize he's the same guy who did those arty Bowie videoclips such as Ashes to Ashes and Look back in anger.

Highway to Hell is Bon tho

xpost Angus described Powerage to me as their "experimental" album the other day. Bit annoying I spoke to them three days before the Rudd business.

"Nervous Shakedown" is my only recommendation from weird later-period AC/DC. It's a cool song though. I would use it in a movie if I wanted an AC/DC song that wasn't overused already (and I was in charge of such things).

Highway to Hell is Bon tho

― punk rocketeer (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, November 7, 2014 11:41 PM (2 days ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I know. My point is they were softening it up even with him still around.

man u are hardcore dude, i don't mind taking a bubble bath to the razor's edge myself

So,this is out: http://youtu.be/TT8e7i0ccLQ

Who's the guy playing the drums?

no clue but it ain't Rudd.

Apparently Bob Richards from Shogun. Phil was unable to make the early October shoot for "undisclosed reasons".

shoot?

It seems that Phil wasn't able to complete any of his october-scheduled shootings, neither the Play Ball one nor the other one.

this new video is amazing like a time capsule from the 80s

when i saw the video for rock'n'roll train i would have sworn they could have shot it in 1988

i mean at least this one has some hi-tech green screen rather than just fans hanging off scaffolding

oh wait i think train did have green screen of brian in front of a train

i hope they do a version of the vid without cutaways to sexy sports ladies, just the "big bang baby" shit

Blow Up Your Video is super underrated IMO, this is a fun album

there's some actual melodic stuff on here that's pretty impressive for latter day ac/dc and the songs are relatively "diverse" (in ac/dc terms)

They've been around so long that isn't even "Late period" anymore. They were better for much of the 80s than most people give them credit for.

haha yeah i guess "after most people give a shit except for thunderstruck and money talks ac/dc"

"Play Ball" has a pretty nice main riff, prob their best single since "Big Fun"

haha i meant "Big Gun" but "Big Fun" would be a good AC/DC song title too

Anybody else find it funny that the video for "Play Ball" features footage of just about every kind of ball-centered sport except for baseball, the sport most closely identified with the phrase "play ball!"?

maybe all the sexy lady baseball footage they found was from A League Of Their Own and it was too pricey to buy the rights

i'd never really listened to Thunderstruck on headphones before

so anyway, the last time, when they go back to the whoa-ah-oh-ah-ohoh-ah-oh part, there are THREE drum machine hits on the fill before they kick the guitar in for the final "Yoooo beeen THUNDERSTRUCK"...it's so clearly a drum machine, really weird

i always noticed that those hits had a really heavy echo on them that made them stick out but i just kind of assumed it was for dramatic effect, didn't consider whether it was punched in on a drum machine. AC/DC drums are so typically devoid of flashy flourishes that it would be kind of appropriate if one of their most memorable drum fills was added by a producer with a drum machine while mixing down.

That was one of the non-Rudd albums. And the production (Bruce Fairbairn) is probably the most heavy-handed of any AC/DC album. Tons of weird shit going on in the margins.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/11/13/acdcs-rudd-difficult-pre-arrest-say-bandmates/18967191/

AC/DC has indeed resolved to move forward; it's planning to tour next year. Whether Rudd will join his bandmates remains in question.

"Phil created his own situation," says Young. "It's a hard thing to say about the guy. He's a great drummer, and he's done a lot of stuff for us. But he seems to have let himself go. He's not the Phil we've known from the past."

Meanwhile, Phil, whoring it up on booze and drugs, probably looks at his erstwhile bandmates and thinks, man, they are not the AC/DC I've known in the past.

Seriously, though, those pictures o Phil - where are the glasses? What happened to the long hair?!

That was one of the non-Rudd albums. And the production (Bruce Fairbairn) is probably the most heavy-handed of any AC/DC album. Tons of weird shit going on in the margins.
― Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Thursday, November 13, 2014 9:48 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Yeah noticed the obviously pro backup summers (clearly not anyone in ac/DC) on moneytalks

Backup SINGERS

Something is so ... off about this roll-out. Months of no news. Then rumors of Malcolm. Then, blam, Malcolm out of action, but oh, btw, we're working on a new album. Then, presto, new album is done, but Phil is suddenly out of commission. It's like they're desperate to get this thing out and tour before something else goes wrong.

new album is streaming on itunes for a week before it comes out.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ac-dc/id5040714

Jumping the Gun would be a good name for an AC/DC album.

