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Airbourne
Some bands have it dialed in. They release an indie EP, relocate to a larger city, sign a major label deal and open for the likes of the Rolling Stones and Motley Crue. Airbourne, who formed in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, did all that.
Their eight-song EP "Ready To Rock" landed in '97 and eight years later they moved to Melbourne. However, Airbourne hit a rough spot when Capitol Records, who had signed Airbourne in '05, dropped the group two years later. Seems there are always ways out of "five record deals" when you're a label. Even so, Airbourne's '08 album "Runnin' Wild" containing the title track, "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast" and "Diamond In The Rough" was released in Australia on Capitol's parent label EMI. Roadrunner Records handled the rest of the world. Maybe Capitol figured Airbourne was just an Australian thing. But their "Stand Up For Rock 'n' Roll," from "Runnin' Wild," was the theme song for World Wrestling Entertainment's 21st annual Royal Rumble 2008.
Airbourne's music has also been featured in Madden 08, NHL 08, Grand Theft Auto IV and NASCAR 08 video games.
About 30 years earlier another Aussie band, AC/DC, made their debut. While Airbourne lacks AC/DC's inherent maliciousness the group is mining the motherlode. "Runnin' Wild" has power chords, hot riffs, propulsive rhythms and searing vocals with bite. And no B.S.
Their debut kicks from beginning to end. Literally. A lot of bands toss off an album's last track offering some weak ballad to tepid attempt at "art." Not Airbourne. These lads uncork the sonic din of "Hellfire." Much appreciated! The title track is strong but before and after it are stellar tracks - the great "Stand Up For Rock N' Roll" and the stunning "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast." While "Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women" is a great title (and good number), "Girls In Black" is better. Check it out.