AC/DC New album and Tour.

McDave · 12-10-2014 6:51pm

briany wrote: »

You kind of wonder how they came back with such a strong effort. I mean, they would have already had the songs written probably, but just to sit down and work on it, to go out and hire a new singer and everything.

I have a theory based on the claim in Mick Wall's book that the Young brothers viewed Bon as being 'ultimately disposable' given his penchant for substances and booze (he dabbled with heroin early in his tenure with the band). The Young brothers had a quiet reputation amongst those who knew them personally as being fiercely ambitious in their plans for the band and they had probably already resolved to continue in the eventuality of Bon's death. Bon's dad told them they should continue, but I think they would have anyway.

They were on a roll with a sequence of great albums. IMO the songs on Highway to Hell constitute their best set. That was coming off the back of Powerage, and before that Let There be Rock. But the songs on HTH were a step up in consistency, execution and professionalism. It doesn't surprise me in the least that they maintained the standard with BIB. Apparently they had started on BIB just before Scott's death. I'd say they had some ideas for riffs alright. When Brian Johnson came on board, his enthusiasm carried the songs a step further. Even if some of the lyrics were a bit one dimensional, there was a real sense of positivity and even fun in his delivery.

McDave · 12-10-2014 7:01pm

horseburger wrote: »

Am I right in thinking that there aren't any demo recordings of any of the songs from Back in Black, with Bon on vocals? Were all the songs written after he died?

Did they write songs according to how Brian or Bon would have sounded along with the music? For example I find that Back in Black has a much heavier sound than Highway to Hell.

I feel that there's a power and grittiness in Brian Johnson's voice that really suits songs from Back in Black like Hells Bells, Let Me Put My Love into You or Given The Dog A Bone.

I also really like Flick of the Switch, especially Brian's vocals on Landslide and Nervous Shakedown. I wonder would Bon Scott's vocals would have had the same impact on those type of songs on Back in Black and Flick of the Switch or stuff like Back in Business Again from Fly on the Wall. Then again, Fly on the Wall has quite a different sound on it compared to the earlier albums.

I guess we'll never know. It's a bit like wondering how Jimi Hendrix's career would have developed. Seemingly, in the year before he died, he wanted to do the showmanship burning his guitar type stuff less and less. I guess if he had lived, by now, he may well have released a duets album or two:) with Jimi re-recording Angel with Mariah Carey or something.:)

I must get the book by Mick Wall and the other one that was recommended, Maximum Rock n Roll by Murray Engleheart, http://www.acdcbook.com/

but there'd be a sadness reading it, in light of Malcolm Young's illness.

One bio suggested Bon had played drums on a studio work out of ideas for new songs. However there were apparently no recorded Bon vocals at that point. It was also suggested that Scott might have written down some lyrics, or ideas for them, in a notebook, and that somehow they were spirited away from his flat just after his death. That's speculation by a biographer though (Clinton Walker IIRC).

The heavier sound of BIB is down to the producer, Robert Lange. The production on the following album, FTATR, was heavier again. Apparently the brief for Lange with HTH was to make AC/DC more radio friendly, with a clean sound and clearer enunciation by Bon. There was a similar execution of another album he produced around that time, Def Leppard's High'n'Dry. He went on to beef up DL's sound in later efforts (some would say overproduce - one of the reasons AC/DC dropped him after FTATR).

McDave · 12-10-2014 7:04pm

horseburger wrote: »

I also really like Flick of the Switch, especially Brian's vocals on Landslide and Nervous Shakedown. I wonder would Bon Scott's vocals would have had the same impact on those type of songs on Back in Black and Flick of the Switch or stuff like Back in Business Again from Fly on the Wall. Then again, Fly on the Wall has quite a different sound on it compared to the earlier albums.

I really like Flick of the Switch too. The songs you mentioned, plus Rising Power and Guns for Hire. Brian sounds like he's really enjoying himself.

jack presley · 12-10-2014 7:29pm

McDave wrote: »

I really like Flick of the Switch too. The songs you mentioned, plus Rising Power and Guns for Hire. Brian sounds like he's really enjoying himself.

