Dave
Evans originally arrived in Australia from
Carmarthen Wales, aged 5, and settled in North Queensland with his
family.
After forming his first band In Session in Charters Towers when he
was 17 Dave moved to Sydney where he helped form a band (no name
yet!) with Malcolm Young, Colin Burgess and Larry van Kriedt - a
week later Malcolm's younger brother Angus joined. Malcolm and
Angus' sister-in-law Sandra came up with the name AC/DC - to
signify power and energy - and so one of the greatest rock and roll
bands ever was born!
AC/DC's first gig was at Chequers Nightclub in Sydney on New Years
Eve 1973 and the band went on to attract a strong live following in
the next few months before recording their first single - "Can I
Sit Next To You Girl?" b/w "Rocking In The Parlour".
At this time Angus started wearing his now famous schoolboy uniform
and with their single racing up the national charts AC/DC undertook
a gruelling tour beginning at the Sydney Opera House and then
playing to packed houses all around Australia. Life on the road is
tough for any band and frictions and egos increased steadily until
a punch-up between Evans and their manager made life on tour
unbearable - and a split between Evans and AC/DC became
inevitable.
Bon Scott was a friend of Malcolm and Angus' elder brother George
Young (a member of the legendary Easybeats - "Friday On My Mind"
and others - and a well-known Australian record producer with Harry
Vanda) and had seen the band perform in Adelaide. He agreed to join
AC/DC, by this stage one of the most promising and exciting rock
bands in Australia, and he and the band went on to rock 'n' roll
immortality as one of the biggest bands in the world.
After parting ways with AC/DC Dave Evans moved to Newcastle just
north of Sydney and joined up and coming hard rock outfit Rabbit in
early 1975. Rabbit were already the number one rock band in
Newcastle and the surrounding area and Dave had seen them
performing at Chequers nightclub in Sydney and was impressed with
their confronting stage presence.
It wasn't long until they had signed with CBS records and recorded
their first album "Rabbit" which had some success. In 1976 they
recorded the album "Too Much Rock And Roll" and with their
appearances on the numerous television pop/rock shows this album
launched them into national popularity.
Rabbit were described as frenetic, violently hedonistic and Dave
himself was described as savagely heterosexual. Rabbit after-show
parties were always wild affairs and popular with friends, fans and
groupies.
The "Too Much Rock And Roll" album was then distributed in Japan,
Germany, France, Luxembourg, Holland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and
Denmark. Although sales were steady Rabbit did not tour these
countries as two members called it quits after a grueling three
month Australian tour. The band continued after adding a new
drummer and released the single "Let Me" but it wasn't the same
feeling without the two original members and the band folded in
1978.
Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under was formed in 1984 and he
signed with independent label Reaction Records and released the
album "Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under".
After Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under split a couple of years
later, Dave pursued an acting career with roles in small production
Australian films plus working in live theatre.
In early 2000 Dave was invited to be a special guest for Melbourne
AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck for their 20th anniversary
memorial gig for Bon Scott. This special occasion was recorded live
and the "A Hell of a Night" CD was released through Perris
Records.
Dave has since performed in Europe and the USA as a solo artist. In
2008 Dave Evans signed his album "Judgement Day" to German Label
STF Records The album has received great reviews throughout Europe
and is quintessential hard driving classic rock loved the world
over.
In 2009 Dave Evans signed a global distribution and publishing
agreement with leading Australian indie power house label Blue Pie
for his classic rock album "Sinner". The album is widely regarded
as a modern day rock and roll masterpiece.
The album has achieved many nominations with more to follow. The
track "Sold my Soul to Rock and Roll" was the 1st single to be
lifted from the album and has been promoted to radio and media
globally from July 2009 onwards. The track was also nominated at
the LA Music Awards for best rock song.
The latest great news is that the Judgement Day album will be
released in April 2010 through Rocksector records and Dave will be
touring with a UK-version of The Badasses to support it.
Discography:
Revenge with John Nitzinger (2013)
Judgement Day (2008)
Sinner (2006)
A Hell Of A Night (2000)
Dave Evans and THUNDER DOWN UNDER (1984)
Too Much Rock n Roll with RABBIT (1976)
Let Me / Kiss Me Goodnight with RABBIT (single)
(1976)
Rabbit with Newcastle, Australia's wild and hedonistic RABBIT
(1975)
Can I Sit Next To You, Girl? / Rockin' In The Parlour with AC/DC
(single) (1974)
Genre:
Hard Rock
Band members:
Dave Evans and The Aussie Badasses
Based in:
Australia