A shot in the dark
First off, if you follow me through my music and craft beer Twitter account, you’ll assuredly recognize the headline: Blazing lyrics off “Shot In The Dark,” the first new AC/DC single in six years and a triumphant return to form for perhaps the greatest rock band on the planet (not best, mind you — although I am indeed biased —but greatest!). It comes out ahead of the band’s first album in six years, the aptly named “Power Up” — set to be released on November 13th, in fact. I’ve been playing it nonstop since it hit Tuesday at midnight, and that won’t be stopping soon. AC/DC were, as I say, my first favorite band — posters, DVDs, T-shirts, books, a 2008 school night concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills … the whole nine yards. I adored the band’s work ethic and determination then, and I still do now. The original titans of rock don’t reallly sound anything like my standby bands of today (The National, Future Islands, et. al), but then again, they don’t really sound like any other band to ever pick up guitars, and that’s a great thing. Rest assured that this isn’t turning into an AC/DC fan newsletter, but we’ll still keep with the theme of what to wear, sip and spin all weekend long. It’s with the spirit of AC/DC in mind that I’m urging you to “power up” into your weekend with some rock-ready menswear, a terrific whiskey and one heck of a great new AC/DC track. Cheers, my friends.
What To Listen To This Weekend: “Shot In The Dark” By AC/DC
This marks AC/DC’s first appearance in this newsletter (although they occasionally pop up when I talk music on my regular blog, The Style Guide), but the Thunder From Down Under have been a driving force in my life long before now. As I said earlier, they were such a consistent and powerful band, always there in my headphones, through the stereo of my Ford Taurus and booming out through the high school football weight room and in my dad’s truck. In fact, it’s my dad I’ve got to thank for introducing me to this legendary band — we listened to the 1991 “AC/DC Live At Donington” album and also watched the famed live DVD for hours at a time before I dove into Bon Scott-era classics like “Powerage” and legendary Brian Johnson albums like “The Razors Edge.”
I was enthralled with the band’s story, with the legendary intensity of long-gone frontman Bon Scott, and with the band’s ever-triumphant, all-time great return on “Back In Black.” I spent hours and hours in college scouring YouTube for old videos, eventually buying live DVDs and then in triumphant fashion, seeing them in 2015 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. The following summer, I even trekked down to Florida to see them with my dad as Axl Rose took over for Brian Johnson on the mic following Johnson’s battle with hearing loss (remedied now with modern medicine, remarkably!). The fact that they’ve stuck around — and are now back with a classic lineup featuring Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd on drums, Cliff Williams on bass and Angus — is a testament to dedication, work ethic, passion and so much more. Cliff Williams’ return to the band following retirement is a sign they really still have it going on, and Phil Rudd’s acceptance back into the famed group following legal troubles earlier this decade is also admirable.
Speaking of admirable: Stevie Young really has done an admirable job filling in for his uncle Malcolm Young since the legendary Mal passed away from dementia in 2017. Angus himself said in an interview with Rolling Stone Malcolm is always with the band in spirit, and for two brothers who built an incredible rock n’roll empire, that’s an amazing thing. I could go on and on and on, but for now, know that “Shot In The Dark” is a blistering, blazing return to form, featuring a killer solo, sturdy-as-heck rhythm playing by Stevie Young and ripping vocals from Mr. Johnson. Heck, you might even say they’re … Back In Black. Then again, did they ever leave?
What To Shop This Weekend: American Giant Mechanic’s Jacket
Stick with me on this one for a second, because it’s with legendary AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson in mind that I’m recommending you pick up the American Giant Mechanic’s Jacket. Before striking it big with AC/DC and nailing his rehearsal following Bon Scott’s tragic death, Johnson worked installing car roofs, and while his trademark newsboy cap would also be a fitting fall style pick, it’s this rugged mechanic’s jacket that offers up a dash of inspired, no-nonsense style. This is the kind of jacket I’d look forward to wearing to a rock concert in the Before Times, but right now, I just know it’ll do very well to pick up some cold beer as I crank AC/DC on my Tivoli Audio Revive speaker (you can read my review at Maxim for the lowdown). Yes indeed, if it’s one of the coolest fall jackets you seek, you can hardly go wrong here.
Shop American Giant
What To Sip This Weekend: Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century Whiskey via Drizly
Mark my words, it’s been said that AC/DC are the world’s best bar band, and when you pen hard-charging, good-time songs like “Have A Drink On Me,” it’s very tough indeed to argue with that sentiment. It’s with that sort of “whiskey, gin & brandy, with a glass I’m pretty handy” ethos that I’m recommending a whiskey I think Mr. Brian Johnson himself would surely enjoy. There’s no word on what whiskey the legendary singer himself sips on, but Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century Whiskey seems like it would get Johnson’s approval, given its throwback ties, its premium craftsmanship and its seriously cool packaging. Call it an investment-level whiskey or call it one of the best bottles of whiskey to enjoy this fall, but just rest assured that it can be yours (for a price) if you snap it up via Drizly delivery service. Have a drink on me tonight, will ya?
The Final Pick: Taylor Stitch Moto Boots in Classic Pebble Grain
It’s once again with AC/DC and with rock n’roll style in mind that I’m recommending you snap up some rugged leather boots from my friends at San Francisco-based Taylor Stitch. These are the kind of tough leather boots I’d love to wear to a rock concert (notice that theme popping up again?), but for now, they’ll do just fine for my fall excursions around Brooklyn — and your own adventures in your neck of the woods. It’s pretty great that Taylor Stitch makes some of the best men’s boots to go along with a full lineup of Taylor Stitch Essentials, and in my estimation, rock concert or not, you can’t go wrong with some of the best boots for fall. Would Angus wear these? He’s more of a Converse man, but the next time I see AC/DC (in late 2021!?), I’ll look to lace up some of the best boots for a rock concert.
Are you feeling amped up and ready to rock this weekend? In these strange and unprecedented times, I’ve found the powerful, no-nonsense music of AC/DC to be the right kind of pick-me-up to plant me on my feet and get me thinking and moving in the right direction. It seems it’s always been that way through the years, and I couldn’t be happier to have this legendary rock band *back in black* to light up the darkness with high-voltage rock, as it were.
If you feel the same way, definitely reach out to me on Twitter. For now, I’ll be coveting the Taylor Stitch Moto Boots in Classic Pebble Grain and hatching my plan to pick up some Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century Whiskey, perhaps while wearing my new American Giant Mechanic’s Jacket (add it to the wish list!). Who’s with me on that? And one more thing: If you’re looking for a final dispatch to lead you into the weekend, might I recommend my guide to the best fall and winter sunglasses for Maxim? You really can’t go wrong there, my friends. Thanks for reading, thanks for subscribing, feel free to check out today’s Style Pick of the Week on my blog, and most of all … rock on. After all, as Brian Johnson sings, “A shot in the dark make ya feel alright.” Amen to that!