AC/DC: The Australian Albums

AC/DC released several albums in their home country before breaking worldwide. These Australian pressings contain different art and exclusive music. For American and European fans, the Australian records provide a fascinating glimpse into the early years of AC/DC.

HIGH VOLTAGE

AC/DC released their debut album on February 17, 1975. The original High Voltage was released in Australia only and bears little resemblance to the international version.

Legions of fans accustomed to seeing Angus grace High Voltage immediately notice the different artwork. The true shocker is the track list. “She’s Got Balls” and “Little Lover” are the only songs the two versions share in common. It is essentially a different album.

Not all of these tracks are rarities. Four tracks from the Australian debut would eventually become part of the ’74 Jailbreak EP. Curious fans would have to wait until 1984, well after Bon’s death. The EP sold a million copies in the US alone, effectively saving the songs from obscurity.

Two tracks remained in the vaults until the 2009 release of the Backtracks box set. “Stick Around” and “Love Song” remain largely unheard by the vast majority of AC/DC fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBOSt4C_xqg

T.N.T.

T.N.T. is the only Australian album without an international counterpart. However, eight tracks from T.N.T. appear on the overseas version of High Voltage. Side one of both records are identical. “T.N.T.,” “Can I Sit Next To You Girl,” and “High Voltage” appear on side two of both releases.

Beyond the unique title and artwork, only two tracks distinguish T.N.T. from High Voltage. “Rocker” would later appear on Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. A cover of Chuck Berry’s “School Days” remained unreleased until the 1997 release of the Bonfire box set.

DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP

In June of 1976, AC/DC released their third Australian album. A cartoon rendering of Bon and Angus graced both the Australian and New Zealand editions.

European and U.S. fans will note the absence of “Love at First Feel.” This AC/DC classic never appeared on an Australian LP. Instead, the song was released as a single with “Problem Child” as a b-side.

The Australian version of Dirty Deeds does, however, contain it’s own rarities. The album is closed out with “Jailbreak.” U.S. audiences would have to wait nearly eight years for the ’74 Jailbreak EP.

“R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)” remains the true rarity from Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. It was eventually given a worldwide release 33 years later as part of Backtracks box set.

LET THERE BE ROCK

Early Australian pressings for Let There Be Rock contain different artwork than the widely released version. Instead of a live band photo, the cover features the unmistakable fret board of a Gibson SG.

Initially, all versions of Let There Be Rock contained an identical track list. Atlantic Records soon worried that “Crabsody in Blue” would offend American audiences. Overly cautious, Bon’s woeful tale of venereal disease was subsequently removed from overseas versions.

POWERAGE

Powerage marks a change in the Australian albums saga. For the first time, Australian and U.S. pressings were identical. Same artwork. Same track list. However, this time it was the EUROPEAN pressing of Powerage that featured a bonus track. Until the release of Backtracks, the only way to own “Cold Hearted Man” was to obtain a UK pressing.

HIGHWAY TO HELL

Highway to Hell revisited the Australian tradition of unique cover art. Flames largely obscure the original group photo and “Highway to Hell” is written on a bass guitar neck. Differences in the versions would be limited to artwork. The track listing is identical across all countries.

AC/DC were truly an international band after the stateside success of Highway to Hell. Subsequent records dropped the concept of unique Australian releases. The Brian Johnson albums are uniform across all countries. Still, collectors with a hankering for obscure releases need only seek out an early Australian pressing.