DOG EAT DOG!

LEIPZIG, GERMANY ZENTRALSTADIUM 13 MAY 2009

SETLIST

1. Rock'n'roll Train
2. Hell ain't a bad place to be
3. Back in Black
4. Big Jack
5. Dirty Deeds
6. Shot Down in Flames
7. Thunderstruck
8. Black Ice
9. The Jack
10. Hell's Bells
11. Shoot to Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Dog Eat Dog
14. Anything Goes
15. You Shook Me All Night Long
16. TNT
17. Whole Lotta Rosie
18. Let there be Rock
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock


AC/DC ABRUZZO OFFICIAL REPORT
We went to Leipzig just like we did in Wilkes Barre and Oslo to be the "first to hear it". And we were the first again. Dog Eat Dog was added to the setlist. Are we happy? We have mixed feelings. We love this song but it isn't Riff Raff, Live Wire or If You Want Blood. . And unless something major happens in Munich AC/DC Abruzzo will skip many shows of the open air tour. As you know we are not very fond of Stadium shows: we believe that the shows for the real fans were the ones in the small arenas. And we were there. Stadium shows are, generally speaking, for regular "mainstream" audience. For those people who maybe only know Highway To Hell or Thnderstruck. The band (read Malcolm) is aware of that and probably this is the reason why they don't bother adding "rare" songs each night. In fact yesterday in the Zeltralstadium, 90% of people seemed not to care too much about Dog Eat Dog... As long as they hear HTH, TNT, ROSIE, YSMANL they're happy. So the band will give it to them. Fair enough. The other 10% of people will have to wait for the next show in Circus Krone or Roseland Balroom... But we might be wrong...


So different venue. Different crowd. Different atmosphere. Apart from very few changes. The stage was very similar to the 2001 one. You saw the pics. Same train. Nothing special afterall. It looked like AC/DC wanted to give those "fans" who couldn't get a ticket for the indoor tour the opportunity to see them. Or maybe they just wanted to cut costs as much as possible and maximise profit... Or maybe they're just lazy...We actually have problems in understanding this... Differences: Dog Eat Dog added, Let There Be Rock you will see some confettis flying in the air and different catwalk-end and final solo, fireworks at the end, much louder 21-gun salute.


The band performed well but you could tell that they were not mastering the bigger stage perfectly (especially the catwalk). Our impression was that until DOG EAT DOG they were going a bit slow and cumbersome. But this might be due to our fear of not having any setlist change. After Dog Eat Dog they looked more energetic... Especially Angus. Brian fucked up quite clearly on War Machine but then totally redeemed himself with Dog Eat Dog. Not his best performance of this song but pretty good.


The German crowd was not bad but not great either. The 1-liter personalised AC/DC beer pitcher made its appearance again (last time we saw it was in March in Germany). We must mention a major fuck up by the organisers/promoter who wrote "Front of Stage" on the fan club tickets but didn't allow entrance to the front of stage section to all the people with a Front of Stage ticket!! They basically applied a first come first served policy to the FOS section. So AC/DC Abruzzo also had to witness an entertaining but useless fight between German fans and security guys before the show near the barriers. The Germans are not hotblooded as the Italians or the French but this time they seemed to be quite pissed off about this fan club thing.



OK guys. See you in "rainy" Munich.

IF YOU WANT BLOOD...

YOU SHOULD GET IT! We deserve it...

SPEAKING OF FANS...

Here's the last episode of the Rock'n'Roll Fannation documentary. AC/DC Abruzzo is in this episode too!! (Thank God they didn't broadcast the part of the interview when we told them that we came from Italy without tickets! AH AH AH!)

AC/DC Rock n Roll Fannation - Episode 7 from AC/DC Rock n Roll Fannation on Vimeo.

AC/DC ABRUZZO's INTERVIEWS WITH THE FANS!!!

Just a few hours before the first show of the Stadium tour in Leipzig, AC/DC ABRUZZO decided to inaugurate its "Interviews with the Hardcore Fans" series. We met many of them during our international rock'n'roll journey, from Wilkes Barre, USA to Birmingham, UK and we have been impressed by their dedication, passion and energy. But the most interesting thing for us, from Wilkes Barres onwards, was to have met those hardcore fans who had been confined in a limbo that lasted for 5 years (or 8 if they didn't attend any European show in 2003) before having the chance to see the band on stage again. Some of them are legendary figures who travelled almost anywhere to see the band since the Bon Scott era, others are just regular forum posters who had never seen the band live before. What they have in common is their genuine passion for AC/DC and their willingness and commitment to see them live in concert as many times as possible during the BLACK ICE World Tour. Enjoy!

FIRST INTERVIEW: GOZONE!

Today, we're with one of the biggest fans of AC/DC that AC/DC Abruzzo had the pleasure to meet in Wilkes Barre for the private gig. Marc, aka as GOZONE. Our special guest for today.

