AC/DC: Beyond The Thunder

Aye, aye oh, and top of the podcast to you listeners! It’s time break out the corned beef & dark stout because we’re shipping up to Boston for a very special St Paddy’s Day celebration with drummer Matt Kelly from the Celtic punk rock band, the Dropkick Murphys. This skin bashing lover of all things AC/DC discusses everything from bagpipes to schoolboy uniforms, the magic minimalism of Phil Rudd, infusing AC/DC songs into their live sets, and most importantly, how this band brought he and his father together like no other.

Get ready to rock as 'AC/DC Beyond the Thunder' shakes things up with a special Top 10 episode that counts down the bands that best harness the thunderous sound of AC/DC. From Melbourne to Switzerland, Barcelona to Van Nuys, over 75 bands were nominated, representing 20 different countries, but only 10 could make our final tally. With exclusive insights, electrifying tracks, and even an interview with Joel O'Keeffe from Airbourne, don't miss out on this high-voltage ride through the top bands inspired by the thunder down under as voted by you, the listeners! Are you ready?

This landmark episode celebrates AC/DC's 50th anniversary with a woman who was there from the very beginning, Fifa Riccobono. From secretary to CEO at Albert Music (the first female music exec in Australian history) take a trip down under with a key member of the AC/DC family who regales listeners with tales of Bon Scott's off-color premiere performance, meeting Brian Johnson years before AC/DC had even heard of him, and why she's the ultimate ballbreaker.

Chris Freeman, flamboyant founder and front man of the world's 1st and only all-gay AC/DC tribute band, sits down for a loud & proud edition in celebration of GayC/DC's 10th anniversary. Formed in LA, Chris discusses everything from their tongue & cheek covers (Whole Lotta José, Let There Be Cock), to Doug Pinnick & Sebastian Bach joining the band onstage and even AC/DC's origin connection to gay culture, this fabulous episode just may have the biggest balls of all.

In this electrifying on-location episode, AC/DC Beyond the Thunder takes listeners on an epic journey into the heart of the scorching California desert with a 3 day blow-by-blow account of the legendary PowerTrip festival in Indio, featuring performances by Iron Maiden, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest, Metallica, Tool and the triumphant return of AC/DC. This podcast captures all of the excitement, camaraderie, and even a trip to the remarkable pop-up AC/DC High Voltage Dive Bar where fans from around the globe gathered to celebrate their favorite band.

How did Brian Johnson's BFF and fellow Floridian, Greg Billings, get the frontman for the biggest band in the world to sing again? From Power Up to PowerTrip, Billings talks to 'AC/DC Beyond the Thunder' about their kindred spirit friendship, multiple soul-infused duets, and AC/DC inspiring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ready to get your PhD in AC/DC? Then turn up your brain control, because AC/DC Beyond the Thunder goes back to school for a masterclass with Mark Jude Tramos, MD, PhD, former Director of the Institute for Music & Brain Science at Harvard University. Not only will this guy school your ass on why our brains love AC/DC so much, but he'll also blow your mind with his cerebral breakdown of how their classic track, 'You Shook Me All Night Long' is like going to church. Amen!

Push comes to shove, there's no other rock 'n' roll outlaw out there like Jackyl's own, Jesse James Dupree, the southern hard rock frontman and star of Full Throttle Saloon, a TV series set in South Dakota featuring the world's largest biker bar—but more importantly one of Brian Johnson's earliest collaborators and confidants (not to mention one hell of an AC/DC fan and vocal doppelgänger). Better grease up that chainsaw, 'cause this episode about to get locked and loaded!

Season 4 kicks off with one of the most award-winning rock lighting directors / designers in the world, who since 1990, has worked on more than 700 shows for AC/DC — plus countless others, including The Stones, Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, and a list that is simply unrivaled in the industry. Listen in as Cosmo sheds light on what it takes to makes this electric circus the greatest show on Earth. The late, great Bon Scott, once said 'Let there be Light', but we're changing it to, 'Let there Be Cosmo!'

Go “behind” Beyond the Thunder with this special bonus episode which wraps up Season 3 by answering listener letters while unearthing never-before-heard interviews with NASCAR driver and AC/DC super-fan Clint Bowyer, who joins the show to share his insights on the band's impact on the racing community, while Canadian heavy metal legends, Anvil, reminisce about meeting the original AC/DC lineup backstage, including a semi-sober Bon Scott. But that's not all – Australian children's entertainers, The Wiggles, also make a surprise appearance to discuss their unexpected love for the band, including an exclusive live performance of an AC/DC beloved classic from their big red car.

