Rock or Bust – 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

New music releases, 1st December 2014

01/12/201428/11/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

Here are the new and notable album releases this week, 1st December 2014:

Rock Or Bust, AC/DC

Demolicious, Green Day
John Grant & The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, John Grant
Live In Dublin, Leonard Cohen
Doolittle 25 (Boxset), Pixies
Winterland Night (Live), Bruce Springsteen
Music Industry 3 Fitness Industry 1, Mogwai
Alpha Mike Foxtrot: Rare Tracks 1994 – 2014, Wilco
…All That Might Have Been… (A Complete Box Set), Peter Hammill
Classics, She & Him
Gone Girl (Original Soundtrack), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Live Chicago 1992, Pearl Jam
The Elements Tour Box 2014, King Crimson
Many Faces Of Yes, Various Artists
Crossfire, White Widdow
Sacred Warpath, Sodom
Send Them All To Hell, The German Panzer
Meo Vaettum, Skalmold
V, The Flight of Sleipnir
Theatre Of Redemption, Harmony
Strangers In Paradise, Neonfly
Where Dreams Are Forgotten, Axenstar
Freaks, Rigor Mortis
The Slaughter Never Stops, Avenger
Transilvanian Hunger (2CD 20th Anniversary Edition), Darkthrone

All of the above and many more are available via the Skin Back Alley Music Store!

Listen! as AC/DC stream “Rock Or Bust” in full

25/11/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

AC/DC are streaming their new album Rock Or Bust in full.

The LP can be listened to via iTunes now as an iTunes Radio First Play. The stream comes hot on the heels of the release of videos for first single, “Play Ball”, and the title track in the past few days.

Rock Or Bust is released on Monday 1st of December and is AC/DC’s first album without founding guitarist Malcolm Young. Young, 60, retired from the band following confirmation that he is suffering with dementia.

The band are planning a world tour next year, but it is unknown whether they will be joined by drummer Phil Rudd who was arrested and charged with various offences in New Zealand earlier this month. Rudd is due back in court on Thursday the 27th of November.

Rock Or Bust was officially launched in the small Australian town of Rock this past weekend. Early reviews of the LP have counted 70 references to the word “rock” across the album’s 35 minutes of music.

You can watch the official videos for “Play Ball” and “Rock Or Bust” below:

Watch! AC/DC release new video for “Rock Or Bust”

24/11/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

AC/DC have released a video for the title track from their forthcoming new album.

“Rock Or Bust” is lifted from the album of the same name, due for release next Monday.

As with their last video for song “Play Ball”, the “Rock Or Bust” clip features guitarist Stevie Young replacing founding member Malcolm Young, and drummer Bob Richards standing in for regular sticksman Phil Rudd.

Director of the new video, David Mallett, insists that AC/DC remain strong and relevant despite their recent woes: “It’s just as thrilling doing stuff with them now as it was all those years ago. That’s because the records are just as good.”

Check out the video for “Rock Or Bust” below:

Listen! AC/DC stream title track from new album “Rock Or Bust”

17/11/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

AC/DC are streaming the title track from their new album, Rock Or Bust.

The new LP is scheduled for release on the 1st of December and will be the first without founding guitarist Malcolm Young who is suffering with dementia.

“Rock Or Bust” is the second song to be released from the parent album and you can listen to it below: