RnR Train Video Shoot

First off thank you to Tony for being a true fan and helping another fan out with his ticket.

I'll skip all of the bits and pieces and cut to the real business of the day. A new AC/DC song and a new AC/DC video.  The first listen to Rock Or Bust was via a PA in a big hall. Not perfect listening conditions but it was enough to get some immediate impressions.  The opening sounded rough and raw and reminded me instantly of a FOTW sound in terms of guitar tone.  Brian's vocals are as high as hell, the man is fucking wailing, with a trademark "Are you ready?" Prior to the verse beginning.  The chorus came across as a big gang vocal style and was repeated three times.  Two solos from Ang but very hard to say anything about them on one listen.

About 30 minutes after this first playback we were ushered into the studio. The set consisted of a small circular stage with five banked rows of terraced standing all around the stage. At last count the 12 members of this site present were spread around the set. On the top ring were two bars as part of the set. The stage was no more than five metres in diameter and the front row of fans were no more than one metre from the stage. The edge of the stage was ringed with small lights, think of the TTWIWRnR video. Lots of strong lighting above the stage and five major cameras plus still photographers. 

After a few minutes of stage setting and technical facing the boys made their entrance. Angus in a green velvet suit with a brown cap, Brian looking supremely fit and happy, Cliff looking like he hadn't aged a day. Stevie stood in on the left hand side, and Bob Richards was sat where The Rudd should be. It had been explained earlier in the day that Phil had had to drop out due to a family emergency, no further information was given other than Brian restating this in a little speech to the assembled fans. Brian mentioned Mal and his illness and that Mal had wanted the band to continue, Brian welcomed Stevie into the band and described him as a member of the band. This was a clear difference from when Brian introduced Bob Richards on drums. Both received a rousing reception.

The first run playback through the main PA on the set was much clearer. There is a real roar, a real edge to the opening riff. The tone was heavier than anything on Black Ice. BO'B seems to have toughened up the sound. A great fat drum sound brings some enormous bounce to the track and Cliff's bass is really pumping through the verse, I mean really pumping. The lyrics were displayed on two screens behind us so that Brian didn't miss any, by his own confession, it also meant that I could get a good look at them. The first thing to say is that they make perfect coherent sense and it will be possible to sing along without risking a drop in IQ. The song is about 'being in a guitar band ...playing across the land ... Keeping you up all night...turning the amps up high'. It's about rock and rocking. Obviously. The chorus is fucking massive and everything I want in a fucking rock and roll song. 

In rock we trust

It's Rock or Bust

In rock we trust

It's Rock or Bust

In rock we trust

It's Ro-ock or bust

In rock and roll we trust

It's Rock or Bust!

Brian is wailing his arse off in this song, high as hell and genuinely pushing himself. He sounds amazing. Really. Big gang vocals to back him up in the chorus. Stevie was also belting out the chorus. Verse, chorus, verse, chorus and Ang's first solo. Very hard to pick anything out, certainly it is a proper solo not just a few notes strung together, certainly seems to take you right up into the third chorus. Following which Ang breaks out another solo to close the song.

Within two run through every fan in the place had the chorus down and you could see the delight on the boys faces, Brian was cooking with it all and clearly having a ball. He and Angus seemed really close throughout the shoot and it was Brian who was with Stevie making sure he was good. Brian and Ang sloped off for a fag after the second playback. At this point I managed speak to Brian very briefly and meet Stevie and shake his hand and welcome him back into the band,he said a very sincere thank you. Stevie rocked his fucking arse off on stage, the man is going to be great.

Two more play backs with the whole band before a final playback without Brian and Mal and we were basically done. Slightly uncomfortably for me at the end David Mallet's right hand man Ian got the crowd to chant for Malcolm.

Angus seemed a little subdued during the shoot but thanked the fans at the end. He looked well but I have to say I really felt for him up there 'on his own', I hope that everyone can help share the load.

Final thoughts on the video. It is going to look great. Every fan on the set will be in video. 

Final thoughts on the song. I can see this being the set opener. I can see Ang walking on and letting that riff out. It has a great big singalong life affirming, rock affirming chorus. At exactly 3 minutes long it is short and punchy, and the chorus melody gets into your head. It's a good song. It maybe be even better than that.

The greatest rock and roll band are back and they sound and look ready to go. Not only that but they may well have a cracking album under their arms.

But the very best thing about this shoot came a few weeks later when the album was released, after a mate tips me, off I find a picture of me on page 15 of the LP booklet. Which basically means I'm on the record, right?