Brace yourselves, Australia: GAYC/DC are about to land, and they’re packing more than just Angus-style riffs and tight shorts. HEAVY‘s Ali Williams caught up with vocalist Chris Freeman and drummer Brian Welch to talk chaos, cock, and the rock ‘n’ roll circus that is their “Monster Cock” Australian tour. Spoiler: inflatable dicks will fly, but so will your jaw—with laughter.
Chris and Brian are fired up for their first collective Aussie tour, even if Chris hasn’t touched down since his Pansy Division days in 1995 This time, they’re bringing GAYC/DC’s full spectacle—a show that’s is as much homage as it is high-camp reinvention.
Forget wigs and impersonation. As Brian says, “Let’s not look like [AC/DC], let’s go the opposite way. Let’s be fucking fabulous.” Expect onstage costume changes, tongue-in-cheek song titles, and enough stage presence to power the grid for Mardi Gras. “We’re not just a tribute—we’re a refresh,” Chris quips. “We nail the music, but everything else? We take liberties.”
The band embraces the philosophy in a light hearted way and dare to ask what would AC/DC have been if they’d started as a proudly out gay band? Chris and Brian want the audience in on the joke, not the butt of it. The result: ad-libbed satire, camp theatrics, and a genuine, spot-on love for the mighty DC.
For the record: the real AC/DC know about GAYC/DC—and they’ve even collected their custom guitar picks. “Angus has our pick. Our sound guy came to see you at the Whiskey, grabbed picks, gave them to everyone. We’ve all got your guitar picks,” Brian recounts. Not too shabby for a band that set out to be the queer AC/DC they wished existed as kids.
The “Monster Cock” tour isn’t just about big riffs—it’s about big inflatable dicks, controlled chaos, and enough pelvic thrusts to realign your chakras. “It’s kind of a circus,” Chris laughs. “We’re not well-choreographed. It’s chaos. Wherever you look, there’s something going on.” Costume changes and surprise moves are guaranteed. By the end, the crowd are up the front, singing along, with the big inflatable dick going around their heads according to the band. GAYC/DC’s crowd is a mixed bag—ageing rockers, curious newcomers, and more straight folks than you’d expect. “Probably about 75% straight,” Chris shrugs. “Because not every gay person loves rock, and not every straight person hates disco. But by the end, everyone’s in on it.” Expect to see them at all the big cities—and yes, they’ll be at Mo’s in Gold Coast where you can also see Ali dodging inflatable phalluses.
Underneath the sequins, satire, and general chaos is a heartfelt tribute to the world’s greatest hard rock band. GAYC/DC worship AC/DC, and it shows in every note. As Brian puts it: “Their DNA runs in our DNA.” The real question isn’t whether you’ll have fun at their show—it’s whether you’re ready to admit you love rock, camp, and a little bit of mayhem all at once.
The Monster Cock tour kicks off February 19 in Brisbane. Tickets via tributetouring.com/gaycdc. Inflatable dicks provided.
