Dog Eat Dog

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins "Dog Eat Dog" by AC/DC from their raw and rowdy album Let There Be Rock! This track, released as the album’s first single on March 21, 1977, is a fiery anthem fueled by the band’s frustration with their record label, Atlantic Records. According to bassist Mark Evans in the book AC/DC: Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be, the band was “seriously fucking pissed off” after Atlantic rejected their Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap album for U.S. release, sparking the aggressive energy that defines Let There Be Rock. “Dog Eat Dog” channels this anger, with lyrics like “Businessman, when you make a deal, do you know who you can trust?” taking a jab at the cutthroat music industry. The song’s gritty vibe made it a staple on their Black Ice World Tour until 2010, when it was swapped for “High Voltage” to shake up the setlist.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s music video, shot in 1977, where frontman Bon Scott rocks a coat and striped shirt, belting out the tune amidst colored lights and smoke. Fans on ACDCfans.net have mixed feelings about the studio version, with some calling the riff and solo underwhelming but praising live performances, like the 1978 Apollo Theatre show in Glasgow, for elevating the song to new heights. A Perfect Circle’s 2018 cover, led by Maynard James Keenan, paid tribute to Bon Scott and Malcolm Young, released as a limited 7” vinyl for Record Store Day. On Reddit’s 70smusic, fans still share love for the track, with posts racking up votes for its raw energy. Oh, and fun fact: the Let There Be Rock album cover features guitarist Chris Turner’s fingers, not Angus Young’s, because the band was out of town during the shoot!

AC/DC kicked off their legendary journey in Sydney, Australia, in 1973, founded by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, the Young family moved to Australia in 1963, and the brothers grew up immersed in music. Malcolm, inspired by the likes of The Rolling Stones, started playing guitar, and Angus, the youngest, followed suit, developing his iconic schoolboy stage persona. The duo formed AC/DC with a vision to play straightforward, high-energy rock and roll. Early gigs at local pubs like the Hampton Court Hotel honed their sound, and by 1974, they recruited Bon Scott, a charismatic singer with a gritty voice and wild stage presence. Their debut album, High Voltage (1975), was a hit in Australia, and relentless touring built their reputation. Manager Michael Browning, who signed them after a chaotic 1974 gig, helped catapult them to international fame by 1979, as detailed in his book Dog Eat Dog.

Despite tragedies like Bon Scott’s death in 1980 and Malcolm Young’s passing in 2017, AC/DC remains a rock powerhouse, with Angus leading the charge. They’ve sold over 200 million albums, making them one of the highest-grossing bands ever. Their music, which they insist is just “rock and roll” despite heavy metal labels, continues to electrify fans worldwide. You can keep up with AC/DC on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with fellow fans, check out ACDCfans.net or join groups like AC/DC Fans on Facebook to share stories, rare vinyl finds, and love for the band’s timeless riffs.