AC/DC: Rock N' Roll Train (Studio)

Formulaic, hard-hitting, loud, and very compelling all aptly capture this gem from AC/DC's Black Ice album. Head-bopping is a must. It's the humble and consistent execution of simple genius like this that keeps AC/DC on top of their game during these twilight years.

Saluting AC/DC - Shoot to Thrill (Live At Donnington)

It was a year ago today that the werewolf was luckily enough to catch an AC/DC's Black Ice Tour as it rolled through Nashville. What a show! (This clip of "Shoot to Thrill" is nearly 20 years old, but has great sound quality)

Several things caught the werewolf's attention during the concert. Firstly, despite being in the business for nearly forty years, the band still has a commanding presence that radiates primal rockin' energy that left a 27 year-old werewolf utterly drained by nights end. No easy task. Secondly, the diversity of the audience. AC/DC is one of the few hard/classic rock acts that commands multi-generational audiences. In the section the werewolf was in, three generations of a family could easily be spotted, with a gray-haired grandfather telling his young granddaughter about the first time he caught AC/DC back in 1970's. Plus, the werewolf and his two graduate school buddies were seated between a group of wild teenagers and middle aged managers escaping their suburban prisons for a night. The old dudes were arguably as frenetic and wild as the high school kids. Finally, what really blew the werewolf's mind was realizing just how prolific AC/DC has been over the years. Their set-list had about 23 songs, 17 of which the werewolf knew all the words to and recognized immediately. This was not on account of listening to AC/DC everyday, but rather because their music is regularly featured in so many tangential aspects of life from multiple sporting events, TV advertisements, to being prominently featured in movie and television soundtracks.

For anyone who loves shameless rock and roll at its rawest and finest, the werewolf highly recommends catching an AC/DC how before these Australian codgers are claimed by the sands of time.

An Anthem from Exile: AC/DC - It's a Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)

On its very best days, exile is a dark and dreary place. Yet, the werewolf marches on. Oddly, a sound track for exile is beginning to take shape. Given his classic rock roots, the werewolf looks to AC/DC when in doubt. This song, which was one of the first put AC/DC on the map back in mid-1970's, has a shamelessly simple headbanging beat, coupled with the cliched, yet timeless message of perseverance. In essence, AC/DC released it well before the shine of their stardom was at its brightest. It's cool in that cheesy and "who gives a crap" kinda way. (Cut the werewolf some slack, inspiration is a rare commodity these days.)

Taking a step back, it's the only classic rock song that comes to mind which seamlessly harmonizes bagpipes into its rock 'n' roll rhythm (Please correct me, if I am mistaken). Given that bagpipes usually are not the most pleasant of sounding instruments, it's an impressive feat.

Lastly, it hearkens back to the Bon Scott era of AC/DC. Bon Scott, AC/DC's first lead singer, was one of the models for the archetype of the uber-hedonistic and hyper-partying hard rockers. The guy could allegedly rival both Keith Richards and Rick James for the crazy excesses associated with sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. His irreverent fun loving rockster is in full form when he sticks his tongue out at the camera early in the video. He is the inspiration for the absent band member from the mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap, who "choked to death on his own vomit." While hilarious in the context of the film, sadly, that is actually how Bon Scott departed this fair world after a wild night in London before the werewolf was even born. Despite this song being one of their first chart toppers, AC/DC hardly ever plays it anymore. Probably out of respect to Bon Scott and his legacy. Bon Scott has come up more than once during weeknight trivia games at several waterholes the werewolf used to frequent. Remember that.

Anyhow, the werewolf will persevere. He knows "It's a long way to the top, if you want want to rock 'n' roll!" He may be ascending via the detour, but he's got his proverbial six string in hand and he's ready to rock. Here's to what tomorrow may bring!

Thunderstruck?

AC/DC, one of the greatest head-banging performance bands of all time, may have to cancel a sold-out concert to protect some birds. Ridiculous. One would think that a bird species that has survived a raft of natural predators, the trials and tribulations of the evolutionary process, and makes Australia's second largest city, Melbourne, home, could handle two hours of some serious rock n' roll. Since when did that cause harm?

What's really amusing is that according to the referenced article, uber-stiff bird-maven, "Hans Uhl of BirdLife said birds nesting in the area at the time would be threatened by anthems such as Highway To Hell and You Shook Me All Night Long." Hans is do detached from humanity that he claims to know which specific songs would be most harmful to his avian friends. He is a charter member of the "no fun crowd." The aptly named "no-fun crowd" (a name developed by my best friend's father to describe modern day teetotalers and anti-tobacco Nazis during a conversation years ago) includes those who are incapable of having fun themselves, so they develop ridiculous metrics to reduce the fun of others. What about "Shoot to Thrill, "Rock n' Roll Train," "Money Talks," Hans? Perhaps the birds will enjoy those hits? Can we compromise and modify the set-list? Take note Hans, the birds can fly away for the duration of the show if it truly bothers them. Anyhow, I am due back on planet earth. Rock on AC/DC!