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Caledonia m i DC: BWCK LOUD Ragpole correspondent and Boston resident through a surplus of tracks from its latest, but f joyous ringleaders, at times breaking into a tri- Ragpole correspondent and Boston resident Tom Kielty recently caught a glimpse of leg endary Aussie rock and roll band AC/DC at a show at the Fleet Center in Boston. Here's his report: The bad boys from down under are back. For the first time in five years, AC/DC returns to these shores, and for the first time in 10 years, it is the same AC/DC that recorded the band's landmark Back In Black. Drummer Phil Rudd rejoins the leg endary, guitar-playing Young brothers, Angus and Malcolm, bassist Cliff “Williams and throaty vocalist Brian Johnson for a lengthy outing in support of the recently released Stiff Upper Lip All the pieces are in place for a return to the source of some of rock and roll's truly seminal power, and if a recent show at Boston's Fleet Center is any indication, the band is intent on getting as close tc that storied spot as it can, scaring no expenses on the trip. From the opening strains of "You Shook Me All Night Long," when the building's wattage must have easily surpassed many farming com munities, it was obvious that AC/DC's longtime commitment to showing its fans a good time was intact. Sure, the band probably worked through a surplus of tracks from its latest, but if songs like the title track and "Safe In New York" aren't instant classics, they aren't half bad, either. In fact, on a night of steamy humidity, the new song "Meltdown," with its chorus, "Man, it's getting hot," sounded perfect. Obviously, most in attendance were waiting for the standards, though, and they got a healthy serving. With the electri fying breakout of "Shoot To Thrill," Angus Young served notice that if his hair has receded a bit from the days of his youth, his legs still have a vigor worthy of schoolboy short pants. In fact through classics that included "Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution," "Hell's Bells," (with the first of the night's many entertaining stage novelties) and "Back In Black," the band's energy might lead the casual observer to believe they had indeed entered into some oth erworldly pact. Johnson is among rock's most ringleaders, at times breaking into a tri umphant jig in the midst of the madness. If there are places that his cigarette-weary voice can no longer go, they come unfailingly during moments when the crowd is singing along so enthusiastically it goes largely unnoticed. Besides, by the time the band reached the climactic "Highway To Hell" all eyes were on the perpetual motion of Angus Young. When he slid into the comfort zone that Rudd and Williams' stomping rhythm provided, he proved that he is truly among rock's most distinctive players, and brother Malcolm's support was unwavering as well. As the band wrapped things up with the knockout combination of "T.N.T" and "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You),"—complete with cannon fire, a warning for those judicious about their hearing—it became clear that AC/DC remains one of the planet's most entertaining live acts. If there is any doubt, the show's conclusion, which rivaled any football stadium rock concert erased it. Tom Kielty AC/DC performs at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Thursday, August 17. Tickets are S47, available through Ticketmaster. BAND SPEAK by MATT THOMPSON Beatles; no one wanted to admit it, but they were there. I think there's enough age brackets within the band that we're feeding off different decades." WINTER'S HAVEN Shone Minish—vocals Jody Thompson—rhythm guitar Dave Brown—lead guitar Jason Fricks—bass Freddy Dean—drums Rock and roll may have been revolutionized in the 1960s—and in turn, revolu tionized that decade—but it was during the 70s that rock music became a true force in American cul ture. Bands began playing stadiums and giant arenas, and the radio was awash with outfits each sounding different horn the last. Sure, it all got out of hand by the end of the decade and sure, there was that whole regrettable disco thing, but all in all, the 70s were an exciting time for rock fans. Athens quintet Winter's Haven draws from that period to create its own blend of power rock, with hints towards later eras. Longtime iriends Shone Minish, Jody Thompson and Dave Brown—all Banks County boys—began writing songs together a few years ago. Drummer Freddy Dean (of Athens band The Perpetrators and Cookieman) came aboard last August, and Winter's Haven was formed. The Dalonega-based band mixes such disparate influences as 70s arena rock like T. Rex and Aerosmith with George Lynch- and Eddie Van Halen-style guitar heroics and '80s synth-pop vocals, partic ularly Minish's Jim Morrison-like vocal delivery. The band's sonic delivery mixes open-ended, spacy instrumentation with a structured style of songwriting for a solid display of both musicianship and song writing. Bassist Jason Fricks came aboard last month, and the band has been featured on 90.5 FM's "Live In The Lobby" and has recorded a Has it been tough breaking into Athens, what with being an "out of town " band and being so young? "It's funny. Technically, the guys live way up there, but some of them, like Jody, are real Athens guys. It's almost a little deceiving being an 'out of town band because everyone has ties in Athens. It wasn't that tough, though, because some of the people who book the clubs heard a sound in us that was appealing and saw that it drew people. It hasn't been cream cheese, but we've aiade great progress in the last year." Why should someone check out the band at a live show? "1 think your ears would like the vacation. It gives people such an array of music to hear in one night. There'll be a taste of everything. It's a good show. I have to say we deliver energy and then bring it down. We deliver some more and then bnng it back dowr. for the next song. We deliver each song a little bit different from the last one, and we're trying to conjure up something different with each tune we play." What's it like being in u band that's clicked so well? "It's been heaven for me. To have something like that to click that fast, there's definitely excitement in the band. There's a drive and ambition to keep building on that, and an urgency to keep building that fan- base. We feel real confident, but there's still that feeling of 'what happens next?' We're really psyched and laying building blocks. I've never been in a band that's clicked this fast and it's really great." Winter's Haven plays the 40 Watt Club on Wednesday, August 16 with Broken Sky. short demo it's selling at shows. Dean speaks: What does the whole '70s vibe mean to the band? "To me, it's not so much stuff like disco, which was the later part of the 70s, but almost the latter-day pio neers of rock in the early 70s like Grand Funk. They were selling out stadiums quicker than the AUGUST 1 6, 2000 ® bingol ten rounds • starts at 7:00 <§) bar is open • come drink dosed for private party congratulations matt & wendy august 28 andrew bird’s bowl of fire august 31 drive by truckers cd release party September 1 cherry valence tut! l lvo Gl\ west; cluijton nr. 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