AC/DC ABRUZZO: Gozone, you're definetely one of the most active fans on several boards, especially acdcpower.net where most of the hardcore fans has kept discussing matters related to AC/DC, often in a very "colurful and emphatic" way beyond the bounds of what is normally considered "politically correct". Please tell us about your passion for AC/DC and your role on ACDCpower forum.

GOZONE: Well, it is funny that you mentioned acdcpower.net!  I found that website because I was looking for somewhere to share my passion of AC/DC with other fans.  At first, it was a little rough there, as you know, that site is not for the weak! There are many great fans on there and I enjoy reading about concert reviews, album reviews, rare recordings, etc, etc.  You could say that I am not a “politically correct” poster there.  I state my honest opinion and try to be “real”.  There have been some battles on the message board.  Just to name a few of the poster, Kirk, Zoid, Wheels, Toxictwin (you), Meanstreak, HoneyRoll, Cali not Cooool, Jimmy, Shoot, Shocker, AT/LE, etc, etc…..all of these people and many others are die hard fans that contribute to the forum daily.  Yes, I will admit that it is fun to start “stuff” on that site but it is all in good fun.  I have learned so much about AC/DC by reading that board.  I really enjoy talking about rare or lesser known songs by AC/DC.  I am not a big fan of the “hits” by any means.  One of my favorite albums is Ballbreaker, many people there think I am crazy. You will see me at concerts wearing my Ballbreaker t-shirt!  That album is so underrated.  It is pure sleazy rock at its best. The bluesy groove on that album is great, thanks to the return of Phil Rudd.  One of my favorite songs ever is, Cover You in Oil.  I also enjoy listening to Powerage, what a great bluesy feel on that album as well.  I am very happy with the Black Ice album, Big Jack, Smash n Grab, Spoilin, Decibel are my faves on that album.  I think that the song, Stormy May Day could have been EPIC, if they including a bluesy Angus solo.

AC/DC ABRUZZO: We met in Wilkes Barre for that historic show. You told us that you were seeing more than one shows? How did it go?

GOZONE: Yes, it was great to meet you in Wilkes. I had a great time meeting such great fans.  Check out the pic of me and toxic. I drove 8 hours to see that show and bought a ticket off of a fan fromCalifornia.  I was pissed that Live Nation seated radio station winners up front and the die hards in back. What bull shit, total corporate crap.  Anyway, I enjoyed hearing RnR Train and Black Ice for the first time in history live.  After that show I saw them 6 more times. Detroit(2^nd row), Toronto, Columbus, San Antonio, Houston, Cincinnati.  It was worth every penny, let me tell you.  The Toronto show was the best, there was such a good atmosphere in that building that night.  It seemed like a national holiday in Canada…what great fans there. My hearing was lost for weeks after sitting in the second row in Detroit.  My highlights of the tour are , Shoot To Thrill, HAABPTB, War Machine, Back in Black to name a few.  I hope that we hear some more deeper cuts as this tour goes on.  I am a fan of HAAR, SUL, FOTS album, Sin City, Gone Shootin, Riff Raff, High Voltage, Live Wire, Walk All Over You, etc, etc.  How great would it be if they played something off of  FOTS?  It would be incredible for us fans.  I truly hope that they mix up the set drastically for the later tour dates. 

AC/DC ABRUZZO: Is it true that you met the band and that you have a special friendship with Phil Rudd?

GOZONE: Yes, me and Phil know each other…LOL…nah, I met him once outside of the hotel in suburbanDetroit.  It was total luck that I found them there.  I drove home from work and checked out this hotel nearby that musicians usually stay at when in town.  I parked my car on the street and Angus Young turns the corner!! I nearly passed out.  He was with a bodyguard and I shook his hand and he signed my FTATR vinyl for me.  What a nice guy, he signed it personally to me. I was so nervous that I didn’t say what I wanted to.  I then saw Phil walk out of the hotel and said hi to him, he told me and my buddy to get lost…LOL.  He then came back an hour later and signed my vinyl for me.  I hated to bug him but who knows if I will ever get that chance again. For all he knows, I am some ebay autograph seeking a-hole!  Phil is the ultimate bad-ass and the best drummer for AC/DC.  I find it hard to listen to the non-Rudd albums.  Malcolm was very cool too.

AC/DC ABRUZZO: Gozone, they told us that you have actually Italian ancenstors. It wouldn't be surprising that your greatgrandmother was from Abruzzo?

GOZONE: Yes, I have family in Northern Italy, north of Venice. My great grandmother came to Detroit for work and didn’t speak any English. I never got to meet here but I am very proud of my Italian ancestry.  There is nothing like an Italian family.  We are very close and always enjoy spending time together during the holidays (great food too). I would love to get a chance to go to Italy and meet some of my family there.  I would also love to see AC/DC there.  The fans there are awesome and I would love to be in an arena that has General Admission.  I can’t stand having seats on the floor in the USA, it sucks.

AC/DC ABRUZZO:Thank you Gozone. Hopefully, we'll meet soon on the road!

