Reviews
An honest and comical look at AC/DC's rise to the upper echelons of hard rock through the eyes of the former bassist" — Lick Library News "A treasure trove of insider info and intra-band intrigue. Worth every penny." — Decibel Evans managed to render his book much like AC/DC's iconic hard rock: lean, raw, unflinching, and heavy on the riffs." — The Onion A/V Club. "One of my favorite reads this year." — Guitar World "As someone who was around Bon Scott, Angus and Malcolm Young and Phil Rudd constantly, he provides an interesting and unique look into their personalities ... a very interesting book." — about.com "An amazing read… from the first page on, I couldn't put it down."— The Aquarian Weekly "Fast, funny and full of insights about a notoriously closed shop group." — RTÉ "An outstanding memoir." — acdczone "Offers a glimpse at AC/DC's studio approach and what it was like to ride the big black locomotive to superstardom in the 1970s." — Premier Guitar "A fast-moving, hair-blowing joyride, full of fantastic stories, colorful characters and wince-inducing laughs ... a richly rewarding experience." — The Nervous Breakdown Much meatier on the band's history than Brian Johnson's recent band/car memoir, Rockers and Rollers — Houston Press "Evans is a fascinating study in how to learn from your mistakes and how to handle the aftermath of success when you no longer have it. This book is a must-have for AC/DC obsessives and casual fans too." [5/5] —Metal Army America "Compelling and highly entertaining ... an eye-opening look into one of rock's biggest, and most secretive, outfits." — MusicRadar "A first-hand look into AC/DC's early career, and what it was like playing in a band beside Angus and Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, and Phil Rudd, an insight which has never been revealed or told before, from someone that was there to experience it first hand. This makes the book stand out over any of the AC/DC books released on the market previously...certainly a must have for any true AC/DC fan." —AC/DCcollector.com "While former AC/DC bassist Evans provides a rare 'been there, done that' perspective of touring with the group, he doesn't focus on the sultry details of groupie action or condemn the notorious dictatorial control of the band's Young brothers. Although some readers may wish for more dirt, this is the life journey of a guy who just happened to be part of the biggest rock band in Australian history. Evans's prose reads like a casual conversation you'd hear while nursing a pint on a barstool—folksy, with a gentleman's dose of rock 'n' roll attitude. He paints the late Bon Scott as a kind person more worried about being a good friend than living a rock 'n' roll lifestyle, and his glimpses of Angus Young show that the uptight teetotaler guitarist knew how to let his hair down. And without the annoying flood of 'I' sentences, Evans lets us know who he is as he opens up about his post-AC/DC depression and the shock of losing his oldest daughter. VERDICT By the end of this rewarding book, readers may find themselves more interested in Evans than his former band. Great for AC/DC fans and memoir readers, this is easy entertainment with a sincere heart." — Library Journal, "An honest and comical look at AC/DC's rise to the upper echelons of hard rock through the eyes of the former bassist" -- Lick Library News "A treasure trove of insider info and intra-band intrigue. Worth every penny." -- Decibel "Evans managed to render his book much like AC/DC's iconic hard rock: lean, raw, unflinching, and heavy on the riffs." -- The Onion A/V Club. "One of my favorite reads this year." -- Guitar World "As someone who was around Bon Scott, Angus and Malcolm Young and Phil Rudd constantly, he provides an interesting and unique look into their personalities ... a very interesting book." -- about.com "An amazing read... from the first page on, I couldn't put it down."-- The Aquarian Weekly "Fast, funny and full of insights about a notoriously closed shop group." -- RTÉ "An outstanding memoir." -- acdczone "Offers a glimpse at AC/DC's studio approach and what it was like to ride the big black locomotive to superstardom in the 1970s." -- Premier Guitar "A fast-moving, hair-blowing joyride, full of fantastic stories, colorful characters and wince-inducing laughs ... a richly rewarding experience." -- The Nervous Breakdown "Much meatier on the band's history than Brian Johnson's recent band/car memoir, Rockers and Rollers "-- Houston Press "Evans is a fascinating study in how to learn from your mistakes and how to handle the aftermath of success when you no longer have it. This book is a must-have for AC/DC obsessives and casual fans too." [5/5] --Metal Army America "Compelling and highly entertaining ... an eye-opening look into one of rock's biggest, and most secretive, outfits." -- MusicRadar "A first-hand look into AC/DC's early career, and what it was like playing