This coming November modern day rock heroes Kingswood are gearing up to share the stage Australian rock royalty AC/DC having recently been announced as the main support for the blockbuster ‘Rock Or Bust’ tour.

It’s a busy time for Kingswood as they’ve also announced a number of live regional headline shows across the country throughout October, November and December. To celebrate, the band will be releasing a deluxe edition of their ARIA nominated debut album Microscopic Wars to be released October 30, via Dew Process and UMA.

Ahead of the tours we caught up with the band’s bass player Mango Hunter to chat about the greatest AC/DC records of all time. For more info on their upcoming show visit the band’s Facebook page.

#1 Highway to Hell (1979)

“As solid as a rock album that you will hear, ever. Start to finish this album is laden with hard, gritty, 4 to the floor rock tunes.  So many classic tunes. ‘If You Want Blood’, Girls Got Rythym, Night Prowler, Touch To Much, Highway to Hell. So bloody good. ACDC are clearly the worlds best straight up Rock band.

Bon’s strongest album, lyrically and melodically. It was really the album where they started to hit their stride and refine their sound away from the earlier 50s and 60s rythym and blues styled rock and into straight “hard rock”,  as the kids are calling it these days.

Every riff, every chorus, every crash just hits you in all the right places. Such masterfully crafted songs of a band who played to their strengths. Such a shame that this was the last album with Bon.”

#2 If You Want Blood – Live Album (1978)

“Not only is this a great live album by the band, in my opinion, it’s one of the best live rock albums of all time. So much raw energy captured on this album.

The band are super tight and everyone is right on top of their game. As opposed to on some of the studio recorded albums, this is the album for me that you really appreciate how good Malcom and Angus were together, also how tight the Rythym section is in general.

You can hear the crowd responding and feeding off Bon Scott. It’s apparent that back in the day crowds actually went to a rock show to fully experience the show -not record a poor sound quality video on their Phone so that they can watch 20 seconds of it two weeks later and then delete it.

Angus’ solo in ‘Let There be Rock’ are so epic, definitely one of the greatest, most influential guitarists of all time. Problem Child is amazing. Angus is an absolute freak.”

#3 Back In Black (1980)

“Amazing that this album was released a year after Highway to Hell. Another start to finish solid album with absolutely no filler.

The first album without Bon Scott, ultimately saw them take a swing to more straight rock whilst straying away from Bon’s blues influence. Whilst not portraying as much swagger and perhaps not as raw and poetic as Bon, I think Brian may have made the band more accessible to the masses with his lyrics and melodies.

Let it be know that I am a Bon man. But kudos to Brian for coming into an already well established band and taking over from one of the World’s best frontmen. So many classic AC/DC tracks on Back In Black: ‘Hells Bells’, ‘Shake A Leg’, ‘Let Me Put My Love Into You’ and ‘Shoot To Thrill’. ‘Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution’ was one of my favourite songs as a kid.”

#4 Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)

“Classic album. The guitar solo in ‘Squealer’ is probably one of my favourite Angus solo’s of all time. Go and Listen to it now!

Love the laid-back groove and Bon’s raw emotive lyrics in ‘Ride On’. ‘Ride On’ is possibly one of my favourite AC/DC songs. A very Australian rock and roll album.”

#5 High Voltage (1975)

“Fairly solid debut album. ‘High Voltage’ is a cracking song. A few nonchalant moments throughout but it captures what the band were setting out to achieve and highlights how well they all played with each other.

Amazing to think how hard bands used to work back in the day. They used to play three sets a day, sometimes at different venues day in day out.

It would have been an amazing time back to be in a band and a music lover. Well before craft beers, over priced cocktails, american asian infused with a twist of Polish Russian tapas  in hipster bars styled by sydney socialites. And when there were and more than five pubs in Sydney with a live music licence.”

#6 The Razors Edge (1990)

“Their best album post Back In Black. So many hits. ‘Thunderstruck’, ‘Money Talks’, ‘Fire Your Guns’, ‘Are You Ready’ and ‘Mistress For Christmas’.

The title track, ‘The Razors Edge’, is one of the highlights for me on this album. It’s the most metal song they ever recorded.

Side note, just to pump up the word count. I recall my older brother went through a phase of singing the chorus to ‘Got You By The Balls’ ”  whilst grabbing his balls, before launching off a variety of rocks, bridges, ledges or cliffs into Morses creek, Ovens and Buckand rivers.”

Upcoming Tour Dates

Thurs 5 Nov | Cambridge Hotel | Newcastle
Tickets

Fri 6 Nov – Waves | Wollongong 
Tickets

Wed 4 & Sat 7 Nov|  ANZ Stadium | Sydney
Supporting ACDC

Thurs 12 & Sat 14 Nov | QSAC | Brisbane
Supporting ACDC

Sat 21 Nov | Adelaide Oval | Adelaide
Supporting ACDC

Fri 27 & Sun 29 Nov | Domain Stadium | Perth
Supporting ACDC

Sun 6 & Tues 8 December | Etihad Stadium | Melbourne
Supporting ACDC

Fri 27 Nov | Jack Rabbit Slims | Northbridge

29th Dec – 1st of Jan | Beyond The Valley Festival 

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