Original AC/DC Singer Dave Evans Slams Metal: ‘It’s Bulls**t’

Dave Evans, the original vocalist for the legendary rock band AC/DC, has recently shared controversial opinions on the state of contemporary rock and metal music. In an interview with Mexico’s Rock111, Evans discussed rock’s diminished mainstream presence and offered sharp critiques of both the metal genre and modern musicality.

Addressing why rock music currently takes a backseat to pop and rap genres, particularly in markets like the U.S., Evans pointed to a lack of radio exposure and major label support. “It’s about the people who buy the records. And they’re not playing it. The reason why it’s not big is ’cause they’re not playing it on the radio,” Evans stated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). He elaborated: “The last rock band signed by a major label was about 20 years ago… I’m not talking about metal; I’m talking about rock and roll, rock music. There hasn’t been a rock act signed for 25 years. So if people are not hearing it, how can they like it? You play it to them, they love it.” He did note, however, that the situation differs in Latin America where rock still receives radio airplay.

Evans then drew a stark distinction between the attitudes he perceives in rock and roll versus metal music. “Rock and roll is an attitude – a real attitude, not a pretend one. Metal is a pretend attitude – they get up there and go, ‘Rahrahrahrahrah’ – it’s bulls**t. They get up there and paint their face and ‘Yeahyeah’ and they go home to their mamas: ‘Mama, what’s for dinner?.’ But rock and roll is real.”

Furthermore, the singer criticized what he views as a lack of feeling or “humanity” in much of today’s music, contrasting it with classic acts. “A lot of music’s pretty clinical,” Evans opined. “You go back and listen now to bands like Led Zepellin and FREE — that’s when you’re feeling it, man. Really feeling it. This music today, it’s boring to me because there’s no humanity.”

He argued that technical skill often overshadows emotional depth. “It might be clever and dexterous and [they might] play all the chords and all that sort of stuff, but there’s no feel. That’s the humanity, the humanity of music,” Evans continued. Citing Carlos Santana as an example of conveying feeling with few notes, he dismissed rapid, complex playing as mere technical exercise: “That’s what you’re supposed to do at home so you can play melody. That’s scales. That’s not music… After two or three songs, you’re bored s**tless.”

Dave Evans fronted AC/DC during their formative period, singing on their first two singles, “Can I Sit Next To You Girl” and “Baby, Please Don’t Go” He parted ways with the band in October 1974 and was replaced by Bon Scott. Evans subsequently formed bands such as Rabbit and Dave Evans And Thunder Down Under, and has maintained a solo career in recent decades.