FOTS is my favourite Brian album.

briany · 12-10-2014 7:54pm

Flick of the Switch. Yeah that album kicks arse, it's Brian's Powerage without a doubt. I don't get people who say they like don't like it or, even further that they prefer the likes of Blow up your Video or Fly on the Wall. Yeah, you're of course entitled to your opinion, but Brian's voice is fairly shot on those two albums from heavy touring and the reverby production makes it sound like the bands jamming it out in a community centre hall. The songs aren't bad on those albums but the production kills them, IMO.

FotS on the other hand is raw and in your face and it's the last album of the proper 'shrieking' Brian. His voice was never the same after the early 80s.

jack presley · 12-10-2014 7:59pm

FOTW and BUYV are awful albums in my opinion. Probably the only AC/DC albums I can't stand and never listen to. The singles on both are ok I suppose but the rest is terrible.

McDave · 12-10-2014 9:08pm

briany wrote: »

Flick of the Switch. Yeah that album kicks arse, it's Brian's Powerage without a doubt. I don't get people who say they like don't like it or, even further that they prefer the likes of Blow up your Video or Fly on the Wall. Yeah, you're of course entitled to your opinion, but Brian's voice is fairly shot on those two albums from heavy touring and the reverby production makes it sound like the bands jamming it out in a community centre hall. The songs aren't bad on those albums but the production kills them, IMO.

FotS on the other hand is raw and in your face and it's the last album of the proper 'shrieking' Brian. His voice was never the same after the early 80s.

I quite like Blow up Your Video myself. It's a decent set of songs. If I have one major criticism, it's how low the bass is mixed and how tinny it sounds.

The albums I rate least are Fly on the Wall and Stiff Upper Lip. Although I love SUV's opener and closer, for me it was the first sign that AC/DC might find it hard to put out another good album. Black Ice was an improvement, with even what you might call an innovative (for them) song - Rainy May Day (great vocal), but IMO in the end not that great. I think a lot rests on the new album. Can't say I'm wild about Play Ball. We'll see.

briany · 12-10-2014 10:44pm

McDave wrote: »

I quite like Blow up Your Video myself. It's a decent set of songs. If I have one major criticism, it's how low the bass is mixed and how tinny it sounds.

The albums I rate least are Fly on the Wall and Stiff Upper Lip. Although I love SUV's opener and closer, for me it was the first sign that AC/DC might find it hard to put out another good album. Black Ice was an improvement, with even what you might call an innovative (for them) song - Rainy May Day (great vocal), but IMO in the end not that great. I think a lot rests on the new album. Can't say I'm wild about Play Ball. We'll see.

Stiff Upper Lip is a real black sheep of the AC/DC canon. I think it gets the least mention of any AC/DC album. It came out at a time when AC/DC were probably at their uncoolest. I know this because it came out around the time I was beginning to collect their records. At that time you could get a deal on three AC/DC cds for 20 quid.

But I really liked Stiff Upper Lip. It was a different sort of AC/DC sound. It was more laid back in it's playing. The band played with a bouncy rhythm and blues feel on several tracks like Meltdown, Can't Stand Still and Hold me Back instead of the hard driving rock sound they were/are so well known for and even Angus's soloing was a little more creative, and a bit tastier using less of the cliched 'Angus licks' and more early rock n roll double stop influenced style licks. It's definitely AC/DC's 'grooviest' album for me and the production has a big, up front, warm sound, different from Ballbreaker which also had up front production but had a brittle sound to it, and like the boys had only put new strings on their guitars immediately before going in to record.

fluke · 12-10-2014 10:48pm

Regarding Stiff Upper Lip it came out in a year when there were some great releases and SUL is definitely a fave of mine from that year. I think it's much better than what came immediately before it (Ballbreaker had it's moments but far and few). I actually rate this one quite highly.

briany · 13-10-2014 5:06pm

Angus is fairly looking his age with that grey hair. I wonder does he dye it before going on tour or what?

asteroids over berlin · 14-10-2014 12:38am

briany wrote: »

Angus is fairly looking his age with that grey hair. I wonder does he dye it before going on tour or what?

why should he

horseburger · 14-10-2014 1:29am

briany wrote: »

Angus is fairly looking his age with that grey hair. I wonder does he dye it before going on tour or what?

