AC/DC - Dirty Big Balls 2-LP

Label: Fuck The Mother Records (Unofficial); Year: 1989; Format: Double Vinyl LP

So, about time AC/DC get an entry on this blog of mine as they truly were my very first musical love back in 1979 when my parents out of nowhere decided to gift me the "Highway To Hell" LP for Christmas said year. But more about that when I will be reviewing that classic record. As a matter of fact the concert on this Double-LP bootleg was recorded three weeks prior to me getting my introduction into rock'n'roll. As one would expect with a bootleg the sound quality isn't great but in all fairness it's not horrible either hence making this an enjoyable trip down memory lane. If you're into Bon Scott-era AC/DC then you pretty much know what to expect and that's exactly what you get delivered on this cheaply made bootleg which I have gotten many years ago at the warehouse of a record store owner back in good ole' Switzerland. The concert was recorded on December 3 of 1979 at the Eissporthalle in Berlin and was according to Jeff Apter's "AC-DC 1973 - 1980 The Bon Scott Years" book the last gig on the Highway To Hell tour of Europe. According to the AC-DC.net website support act was Judas Priest and a ticket cost 18 Deutsch Mark. Bon's voice is pretty beat but that's hardly a surprise considering how non-stop the band toured. Still, the songs deliver despite the bootleg quality and I for one have no idea if it was just somebody recording it on a tape recorder close to the stage or whether it is taken from the soundboard as the drums are pretty loud. One of you sound experts out there could probably clarify this as the whole concert is also to be found on Youtube. I for one found myself tapping with my feet throughout my listening experience today and AC/DC with Bon Scott were one of the best rock'n'roll bands ever, period. RIP Bon. 

Seb Hunter: Hell Bent For Leather - Confessions of a Heavy Metal Addict

Publisher: Fourth Estate/Harper Collins; Year: 2004; Format: Book

While I am most certainly not a big fan of heavy metal per se, I am certainly always open to a good read and a few years back I remember reading a review in regard to this novel which must have caught my attention. In the end I found the book on sale at Foyles in London, and that's how it ended up in my collection. It took literally years for me to open it and read it, but just like the author himself, I must make a confession on my own in saying that I had a hard time putting it down at nights. Let it be very clear, you don't have to be into heavy metal to appreciate Seb Hunter's life story and his addiction to said music genre. Yes, there are parts in the book which drag on where for instance the author goes on to define genres such as glam metal, thrash metal and the likes, but overall the novel is about Seb and his witty stories on growing up in Winchester in the south of England, joining his first band, gigging locally, local punks throwing beer cans at them and his eventual move to the big smoke aka London. In my opinion London also marks the best parts of this book as there are so many hilarious stories being told by Seb, including living in squats, the pursuit of a career in heavy metal music at all cost, groupies, and crazy band members that would kill you over a girl. All in all I can only say that I've really enjoyed reading this book and couldn't help laughing out loud on many occasions.