Although he does have a degree in Biochemistry from Manchester, this is not the guy from The Big Bang Theory…it’s the other Jim Parsons who is certainly a much, much bigger AC/DC fan, and plays a much more important role in the band’s history than Sheldon Cooper could ever fathom—including bringing to life the fan favorite AC/DC TV performance on VH1’s Uncut! In this season finale, we dive into Jim's 30+ years as a producer & director who's gone shootin' with everyone from Metallica, McCartney, U2, Foo Fighters, Chili Peppers & Rolling Stones—not to mention his Grammy Award winning Led Zeppelin concert film and the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert featuring Brian Johnson.

After Simon Wright's career with AC/DC 'blows up', he goes on to sit behind the drum kit for even more rock 'n' roll heroes, including Ronnie James Dio, Rhino Bucket, Michael Schenker & UFO, John Norum of Europe, Geoff Tate's Queensryche and Metal Gods with Tim "Ripper" Owens, the ultimate ode to Dio & Judas Priest. Through divorce, death, and decades of drumming, Simon's musical journey continues.

In this very special two-part, skin-bashing, foundation-shaking edition of 'AC/DC Beyond the Thunder', we sit down with veteran stickman, Simon Wright, the drummer for AC/DC who kept the band’s heartbeat alive throughout the '80s. After being plucked from obscurity and into the eye of the storm, Part 1 allows listeners to be a fly on the wall, from Simon's audition, to meeting Stephen King, and playing Rock in Rio...before things blow up when he decides to leave AC/DC for Dio.

This finger-licking episode takes us to Nashville, TN to visit the four-piece bluegrass phenomenon—Hayseed Dixie, capturing exclusive moonshine-inspired renditions of both 'T.N.T.' and 'Let’s Get It Up' performed by the classic band lineup. The Southern boys also discuss how AC/DC became fans of the band, listening to Hayseed Dixie before shows and even hiring them to play an AC/DC end of tour wrap party.

On the day Elvis Presley died in 1977, 21-year Wisconsin native, Susan Masino, was assigned to organize a meet and greet for an unknown Australian band by the name of AC/DC. She not only remained lifelong friends with the band, but was also inspired to write two books about AC/DC, becoming the first female to do so. Masino discusses everything from recent tour rumors, thoughts on Axl Rose, her own ‘Suzy’ name-drop in “Down Payment Blues” and even the ghost of Bon Scott.

What do we think about Canadian singer songwriter, Kathleen Edwards? Well, to quote Bon Scott—she’s got balls! We first fell smitten with Kathleen after hearing her reimagined version of AC/DC’s highest charting U.S. single of all time, “Moneytalks”. Then we witnessed her share the same bill with AC/DC at Toronto Rocks. But she really had us when she said Brian Johnson's vocal style is as hard to sing as…opera!

The latest episode of AC/DC Beyond the Thunder, features Filippo “SoloDallas” Olivieri, telling a story spanning four decades, three continents, and eventually a summons to the recording studio from Angus Young. During the show, the inventor and obsessive music fan describes how he discovered the secrets behind the highly coveted AC/DC guitar tone that may have otherwise been lost forever.

Did AC/DC drive the serial killer known as 'The Night Stalker' down a personal 'Highway to Hell'? The podcast's first foray into the true crime genre unearths a chilling posthumous interview with Philip Carlo, author of The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez.

The New England Patriots have won more Super Bowls, conference championships, division titles and overall games than any other NFL team in history. The man instrumental in the team's success, President Jonathan Kraft, also plays more AC/DC on game day than any other sporting venue in the world. Coincidence? We'll let him tackle that one!

Talk this way! Season 3 kicks off with Darryl McDaniels emceeing, the DMC portion of the greatest hip hop group of all time, Run-DMC. The rap pioneer professes his love for the thunder down under and discusses everything from producer Rick Rubin sampling 'Back in Black' for the Beastie Boys, overcoming drugs and depression through the power of music, and even a proposal to reunite Run-DMC to play the Super Bowl Halftime show...with AC/DC!