Forgive my ignorance, but who are the two other chaps?

Edit: I just saw other photos of them here:):

http://www.acdcfans.net/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6240&page=7

briany · 14-10-2014 1:38am

asteroids over berlin wrote: »

why should he

No inherent reason, but he's showed up at the band's latest video shoot with nut-brown hair, regardless.

Mushy · 16-10-2014 8:23pm

http://www.byzegut.fr/2014/09/acdc-stade-de-france-23-mai-2015.html

Riddled with info anyway this site, but this lad frequently gets gig news prior to announcements! Perfect time for Slane rumours anyway.

RayCon · 17-10-2014 10:03am

Mushy wrote: »

http://www.byzegut.fr/2014/09/acdc-stade-de-france-23-mai-2015.html

Riddled with info anyway this site, but this lad frequently gets gig news prior to announcements! Perfect time for Slane rumours anyway.

So ACDC rumoured to be playing Stad De France on May 23rd. Lord Mount Charlie Charles says there'll be two Slane gigs in 2015 (early June & Aug) ... let the speculation gather momentum. Bleedin Slane :mad:

Lithium93_ · 17-10-2014 12:19pm

What's wrong with this picture, besides the fact there's no Malcolm

jack presley · 17-10-2014 12:23pm

That's not Phil Rudd is it? If not, probably Stevie.

Edit - PR has just released a solo album so maybe was off doing promo work for it when the photos were being taken.

Lithium93_ · 17-10-2014 12:25pm

It's Stevie, and yes Phil Rudd is missing from the picture.

RayCon · 17-10-2014 12:45pm

Jesus ... Stevie looks worse than the rest of them !

jack presley · 17-10-2014 1:18pm

RayCon wrote: »

Jesus ... Stevie looks worse than the rest of them !

According to Wikipedia he's 57 which is only 2 years younger than Angus and 4 younger than Malcolm.

So not you usual uncle/nephew age difference then.

Grid. · 17-10-2014 1:50pm

Interesting read here.....he's currently Prime Minister of Australia:P

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Phil_Rudd

LETS GET NAKED · 17-10-2014 2:14pm

It's Stevie in that photo.

Phil Rudd was sick for the play ball video shoot in London last week, so perhaps that's when that photo was taken?

[Deleted User] · 17-10-2014 5:05pm

Lithium93_ wrote: »

It's Stevie, and yes Phil Rudd is missing from the picture.

He looks like Klaus Kinski,the late actor!

briany · 18-10-2014 12:58am

If the rumours concerning Rudd aren't true, then why not just Photoshop him into the photo? Also, I was hoping that Stevie would still look a bit like Malcolm. He doesn't look very rock n roll. If the tour gets going without Mal and Phil, you'd be missing a HUGE part of what makes the band. It'd almost be like having some bloke stand in for Angus. I'm just worried about the band turning into a glorified tribute act in their personnel. I hate seeing that happen to older bands.

jack presley · 18-10-2014 8:52am

Hopefully it is something as innocent as a "family issue" as Brian said it was at the video shoot and isn't something more serious like him being out of the band

McDave · 18-10-2014 10:29am

briany wrote: »

If the rumours concerning Rudd aren't true, then why not just Photoshop him into the photo? Also, I was hoping that Stevie would still look a bit like Malcolm. He doesn't look very rock n roll. If the tour gets going without Mal and Phil, you'd be missing a HUGE part of what makes the band. It'd almost be like having some bloke stand in for Angus. I'm just worried about the band turning into a glorified tribute act in their personnel. I hate seeing that happen to older bands.

