Dirty Deeds looking to shake up Coshocton concert series

COSHOCTON − Providing the most complete experience possible for a rock group with two distinct eras is the goal of Dirty Deeds Xtreme, a tribute act to AC/DC.

Dirty Deeds, named for one of AC/DC's hit tunes, will perform for free concert at 6:30 p.m. July 15, on the Coshocton Court Square as the second show in the second annual summer concert series. The Jason Fisher Memorial Car Show will be prior with awards given at 4:45 p.m. Registration is $10. Bad Animals, a Heart tribute act, drew about 2,500 attendees for the first concert of the series in June.

AC/DC formed in Australia in 1973 under lead guitarist Angus Young and his brother, rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young. After lead singer Bon Scott died in 1980, Brian Johnson took over and the band went onto new heights. The band, still touring today, has had several platinum albums and top 40 hits. Memorable songs include "T.N.T.," "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Highway to Hell," "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Back in Black" "For Those About to Rock" and "Thunderstruck" among others.

Dirty Deeds of Cleveland does two separate concerts for each show, one devoted to the Bon Scott era and the other centered on the Brian Johnson era. This includes changes of stage set, props and costumes. John Welch plays both lead singers with Freddy DeMarco as Angus Young, Wags Wagner as Malcolm Young, Mark Matthews as bassist Cliff Williams and Bobby Stocker as drummer Phil Rudd. The members had been part of other AC/DC tribute acts until forming this lineup about a decade ago.

"It's the integrity of the music. The songs just rock. I think most of their material was written from the heart and people can feel that. They weren't trying to reinvent the wheel and make the most complicates songs," DeMarco said on the lasting appeal of AC/DC. "They just wrote so many hits that are so fun to play. It's tongue in cheek music, but it's done with a lot of integrity. It doesn't sound like studio producers put it together like 'the kids are going to love this.'"

DeMarco said they pride themselves on energy and non-stop action during shows. He said most AC/DC tribute acts devote themselves to one era or the other and throw in some songs from the other era. What separates Dirty Deeds in his mind is their attention to detail and devotion to both distinct eras. DeMarco is proud of having the endorsement of Mike Andy, former AC/DC tour manager.

"You will hear very vintage AC/DC to the more '80s to now AC/DC. The '70s sound they had was different and we really take pride in being authentic with the energy and the sound," DeMarco said. "The players are all guys who could do studio work, so it's a band that we feel does a good job of nailing the parts, but then the energy on stage is there."

While tribute acts have been around in some form since the dawn of popular music, DeMarco admits there seems to have been an explosion in the last 15 to 20 years. A lot of that has to do with older acts having members who have died or not touring anymore. And when they do tour, it's a few shows in major venues.

"The responsibility of a tribute act is to recreate the experience. The musicianship has to be able to match, but so does the show and some of the mannerisms," DeMarco said. "I don't think of it as being cheesy. Like 'look at this guy being an imposter.' I think of it more like taking on a Broadway role. If I'm on Broadway, I'm not really that person up there, I'm acting. It's like that, but I feel it."

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Dirty Deeds looking to shake up Coshocton concert series