Is Early AC/DC Punk?

Now obviously everyone reading this is probably saying "this guy's a nutter, AC/DC ain't punk rock", but trust me this is indeed a punk related blog. Now, of course, we all know who AC/DC is. They are that band that makes all those rock songs you hear on the radio and they do those Iron Man soundtracks.

For about the past thirty years, they have been the complete opposite of punk rock, no question about that I think. However, in the early days before they were making commercial rock and charging ridiculous prices for their concerts, when they had their second singer(Bon Scott), they were a little more closer to being a punk band then you may think.

They had a bunch of punk rock qualities: Rebelliousness; a crazy, badass singer; straightforward, short rock songs that went straight to the point; and even a controversial song that pissed off parents for sure: the infamous track "Big Balls".

Their subject matter in their songs were pretty punk too I think: A song about killing for hire(Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap); a song about going to Hell(Highway To Hell) and the such. They were a fun, rebellious band, they were.

Now sadly, as we know, their singer Bon Scott passed away due to the alcohol he was drinking, showing a sad side of rock and roll. So AC/DC ended up getting a new singer who they still have to this day, Brian Johnson. Now Brian Johnson is a pretty talented guy, but he is no Bon Scott I'll admit. But, of course, no one is.

They ended up releasing arguablly their most famous album, Back In Black. I can see the appeal of it, and it has some good songs, but It's just too comercial for my tastes. And it is no where near to being punk rock.

Landmark Albums

Okay, first off, let me start this off with a simple question: What do YOU, consider to be a true, groundbreaking landmark album? Something that can either define a specific genre, or maybe even an entire era or decade. Or perhaps both?

Basically, to me anyways, a landmark album doesn't necessarily have to be a band BEST, but their most groundbreaking album. The one that defines them. Or like I mentioned, a genre.

A good example of this is Black Flag's Damaged. Perhaps it's not their best(that is up for debate), but it is the album most people seem to think about when they think of Black Flag. Everything from the blistering hardcore music, to iconic image of Henry Rollin's fist punching that mirror and shattering. Perhaps a visual metaphor for something?

Then there are the ones that actually influence a genre. The Ramones' self titled debut is a perfect example, as it is very famous and is looked upon as one first, true punk albums. Of course, I think The Ramones were the first band to take the influences they had(Rock 'N Roll and perhaps what some refer to as "proto-punk") and make actual punk out of it. And that first album is what started it all.

Then looking at other genres, you can almost fit it together like some sort of puzzle. Most people consider Nirvana's Nevermind to be the definite grunge album(although while I agree with this, I think In Utero was a bit more tolerable, but that's a topic for a different time) And Reign In Blood by Slayer is a landmark album for the Thrash genre.

Now where does this all bring me? Well, I hate to be one of those "nowadays" type of people, but honestly, nowadays we don't have inspirational albums that truly break the ground. And please save the agony and not say "Tha Carter"

Now is it poor record sales and less bands being given the exposure they deserve? Or is it poor records themselves that cause people to think "no, nothing out of the ordinary about these guys" The future of the record business is up in the air and can go anyway. One of those unpredictable things. Will it make another rebound? Or will it eventually die out? Either way, hopefully we will still have our good 'ol underground punk music to salvage our needs.