Malcolm was a rock. He's irreplaceable. The band will never be the same. The internal dynamics are bound to change. Not least musically, but also in the choices they make.

On Phil, it's not the first time he's been absent from photos in recent years (I'm thinking of a 'Live at the River Plate' shoot). If he's still in the band, he can be photoshopped in. Or they can simply do new shots (no big deal).

I suppose though, all the band members are getting on. That they've stayed together so long is an achievement in itself. The most important thing is that they channel their energy into recording and touring, and stay as healthy as they can. I heard Brian on the radio recently and he sounded totally together, with his head screwed on.

briany · 18-10-2014 11:00am

McDave wrote: »

Malcolm was a rock. He's irreplaceable. The band will never be the same. The internal dynamics are bound to change. Not least musically, but also in the choices they make.

On Phil, it's not the first time he's been absent from photos in recent years (I'm thinking of a 'Live at the River Plate' shoot). If he's still in the band, he can be photoshopped in. Or they can simply do new shots (no big deal).

I suppose though, all the band members are getting on. That they've stayed together so long is an achievement in itself. The most important thing is that they channel their energy into recording and touring, and stay as healthy as they can. I heard Brian on the radio recently and he sounded totally together, with his head screwed on.

That's true about Malcolm. He was always the real leader of that band. Angus wasn't ever really one for dealing with the business of the band in the same way, not according to books on the band like Dirty Deeds which paint Angus as an uncommonly retiring individual.

As for Phil, I just think it's a bit crappy that their first publicity photo in a few years doesn't even have him in it even as a cut and paste job.

McDave · 18-10-2014 4:36pm

briany wrote: »

That's true about Malcolm. He was always the real leader of that band. Angus wasn't ever really one for dealing with the business of the band in the same way, not according to books on the band like Dirty Deeds which paint Angus as an uncommonly retiring individual.

As for Phil, I just think it's a bit crappy that their first publicity photo in a few years doesn't even have him in it even as a cut and paste job.

That's Mark Evans' book, right? It's one of the few bios I haven't read. Any good?

briany · 18-10-2014 4:53pm

McDave wrote: »

That's Mark Evans' book, right? It's one of the few bios I haven't read. Any good?

Yes, I'm in the middle of it right now. It's the first AC/DC bio I've read, but I figure you can't get much closer to the band than someone who did a stint in it. According to Evans, on the road Angus mostly preferred to spend free evenings in the band's digs hunched over his SG, smoking cigarettes and drinking tea rather than go out and take advantage of his burgeoning star-status, and seeing Angus even touch alcohol was exceedingly rare. I suppose that's a description corroborated in other bios, too.

A good read IMO, but I have to admit I have absolutely no interest in Mark's life beyond AC/DC, which thankfully takes up only a lesser portion of the book.

McDave · 18-10-2014 5:10pm

briany wrote: »

Yes, I'm in the middle of it right now. It's the first AC/DC bio I've read, but I figure you can't get much closer to the band than someone who did a stint in it. According to Evans, on the road Angus mostly preferred to spend free evenings in the band's digs hunched over his SG, smoking cigarettes and drinking tea rather than go out and take advantage of his burgeoning star-status, and seeing Angus even touch alcohol was exceedingly rare. I suppose that's a description corroborated in other bios, too.

A good read IMO, but I have to admit I have absolutely no interest in Mark's life beyond AC/DC, which thankfully takes up only a lesser portion of the book.

All the bios I've read say Angus is into his smoking, and doesn't do booze. Malcolm has had his drinking. As did Phil.

Bon seemed to have been into everything, although at the time of his death Angus said Bon wasn't a heavy drinker and didn't do drugs. Bon went off and did a lot of socialising on his own though, so there's probably no real way of Angus knowing for a fact what he was getting up to.

There's not much said about Cliff and Brian who both seem to be quiet enough in their private lives. In fact, I kind of like the fact that they *have* private lives!

AC/DC New album and Tour.

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