Latest news with #HighwayToHell
The Courier
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Who should I see at Bon Scott tribute festival Bonfest?
The world's original and still best festival dedicated to AC/DC's much-missed, Angus-born wild rocker is back next week. Bonfest started in Bon Scott's birthplace Kirriemuir in 2006. Since then it's become an annual must-see for devotees of the Scottish-Australian hard rock legends. The three-day headbanging extravaganza has its customary blend of tribute bands paying homage to the Highway To Hell hit-makers alongside up-and-coming noiseniks, as well as an international field of heavy metal heroes. Who: The Wildhearts From: Newcastle Sounds like: Stiff Little Fingers meets Bad Religion Song to start with: So Into You Bonfest slot: May 4, 7.15pm-8.30pm What can you say about these Geordie mavericks? Some 33 years on from their crazily titled first EP Mondo Akimbo A-Go-Go, The Wildhearts show no sign of letting up any time soon. Led since day one by the unique Ginger, who enjoyed a close alliance with kindred spirits Andy Cairns from Therapy? and Manic Street Preachers' missing Richey Edwards during a glorious revival of articulate British rock in the early '90s, the Sick Of Drugs legends blasted back last month with their 11th studio album The Satanic Rites Of The Wildhearts. It featured a whole new set of musicians backing the 60-year-old frontman, who parted company with long-time cohorts CJ and Danny McCormack after touring the band's previous offering in 2022 – a typically chaotic twist in the career of one of rock's most quirky and unpredictable outfits of recent decades. Bonfest have pulled off a real coup in snapping them up. Who: Girlschool From: London Sounds like: A female Saxon Song to start with: Hit And Run Bonfest slot: May 3, 7.15pm-8.30pm It was back in the '70s that Girlschool took on board lessons that would take them right to the top of the hard rock class. Inevitably compared to other female riff purveyors back in the day given women's massive under-representation in their genre, many people saw the four-piece either as an English answer to Californian enfants terribles The Runaways or a heavier version of Suzi Quatro. Besides playing like beasts, Girlschool also wrote all their songs themselves – unlike the former of those two artists – and quickly earned their place in the new wave of British heavy metal scene with their punk-tinged 1980 debut album Demolition. Teaming up with Motorhead as Headgirl for a top five EP did their chances no harm, but the hits soon dried up as a misogynistic music press dismissed them as a novelty act. Lead guitarist and singer Kelly Johnson died of cancer in 2007 aged 49, but Girlschool's current line-up still includes original members Kim McAuliffe and Denise Dufort. It's taken 19 years, but they're playing Bonfest at long last. Who: Sincity From: Unknown Sounds Like: Bon Scott-era AC/DC Song to start with: It's got to be Sin City Bonfest slot: May 3, 9pm-11pm One of a plethora of soundalike bands gigging on the lucrative AC/DC tribute circuit, Sincity stand out from the crowd by concentrating their efforts on the five-year period up to 1980 when their idols were recording with their original frontman. According to their own official bio, the five-piece focuses on Bon Scott-era AC/DC but also include other 'choice cuts' as a nod to the Brian Johnson years. As mission statements go, it's certainly serving Sincity well. They've secured the much-coveted headliner slot for Bonfest 2025's Saturday night, so the pressure's on to do the memory of one of Kirriemuir's most famous sons proud. The band's lead guitarist dresses up as schoolboy a la AC/DC main man Angus Young – and their singer wears a big black wig. Who: The Karma Effect From: Oxted, near London Sounds Like: Thunder Song to start with: Wild Honey Bonfest slot: May 2, 6pm-7pm Bearded warriors The Karma Effect are the latest signings on influential indie Earache Records – labelmates include Rival Sons, Blackberry Smoke and Those Damned Crows – grabbing a piece of the limelight. Hailing from London's commuterland, the vintage rockers scored a UK top 20 entry last May with their second album Promised Land, the follow-up to their self-titled 2022 debut. Fronted by Henry Gottelier, who shares guitar duties with Robbie Blake, The Karma Effect play a brand of good-time rock'n'roll that's sure to go down a storm with the main stage crowd next Friday at Kirriemuir. Their slick and infectious sound is classic rock at its best. Who: Hardbone From: Hamburg Sound like: Rose Tattoo Song to start with: Young Blood Bonfest slot: May 2, 7.15pm-8.30pm Following on straight after The Karma Effect on Bonfest's opening night is the German hard rock powerhouse Hardbone. Riffs are what it's all about for this lot, who are led by vocalist Tim Dammann and guitarist Sebastian Kranke. Starting out with their lewd debut Dirty'N'Young in 2010, they've cranked out a series of albums over the past 15 years, the most recent being 2020's No Frills. Their song Demon In The Glass hails the joys of nicotine, girls and booze, plus getting 'a swollen face from last night's fight'. Sheer escapism! Who: Back N Black From: Zurich Sound like: Arch Enemy Song to start with: Thunderstruck Bonfest slot: May 4, 9pm to 11pm All the way from Switzerland, Back N Black are one of three covers bands devoted to Bon Scott and the Young brothers' awesome legacy who are headlining this year – as Bonfest tradition demands. Although they describe themselves as 'the girls who play AC/DC', it's a case that these women with serious attitude are anything but a copycat outfit. Possibly one of the heaviest combos at this year's Bonfest, Back N Black list such contrasting influences as ZZ Top and melodic death metal – not to mention fellow Kirrie queens Girlschool – as being key to their pulsating sound. The black-clad four-piece smash material from every phase of AC/DC's epic career, right up to the icons' most recent album Power Up. Fact is, they pretty much own the festival by now – this'll be their fourth time headlining and no one can say they don't deserve it. Who: These Wicked Rivers From: Derby Sound like: Warner Hodges Song to start with: The Family Bonfest slot: May 3, 6pm-7pm One band sure to attract a host of new fans this year are blues rock exponents These Wicked Rivers. The all-male English outfit – like The Karma Effect they go big on beards – formed in 2014 and by their own admission relish delivering what their promo describes as 'soulful, bordering on spiritual, live performances'. Take that as you will, but anyone who's heard them know These Wicked Rivers have got the chops. Fronted by John Hartwell, the band's set to play Kirriemuir off the back of both last year's second album Force Of Nature and this month's jocularly titled Peace, Love And Lampshades series of European dates – a double-bill with like-minded Scottish favourites King King. Who: The Hot Damn! From: West Lothian Sound like: Avril Lavigne fronting Generation X Song to start with: Automatic Bonfest slot: May 3, 5pm-5.45pm Risen from the ashes of the blistering Scottish power trio The Amorettes, The Hot Damn! are another all-female combo well worth checking out at Bonfest. Fronted by Gill Montgomery, the colourful four-piece started putting songs out during lockdown and finally unveiled their debut album Dancing On The Milky Way last September. Firmly in the pop rock category, The Hot Damn's! infectious tunes promise to make for one of the most exhilarating highlights of the big weekend – delivered with feeling and intelligence.
