Pure Punk Picks
“What’s Next To The Moon?” – AC/DC
About 39 years ago or so, Andy Bang and I were going to punk show. And Andy, being the technology person he was and is, could make cassette tapes off of his vinyl albums and then play them in his car.
One night as we were heading to the The Rat or The Channel, (Andy always drove), or one of the many clubs that have come and gone- he asked me if I wanted to listen to an AC/DC album?
“Not really,” I replied, “They’re heavy metal. I only like punk.” (At the time, in the music papers, they were called, incorrectly, heavy metal.)
“Well, give it a listen,” he said. “And if you don’t like it. I can play something else.”
It was their album “Powerage”, released in ’78.
The first song was the great, kick ass tune “Rock’N’Roll Damnation,” somewhat later was the intense, “Sin City.”
This was nowhere near the “metal” I was accustomed to. The lead singer did not have a high, operatic voice- this guy was closer to Iggy, with passionate, foaming at the mouth vocals. And the rhythm section just rocked mightily playing straight ahead rockin’ beats, unlike the complicated rhythms the metal bands and prog rock bands played at the time.
The lyrics did not convey any fanciful, flights across the universe on the back of a bumblebee or having intercourse with a unicorn amongst the rings of Saturn- no cosmic, LSD inspired fantasies, so popular with the prog rocks bands at the time I hated- like ELP, Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd.
Instead this band dealt with more down to earth, gritty, working class themes and concerns.
I was easily sold.
And then “What’s Next To The Moon,” sprung out of Andy’s car speakers.
This song conjures up a desperado swinging open the doors of a saloon and then everything is quiet for a moment. But when the doors stop swinging, everyone’s attention is drawn.
The tension builds but then releases when all hell breaks loose. Bottles are smashed on top of heads, chairs are, too. Bullets rip through the air and through flesh. The beat of this song hits with such a swinging backbeat that death is such a small part to pay for the sweet enjoyment of hearing it.
With a simple, five-note guitar lick and a throbbing, thudding rhythm- these disturbing lyrics spring out. “Well, I tied my baby to the railroad tracks, cannonball down the line. Giving that a-woman just a one more chance, to give it to me one more time. Engineer wishing he was home in bed, dreaming about Casey Jones. Wide-eyed woman half a mile ahead- thinking ’bout broken bones.” The rhythm of the lyrics of this song falls like a classic Chuck Berry tune and is steeped deep in the blues, but I really can’t condone lyrics that imply coerced rape and murder!
Than the next part goes: “It’s your love that I want. It’s your love that I need. It’s your love got to have. It’s your love.” All of a sudden the lyrics could be from a sentimental Neil Sedaka song, from a Wallmark card, a yearning for true love! And since you don’t know who Neil is, let’s go with Elton John- just words that could be from a typical, romantic song.
But the passion, the desire, the emotion hits strong in that chorus until the singer asks- inappropriate to anything- “But what’s next to the moon?”
Then the beat spirals out a bit, sounding like the song might be getting psychedelic, like some Beatles song off of Abbey Road- but then it’s reigned in again with a strong, blues lick once more.
The music builds in a powerful, intense groove with only the title of the song giving any release, but this time it’s just repeated offering no respite.
Inappropriate lyrics aside, this song kicks ass strongly and mightily.
Along with Motorhead, another band that I read was metal (and another band that was introduced to me in Andy’s car!)
These bands showed that music that might be misconstrued as metal was equal to the best and most uncompromising punk at the time.
That this was music that was honest, powerful and full of passion and fun- as much as punk or the soon to be emerging hardcore that was arriving momentarily.
And that one day, when I came to write about the punk songs that inspired me the most. That somehow, this song, would sneak in and though, that most would be surprised it landed in my choices. Well, to me there’s no surprise at all. And to Mr. Bang, it’d be a given.
So what’s next to the moon, after all?
Fuck if I know.
Perhaps it’s some prog rockers fucking unicorns on Saturn.
(Slimedog)
