Airbourne - authentic, real, unapologetic and true

However, before you dismiss the band as a cheap AC/DC clone, they have something that no straight-ahead beer drinking, shit-kicking band has been able to convey with such conviction. When other bands of Airbourne’s ilk say that all they want to do is play rock and roll and stay out on the road forever, it usually smacks of cliché. Every band says that, but in Airbourne’s case, it’s the real deal. On their Roadrunner Records Runnin’ Wild debut, the first thing one thinks of is, of course, AC/DC, but the band’s delivery is just so authentic, real, unapologetic and true; you can’t help but think that if AC/DC had never existed, Airbourne would still sound like this.

“I think there’s some truth to that,” concedes bandleader / guitarist Joel O’Keeffe. “You have to realize, being into rock and being from Australia, AC/DC’s influence is always gonna show itself. There’s no getting around it. In Airbourne’s case, we had no interest in avoiding it. We wear our influences on our sleeves. That’s what we are and if we were to do something different, it wouldn’t be genuine. We embrace our influences and try to put our own spin on it. If it sounds like AC/DC, big fu*kin’ deal. So what? AC/DC is the best band in the world.”
As evidenced by the first US single from Runnin’ Wild, a song called “Too Much Too Young Too Fast,” the band’s oh-so-infectious mid-paced groove is working wonders on our American ears. Especially for those of us who have been desperately yearning for unwashed, alcoholic grooves laid down by a band of livin’ it, breathin’ it rock dogs. Airbourne has this is spades.

“Look,” continues O’Keeffe, “we aren’t friggin’ rocket scientists. We’re just a good-time rock and roll band. We’re not in it to change the world. We’re just here to experience whatever this lifestyle brings our way and party our way through it all, ya know? Airbourne is about not worrying too much about the every day bullshit we all have to deal with. We’re all about the end of the day and just chilling out with some beers and buds. That’s how we approach it. There’s a time to worry about all the other stuff going on in the world — which absolutely there is — but you won’t get that with Airbourne,” he laughs.

Airbourne’s rise has been consistent. Since their start, they’ve opened shows Down Under for Motorhead (resulting in gushing praise from Lemmy himself) and even The Rolling Stones. No doubt about it, good things are happening for Airbourne, and their unassuming, non-judgmental good time rock and roll attitude is definitely winning people over by the bucket load. Roadrunner is really pushing the band hard, and their efforts are paying off as the band is currently in the midst of a pretty successful US tour. O’Keeffe and his band are all in their early 20’s but, even though at many of their US shows fans are already singing the lyrics back to the band, that isn’t going to their heads.

“It’s fu*king great to hear your songs sung back to you by an audience, absolutely it is, and I can see how that could go to one’s head.” O’Keeffee expands. “But too many bands have had that happen to them and gotten big heads as a result. But Airbourne’s not built like that. This is another thing we got from AC/DC and other Aussie bands like Rose Tattoo and The Angels (known as Angel City in the US). No matter what level of success those bands may have achieved, they never developed the whole rock star attitude, and for that, they still have tons of fans all over the world, especially in AC/DC’s case, but that goes without saying. That’s always been the right attitude in this business. It’s been proven countless times, it just plain works, period.”

Many bands have tried to emulate this sound since AC/DC’s arrival. Most have failed miserably, while some have seen fleeting success. In Airbourne’s case, however, it remains to be seen if their growing success will be a permanent thing. But it seems as though they have their shit together, so their current winning streak figures to continue. It’s all there, so get out there and buy Runnin’ Wild, because when you’re not taking yourself or your life too seriously, it’s all you need to keep your spirits high.

Airbourne plays Lola’s in Ft. Worth March 11.