That time Brian Johnson joked about going deaf and Malcolm Young added that AC/DC’s fans get most of the volume

By Steve Newton The biggest news in the hard-rock world back in 2016 revolved around AC/DC having to hire Axl Rose to take the place of Brian Johnson for the remainder of its Rock or Bust World Tour. Johnson, the band's singer since replacing Bon Scott in 1980, had to leave the band--or got tossed … Continue reading That time Brian Johnson joked about going deaf and Malcolm Young added that AC/DC’s fans get most of the volume

Slash bassist Todd Kerns thinks it’s “surreal” that Axl Rose is in AC/DC

By Steve Newton I was interviewing Todd Kerns a few days ago in advance of his gig with the Age of Electric in Vancouver next weekend, and naturally--since he's the bassist for Slash--the conversation headed in to Guns N' Roses territory. I asked him what he thought of GN'R singer Axl Rose taking Brian Johnson's … Continue reading Slash bassist Todd Kerns thinks it’s “surreal” that Axl Rose is in AC/DC

AC/DC f***ed up: they shoulda hired Jimmy Barnes instead of Axl Rose

By Steve Newton By now the rock world is fully abuzz with the official announcement from AC/DC that Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses will be the new singer for the rest of its Rock or Bust World Tour. They could've done better, if you ask me. I don't think Axl Rose's voice is close … Continue reading AC/DC f***ed up: they shoulda hired Jimmy Barnes instead of Axl Rose

Rock or Bust mixer Mike Fraser picks his all-time favourite AC/DC song, and it’s a Bon Scott tune!

The new AC/DC album, Rock or Bust, hits stores tomorrow, boasting 11 songs crammed into 35 minutes. Maybe your all-time favourite AC/DC tune will be among them. Maybe not. It's pretty hard to beat the old AC/DC stuff--just ask Langley's Mike Fraser, who engineered and mixed Rock or Bust, and has been working with the band since 1990. … Continue reading Rock or Bust mixer Mike Fraser picks his all-time favourite AC/DC song, and it’s a Bon Scott tune!

AC/DC’s onstage antics and rowdy classics undermined by hellish sound on the Ballbreaker Tour

The show ended with a bang as several cannons were rolled out for the trusty concert standby, “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)”.

Ballsy blues-metal of AC/DC’s Family Jewels riles the budgie

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 26, 2005 By Steve Newton Some AC/DC fans feel that the band never recovered from the death of original vocalist Bon Scott; others argue that the Aussie earbusters hit their peak when Brian Johnson took over the mike on Back in Black. No matter which side you're on, if you're an … Continue reading Ballsy blues-metal of AC/DC’s Family Jewels riles the budgie

Sipping tea with AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson before the launch of the Flick of the Switch world tour

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 28, 1983 By Steve Newton The day before their October 11 concert at the Pacific Coliseum I journeyed downtown to the posh Four Seasons Hotel to meet with three of the five members of AC/DC--the loudest, raunchiest, and most popular heavy-metal band in the world. Now I wasn't too sure just … Continue reading Sipping tea with AC/DC’s Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson before the launch of the Flick of the Switch world tour

AC/DC gives Vancouver a brain-numbing ride

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 29, 2008 Three seconds after I picked up my AC/DC tickets at GM Place on Friday (November 28), some dude waving a huge wad of cash offered me $400 apiece for them, then quickly upped the price to $450 when he saw where the primo seats were. Since they were … Continue reading AC/DC gives Vancouver a brain-numbing ride