Ian Hunter & The Rant Band + Federal Charm @ Shepherd's Bush Empire, London Oct 04 2014

Ian Hunter & The Rant Band + Federal Charm @ Shepherd's Bush Empire, London Oct 04 2014

 Federal Charm

ROCKERPARIS in London for the week end, we're gonna change our name to ROCKERLONDON  soon. This afternoon we went to AC/DC's video shooting of the song "Rock or Bust", we had plan to see Ian Hunter @ Shepher's Bush, good thing we were back in the Bush very early so we could catch support band FEDERAL CHARM, great band and great set, the singer sounds a bit like Paul Rodgers and the music is Classic Rock, like a young and rejuvenated Bad Co. They ended their set with a rocking rendition of Jeff Beck's "Going Down".

Ian Hunter is playing his annual show @ The Bush with his own band The Rant band. The audience is very, very old... 90% male with grey hair or bald. We have nice seats at the balcony, I've been told the guys from Classic Rock mag were just behind us.
I'm too familiar with Ian Hunter's solo career and repertoire but most of it are really good songs, he looks terrific with his blond hair and shades, remember he's probably 73 years old now. The voice is still there... and the attitude. "Once bitten twice shy" covered by Great White is played very early in the set.
For most of the set Ian is on acoustic but it's rocking as there are two electric guitar players in the band. There's a part when he's on piano with a great version of "All the way from Memphis".

For the encore Mick Ralphs is joining Ian without even being introduced but he's a legend over there in England so no need for introduction. "All The young Dudes" is getting the audience singing even support band Federal Charm is joining in.
great two hour set.

 With special guest Mick Ralphs

 Merchandising

 Setlist (may be not accurate)

AC/DC Video shooting "Rock or Bust" @ Black Island Studios, London Oct 04 2014

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AC/DC Video shooting "Rock or Bust" @ Black Island Studios, London Oct 04 2014

Black Island studios in London, release form,

A few days ago the official AC/DC website set up a competition to win tickets to be part of the audience for the video shooting of AC/DC's next single.

Thanks to our English contact you could secure one ticket.
Meeting place was in front of the Apollo Victoria theatre next to the Victoria Train Station at noon on this Saturday, we are being told that "Play ball" has been recorded on Friday with no audience and that we'll be part of the second single "Rock or Bust" and name of the new album.

It is confirmed with the papers that we have to sign in the coach on our way to the secret location (Island Studios in Acton ).

 Waiting room (far left)

Lots of people, around 400 are waiting in a huge room where the MC for the afternoon is playing us "Rock or Bust" a couple of times, great rock song, typical AC/DC, sounded a bit better than "Play ball" even though we still haven't heard the first single in its entirety.
He's telling us that Malcolm is not there, for obvious reasons, no one is surprised. But the real let down was that Phil Rudd couldn't make his flight back in London as he had to go home for "Family reasons", What the fuck !!! Just hope there's nothing serious for Phil.

AC/DC without Malcolm and without Phil , there's only Angus left from the original band...just like on the "Blow up your video" American Tour.

 Stevie Young (far left) and Angus Young signing

Security is taking us to the main studio, central stage and stalls all around, just like a circus (see pics below).

The band is welcomed with opened arms and a the members are walking just past us to go to the stage fans are shaking hands with the boys. We're telling Stevie: "Welcome in AC/DC" which is welcome with a big smile and a "thank you".
The band is playing two takes (with Bob Richards on drums) before taking a short break. 6 takes in all including one without Brian and Angus.
Between takes Brian is having a few words with the audience talking about Malcolm and Phil.
I guess they knew about Phil at the last minute as I've been told that Bob Richards was called on thursday to cover for Phil and didn't rehearse at all with the boys,  the first video was recorded the day after his arrival (on Friday for "Play Ball" without any audience).

After seeing them miming to the song, I could really see how easy it is to fool people, specially with all these bands who are now playing with tapes for the music (any names ?) or the vocals ( Madonna, Britney or Roger Waters).

The boys are on top form, Stevie is really enjoying himself like a kid even though Angus seemed a bit tired at the end of the 6 takes.
David Mallet , who has recorded and directed many live shows and videos for AC/DC is in charge once again and is standing just before us during the video recording.

The lyrics "In Rock we Trust, Rock or Bust" for the chorus , not sure if Bob Dylan would have approved that simplicity  (just kidding !).

 Still signing stuff

After 6 takes we're told that we're done and it's time to go back to London, some of us are a bit disappointed as we were expecting a much longer recording, we're out by 4:00pm.
Bob is nice with everybody posing for pics and signing stuff, we didn't see Cliff and Brian as we were chatting with frinds in another part of the studios.
Angus signed for a very long time which was really nice.

Fantastic to see the boys in such an intimate place.

 Bob Richards,  Drummer in AC/DC for two days

 Pass sheet signed by one time drummer in AC/DC  Bob Richards / (c) http://acdc-abruzzo.blogspot.fr/ (c) AC/DC official

As we're out very early we're going straight to the Shepherd's Bush Empire to attend Ian Hunter's concert.
Lovely day !