Title track would be about sex.

I'll be buying this next week. Only a couple of skippers on the whole record.

Stern interview with Brian and Angus is worth a listen

I want a Stern interview where he and his yammering are edited out and replaced by someone else.

Stern is a good interviewer, but not perfect. Sometimes he interrupts the interviewee and totally changes the subject. Im sitting there going "Howard, i wanted to hear his/her answer to the fucking question."

I absolutely love this album, by the way. Good tunes, it sticks to the band's strengths, and at 35 minutes knows when to say when.

hmmm

would you guys consider "play ball" one of the better songs on the album? cuz i thought it was p boring

"Play Ball" is the biggest turd on the album.

good to hear

I'm really enjoying this, surely their best since Scary Monsters.

Speaking to ONE News for the first time since his arrest, the veteran musician says the charges against him are "ludicrous".

"This has just been a big ball of cheese and all the rats are gathering and having a piece, that's just life, but that's not who I am."

Rudd says he's not one to let court charges get in the way. His plans for the day?

"I'm going fishing, flying this afternoon and lots of fornicating tonight."

"I'm going back to work with AC/DC, I don't care who likes it or who doesn't.

"Everyone listens to the wrong people, they should listen to me, I'm a good guy, and I'm a pretty good drummer by the way - ask Angus he'll tell you."

"ask Angus he'll tell you" would make a great bootleg title, as would "Fishing...Flying...and Fornicating Tonight"

AC/DC - Big Ball Of Cheese (2016)

"ask Angus he'll tell you" would make a great bootleg title

The 'Listen to this Brad' of AC/DC boots

No Rudd on the Grammys last night; drummer was Chris Slade. No swing, just plod (but Slade is apparently ambidextrous, which is kind of interesting).

I saw a story somewhere on FB that Slade is probably in for the tour as well, because Rudd has to stay in New Zealand for his trial, which has been pushed back to sometime in the spring (or I guess the fall down there).

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/img/bp/grammy.jpg

deal with it!!

I approve of everything in that photo

(or I guess the fall down there).

no you don't

Slade def doing the tour. No Malcolm, no. Phil, no deal. IMO.

I mean, jeez, Wrigley show here is in September, and no Phil for that?

lol at the idea that having not stopped for the mental unavailability of one of their two founding members, that they'd subsequently sit around for two or three years after album release to see if the drummer who won't talk to them clears his meth-fuelled criminal charges and decides to tour

Can't believe anyone would pay 2 bucks to see this bunch of has been leftovers.

lol yes you can

i would totally pay 2 bucks to see any version of AC/DC, especially if they came with chicken wings or tacos maybe

Thing is, Phil's playing is actually probably the reason I would go, even sans Malcolm. No Phil, no dice, not for $100.

Rudd pleads guilty, just to frustrate Josh in Chicago.

HA!

http://eveningharold.com/2015/04/21/acdc-drummer-sentenced-to-whitesnake/

Hold-outs no more: http://www.factmag.com/2015/06/30/acdc-records-available-on-streaming-services/

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/70031619/former-acdc-drummer-phil-rudd-sentenced-to-home-detention

As the judge dressed Phil Rudd down, perhaps the most stinging rebuke was that the former AC/DC drummer's playing wasn't anything special.

Judge Ingram said there was no evidence he had an offer from the band and he was not convinced that Rudd's drumming was integral to the AC/DC sound.

"Queen replaced Freddie Mercury," he said.

lol

now hearing Bon Scot singing "The judge said I couldn't play rock 'n' roll / locked me in my home"

Making the rounds:

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/acdc-song-end/

I could totally imagine some hip band sounding like this.

Oh also Phil Rudd got arrested again. For some reason I always thought of that dude as their respectable anchor. Maybe it was all just the glasses. Why did he take that long hiatus the first time?

I depped in an DC covers band last year for a couple of months and had to learn 24 songs in short order, 20 of which were in A and at least 5 started exactly the same, the hardest part by miles ( let's face it, the basslines weren't very taxing) was remembering what the hell song you were playing.