Often told by many, including the people being interviewed, that their own "behind the scenes" adventures were just as interesting as their main objective (to find out why AC/DC matters), in this 1st installment and bridge between seasons, engineer Eric Kielb sits down with co-creators, Gregg Ferguson & Kurt Squiers to discuss the origins of 'Beyond the Thunder', how the duo were shot down in flames, the unlikely metamorphosis into a podcast, and what to expect for Season Two. Maybe it is the journey and not the destination, after all?

Don't know who Phil is? Let's just say without him, there'd likely be no AC/DC. This former Senior VP of Atlantic Records opens up the AC/DC time capsule for our listeners, indulging us with stories told first hand by someone who was not only there in the flesh, (and in the trenches) with this undisputed Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, but also who can take credit for saving and catapulting AC/DC's monumental career. And oh yeah, how Bon Scott broke his wife's tooth...

Saul Hudson would hear AC/DC for the first time, and earn his nickname, Slash...on the same day. Fate? We think so. Go behind the scenes of when this Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist opened up for AC/DC, why Keith Richards loves them so much, and how satisfying it is to give the Grammy's & Rolling Stone magazine the middle finger. Welcome to the Thunder, baby.

What's so funny about this episode of 'AC/DC Beyond the Thunder'? Saturday Night Live alum, Jim Breuer, is—that's what! Brian Johnson’s vocal doppelgänger will touch your funny bone and prove once again just how influential this band has been, even in comedy.

What if Malcom Young met Mozart? Meet Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, the dynamic instrumental duo who've combined their classical training and the likes of Bach & Vivaldi while infusing the full force, power and antics of AC/DC. Ever try doing the duck walk with a cello? In this episode, we're going Back in Baroque!

In celebration of his 50th birthday, Dweezil Zappa talks about: A) how his father, Frank Zappa, originally wanted to sign AC/DC; B) a member of AC/DC that can't tune his own guitar; C) how both Young brothers perform on an exclusive track with him; D) Angus Young's greatest guitar solo of all time; or Z) all of the above? Tune in to find out!

Fresh off 100,000 downloads to wrap up Season 2, the creators of AC/DC Beyond the Thunder podcast serve up a special bonus episode prior to the launch of Season 3, by answering listener questions from around the globe while cueing up never-before-heard interviews from guitar virtuosos, Bumblefoot (Guns ’N’ Roses, ASIA), Gannin Arnold (Joe Walsh, Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders) and even advice for AC/DC from the late, great bluesman, Johnny Winter himself.

Hailing from Alabama with a Banjo on his knee, songwriter, vocalist and lead guitarist from the multi Grammy award-winning band Mastodon, Brent Hinds, invites listeners on a wild journey—from AC/DC becoming his new religion growing up in the Bible Belt, pissing in Angus Young's pocket, getting lucky at an AC/DC concert, sharing Brendan O'Brien in the studio—all the while desperately trying not to end up like Bon Scott one day. Season 2 ends with The Motherlode of all episodes.

For our next undisputed episode, we get in the ring with one of the greatest wrestlers of all time...Chris Jericho, who puts the smackdown on such AC/DC-related topics as; Angus & Brian guesting on his 'Talk Is Jericho' podcast, adding multiple AC/DC songs to his live Fozzy setlist, sporting a massive 'For Those About To Rock' cannon tattoo, sprinkling a little Axl love, and explaining just how rock & wrestling makes for the perfect tag-team. AC/DC Beyond the Thunder IS Jericho.

In this episode, we throw listeners a curve ball by talking with Hall of Fame Major League pitcher, Trevor Hoffman, a player who became synonymous with a certain AC/DC song as he took the mound to become the all-time saves leader. So what did it feel like taking center stage to the sound of one of the band’s biggest hits in front of 40,000 screaming fans? We'll field that question, and more. Play ball!

AC/DC Beyond the Thunder rings in the New Year (thank God) with Hell’s Belles, the world famous, all-female AC/DC tribute band out of Seattle, Washington. To celebrate their 20 anniversary, veteran members, Adrian Conner & Mandy Reed, discuss schoolgirl uniforms, traveling the globe, and even getting asked by Malcolm Young himself to open for AC/DC! In this episode, we pay tribute to Angus Young's favorite cover band—and believe us, these Girl's Got Rhythm.

In Part 2 of this two-part series, Canadian record producer, engineer, and mixer, Mike Fraser, not only lifts the curtain behind AC/DC’s triumphant return and new #1 release, 'Power Up', but also takes on listener questions from around the globe, tackling both technical and recent band topics. The podcast dives into many of the album’s new tracks, some studio secrets and even its sentimental standout tribute to Malcolm Young. Aside from a dismal 2020, Fraser says that he has been reenergized by the absolute love of 'Power Up'.