GOZONE: Well, I hope that we can meet during this tour.  I think that they will be back to the USA soon (summer).  I bet we hear dome classic gems too!!!  Bring on Gone Shooting, Ballbreaker, SUL, WMW, High Voltage, etc, etc!!!  Congrats on meeting Brian and Cliff, how cool!! Cheers and many thanks!!!!!

HERE'S THE NEW STAGE!!!!!!

That doens't mean that AC/DC Abruzzo is forcing you to click on the links below though!! So please, please, please don't do it unless you want to spoil the surprise! 

As you guys should know by now AC/DC ABRUZZO can resist everything but TEMPTATION!!! Especially AC/DC TEMPTATION! So we did click on the links and saw the stage which was assembled in Munich. And now we're even more excited!!!!!!! 

Here's the links... But don't click on them!! Deal?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicobill/3518497673/   http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicobill/3518507117/   http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicobill/3518515607/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicobill/3518498363/ Big grazie to Yanno and Riccardo!!! :-)

CIAO!

ACCA DACCA BACK IN OZ!!

Dates confirmed today! AC/DC will be back in Australia in February for at least 5 stadium shows (7 with New Zealand). The one in Sidney will be the day before the anniversary of Bon's death.
EMMOCITENOMAI'!

30 Jan: Wellington, NZ
6 Feb: Auckland, NZ
11 Feb: Melbourne, VIC (Etihad Stadium)
18 Feb: Sydney, NSW (ANZ Stadium) 60,000 seats
25 Feb: Brisbane, QLD (Nathan Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre)
2 Mar: Adelaide, SA (Adelaide Oval) 40,000 seats
6 Mar: Perth, WA (Subiaco Oval)

OPEN AIR STAGE + SONG FOR ABRUZZO!

Waiting for the Premiere of the Open Air European tour in Leipzig, which AC/DC Abruzzo will attend, we post a picture from the Munich stadium were the stage was assembled for production rehearsals. You can see the big panels on the lawn that will be probably used for the background on the stage... Mhm, they look familiar, don't they?

Also we would like to let you know about this project to support the reconstruction works of the Conservatory and the Theatre of L'Aquila which were destroyed by the terrible earthquake of last month. Some of the most famous Italian artists took part in this project including some international musicians such as Zucchero, Jovanotti, Nek, Gianna Nannini and Laura Pausini. Ok, it's not our favourite type of music but the it has a noble purpose and we want to use the blog to to spread the word. If you want to contribute you can find the bank details on this website.

AMARCORD SERIES

AMARCORD meas "I remember" in several Italian dialects, including the Abruzzese! We will use the title of this Fellini's movie to start a new series of posts regarding the cities we've visited, the people we've met and the things that we've seen during our AC/DC European tour! We hope you enjoy this retrospective rock'n'roll journey through Europe with AC/DC and AC/DC Abruzzo!!!

AMARCORD OSLO: SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES!!

Yes! AC/DC Abruzzo heard it first on this tour! On Feb 17 AC/DC Abruzzo's Operational Taskforce and Steeting Committee was outside the Telenor Arena to witness AC/DC's come back to Europe! Weather conditions and temperature were really unfriendly but this didn't stop us! We spent 2 hours with a few fellow hard core Norwegian fans waiting for the band to come to the Telenor Arena for the soundcheck. Last time we had seen AC/DC was at the London Video shoot and in Wilkes Barre so we were pretty excited. The boys arrived with 2 cars. Brian looked surprised there were fans there under the snow! 

The following songs were played during the soundcheck:

HELL AINT'T A BAD PLACE TO BE
ROCK'N'ROLL TRAIN
BACK IN BLACK
BLACK ICE
ANYTHING GOES
SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES

Then we had to go away because we were litterally freezing and we don't know what happened after. Maybe they played Touch Too Much or Riff Raff or Ride On. We will never know... We just thought it wasn't a wise idea to die before the beginning of the European tour! :-)

But we were really happy about this add to the setlist. We called our trusted pizzaiolo in town, Antonio, and we arranged a house pizza party with him, Roberto and Kristell, our friend from France. 

TOURIST INFO by AC/DC Abruzzo

Shot Down in flames was not played at the show but we got AC/DC back to Europe and this was the most important thing. Unfortunately they chose Norway as first country to visit: in February it's freezing cold up there and there's snow everywhere. Oslo is a very small capital. People are friendly but probably they have a problem in calculating the right doses of alcohol that their bodies can tolerate. It's common to see drunk people (common people-all ages) on the streets even during week days and working hours! Seafood is very good especially the salmon and the prawns. If you happen to like blonde girls you definetely have to spend a few days in Oslo. You won't be SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES! That's for sure! Especially if you're from Italy.

:-)


PHOTO GALLERY

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF "SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES" REHEARSED on Feb 17. Listen close (with headphones) and try not to pay attention to the Secretary General's Italian lesson... Ok, watch it twice if you want to learn some useful Italian too!

Italian lesson number 2. Norwegian fans singing the Italian National Anthem before the show.

Fratelli d'Italia,
l'Italia s'è desta;
dell'elmo di Scipio
s'è cinta la testa.

TNT from AC/DC Abruzzo's Youtube channel