Dave Evans originally arrived in Australia from Carmarthen Wales, aged 5, and settled in North Queensland with his family.
After forming his first band In Session in Charters Towers when he was 17 Dave moved to Sydney where he helped form a band (no name yet!) with Malcolm Young, Colin Burgess and Larry van Kriedt - a week later Malcolm's younger brother Angus joined. Malcolm and Angus' sister-in-law Sandra came up with the name AC/DC - to signify power and energy - and so one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever was born!
AC/DC's first gig was at Chequers Nightclub in Sydney on New Years Eve 1973 and the band went on to attract a strong live following in the next few months before recording their first single - "Can I Sit Next To You Girl?" b/w "Rocking In The Parlour".
At this time Angus started wearing his now famous schoolboy uniform and with their single racing up the national charts AC/DC undertook a gruelling tour beginning at the Sydney Opera House and then playing to packed houses all around Australia. Life on the road is tough for any band and frictions and egos increased steadily until a punch-up between Evans and their manager made life on tour unbearable - and a split between Evans and AC/DC became inevitable.
Bon Scott was a friend of Malcolm and Angus' elder brother George Young (a member of the legendary Easybeats - "Friday On My Mind" and others - and a well-known Australian record producer with Harry Vanda) and had seen the band perform in Adelaide. He agreed to join AC/DC, by this stage one of the most promising and exciting rock bands in Australia, and he and the band went on to rock 'n' roll immortality as one of the biggest bands in the world.
After parting ways with AC/DC Dave Evans moved to Newcastle just north of Sydney and joined up and coming hard rock outfit Rabbit in early 1975. Rabbit were already the number one rock band in Newcastle and the surrounding area and Dave had seen them performing at Chequers nightclub in Sydney and was impressed with their confronting stage presence.
It wasn't long until they had signed with CBS records and recorded their first album "Rabbit" which had some success. In 1976 they recorded the album "Too Much Rock And Roll" and with their appearances on the numerous television pop/rock shows this album launched them into national popularity.
Rabbit were described as frenetic, violently hedonistic and Dave himself was described as savagely heterosexual. Rabbit after-show parties were always wild affairs and popular with friends, fans and groupies.
The "Too Much Rock And Roll" album was then distributed in Japan, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Holland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Although sales were steady Rabbit did not tour these countries as two members called it quits after a grueling three month Australian tour. The band continued after adding a new drummer and released the single "Let Me" but it wasn't the same feeling without the two original members and the band folded in 1978.
Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under was formed in 1984 and he signed with independent label Reaction Records and released the album "Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under".
After Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under split a couple of years later, Dave pursued an acting career with roles in small production Australian films plus working in live theatre.
In early 2000 Dave was invited to be a special guest for Melbourne AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck for their 20th anniversary memorial gig for Bon Scott. This special occasion was recorded live and the "A Hell of a Night" CD was released through Perris Records (www.perrisrecords.com).
Dave has since performed in Europe and the USA as a solo artist. In 2008 Dave Evans signed his album "Judgement Day" to German Label STF Records (www.stf-records.de). The album has received great reviews throughout Europe and is quintessential hard driving classic rock loved the world over.
In 2009 Dave Evans signed a global distribution and publishing agreement with leading Australian indie power house label Blue Pie (www.bluepie.com.au) for his classic rock album "Sinner". The album is widely regarded as a modern day rock and roll masterpiece.
The album has achieved many nominations with more to follow. The track "Sold my Soul to Rock and Roll" was the 1st single to be lifted from the album and has been promoted to radio and media globally from July 2009 onwards. The track was also nominated at the LA Music Awards for best rock song.
The latest great news is that the Judgement Day album will be released in April 2010 through Rocksector records (www.rocksector.com) and Dave will be touring with a UK-version of The Badasses to support it.
1974
"Can I Sit Next To You, Girl? / Rockin' In The Parlour" with AC/DC (single)
1975
"RABBIT" with Newcastle, Australia's wild and hedonistic RABBIT (album)
1976
"TOO MUCH ROCK N ROLL" with RABBIT (album)
1976
"LET ME / KISS ME GOODNIGHT" with RABBIT (single)
1984
"DAVE EVANS and THUNDER DOWN UNDER" (album)
2000
"A HELL OF A NIGHT" (album)
Recorded with respect on the 20th Anniversary of Bon Scott's tragic death.