If there were ever to be a sixth member of AC/DC, Mike Fraser, Canadian record producer, engineer, and mixer is that guy. In Part 1 of this two-part episode we explore Fraser’s humble beginnings as a studio janitor to recording and mixing the last six records for AC/DC—a relationship spanning 30 years with the band. Fraser goes into great detail about each album, band member, recording process, studio equipment and producers he’s worked alongside. Audiophiles will surely be thunderstruck (and Powered Up) by this latest podcast installment.

How much would you pay for a guitar lesson with Angus Young? Meet Wade Sickler, investment manager from Bozeman, Montana, who back in 2000, doubled down for the chance of a lifetime to receive a one-on-one guitar lesson from none other than Angus Young himself. How did he pull that off? Well, let’s just say, Moneytalks! During Episode 5 from Season 2, this bus boy turned money manager goes into great detail for the first time about the bidding war, being gifted a signature cherry red Gibson SG from Angus, jamming for hours with the entire band, and essentially landing a golden ticket to see the band play on tour anywhere in the world. For fans where no dollar value is too great to celebrate this magic thing called AC/DC, this episode honors those who put their money where their mouth is.

In AC/DC Beyond The Thunder podcast Season 2 Episode 4 we talk with Anthrax founder Scott Ian about his favorite band and getting matching Angus and Malcom tattoos.

Ever wonder who's responsible for that iconic AC/DC logo? If you were one of those AC/DC fans who were first arrested by the sight of Angus Young impaled by his own Gibson SG, or being violently electrocuted, or sprouting devil horns and tail—even before hearing a single chord—then have we got an episode for you. Meet Bob Defrin, AC/DC's veteran art director, responsible for helping one of the greatest bands of all time become one of the greatest brands of all time. Just sit back and relax as Bob curates the stories behind every single one of his AC/DC album designs, cover to cover. If You Want Bob (you've got it).

It turns out that AC/DC’s search for a new singer, back when Brian Johnson's hearing loss forced him to leave the Rock or Bust tour, did not begin and end with Axl Rose, who was eventually (spoiler alert) announced as Brian's replacement. Out of the four known auditions for this gig of a lifetime, Lee Robinson, frontman of the AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck out of Raleigh, North Carolina, shares his incredible experience how, for one day, he was able to stand in the shoes of Brian & Bon to sing in the presence of rock ’n' roll icons.

Are we kicking off Season 2 with a posthumous interview from Lemmy? You bet your Ace of Spaces we are! Does our favorite mutton-chopped Motörhead treat us to some juicy AC/DC stories? Well, not exactly. But it’s freakin' Lemmy! Who cares? Listen to how this beloved rock 'n' roll icon admits to likening his own band to AC/DC as “birds of a feather”, tries to impress a date by bringing her backstage (witnessing Bon Scott collapse), contemplate his favorite AC/DC track (including the one he covered), and answering the immortal question: Lemmy or God? Forget the Joker on this episode, Lemmy's got the Jack...& Coke.

So just how was our next guest influenced by AC/DC? Does it count if he was actually IN the band? We thought so! From Tom Jones to the Firm, to the man who literally brought the thunder to AC/DC's immortal track, 'Thunderstruck', we'll discuss why no other skin basher can match Chris Slade's rock 'n’ roll resume. We're bringing out this 'Big Gun' for a very special episode of Beyond the Thunder.

In this spine-chilling episode, pilot, author and military war hero, Michael Durant, courageously relives being the sole American survivor of the Battle of Mogadishu, memorably recreated in the war film “Black Hawk Down”. While in captivity for 11 days, you'll be absolutely shocked how AC/DC provide an anthem for Mike to soldier on.

Twisted Sister frontman, Dee Snider, deconstructs why AC/DC matters, and how dressing up in drag is similar to dressing up as a schoolboy. Hey, anyone who starts off their interview with, “AC/DC literally changed my life,” definitely has our attention. I wanna talk!

American music historian, radio personality, talk show celeb, author, and best known as the host of several hard rock and heavy metal-themed radio and television shows, Eddie Trunk talks about how AC/DC became one of his most influential rockers after winning the album “Highway to Hell” on the Jersey Boardwalk.