Rough Edge: Dave Evans CD Reviews

DAVE EVANS

"Judgement Day" (KOCH; 2008)

Dave Evan's "Judgement Day," is another collection of unapologetically stripped-down and irresistible hard rock songs.

The opening track, "We Don't Dance to Your Song," sets the tone for the entire CD with its rebellious attitude and driving rock sound. The tunes that follow run from the serious ("Another Boy on the Street") to the just plain fun ("Little Headbanger," "Band Molls") to in-your-face ("You Talkin' To Me") to the surprisingly poignant and powerful "Ain't Gonna Do You To Me."

Throughout, Evans sounds great. His vocal style is re-strained yet strong ... sort of like Ronnie James Dio without the operatics ... and his raw talent fits particularly well with the songs that probably gave him his nickname: "The King of All Bad Asses."

The CD ends with a rousing cover of "House of the Rising Sun." Many artists have covered it, some successfully, some not so much. Thankfully, Evans' version falls into the former category.

"Judgement Day" may not offer much in the originality department but I never expected it to. It is unabashedly what it is and I love it for that.

Performing on "Judgement Day" are: Dave Evans - lead vocals; Ngariki - lead guitar; Steve "Mac" McLennon - drums; Craig Foster - bass; Mark Tinson - Rhythm Guitar; Travor Dare - Capo Guitar.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/daveevansrocks or http://www.daveevansrocks.com.

"Sinner" (Heart Attack / Perris; 2004)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

As mentioned below, Dave Evans was the original vocalist for AC/DC. "Sinner" is his latest CD (he's also appeared in bands like Australia's popular Rabbit) and it's a rock solid collection of engaging hard rockers that are unashamed to just rock and roll blindly forward, kicking ass, taking names and not bothering to look back.

Thankfully, "Sinner" isn't one of those CDs that tries to sound like the famous band that Evans helped found. It fits the genre, of course, with its loud guitars, crushing drums and bass and rock anthem lyrics (in songs like "Rock'n'Roll Or Bust" and "Sold My Soul to Rock'n'Roll") but it isn't just an AC/DC clone. Instead, it's a solid, old school hard rock record that fans of classic bands of the 80s and early 90s will immediately respond to.

Evans' voice still sounds pretty damn good, too. It's strong enough to carry the all important choruses yet still has that rough edge that gives many of the songs more grit than they might otherwise have.

The best songs here are "Back on the Firing Line" (which will enter your psyche and refuse to leave), the dynamic anthem "Only the Good Die Young" and the admittedly cheesy but hard to resist "Rock'N'Roll Or Bust." But there aren't any bad songs on the CD, either.

Cool to own for more than just its historical value, "Sinner" is a lot of fun to listen to.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/daveevansrocks or http://www.daveevansrocks.com.

"A Hell of a Night" (Perris; 2002)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

Here's a rare, and certainly eyebrow-lifting, treat. A live performance by Dave Evans, the original vocalist for AC/DC (that's right - he was replaced by the legendary Bon Scott just as the band began recording) during the 20th Anniversary Memorial Concert honoring Scott. With popular AC/DC Tribute band Thunderstruck on stage with him, Evans celebrates the memory of the late Bon Scott by playing some great AC/DC classics, including big hits like "Rock'n'Roll Singer," "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock'n'Roll)" 'T.N.T.," "Ride On" and "Highway to Hell."

What's interesting is that "A Hell of a Night" is a damn good record. Thunderstruck has obviously honed their AC/DC impression to perfection and Evans, even all these years later, still sounds pretty good.

AC/DC completists will want to pick up this intriguing piece of rock'n'roll history just to keep their collection intact, but others may want to pick it up for a couple of reasons. 1) It is an interesting and entertaining piece of heavy metal history and 2) it really kicks some ass.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/daveevansrocks or http://www.daveevansrocks.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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