I only have one thing to say...AC/DC fucking rock!!!

On Sunday night, April 1, 2001, the boys from ACDC rocked the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Raleigh, N.C. and I was there for every headbangin', eardrum bustin' minute of it.

I first arrived at ESA after a long cold day of shooting my film for Film Production. I was cold, tired, and about ready to drop before I got to the Arena (after deciding to park in the free zone, which is damn near in the next state from the Arena). I get to the ESA after a mighty cold hike (damn freezing rain) and the first thing I do is look for the T-shirts (always my first stop at a concert). It takes me forever to get the shirt I want (I missed the whole opening act). I even get a little beer on my pants leg and shoe (not mine, some girl behind me in line). She was very apologetic (and a little tipsy methinks). Don't worry madam, I understand that those things happen. Even though that is a serious party foul.

Once I go to my seat (armed with my new favorite T-shirt) and rest my weary bones, I meet a cool group of older guys who have the seats next to mine. These guys were cool as hell. When I sat down, the first thing the guy next to me says is, "You number 14?" This was my seat number so I reply, "That's me." He then grabs my neck and shakes me around a bit and yells, "Then your my buddy for the night!" I knew right then that I was in for a good show. He spent the rest of the evening pointing out the lovely ladies walking by or sniffing around for that "not quite a tobacco type of smell" (if you know what I mean, and I think you do).

This was my first time seeing Angus, Brian, Malcolm, Cliff, and Phil in concert and I absolutely loved it. I've been a long time fan of the music and my appreciation has deepened greatly after seeing them live.

The show opened with "Shook Me All Night Long," one of my all time favs. All the top songs made it into the line-up throughout the evening. From "Hell's Bells" to "Back In Black" they kept the audience rockin' hard until the evening ended with "For Those About to Rock."

The band played a very good mix of the well known and the not quite as well known songs. There were the more requested/anticipated songs ("T.N.T.", "Dirty Deeds", "Highway to Hell") and then there were songs that only the well known Angus worshipper would know ("The Jack", "Whole Lotta Rosie"). Even though this is the Stiff Upper Lip tour, they only played the title song from the new album.

And the sound...the decibel level was SO HIGH that my ears are still ringing! They will probably still be ringing in a week. The guys were playing so loud, you could barely hear the capacity crowd in ESA over the music! AND THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE!

A band like AC/DC can't rock properly at a "comfortable decibel level." Sorry folks, it just don't work. The conservative folk of N.C. did manage to change one AC/DC staple, which slightly pissed me off. As you may or may not know, Angus has a tendency to moon the crowd during the evening. That's right people, Angus does a little strip out of his schoolboy garb (which I'm happy to report he does still wear) and drops trow for the audience. Well, N.C. law has just recently changed, mooning was made legal my freshman year of college (around the 97/98 school year) and has now become illegal again. So, to keep himself out of the Pokey (pen, slammer, etc.), Angus drops trow to reveal a pair of American flag boxer shorts! Audience response: a hearty hoop and holler (pardon my vernacular, but by crackey I'm Southern and proud!).

And talk about the stage effects! Let me tell you, they included pyrotechniques, cool lifts for Angus to rock out on, a large bell (guess which song they use that one on!), and a huge Angus statue complete with luminant horns, winking glowing eyes, smoke from the mouth, and a guitar that shoots fire. IN-FUCKIN'-CREDIBLE!

To end the evening of incredible music that still has me rockin', they closed with "For Those About to Rock," their usual closing song (and with good reason). Six cannons are raised onto the stage (as well as Angus from beneath the stage in a pillar of smoke) and the band closes with an incredible, loud, hard rockin', get out of your fuckin' chair and touch the ceiling rendition of the song that absolutely blew me away.

It was a kick-ass evening of pure rock and roll from a kick-ass band. I loved every minute of it (still rockin' on the way back to the homestead).

band photos courtesy of Elektra Records

AC/DC logos furnished by Riff Raff