For some reason I always thought of that dude as their respectable anchor. Maybe it was all just the glasses. Why did he take that long hiatus the first time?

...because he was fired for being an unreasonable, drunken, violent dickhole?

Is that it? I had no idea.

Takes a lot to be fired from AC/DC for that! Like Adler getting canned from gnr.

If yr drummer is too smacked out to keep a beat, it makes sense to not employ them

(nb GnR have been 100% terrible since firing Adler)

Never heard of any other members of the Dacca assaulting Malcolm, but tbh I was too young to be aware of any gossip back then

Takes a lot to be fired from AC/DC for that! Like Adler getting canned from gnr.

― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, July 22, 2015 8:41 AM (30 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Bob Stinson getting axed for being too drunk for the Replacements

Lemmy getting sacked from Hawkwind for taking too much speed.

The rest of the Who wanting to kick Keith Moon out for drinking too much (in 1978, when he/they barely made it through Who Are You).

Bob Mould ousting Grant Hart because Mould cleaned up first.

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/photos_of_ac_dc_live_at_cbgbs_in_1977

!!!

When the band played CBGB’s on August 27, 1977, they were a late addition to the bill that included The Dead Boys and the Talking Heads.

There's a Rolling Stone interview with AC/DC from around that time (possibly right after the show) by Ira Kaplan.

They were interviewed in PUNK as well...

http://www.punkmagazine.com/images/vault_images/punk_14/punk14acdc.gif

https://soundcloud.com/100-7-kslx/acdcend

I came here to post that exact same thing. It's obviously one of the greatest things ever made on the Internet.

The name of the link says it all but cannot do it justice. This must be heard to be believed:

http://www.lazerhorse.org/2016/01/16/the-last-second-of-every-acdc-song-ever-recorded/

Gotta get Yamatsuka Eye in on that.

One guy in my city was at that CBGB show:

http://www.thefeedbacksociety.com/music/acdc-live-at-cbgb-in-1977/

AC/DC TO RESCHEDULE UPCOMING U.S. TOUR DATES

SINGER BRIAN JOHNSON ADVISED BY DOCTORS
TO DISCONTINUE TOURING

(New York, NY; March 7, 2016) - AC/DC are forced to reschedule the 10 upcoming dates on the U.S. leg of their "Rock or Bust" World Tour. AC/DC's lead singer, Brian Johnson, has been advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss.

Tomorrow's show in Atlanta through Madison Square Garden in New York, NY in early April will be made up later in the year, likely with a guest vocalist. More information regarding these rescheduled shows to come. Current ticket holders can hold on to their tickets for the rescheduled dates or receive a refund at point of purchase.

Barnesy staring at the phone so hard that sweat beads on his forehead.

The AC/DC Experience featuring Angus Young has arrived.

Indeed. Has there ever been a more perfect time to knock it on the head?

Yeah, I mean, that's pretty much it, isn't it? "OK, we've reached the point where our singer can't hear anymore. Bye!"

And I know it's not quite as loud onstage as in the audience, but the loudest sound I've ever been exposed to was the cannons in "For Those About To Rock." And I was wearing earplugs. I can't even imagine hearing those multiple times a week for months on end.

It's really insane, isn't it? Has there ever been another band that lost so many members in such quick, unrelated succession, and not by death, firing or quitting? Phil Rudd in legal limbo, Malcolm committed, and now Brian told to stop? It's just crazy. If I were Cliff or Angus I'd sleep with one eye open.

Coming soon: AC/DC III with GARY CHERONE!

AC/D3

"For those about to rock, get the funk out!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGiJ1Vkpdsc

They should get Udo

There are a hundred different ways to make fun of this, but the fact of the matter is it is actually really hard to sing AC/DC songs.

Have to be willing to run your cords through a cheese grater for one

I might be willing to go see "AC/DC" if the guest vocalist was Angry Anderson (ex-Rose Tattoo) or Dan McCafferty (ex-Nazareth). Beyond that, I don't know.

I would actually rather see AC/DC with Rudd and without Johnson than the other way around.

But what is (or was, I guess) Johnson's range these days? Can he even get anywhere near the high notes in "Back In Black"? A younger singer might be able to deliver where Johnson couldn't.

