Runnin' Wild - Airbourne (Single)

Back in 2003, deep within the bowels of southern Australia, genetic scientists began work on combining the DNA of their two greatest rock and roll exports, in order to bring fame and fortune back to the Australian rock scene. Taking the vocal talents of the late legendry singer Bon Scott of AC/DC fame, courtesy of a toe nail kept by an obsessive fan, and the frantic playing style of Bon’s cohort Angus Young also of AC/DC fame, the resulting experiment brought to the world Joel O’Keeffe. With the boundless energy of a Duracell bunny and an attitude to rock till he drops, Joel along with his brother Ryan went on to form the rock band Airbourne, and began to take the rock scene of the world by storm.

Taking To The Skies

As a frequent listener of the digital radio station Planet Rock whilst at work, I’m given the opportunity to listen to a large amount of new and old bands in a genre that I am particular fond of. Amongst the bands that make a regular appearance on the stations playlists is Airbourne. Upon my first hearing their music I just took it for granted that the song was in fact a new AC/DC track that I hadn’t heard before. After the presenter of the radio show then announced the artist, I became incredible intrigued with this new take on an old school favourite band of mine, and so began my collection of Airbourne’s music, for which the track Runnin’ Wild fronts up quite nicely.

Air Born

Their first major single release over 4 years after their conception came along to coincide with their debut album. Both the album and the single went by the name of Runnin’ Wild, and showcased just what the band and their sound was all about from the first beat of the drum and strum of the guitar on the single. Although the band did not see much in the way of chart success with Runnin’ Wild as a single, which unfortunately can be so often the case with most rock bands. Their highly recognisable sound and approach to playing however soon brought their music to the attention of the rock masses, and with it the fame that the band deserves for their music.

Sounding Like Australia

With a very much old school rock sound the band set about tearing their way through the song. For many that have never heard their sound before, their major influence as with a lot of other Australian bands is the mighty AC/DC, and this influence plays a massive part in the whole sound and feel of the song. In a similar vein to AC/DC the track has a very much simple structure with no fancy frills or bells and whistles. Starting out with just the backing beat of the hi-hat and the chugging of Joel’s guitar the song very soon takes on the form of a beer-fuelled crowd rousing romp of a tune, that has you chanting along to the chorus and the “Hey, Hey, Hey” of the outro to the song.

Bourne to Rock, Seen to Rock.

Just like every other single out on the market, the visual element to accompany it needs to provide the listener with not just a feast for the ears, but the eyes as well. The official video sees the band in the back of a truck trailer tearing their way around the highways of Los Angeles, giving their general raucous performance to the pursuing police. As the band are part of the Roadrunner music label the video special guests, perhaps one of Roadrunner's greatest artists in the form of the Rock God that is Lemmy of Motörhead fame.

Despite the bands overall professional level of playing and song composition on this track, and others from their repertoire, they still manage to give the track a very pub rock feel to it, you can quite easily imagine seeing these guys in all their alcohol soaked glory in your local boozer.

Time to chant along to the song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NsOPerdJ​CM

Just as a word of warning to all the ladies Joel seems to have an aversion to shirts, so don’t expect him to be fully clothed.