Brian Johnson – Skin Back Alley

Johnson sang new AC/DC LP with “fingers crossed” and “eyes shut”

17/12/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

AC/DC singer Brian Johnson has talked about his nervous feelings whilst recording new album Rock Or Bust.

In a recent interview just released by the BBC, Johnson says: “I’ve got to stick my hand up and tell the truth – I went to Vancouver with the boys and I hadn’t sung a song in anger in five and a half years.

“I went with my fingers crossed and my eyes shut into the singing booth. I was just so happy that it came out good; the band was swinging and I think we all got carried away.”

Rock Or Bust was released on the 1st of December. It is AC/DC’s first album without founding guitarist Malcolm Young. Young was forced to retire from the band having been confirmed as suffering from dementia. The future in the band of drummer Phil Rudd was then also thrown into question following his arrest in New Zealand.

Malcom Young’s nephew Stevie filled the vacant guitar spot in the studio and will do the same as the band head out on tour in support of the LP. Says Johnson: “Stevie knew the shoes he had to fill. He put his head down. He worked hard.

“We put an arm around him and said, ‘Just join the fun,’ and he did. I think the energy came out in the album – the nervous energy to keep going.”

The Aussie rockers have confirmed a series of shows in Europe between May and July next year, with many more yet to be announced. Tickets for all dates go on sale today.

May 05th: Arnhem Gelredome, Netherlands
May 08th: Nurnberg Zeppelinfeld, Germany
May 10th: Dresden Rinne Dresden, Germany
May 16th: Hockenheimring, Germany
May 19th: München Olympiastadion, Germany
Jun 19th: Köln Jahnwiesen, Germany
Jun 21st: Hannover Messe, Germany
Jun 25th: Berlin Olympiastadoin, Germany
Jun 28th: Glasgow Hampden Park, UK
Jul 01st: Dublin Aviva Stadium, Ireland
Jul 04th: London Wembley Stadium, UK
Jul 12th: Gelsenkirchen Veltins Arena, Germany
Jul 22nd: Hameenlinna Kantolan Tapahtumapuisto, Finland

AC/DCs Brian Johnson: Gene Simmons is “terribly wrong”

21/11/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson has said that he believes Gene Simmons’ claim that rock is dead to be “terribly wrong.”

Speaking to Ultimate Classic Rock, Johnson said: “I don’t think anybody should have the nerve to stand here and say a certain genre of music has disappeared ‘because I say so.’

“I’m here to tell you, Gene – you’re wrong. I’m saying it’s alive and kicking. My name’s Brian. How do you do?”

Kiss mainman Simmons claimed back in September that the music industry and illegal downloads had “murdered” rock music as a genre. Numerous rock and metal musicians have now spoken out against the claim.

Johnson goes on to say that he believes it is easier for young bands these days to decide if they have what it takes to make a career in the music world:

“Kids have got a better chance to get their stuff out now with social media,” he says. “They can buy stuff to record with – we couldn’t buy a four-track recorder. We’d save up to go into a little studio in Newcastle and we’d have to physically take it to London. Now they can literally do it in their garage and put it out.

“But if you’re playing stuff and people are digging it, you’ve started your band. All you’ve got to do now is keep at it – and dodge the people who go ‘Get yourself a proper job.’ Take the path less travelled and take it on the chin.”

AC/DC will release their new album, Rock Or Bust, on the 1st of December. You can watch Johnson’s conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock below.

Malcolm Young “won’t return” to AC/DC

07/08/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

Author Jessie Fink has said that fans should not expect to see Malcolm Young return to AC/DC.

Fink, who is writing a book about the band’s Young brothers, says that Malcolm’s health issues will see his nephew Stevie remain in the band for the foreseeable future.

“I’m not expecting to see Malcolm return,” he said. “The important thing is we all let Mal be and hope he can recover. We should all expect that Stevie is in the band now.”

“Fans seem to think his illness is going to go away and he’s going to be on stage when they announce their tour,” Fink continued. “If what I’ve heard from numerous sources is true, I expect Stevie will be touring with the band, and not Malcolm. That’s not a seditious viewpoint – it’s realistic.”

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson recently confirmed that work on the band’s new album is complete, and that they expect to be back out on tour before the year is out. So far all members of AC/DC and their team have remained tight lipped about Malcolm Young’s condition, refusing to comment on rumours that he has suffered a stroke or is battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Fink’s book The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC is to be published in October.

AC/DC finish recording new album

10/07/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

Rock legends AC/DC have announced that their new album is complete.

Speaking to Metal Hammer magazine, frontman Brian Johnson revealed that the band have been recording in Vancouver, and that the process was now finished.

“It was brilliant over there. We’re done. I’m very excited and we’ve got some great songs,” he said.

“I wanted to call the album Man Down,” he continued, “But it’s a bit negative and it was probably just straight from the heart. I like that.”

Johnson was referring to founding member of the band Malcolm Young, who announced in April that he was to step down from the group owing to ill health. Rumours had been circulating for days that AC/DC were about to retire from music, before the official statement regarding Young was made.

Meanwhile, Johnson also received an honorary degree from Northumbria University yesterday (9th June.) The university’s vice chancellor, Prof. Andrew Wathey, said that the frontman has been an “inspiration to the people of the North East and rock fans the world over.”

The new album will be released either late this year or early next, with AC/DC saying that they are likely to embark upon a world tour during 2014.

Brian Johnson: AC/DC likely to tour in 2014

23/06/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

Photo: The Daily Telegraph

AC/DC’s Brian Johnson has said that it is likely that the rock legends will be touring this year.

The singer posted a message on his Brian Johnson Racing website saying that his “day job” in AC/DC was likely to keep him from producing any more episodes of his TV show, Cars That Rock, in the immediate future.

Johnson wrote: “We hope to bring you more shows in the near future but, of course, there is the slight distraction of my day job with AC/DC – and it looks very likely that we will be on the road again before the end of the year. So stand by for more music – and more Cars That Rock. Thanks – Brian”.

Following rumours of the band’s imminent retirement, it was reported in April that founding group member Malcolm Young would step down from the band owing to ill health.

“After 40 years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health,” a statement read. “Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support. In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family’s privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music.”

AC/DC’s last studio album was 2008’s Black Ice.