Perfect tribute would be to tour the hits with no vocalist and ask the crowd to sing everything.

McCafferty is retired. Nazareth started touting without him a year or two ago.
I wonder if Marc Storage is busy.

Storace.

dafuq - who the hell would wanna see Nazareth without that dude

did they have Steven Wright in his place speaking the lyrics

"now you're messin with....a son...of a bitch, man"

But what is (or was, I guess) Johnson's range these days? Can he even get anywhere near the high notes in "Back In Black"? A younger singer might be able to deliver where Johnson couldn't.

― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Monday, March 7, 2016 8:38 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

that's the thing, Johnson has sounded like garbage for several decades, really. live versions of Back in Black have sounded terrible since I was in Elementary school

Eh, the two times I saw them on the "Stiff Upper Lip" (or maybe "Ballbreaker?" Or both?) tour they and he sounded fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1u_lyJWGeM

this doesn't really "sound fine" to me - i mean, he's mostly hitting the right notes, but there's not a lot of power behind them, he's slurring his words a lot too compared to how he sounded in his prime. esp when compared with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQywr-PBR_o

and 15 years ago. from his last tour, he sounds godawful - and it's in a lower key now too. he has no power anymore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBApAURdgns

Checking out the earlier two I fell in love again with the flat slam of Mal's rhythm playing. But really, with Brian, Phil and most importantly Mal gone, it's time to hang it up.

Oh, I agree there's no power to his vox. But it's not like he's hitting bum shrieks or whatever. And I know I was listening critically back in 2001 or whenever, just don't think it mattered. Haven't seen them since, though, and yeah, it's been a while. I don't know what singer gets better as he reaches his 70s. Springsteen is about as good as they get in terms of powerhouse vocals in old age, and he's singing in different registers/keys, too, with less power, etc. And you know he's been taking better care of himself.

How is the Highway to Hell 33 1/3 book?

Eh, the two times I saw them on the "Stiff Upper Lip" (or maybe "Ballbreaker?" Or both?) tour they and he sounded fine.

I saw them on the Ballbreaker tour, and he did sound fine, but also changed some melodies around slightly to avoid the highest notes ("Back in Black" most obviously). He wasn't super powerful, but he was by no means tired or struggling.

I saw them in 2008 (twice!) and he sounded as good as I expected the singer for AC/DC, whose voice sounds like sheets of plate glass being fed into a tree shredder at the best of times, to sound.

I'm honestly trying to think of a way that AC/DC could feasibly carry on in this situation, and I really can't think of one. What else could Angus possibly do, though? Solo work or moonlighting on other peoples records? Guesting on other classic rock acts live performances? Joining the fucking Foo Fighters?

He should join the Bad Seeds.

"I found myself in the middle of a Nirvana reunion!"

*duck walk*

Short term, for this ongoing tour, there must be at least a couple of ac/dc tribute/cover band singers who could join the real band and not suck at all. Didn't this happen before with some other band? (not Foreigner, though, which was the name that first came to mind)

In the third video above from Neanderthal, the still/thumbnail image looks like Angus is wearing a Michael Myers mask.

Short term, for this ongoing tour, there must be at least a couple of ac/dc tribute/cover band singers who could join the real band and not suck at all. Didn't this happen before with some other band? (not Foreigner, though, which was the name that first came to mind)

Judas Priest is the most famous example, and I think Journey's current singer is from a tribute band.

I.e. a William Shatner mask? xpost

Journey, that was who I meant! Thx!

It'd be pretty hilarious if they turned into Yes, who, let's not forget, currently contain not a single fucking original member!

(Seriously, though, what would it take for that band to split up!?)

They just can't say no, can they?

Listen pal, if it's Steve Howe and your Granny on bongos...

I think Yes has gone through two tribute singers!

Yes, Shatner, turned inside out and painted white.

Foreigner has done several shows with no originals in recent years due to Jones having to miss many shows due to health

J Geils band also touring without J Geils

http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/03/brian-johnson-downplays-hearing-issues-says-he-was-kicked-to-the-curb-acdc/

Breuer said that Johnson even received a second opinion and was told his hearing damage wasn’t as bad as he was initially led to believe. “Then he’s like, ‘You know what? I would really like to finish and do some shows. I think we can knock this out.'” However, as Breuer went on to reveal, “Then all his luggage that he toured with showed up at his driveway. There’s been no calls. No, ‘How’s your hearing? How’s your health? What’s going on?’ Boom. Here’s your shit, nice to know you.'”

