Since 1999 BC/DC has rocked the Kootenays and the world. They may have started out a little “stiff” on some party stage, and then graduated to the kings of bush parties, but their truth to the original musicianship and attitude of AC/DC has propelled them to the top of rock and roll party stages from New York to Las Vegas. But their favourite place to play in B.C. and what their frontman Brian Bon Johnscottson describes as the “best live venue in B.C.” is the Element club in Castlegar.
Last Saturday April 26 the boys played another kick-ass double set of what is arguably the best rock and roll headbanger music ever written. With well over 500 shows under their belt the show was a swagger of fistfuls of rock and roll angst thrown against the wall of convention with gun powder explosions. Lead guitar player Mad Cow (The Artist Formerly Known as Angus Hung) dissipated screaming guitar riffs like a bat out of hell, while Spliff Williams on bass and fill-in drummer Eric beat the rock that drove the beat. Their regular drummer the legendary Paddy Duddy is on tour in Australia playing drums for Canadian punk legends DOA.
The Element was filled with old headbangers and new young fans who were not even born when the original music was released in the 1970’s. But the music has become timeless like Beatles songs but for a different crowd with a different penchant for reality.
Brendan Rafferty (BC/DC singer’s real name) spoke with the Castlegar News between sets and told us, “I love playing in Castlegar; I love small towns. Small towns are way better than big cities. I love playing at the Element, it is one of the best bars in B.C. You can see from every sightline in the room and the food is unreal.”
Next gig for them is in Whitefish, Montana, which Brendan describes as a great artsy town. The band is looking forward to playing outdoors at Castlegar Sunfest for the second year in a row, this year on Saturday evening June 7 in Kinsmen Park.
Bass player Itchy said he was having a great gig and his advice for Castlegar fans was, “To keep their heads up and sticks on the ice.”