So unbelievable that I can even write coherently! I said I'd be brutally honest about my AC/DC experience while prowling Europe and here it is (so far): the guys were way beyond fantastic by light years! They were incandescent, they were so on fire. The fans got a show of shows--everything was clicking, in sync, in incredible technicolor and LOUD, really LOUD, just like AC/DC has always said rock should be played. I'm still hoarse from all the singing, yelling, cheering--the crowd was so into it, too! Brian and Angus were fabulous, of course so were Malcolm, Phil and Cliff, but really, the band was hot! Best songs: Thunderstruck, Shot Down in Flames, Let there be Rock, Highway to Hell. And if it gives you any comparison, when they kicked into You Shook Me all Night Long, the crowd's wild reaction and the band's corresponding energy were already past 11--on a scale of 1-10--and that wasn't the best part of the show. Ok, so maybe I'm not so completely back to coherent yet, but maybe you get the idea of the power and kick-ass, no holds barred nature of the concert.
Whoa, I still haven't come down from the high and I haven't even told you about seeing/talking with Cliff again, briefly seeing Phil a couple of more times, seeing Brian for a couple of seconds, and in a way some of the best part of the experience, meeting so many cool people outside the hotel, hanging with them, becoming a part of a fantastic crowd of AC/DC fans--totally fab! My wonderful Paris friends, Marc and Jessica, their lovely children Stephane and Mathilde have really made the trip special--it's their computer I'm using now--I feel like the trip has been way more than I had hoped, already.
Showing posts with label AC/DC fans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AC/DC fans. Show all posts
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Recent article about the London 02 show
I liked the jumping up and down theory of feeling good. Of course, AC/DC would engender this good feeling.
Rock and Rolls
Metal messiahs AC/DC are still going strong – and the singer drives a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
By James May Last Updated: 11:16AM BST 27 Apr 2009
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Last week, for the first time since 1982, I think, I went to see AC/DC. As a Rolls-Royce enthusiast, this was all very timely. I've always liked AC/DC. They are good, but more importantly are a good laugh and don't take themselves too seriously. I admit to spending a lot of time listening to Bach and Chopin and even Messiaen, and pontificating about them, but this simply heightens my appreciation of the DC.
AC/DC have been keeping us entertained with rollicking good tunes since 1973 and generate an unmistakable and inimitable sound. The basic sonic signature is rich, robust and warm, like a stew that's been simmering over a fire for many years. To this, Angus Young's guitar solos add spice and piquancy; an acidic high note, if you like, and I can't help noticing that the word "acidic" is AC/DC with two "i"s missing, which could be the basis of a Paul McCartney Isn't Wearing Any Shoes-type of conspiracy theory.
That they're still doing this is amazing. That they can still be bothered after selling more than 200 million albums equally so. The other Young, Rudd and Williams are at the back, steadfast, strong – the engine room of this great rocking leviathan. Frontman Brian Johnson camps about a bit, goading the crowd, and Angus is still headbanging across the stage and in danger of losing his bus pass. It shook me all night long.
My only regret was that I was in a seat, at the side of what would be the auditorium if this had been an opera, when really I would have liked to be where I would have been in 1982, which was in the bear pit in front of the stage with the bad boys and girls, jumping up and down.
AC/DC are a band for jumping up and down to. Something about the AC/DC rock pump reduces the complex and troubled human condition to a simple desire to jump up and down. Other bands were good for this but have now gone, and newer bands may be good for it, too, but they don't have the authority that only age and endurance can bestow.
AC/DC are the best, and have an uninterrupted history of being AC/DC.
Jumping up and down to AC/DC, like going to a pub and the pox, is a great leveller. Prejudice, class and other trifling differences are swept aside as all peoples become united in a common conviction of an intensity that faith leaders and politicians can only dream of. Jumping! Up and down!
Jumping up and down is a life-affirming activity, like seeing the sun come up or smelling blossom. It's a free and natural high bestowed by the gods on everyone. There is a sensory node somewhere in the base of the spine that can release an ecstatic shot to the whole system, that can be mildly aroused at 6,000rpm in an air-cooled Porsche, but which is fully stimulated only by jumping up and down. Try it now. It feels good and is good for you. If AC/DC are playing you can jump up and down for two hours without realising how hard you're working. So why spend good money on an exercise bike? You can get a copy of the band's High Voltage album for a fiver.
I sometimes wonder if the world would be a better and more peaceful place if AC/DC could stride on to a giant cosmic stage and say "Good evening Earth". Then the mood that infused the O2 arena last week could inhabit all hearts and put an end to war and suffering and famine. For what is religion? What is territory? What is mineral wealth, culture, race and the conceit of kings compared with the visceral and spiritual satisfaction of jumping up and down? The girl's got rhythm, according to AC/DC. The whole planet could have it.
After the show, I met Mr Johnson himself. Following a discussion on the postmodern irony implicit in Hell's Bells, I asked him what he drove, and he drives a Rolls-Royce Phantom: not because he's a wealthy man, but because he genuinely loves it. He drives it himself, not into a swimming pool, and claims that no member of the band has ever been sick in it.
This is as it should be. Supercars and giant SUVs are fine for pretenders to the throne, but the frontman of AC/DC should have a Royce. He is a messiah in waiting, and we should see his coming.
Let there be rock. And let there be Rolls.
Rock and Rolls
Metal messiahs AC/DC are still going strong – and the singer drives a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
By James May Last Updated: 11:16AM BST 27 Apr 2009
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Last week, for the first time since 1982, I think, I went to see AC/DC. As a Rolls-Royce enthusiast, this was all very timely. I've always liked AC/DC. They are good, but more importantly are a good laugh and don't take themselves too seriously. I admit to spending a lot of time listening to Bach and Chopin and even Messiaen, and pontificating about them, but this simply heightens my appreciation of the DC.
AC/DC have been keeping us entertained with rollicking good tunes since 1973 and generate an unmistakable and inimitable sound. The basic sonic signature is rich, robust and warm, like a stew that's been simmering over a fire for many years. To this, Angus Young's guitar solos add spice and piquancy; an acidic high note, if you like, and I can't help noticing that the word "acidic" is AC/DC with two "i"s missing, which could be the basis of a Paul McCartney Isn't Wearing Any Shoes-type of conspiracy theory.
That they're still doing this is amazing. That they can still be bothered after selling more than 200 million albums equally so. The other Young, Rudd and Williams are at the back, steadfast, strong – the engine room of this great rocking leviathan. Frontman Brian Johnson camps about a bit, goading the crowd, and Angus is still headbanging across the stage and in danger of losing his bus pass. It shook me all night long.
My only regret was that I was in a seat, at the side of what would be the auditorium if this had been an opera, when really I would have liked to be where I would have been in 1982, which was in the bear pit in front of the stage with the bad boys and girls, jumping up and down.
AC/DC are a band for jumping up and down to. Something about the AC/DC rock pump reduces the complex and troubled human condition to a simple desire to jump up and down. Other bands were good for this but have now gone, and newer bands may be good for it, too, but they don't have the authority that only age and endurance can bestow.
AC/DC are the best, and have an uninterrupted history of being AC/DC.
Jumping up and down to AC/DC, like going to a pub and the pox, is a great leveller. Prejudice, class and other trifling differences are swept aside as all peoples become united in a common conviction of an intensity that faith leaders and politicians can only dream of. Jumping! Up and down!
Jumping up and down is a life-affirming activity, like seeing the sun come up or smelling blossom. It's a free and natural high bestowed by the gods on everyone. There is a sensory node somewhere in the base of the spine that can release an ecstatic shot to the whole system, that can be mildly aroused at 6,000rpm in an air-cooled Porsche, but which is fully stimulated only by jumping up and down. Try it now. It feels good and is good for you. If AC/DC are playing you can jump up and down for two hours without realising how hard you're working. So why spend good money on an exercise bike? You can get a copy of the band's High Voltage album for a fiver.
I sometimes wonder if the world would be a better and more peaceful place if AC/DC could stride on to a giant cosmic stage and say "Good evening Earth". Then the mood that infused the O2 arena last week could inhabit all hearts and put an end to war and suffering and famine. For what is religion? What is territory? What is mineral wealth, culture, race and the conceit of kings compared with the visceral and spiritual satisfaction of jumping up and down? The girl's got rhythm, according to AC/DC. The whole planet could have it.
After the show, I met Mr Johnson himself. Following a discussion on the postmodern irony implicit in Hell's Bells, I asked him what he drove, and he drives a Rolls-Royce Phantom: not because he's a wealthy man, but because he genuinely loves it. He drives it himself, not into a swimming pool, and claims that no member of the band has ever been sick in it.
This is as it should be. Supercars and giant SUVs are fine for pretenders to the throne, but the frontman of AC/DC should have a Royce. He is a messiah in waiting, and we should see his coming.
Let there be rock. And let there be Rolls.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
AC/DC Fannation
You could go to Youtube and watch a series, four so far, with a total of seven scheduled, that chronicles the path of some of the die-hard fans on their way to a secret AC/DC concert that kicked off the Black Ice Tour in November. The first four episodes have ranged from fair to very good and it's really, truly cool that there was a secret show for some lucky fans--via acdc.com, fans were able to get tickets--but it's getting to the point that the episodes just make me feel bad that I didn't know of the existence of acdc.com before January, so how could I have a chance to attend. Sure, there's an element of sour grapes in this comment since I wasn't at the show, but it feels like my nose is being rubbed--really hard, too--in the sniveling disappointment that I wasn't there. Don't slam me unmercifully, please, if you did go to the secret show--I'm very happy that you had that fabulously unbelievable great fortune to go. And, I guess I don't have to watch the episodes if it bothers me that much.
One of the online reviews said of the series/fans depicted: Judging any group based on a small sample size feels unfair, but some conclusions can be drawn about the stereotypical AC/DC fan based on those chosen to participate — think bandannas as headgear, experimental facial hair or extreme cleavage, and white skin.
Sure, I live in Texas, but own no bandanas, have no experimental facial hair--unless issues with eyebrows count, don't have extreme cleavage, but do have brown skin, so I just want whoever is producing these films (you know who you are, Hisham Abed) to know that there are fans who were't at the secret show, they don't all fit into a stereotype and they may have something interesting to say about their devotion to/obsession with/love for AC/DC.
One of the online reviews said of the series/fans depicted: Judging any group based on a small sample size feels unfair, but some conclusions can be drawn about the stereotypical AC/DC fan based on those chosen to participate — think bandannas as headgear, experimental facial hair or extreme cleavage, and white skin.
Sure, I live in Texas, but own no bandanas, have no experimental facial hair--unless issues with eyebrows count, don't have extreme cleavage, but do have brown skin, so I just want whoever is producing these films (you know who you are, Hisham Abed) to know that there are fans who were't at the secret show, they don't all fit into a stereotype and they may have something interesting to say about their devotion to/obsession with/love for AC/DC.
Monday, April 6, 2009
AC/DC in Bilbao, Spain,
Have seen a few posts about last night’s concert that thundered through Bilbao, Spain (northern Spain, Basque area). The show was fantastic—if the Youtube videos are any indication. BTW: If you’re interested in a mini-course on everything about AC/DC, try the sources I mentioned previously, as well as acdcbelgium.blogspot.com—you’ll get up to speed before you know it—and—you’ll love the experience.. Thanks to Bedlam in Belgium, found a making-of video for Anything Goes, second cut from Black Ice: loved it! Have watched it over and over. Not only does it have lovely, fleeting views of that most enchanting city on earth, Paris, but right off, there’s Angus! The guys are being driven to Bercy stadium to film footage for the video. He’s such a character—he charms us right away with tidbits: “I don’t talk much before 12.” I mean, who does, really? Later in the video, we see him backstage just before the Highway to Hell segment of the Bercy (Paris, February 2009) concert, putting on the devil horns, he points to his face, and, typically deprecating about himself, “Pretty as ever. You can’t buy beauty like this.” How adorable!
Told a couple of you about a new link, http://acdcfannation.com/ . One of the things acdc.com has done right is this series of videos about the fans. Many of my friends, acquaintances, relatives, think this AC/DC fascination of mine is more than just a little outré; once you watch these two fannation videos, you’ll see I’m strictly one of the only plain vanilla, conservative fans. Cool parts include Abruzzo, the Italian AC/DC fangroup and a fan who dealt with his alcohol issues through his AC/DC devotion. (Malcolm, Angus’s brother and co-founder of AC/DC, is a recovering alcoholic.) A number of the other fans come across really strongly in their own inimitable ways: the ones from Japan, some with their outrageous AC/DC tattoos, some with fashion and dental issues, and all share a common trait with me—an intense, insistently declared, unapologetic love for the greatest live band in the world.
Told a couple of you about a new link, http://acdcfannation.com/ . One of the things acdc.com has done right is this series of videos about the fans. Many of my friends, acquaintances, relatives, think this AC/DC fascination of mine is more than just a little outré; once you watch these two fannation videos, you’ll see I’m strictly one of the only plain vanilla, conservative fans. Cool parts include Abruzzo, the Italian AC/DC fangroup and a fan who dealt with his alcohol issues through his AC/DC devotion. (Malcolm, Angus’s brother and co-founder of AC/DC, is a recovering alcoholic.) A number of the other fans come across really strongly in their own inimitable ways: the ones from Japan, some with their outrageous AC/DC tattoos, some with fashion and dental issues, and all share a common trait with me—an intense, insistently declared, unapologetic love for the greatest live band in the world.
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