GayC/DC is the world’s first and only all-gay tribute (well, more of a “refresh” really) to the  music of AC/DC! 

The idea for GayC/DC came from another all-gay tribute band, the Gay Gay’s, an all-gay tribute  to the Go-Go’s that formed in 2003 and made the front cover of the LA Times Calendar section  that March before playing a note. They had been building up a following for over a decade,  including actual members of the Go-Go’s (they ended their run playing Jane Wiedlin’s after-party  in LA at the end of the Go-Go’s final tour). After officially breaking up in 2013, a few former  members decided that they enjoyed playing together, so what else could they do? As they half jokingly bounced around potential names for gay tribute bands, rhythm guitarist Karl Rumpf  tossed out “GayC/DC” with a chuckle. It stuck. HARD.  

Former Gay Gay’s bassist Chris Freeman (also bassist for iconic queer punk band Pansy  Division) and drummer Brian Welch (whom Freeman had met when Welch booked Pansy  Division for a Boston Pride event in ’97) were in immediately, and they began to hammer out the  details on the spot, creating the logos and coming up with song ideas right off the bat. Next, they  needed an Angus Young. Freeman reached out to lead guitarist Steve McKnight when he spotted  “guitarist” in his profile online. McKnight had been a part of the Bay Area and LA music scenes  in the late ‘80s with Cry Wolf, a melodic hard rock band that made their mark on the Sunset Strip  and beyond with several major albums under their belt. Now with Steve in the lead, they would  be taking a big step up.  

The 4-piece spent months looking for a vocalist to no avail. Finally, Freeman asked the others if  he should audition. They did. And so nervously, he did. Thankfully, the band agreed that he was  the one to pull it off—but now they needed a bassist. Freeman reached out to Glen Pavan,  someone Freeman had also met when Pansy Division stayed at his house on tour. Pavan had  previously been keeping the low end down for LA queer punk rockers Best Revenge (their name  comes from a Pansy Division song). He was a natural fit. Now they were off and running. Years  later when COVID hit, Rumpf declined to continue with the band full-time. Following two  replacements in 2023 and 2024, now Portland-based Topher Ruby (whom the band met when his  band Ursabomb opened for them in 2023) has taken the Malcolm Young role.  

The band remains true to the music of AC/DC, having worked diligently to replicate their sound  and feel, while taking liberties with the lyrics, changing pronouns and topics for a more suitably  gay aesthetic. Hence, “TNT “becomes “PNP” (a song about the “party-n-play” status used in gay  

social media profiles), “Bad Boy Boogie” becomes “Gay Boy Boogie” (do you really need to  ask?), and “Big Balls” … no changes needed! The band also takes liberties with their live  presentation, referred to as “an explosion of color and glitter.” To say the band is an off-the-hook  live experience is an understatement. There is never a dull moment with costume changes and  props on display, all in the name of outrageous entertainment. Even those who say they don’t like  AC/DC end up being fans. See ‘em for yourself!