The world’s first (and only) all-gay tribute to the music of AC/DC is touring Australia for the first time this February, taking the catalogue of arguably rock’s most overtly masculine institution and filtering it through unapologetic, queer celebration.

It sounds like something that shouldn’t work, on paper, right? Audiences have found, however, that soon enough. . . It becomes immediately obvious that this is exactly what rock and roll needs right now.

GAYC/DC was founded by Christopher Freeman (bassist for queercore pioneers Pansy Division), alongside drummer Brian Welch. Beneath the glitter, boas, and knowing wink. . . Is a band taking these songs seriously.

Through their catalogue you’ll find tracks like ‘Dirty Dudes (Done Dirt Cheap)’ and ‘Gay Boy Boogie’. . . The video of the latter doubling as a tribute to Twisted Sister’s ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’, complete with approval from Dee Snider himself: “I think this is great!”

“Twisted Sister took rock and drag further than anybody at the time,” Brian Welch says. “As young gay kids, seeing fully grown men in drag on MTV meant a lot to us, decades before ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ was a thing.”

For the group’s first-ever Australian tour, GAYC/DC, rounded out by bassist Glen Pavan, guitarist Topher Ruby and lead guitarist Steve McKnight, will hit six cities across the country, playing intimate venues which suit their high-energy, sweat-soaked approach.

This isn’t a parody of history – it’s a reclamation. . . And a reminder that rock and roll has always belonged to those bold enough to step forward and claim it for themselves.

Tickets on sale now.

GAYC/DC Australia Tour Dates

19 February – The Brightside (Brisbane)
20 February – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse (Gold Coast)
21 February – Stay Gold (Melbourne)
25 February – Lion Arts Factory (Adelaide)
26 February – Milkbar (Perth)
27 February – Mary’s Underground (Sydney)