The fuck is that dude's relationship to the story?

I know, right? Supposedly, Johnson and Breuer are friends, and Breuer spilled all that on his podcast.

Meanwhile, Gary Cherone sits by the phone...

...as Angus wonders where he left Jeff Scott Soto's number

I can just see it!

'For Those About To Rock...Get The Funk Out!'
'Hole Hearted Rosie'
'Let There Be More Than Words'

and... uh... 'Stop The Jack (I Wanna Get Off)'

If this is true, this is a very bad idea:
http://www.alternativenation.net/axl-rose-ac-dc-all-but-done-deal/

Ha ha, that is never gonna happen. AC/DC are a highly disciplined organization; there's no way they're gonna put up with Axl's antics. AC/DC have never taken the stage 90 seconds late, never mind two hours because the singer's just not feeling it. This is one of the most implausible slabs of bullshit I've ever read.

All can barely make it through "Welcome to the Jungle." There is no way he can endure through 15 of them.

LOL at the inanity of the phrase "all but a done deal." You know what else is all but a done deal? Literally everything and anything that's not a done deal.

What I heard from someone who I'd trust implicitly on knowledge of this tour is that they were auditioning singers last week. He told me this morning that these stories were the first he'd heard of Axl joining and it sounded like crap to him. Not least because he fully expected GNR to be announcing a US stadium tour imminently.

Agree on the issue of AC/DC's disicpline v Axl's complete lack of it. I can't imagine the AC/DC organisation tolerating someone with an ego that might upset their applecart in any way.

so weird that AC/DC has seem so steady for so many years and now it's all disintigrating into acrimony and scandal since the phil rudd incident

Would rather see Angus fill-in for Izzy on GNR reunion.

^

xpost I get it, but AC/DC hasn't been as steady as it seems, especially since both Malcolm and Phil have been AWOL from past tours.

"AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures. As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian's decision to stop touring and save his hearing. We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment."

AC/DC will resume their Rock Or Bust World Tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals. The European stadium tour dates begin on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal and run through June 12 in Aarhus, Denmark as previously announced (see below for full itinerary). Following this European run of dates with AC/DC, Axl Rose will head out on his Guns N' Roses, 'Not In This Lifetime' Summer Stadium Tour.

The 10 postponed U.S shows will be rescheduled and announced imminently, also with Axl Rose.

You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!

Jesus christ

tbh getting sick of these warhorses who just do not know when to hang it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve2atG5DeOc

Huh. Guess he sounds OK. Anyway, way to make Slash and Duff seem like players for hire. "Aren't you excited about this GNR reunion? I never thought I'd play with these guys ev ... hey, it's Angus Young! I'd like to promote my new venture as singer in the beloved Australian band AC/DC! Man, that band's got so many good songs, and even fewer key members than GNR!"

I got to figure why AC/DC is filling out these dates is that it would cost them a few million dollars if they didn't in cancellation fees.

ugh Axl's gonna be such a weird fit. I mean his range will be fine to sing the songs but his brand of sleaze is a little too straight-faced for AC/DC. plus his falsetto is gonna sound odd on AC/DC songs.

his falsetto basically sounds like Mickey Mouse now but i dunno what songs he'd even use it on, i imagine he knows just what to do with an AC/DC song and will do it instead of bending it into a GNR style vocal

shoulda gotten what's his name from cinderella, he was always trying for some AC/DC thing.

he's gonna have to use it on Back in Black, for one

probably not the Bon songs

I predict he'll sound like shit on the Bon songs. Could someone notarize this post please?

Witnessed.

Well, I got that completely wrong on the likelihood of Axl fronting AC/DC.

"His Future Ventures" is a good band name.

As many AC/DC fans know, the remaining shows for the 2016 AC/DC Rock or Bust World Tour, including 10 postponed U.S. shows, are being rescheduled with a guest singer. I want personally to explain the reason because I don't believe the earlier press releases sufficiently set out what I wanted to say to our fans or the way in which I thought it should be presented.

