This High Voltage album is the beginning of the beginning. And it often seems to me that most fans don’t even know it exists. This is to not be confused with the 1976 world wide release by the same name. After banging around the clubs of Australia and still sharing a bit of a glam look, as was the trend down under at the time, the men from Oz released their debut album on an unsuspecting world on Albert Productions.

As a quick side note a single was released by Albert Productions; a very rare 7” single had been released with ‘Can I Sit Next to You Girl/’Rockin in the Parlour. The vocalist prior to Bon, Dave Evans (who lasted about a nano second) sang on this single. It was released in Australia by Albert Productions (beyond rare will command over $500) but there is also a Polydor release for New Zealand, which would easily command over $1000 on the open market. After this single Evans was sacked and Bon (who was a drummer first) was given the opportunity to join.[img][/img]

Upon a first listen to High Voltage you’d probably be surprised at how ‘mellow’ sounding this album is. In many respects this album has only small similarities to the gargantuan machine that AC/DC would become. Songs like ‘Stick Around,’ ‘Show Business’ and ‘Soul Stripper’ show those early nuggets of rawness. ‘She’s Got Balls, an ode to Bon’s wife at the time, appears
here as does ‘Little Lover.’

Both of those songs would make the later world wide release of High Voltage but more about that later. The production here is adequate, but don’t expect it to sound like later releases such as Let There Be Rock or Highway to Hell. Malcolm even played lead guitar on Show Business. At this point in time the rolls we see today hadn’t even been specified.

As was their custom in their live shows cover songs by Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones, and many others would appear. On this album it’s no different with the Joe Williams penned ‘Baby Please Don’t Go.’ A performance of which can be seen on their ‘Plug Me In’ DVD.

Harry Vanda and George Young handled the production duties for this album. That would start older brother George’s rather protective view of his younger brother’s band. He simply didn’t want them to fall victim to music industry incompetence the way his former band ‘The Easybeats’ did. Both Harry and George were veterans of the business and knew the pitfalls. George’s guidance was invaluable to both Malcolm and Angus.

This album sparked a 112 date tour of Australia. AC/DC played everywhere; from Sydney and Melbourne to Greenvalley, Ringwood, Thornberry, Chadstone and dozens of more cities and small towns. The shows often lent themselves to some type of altercation. Whether it was Angus with a heckler or Bon with some poor girl’s lame boyfriend.

However the vision was cast. Straight ahead rock n roll with no B.S. It was about the feel, the volume, and that swinging rhythm. AC/DC had made themselves known to the Aussies but world domination was a long way off.

I don't think I've ever heard this one.

I bought this version on vinyl when I was 13, I was really excited at the time the songs on this version where unreleased.

The album contains one of the few ballads that Bon and AC/DC would pen, 'Love Song' inspired by soon to be Bon's ex wife Irene.

This album has the template established the sound AC/DC would move from day one, Malcolm Young, Phil Rudd, and bassist Mark Evans are tight as a fish's sfincter and Bon's lyrics are both smutty and amusing, with Angus adding the icing on the cake.

From day one this band not only established their sound but their image.

Have only hears a few songs off this that appeared on other releases. Some of it only sounds like AC/DC due to the vocals, with Love Song almost a more singer/songwriter folky type song.

Way cool!! AC/DC thread!! This is one of the bands that got me into hard rock as a wee lad, so I've been lookin' forward to geeking out on their discog!!

Anyway... it wasn't till fairly recently (early 90s maybe) that I even knew that there were "alternate versions" of AC/DC's first couple of records.

I have only seen one copy of this edition of HIGH VOLTAGE in my life, at a record swap years ago. I almost bought it since it was cheap, but it also was severely damaged...the spine was being held together with duct tape (!) and the sleeve looked like somebody's dog had been using it as a chew toy. The LP itself appeared as if it had laid down in someone's gravel driveway for awhile. Figuring that it would be an unplayable clusterf*ck when I got it home, I skipped it, and it's bothered me ever since that I did so. I probably should've bought it just to have as a curiosity item.

However, I recently came across a wicked cool bootleg compilation called RARE...RARER...RARITIES which is made up of all the "extra" or "unreleased" tracks from the Australian AC/DC editions, including HIGH VOLTAGE. Some very neat stuff; as a longtime fan/geek it was incredibly cool to find such a treasure trove of "lost" Bon Scott material. "Love Song," as several people have already said, shows an entirely different side of Bon Scott from what we're used to.

That same bootleg also has the two songs from the first 7-inch single they recorded with Dave Evans on vocals... all I can say about those tracks is... ehh... they're fascinating from a historical perspective, but it's a good thing the band got together with Bon Scott, cuz I doubt that AC/DC would've ever become the force that they did with Mr. Evans at the front.

I finally gotta hold of this version and I totally dig it!!!!

The first time I saw this album was 1981 in Musicland of all places. Not quite what came next, however there is still some cool stuff here.

Yeah 'Love Song' is not your typical AC/DC number at all.... A REAL ballad.... The Carpenters???? LOL


You can also check out Bon Scott's stuff with The Valentines and Fraternity. The Valentines are another 'pop' group, 60's style. Fraternity however was a bit more Rock N Roll. You can find all kinds of comps of this old stuff on CD.

When we get some of the other albums with multi versions I mention what was different and such.....

Have heard about the single, never seen it anyplace. I have the lp version of "High Voltage" from Australia. I have seen a cd of early Bon Scott stuff before AC/DC. Figure the songs on it are the Fraternity and Valentine stuff you entioned. Watched a clip on YouTube of a Fraternity song. Bon did backing vocals. Is that stuff worth getting ?

Laterz

The Valentines stuff is not worth getting, and Bon dismissed that early part of his career, Fraternity on the other hand was a good band that where very influenced by the Band, Bon creatively felt very closed off since he both lyrics and melodies where rejected by boys in Fraternity.

Great album. I don't own this one but I have heard all of the songs except Love Song. If I can get them cheap enough I'd like to get the Australian versions eventually.

Great album. I picked this up at a flea market for three euros a couple of years ago. It's one my favorite AC/DC discs actually.

Can someone post the tracklist for this version? Thanks.

I have both this and TNT on vinyl (as well as all of them up to and including Who Made Who). I got my High Voltage and TNT records from a friend in the summer of 1980 when he went to Germany on a holiday. He saw them as an import there and picked them up. My copy of TNT is the gatefold version with lyrics and photos inside. But I'm getting a little ahead of the thread...

High Voltage is a great debut, as the band seems to be trying out different things musically and seems to have the least of the trademark sound that they would soon adopt. Have not heard the single either.

Yes they did release that song along with 'Stick Around' that was also on this debut album

Does this Australian version of High Voltage exist on cd or was this a vinyl only release? I'd like to get this.

It exists but it's usually a pretty penny.

I was bidding on one the other day, but I messed up and lost it. It actually only went for $16. Unless you go on amazon where its like $50

I have this and I like it, it is mellow but still a good album nonetheless.