The Italians certainly aren't sitting on the side-lines when it comes to Rocking your ass off.
The fact that Rideon are an AC/DC covers band that have progressed to writing their own material shouldn't be too unusual, although one doesn't find too many Italians ascribing to the Aussie veterans cause.
Consisting of vocalist Stefano Pasquali, bassist Fabrizio Del Sette, drummer Andrea Crescini and guitarists Samuele Scatolini (rhythm) and Vincenzo Salamone (lead), they named themselves after AC/DC's song 'Ride On' from 1976's 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap'.
There is of course nothing too fancy, technical or blindingly awesome about Rideon but what they do, they do very well indeed. In fact, their gigs combine AC/DC covers with their original songs and it's not always obvious where the join is. For instance 'Strike' is AC/DC riff and roll – pure and simple. 'Black Rain' is fast paced DC "in your face" and 'Single Man' is an AC/DC stylised Rocker with a wave carrying melodic sensibility that wouldn't look out of place on 'Powerage'. If you want catchy Hard Rock then give 'I Want A Lady Tonight' a spin – something I'm sure that would have raised a grin or two from Bon Scott himself. Just as relevant is the straight-ahead Hard Rocker 'This Is A Goodbye Ticket' and there's plenty of hard-ass drumming in the gang-type Rocker 'C'mon'.
Scatolini sets up the riff for the hard driving Rock 'n' Roll of 'Listen To My Radio' after its surprising mellow intro, but where Rideon score big points for me is in 'Marta's Song' and the single 'Mothership'. The former is an excellent bass and drum-led riff monster whilst '...Song' just edges the "best tune" on this album with its powerful riffs, melody, and mature sound. Not as AC/DC derivative as most of the other songs, but it contains a very good solo and use of rhythm dynamics; the solid bass and drums really drive the song along too.
As a good time, window down, cruise into town album its right up there for putting a smile on your face and getting your head nodding. The Italians certainly aren't sitting on the side-lines when it comes to Rocking your ass off!
Carl Buxton
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