IN THE PHOTO: Brendan Raftery, who goes by the stage name of Brian “Bon” Johnscottson, will be at Pogue Mahone Irish Alehouse on Saturday with bandmates from BC/DC. Soul Keeper photo
What began as a bit of a joke with an anticipated six-month shelf life has kept the band members laughing for 16 years as BC/DC keeps on rocking.
That kind of success is a reality of many tribute bands, said lead singer Brendan Raftery, particularly outside major metropolitan areas.
“If you’re not in a major city, sure, you can buy a ticket for the real thing but it ends up costing you $500 or $600, money you could put on your VISA instead and just come hear bands like us,” said Raftery, who agreed to using his real name even though the band members rarely want to be quoted out of character. His band name is Brian “Bon” Johnscottson.
The success has seen the group of musicians travel throughout their home province — they’re a regular for the annual Retro Weekend at Sun Peaks — and around the world. Last November, for example, the band toured China.
This week, it’s heading to Kamloops for a show at Pogue Mahone Irish Alehouse, 843 Desmond St., on Saturday.
Raftery promises a night with “tons of fun” as the band plays songs it claims to have heard from a BC/DC tribute band in Australia.
Taking a more serious tone for a moment, Raftery said he’s hard-pressed to pick an AC/DC song that is his favourite to perform.
“Sin City, probably,” he said.
“But, there are just so many, it’s hard to pick.”
While they adopt the persona and the music, don’t expect them to come out looking exactly like the Sydney originals.
“Ninety-nine per cent of tribute bands try to clone the band,” he said. “We’re the one per cent.
“We’re loud, fun, it’s a lot like a time capsule that brings people back to a bush party in the back of a pickup with a warm six-pack at your feet.”
Tickets are $30 in advance at the venue. Add on service charges if they are bought at the Kamloops Live box office, 1025 Lorne St., 250-374-5483 or kamloopslive.ca.
Tickets sold on the day of the event will be $40 plus service charges.
The post Let There Be Rock on Saturday night appeared first on Kamloops This Week.