Former AC/DC Bassist MARK EVANS Recalls Band's 1976 Debut U.K. Gig

Classic-era AC/DC bassist Mark Evans has written "Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside AC/DC", a humorous and honest account of his years with the band. The book is scheduled for November 2011 release in North America, and is currently available for preorder with a limited color metal badge from publisher Bazillion Points.

For more information, visit www.dirtydeedsbook.com.

Among many standout episodes in the book, Evans recounts AC/DC's first London gig, on April 23, 1976, after making the big move from Australia.

"Gig time at the Red Cow was approaching and the crowd, if you could call it that, was very thin," he writes. "There were maybe thirty people in the room. We didn't care; we were playing again and our vibe was sky-high. Angus [Young], who could be very jumpy before a gig, was as happy as I'd ever seen him. He was vibing and smiling up large, flashing those god-awful teeth of his. We were ready, in control of our emotions, as always, but there was this pent-up emotion that was palpable. If I was to point to one moment in my time with AC/DC when we felt like brothers, well, this was it. This really felt like the start of something, even if were playing to thirty drunken punters at the Red Cow. They had no idea what was about to hit them.

"We opened with 'Live Wire'. My bass intro drifted in the air, Mal's [guitarist Malcolm Young] ominous guitar chords joined in, Phil's [Rudd, drums] hi-hat cymbals tapped away and then the song exploded when Angus and the drums absolutely fucking erupted. I felt like I was lifted off the ground, it was that powerful. It just sounded so much like AC/DC. That may seem to be a ridiculous thing to say, but we hadn't played a gig for ages and we were ready to make a statement. There was that great feeling of power; not the chaotic, noisy, out-of-control power that is very common in bands, but the AC/DC brand of power. We were back and firing and Bon [Scott, vocals] hadn't even opened his trap yet.

"Our thirty or so new friends from the Red Cow were firing, too; they were well into it. I'm not sure what they made of the barrage but we certainly got their attention. After the first set we were surprised to see people leaving. In fact, most of them disappeared, which did seem strange. The few that remained were refreshing their drinks or making calls on the public phone. We shrugged it off. However, as the second set neared, the crowd started to build up again. The punters that were there at the start had returned with their mates. The place was full by the time we got back onstage. Clearly we were on our way...."

At nineteen years old in 1975, Mark Evans joined AC/DC, one of the hardest-working and loudest barroom bands in Australia. His memoir, "Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside Of AC/DC", is the first bio written by a band insider during the early years, giving insight into the struggles and camaraderie that fueled the rise of hard rock's most successful group. His likeable stories capture the energy and essence of Malcolm Young, Angus Young, Phil Rudd, and the late Bon Scott.