Euronews
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
New AC/DC stamps celebrate 50th anniversary of debut album 'High Voltage'
Royal Mail has announced that new stamps are about to be issued to mark the 50th anniversary of AC/DC's debut album, 'High Voltage'. The album came out in 1975 and the eight stamps capture a sample of the "electrifying" live performances of the band. A further four stamps will be issued and will feature the covers of 'High Voltage' as well as 'Highway To Hell' and 'Back In Black' - the best-selling rock album of all time. David Gold, Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: "AC/DC is one of the most successful rock bands in the world. Over the past half-century, they have recorded some of the best-known rock anthems and have given us Back In Black - the biggest-selling rock album of all time.' "These stamps capture a sample of their electrifying live performances, along with some of their most iconic album covers, and celebrate their significant contribution to the world of rock music." The stamps go on sale from 18 February. Check out the full selection here. AC/DC will become the eighth music band to feature in a dedicated Royal Mail stamp issue. They will follow on from The Beatles in 2007; Pink Floyd in 2016; Queen in 2020; The Rolling Stones in 2022; Iron Maiden in 2023; and both Spice Girls and The Who in 2024.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New AC/DC stamps to celebrate 50th anniversary of rock band's debut album High Voltage
New stamps are going to be issued to mark the 50th anniversary of AC/DC's debut album, the Royal Mail has said. The group introduced themselves to the world with the electrifying High Voltage in 1975, before going onto become one of the most successful rock bands of all time. To mark 50 years since its initial release, the Royal Mail has said it will issue eight stamps that capture a sample of the "electrifying" live performances of the band. A further four stamps presented in a miniature sheet will feature the covers of High Voltage as well as Highway To Hell, their sixth studio album released in 1979; Back In Black, the best-selling rock album of all time, and Power Up, the band's return in 2020. The stamps go on sale from 18 February. AC/DC will become the eighth music band to feature in a dedicated Royal Mail stamp issue. They will follow on from The Beatles in 2007, Pink Floyd in 2016, Queen in 2020, The Rolling Stones in 2022, Iron Maiden in 2023, Spice Girls in 2024, and The Who also in 2024. Read more from Sky News: David Gold, Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: "AC/DC is one of the most successful rock bands in the world. "Over the past half-century, they have recorded some of the best-known rock anthems and have given us Back In Black - the biggest-selling rock album of all time. "These stamps capture a sample of their electrifying live performances, along with some of their most iconic album covers, and celebrate their significant contribution to the world of rock music." Here are the eight anniversary stamps below: And the four-stamp miniature sheet:
Sky News
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
New AC/DC stamps to celebrate 50th anniversary of rock band's debut album High Voltage
New stamps are going to be issued to mark the 50th anniversary of AC/DC's debut album, the Royal Mail has said. The group introduced themselves to the world with the electrifying High Voltage in 1975, before going onto become one of the most successful rock bands of all time. To mark 50 years since its initial release, the Royal Mail has said it will issue eight stamps that capture a sample of the "electrifying" live performances of the band. A further four stamps presented in a miniature sheet will feature the covers of High Voltage as well as Highway To Hell, their sixth studio album released in 1979; Back In Black, the best-selling rock album of all time, and Power Up, the band's return in 2020. The stamps go on sale from 18 February. AC/DC will become the eighth music band to feature in a dedicated Royal Mail stamp issue. They will follow on from The Beatles in 2007, Pink Floyd in 2016, Queen in 2020, The Rolling Stones in 2022, Iron Maiden in 2023, Spice Girls in 2024, and The Who also in 2024. David Gold, Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: "AC/DC is one of the most successful rock bands in the world. "Over the past half-century, they have recorded some of the best-known rock anthems and have given us Back In Black - the biggest-selling rock album of all time. "These stamps capture a sample of their electrifying live performances, along with some of their most iconic album covers, and celebrate their significant contribution to the world of rock music." Here are the eight anniversary stamps below: And the four-stamp miniature sheet:
