For the glory of Bon Scott-era AC/DC

[Kevin Davis]

To me, a big part of "cheese" is whether something is authentic or not. I don't see that video as blatantly inauthentic. Seems representative of the band at the time.

You mean, you surmise that riding through town in the back of a truck while performing was something this band did on a regular basis back then?

[Birds in Hell]

I definitely think Brian Johnson-era AC/DC is both bombastic and cheesy, for what it's worth. Bon's wit and dark humour is also greatly missed (not to mention his voice).

[nyquillyn]

To me, a big part of "cheese" is whether something is authentic or not. I don't see that video as blatantly inauthentic. Seems representative of the band at the time.

You mean, you surmise that riding through town in the back of a truck while performing was something this band did on a regular basis back then?

I think the playfulness and swagger of the band is represented in the video.

[Fuzzcharger]

I definitely think Brian Johnson-era AC/DC is both bombastic and cheesy, for what it's worth. Bon's wit and dark humour is also greatly missed (not to mention his voice).

I totally agree about it being cheesy and bombastic in the Brian Johnson-era. For me the Bon era has a little bit of a punk energy that was noticably lost later on. Maybe that's partly because theres something about the simplicity and repetition in Phil Rudd's drumming early on that reminds me of Tommy from The Ramones too.

Either way, there's nothing cheesy whatsoever about this performance. Nailed it.

[William Bloke]

Talk is boring. ACDC is anything but. I love it for what it is - your cheddar is my camembert.

[darth_vedder]

I definitely think Brian Johnson-era AC/DC is both bombastic and cheesy, for what it's worth. Bon's wit and dark humour is also greatly missed (not to mention his voice).

I totally agree about it being cheesy and bombastic in the Brian Johnson-era. For me the Bon era has a little bit of a punk energy that was noticably lost later on. Maybe that's partly because theres something about the simplicity and repetition in Phil Rudd's drumming early on that reminds me of Tommy from The Ramones too.

Either way, there's nothing cheesy whatsoever about this performance. Nailed it.

Your goddammed right!

[Citizen Dick]

I definitely think Brian Johnson-era AC/DC is both bombastic and cheesy, for what it's worth. Bon's wit and dark humour is also greatly missed (not to mention his voice).

Question for those who know the band better. I think I've read that the Young brothers took over the lyrics writing duty after Bon's death. Are they the only ones who write the band's lyrics now or does Brian contribute too? You guys have any opinions on whether there's any differentiation between the lyricists - either the brothers or Brian (if he also writes some)?

Just curious whether you have any preferences post Bon Scott in terms of who contributes significantly to a song. Could probably be expanded to the music as well, but I have no idea how they go about creating their songs so maybe that's not applicable.

[nyquillyn]

Either way, there's nothing cheesy whatsoever about this performance. Nailed it.

[Birds in Hell]

[stip]

I'm generally the first person to scream "cornball" or "cheesy", but I don't see that in early AC/DC.

Me either.

have you opened your eyes?

[stip]

I'll admit I don't have much interest in AC/DC, so maybe there's a complexity to their music that I just don't pick up on from my cursory understanding of their catalog. That said, pretty much every single one of those songs (and especially the videos) linked to above is, to me, the absolute epitome of everything that was tacky and corny about hard rock in the '70's and '80's, working class authenticity or not. It's not inherently bad--there's far better music than this that's way, way cheesier--but if you don't see a bunch of dudes cruising around town on a flatbed with their band name on it in big gaudy letters as cheesy, then we must be interpreting the term differently.

should have just read a bit further.

[stip]

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with liking AC/DC, mind you. I kind of like them and I get the appeal. I just really don't see the difference, and somehow authenticity seems like a pretty poor yardstick to use with this band and this kind of music.

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

I'm with Spenno. AC/DC rules. They're from England, right?

[Heathen]

I'm with Spenno. AC/DC rules. They're from England, right?

Probably

[darth_vedder]

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with liking AC/DC, mind you. I kind of like them and I get the appeal. I just really don't see the difference, and somehow authenticity seems like a pretty poor yardstick to use with this band and this kind of music.

What don't you see the difference in, and how much difference does it make?

[MattA75]

The greatness of Bon has already been covered, and his death can be directly attributed to this band making (mostly) mediocre albums since his demise. For the last 30+ years (I think starting with Fly on the Wall), the Youngs have written most of the lyrics, and while they are both terrific guitar players (Angus is exceptionally underrated I feel, and I think Malcolm's rhythm playing could be easily compared to Izzy in GNR in terms of importance to sound), lyrically they literally are like Beavis and Butthead. Bon's references were, as mentioned, witty, among other things. The Youngs are mostly stupid juvenile BS. That being said I was surprised how much I liked Black Ice (granted, my expectations were zero, so I'm sure that has something to do with it).

That being said, they still bring it live...and for being 66 when I saw them a few years ago, Brian Johnson was certainly not bad at all (considering what he has to put his voice thru). And since no one else has done it, this pretty much owns any other performance of Bon era AC/DC you'll find:

[dissident32]

I have a major soft spot for this band. They're like the aural equivalent to Taco Bell--I know it's bad for me, but I can't stop eating it.

[stip]

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with liking AC/DC, mind you. I kind of like them and I get the appeal. I just really don't see the difference, and somehow authenticity seems like a pretty poor yardstick to use with this band and this kind of music.

What don't you see the difference in, and how much difference does it make?

the difference between the two singers/two eras

and not much difference

[Fuzzcharger]

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with liking AC/DC, mind you. I kind of like them and I get the appeal. I just really don't see the difference, and somehow authenticity seems like a pretty poor yardstick to use with this band and this kind of music.

What don't you see the difference in, and how much difference does it make?

the difference between the two singers/two eras

and not much difference

You did not just say that.

[MattA75]

I definitely think Brian Johnson-era AC/DC is both bombastic and cheesy, for what it's worth. Bon's wit and dark humour is also greatly missed (not to mention his voice).

Question for those who know the band better. I think I've read that the Young brothers took over the lyrics writing duty after Bon's death. Are they the only ones who write the band's lyrics now or does Brian contribute too? You guys have any opinions on whether there's any differentiation between the lyricists - either the brothers or Brian (if he also writes some)?

Just curious whether you have any preferences post Bon Scott in terms of who contributes significantly to a song. Could probably be expanded to the music as well, but I have no idea how they go about creating their songs so maybe that's not applicable.

Brian is credited as a co songwriter up thru and including Blow Up Your Video, though he's admitted in interviews that that album and Fly on the Wall saw him struggle mightily with writers block. Starting with the Razors Edge, all of the albums list the Youngs as the sole songwriters.

I don't think it's coincidence that his first 3 records with the band are by far his best, the two records he said he struggled through mostly suck (tho "Sink the Pink" is criminally underrated), and it's been a mixed bag at best with the Youngs (who seem to focus on 2-3 really strong songs to sell the album, and then fill in with songs of varying quality)

Brian was ok with lyrics but he was no Bon...even when Bon wasn't good he made it good with his delivery and his smirk and his performance...Brian can't pull that off with bad material