HAVING chosen to take the music of one of the greatest rock bands of all time around the country, guitarist Andy Holt is under no illusions abut the task facing the AC/DC Experience every time they take to the stage.

“Oh, if it’s not right, the fans will let you know immediately,” said Andy. “AC/DC fans are devoted. They know every lyric, every guitar solo - you just have to be on your game all of the time.”

The AC/DC Experience have certainly been on their game with shows getting bigger and bigger and more and more fans coming along to enjoy some classic rock.

Now in the middle of a series of UK dates, the Blackpool-based outfit will be in Bolton tomorrow night and in Preston next Thursday.

“It’s full on for us,” said Andy. “At times the travelling can be a bit of a pain but the moment you are in front of a crowd and they are going mad, you forget any problems and just enjoy it.”

With a career spanning 44 years, AC/DC have become one of the world’s biggest bands.

“So many people have grown up with their music,” said Andy. “But it is difficult for people to see them in concert - and that is where we come in.”

The AC/DC Experience was formed four years ago and the current line-up features Darran Short on vocals; Andy on lead guitar); bassist Steven Wolf; James Stringfellow (guitar) and drummer Dennis Duxbury.

“We all like bluesy rock stuff and that’s what brought us together. We are all mates. But we are also big AC/DC fans. For any young guitarist, Angus Young is a real inspiration.

“Having decided that we would play the music of AC/DC we wanted to be as authentic as possible. I don’t think people realise quite how technical some of their songs are and we have worked very hard to get them just right.”

The AC/DC Experience cover both eras of the band featuring lead singers Bon Scott and Brian Johnson.

“That’s a real challenge for Darran as they are quite different voices. He naturally sounds like Bon Scott but Brian Johnson has got quite a gruff voice but he nails both of them every night.,” said Andy.

With so many classic songs to go at, putting a setlist together can prove a challenge.

“Given the back catalogue of songs that AC/DC have we could be playing for hours,” he said. “But you can only pick so many and I know that fans will occasionally say ‘you didn’t play my favourite’. But we have had to leave some stuff out that we really enjoy too.

“But there are certain classic songs which we always have to do and we love playing them.

“From the moment we decided to do this we vowed that we would never do anything half baked. We knew that we had enough talent in the band to do it justice and the reactions we have been getting from the fans has proved that.

“We go out there every night with the attitude that we are going to put on the best show we can. There has been a lot of excitement around the shows and the venues we are playing are getting bigger all the time.

“It is quite an exciting time for us but the key thing will always be to do justice to the music that we love.”

The AC/DC Experience, the Roundhouse, Bolton, Friday, April 28 and the Continental, Preston, Thursday, May 4.