On March 7th, after a series of examinations by leading physicians in the field of hearing loss, I was advised that if I continue to perform at large venues, I risked total deafness. While I was horrified at the reality of the news that day, I had for a time become aware that my partial hearing loss was beginning to interfere with my performance on stage. I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage and because I was not able to hear the other musicians clearly, I feared the quality of my performance could be compromised. In all honesty this was something I could not in good conscience allow. Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can't deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC. I am not a quitter and I like to finish what I start, nevertheless, the doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond. That was the darkest day of my professional life.

Since that day, I have had several consultations with my doctors and it appears that, for the near future, I will be unable to perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness. Until that time, I tried as best as I could to continue despite the pain and hearing loss but it all became too much to bear and too much to risk.

I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before. Being part of AC/DC, making records and performing for the millions of devoted fans this past 36 years has been my life's work. I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person.

Most importantly, I feel terrible having to disappoint the fans who bought tickets for the canceled shows and who have steadfastly supported me and AC/DC these many years. Words cannot express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks not just for the recent outpouring to me personally of kind words and good wishes, but also for the years of loyal support of AC/DC. My thanks also go to Angus and Cliff for their support.

Finally, I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that. For the moment, my entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Only time will tell.

Once again, my sincere best wishes and thanks to everyone for their support and understanding.

Love,
Brian

I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage

Ha ha, that is never gonna happen. AC/DC are a highly disciplined organization; there's no way they're gonna put up with Axl's antics. AC/DC have never taken the stage 90 seconds late, never mind two hours because the singer's just not feeling it. This is one of the most implausible slabs of bullshit I've ever read.

― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Wednesday, March 23, 2016 4:36 PM (3 weeks ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Sorry, 誤訳侮辱, but it's a classic.

Hey, fair enough. I also thought Trump was gonna drop out of the US presidential race when he had to declare his financials. Apparently, I have a much lower threshold for crazy, idiotic ideas than lots of other people.

TBF, Axl is literally strapped to a chair for the moment, so his antics are somewhat limited. I wouldn't be surprised if Angus breaks his other foot, just to be safe.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7RO70Xg9qJQ1IzyFY-gMO3LhNtrOMkoFpmX6ZllrzNPNxb5ayhNZPrw

It's kinda weird to think that one of the rowdiest rock and roll bands in AC/DC is hanging on life support because of real estate rental out clauses all over the world.

Consider that a band like AC DC makes this big plan to play a world tour, you got to work with bookers to arrange sports stadiums and arenas around the world. Basically hold the date, which booking agency has to put up some money. If AC DC totally cancels, I would imagine they have to pay back to the booking agency for cancel fees.

When you get to be artist playing a bunch dates in big rooms, that can add up to a whole lot of money. I'm pretty damn sure that's why the Who probably in the wake of Entwistle's death retooled and were back on it in a very short time. I don't doubt this AC DC situation is the same deal.

Mal's health put him out of action, Phil's in jail and Brian's gone deaf - what a rough run.

Bands are insured to cover these issues and massive tours have been cancelled in the past, so I guess there's also this bloody minded determination to go ahead despite everything. Also that's a hell of a lot of money.

'm pretty damn sure that's why the Who probably in the wake of Entwistle's death retooled and were back on it in a very short time.

According to Townshend, the Who were insured (and, in fact, made sure to insure themselves given Entwistle's unhealthy appearance during their tour rehearsals). The main reason they didn't cancel the tour was the vast numbers of employees who would've been out of work for x number of months. That said, I believe Townshend was on the same band-tour-treadmill train of thought that also wouldn't allow for the cancellation of their 1979 tour post-Cincinnati.

So.... Against all odds, this crazy thing seems like a home run, I don't think Axl's sounded this good in years and by all accounts was super respectful and professional.

Is it the difference between Axl running the show and Axl being, in effect, an employee who has to do a proper job?

Yeah probably, and I suppose even for Axl Rose there some element of wow this is what 13 year old me dreamed about. Also as chachi mentioned elsewhere he actually asked way more together and rational in interviews lately maybe he's in a good place?

Yeah, those clips sounds pretty good! He's more Bon Scott than Brian Johnson, surprisingly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf2Vk3MdVis