in a band beside Angus and Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, and Phil Rudd, an insight which has never been revealed or told before, from someone that was there to experience it first hand. This makes the book stand out over any of the AC/DC books released on the market previously...certainly a must have for any true AC/DC fan." --AC/DCcollector.com "While former AC/DC bassist Evans provides a rare 'been there, done that' perspective of touring with the group, he doesn't focus on the sultry details of groupie action or condemn the notorious dictatorial control of the band's Young brothers. Although some readers may wish for more dirt, this is the life journey of a guy who just happened to be part of the biggest rock band in Australian history. Evans's prose reads like a casual conversation you'd hear while nursing a pint on a barstool--folksy, with a gentleman's dose of rock 'n' roll attitude. He paints the late Bon Scott as a kind person more worried about being a good friend than living a rock 'n' roll lifestyle, and his glimpses of Angus Young show that the uptight teetotaler guitarist knew how to let his hair down. And without the annoying flood of 'I' sentences, Evans lets us know who he is as he opens up about his post-AC/DC depression and the shock of losing his oldest daughter. VERDICT By the end of this rewarding book, readers may find themselves more interested in Evans than his former band. Great for AC/DC fans and memoir readers, this is easy entertainment with a sincere heart." -- Library Journal, "Compelling and highly entertaining ... an eye-opening look into one of rock's biggest, and most secretive, outfits."— MusicRadar "If you are an AC/DC fan, you must read Dirty Deeds ...the book is excellent."— Denver Examiner [5/5 stars] "A first-hand look into AC/DC's early career, and what it was like playing in a band beside Angus and Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, and Phil Rudd, an insight which has never been revealed or told before, from someone that was there to experience it first hand. This makes the book stand out over any of the AC/DC books released on the market previously...certainly a must have for any true AC/DC fan."—AC/DCcollector.com An honest and comical look at AC/DC's rise to the upper echelons of hard rock through the eyes of the former bassist"— Lick Library News "While former AC/DC bassist Evans provides a rare 'been there, done that' perspective of touring with the group, he doesn't focus on the sultry details of groupie action or condemn the notorious dictatorial control of the band's Young brothers. Although some readers may wish for more dirt, this is the life journey of a guy who just happened to be part of the biggest rock band in Australian history. Evans's prose reads like a casual conversation you'd hear while nursing a pint on a barstool—folksy, with a gentleman's dose of rock 'n' roll attitude. He paints the late Bon Scott as a kind person more worried about being a good friend than living a rock 'n' roll lifestyle, and his glimpses of Angus Young show that the uptight teetotaler guitarist knew how to let his hair down. And without the annoying flood of 'I' sentences, Evans lets us know who he is as he opens up about his post-AC/DC depression and the shock of losing his oldest daughter. VERDICT By the end of this rewarding book, readers may find themselves more interested in Evans than his former band. Great for AC/DC fans and memoir readers, this is easy entertainment with a sincere heart."— Library Journal, "If you are an AC/DC fan, you must read Dirty Deeds...the book is excellent."—Denver Examiner [5/5 stars] "A first-hand look into AC/DC's early career, and what it was like playing in a band beside Angus and Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, and Phil Rudd, an insight which has never been revealed or told before, from someone that was there to experience it first hand. This makes the book stand out over any of the AC/DC books released on the market previously...certainly a must have for any true AC/DC fan."—AC/DCcollector.com An honest and comical look at AC/DC's rise to the upper echelons of hard rock through the eyes of the former bassist"—Lick Library News
Synopsis
Mark Evans joined AC/DC in 1975, at only nineteen years old, when they were one of the hardest working and loudest rock bands in Australia. In the next few years AC/DC recorded four bestselling albums, and Mark found himself headlining world tours and living the life of a bonafide rock star. His memoir, Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside and Outside of AC/DC , is the first book written by an AC/DC insider, giving fans insight into the life of not only Evans, but also singer Bon Scott, who died tragically in 1980. Rock and roll icons like George Harrison, Gene Simmons, and members of Metallica feature as well. AC/DC remains one of the top-grossing bands of all time, and Mark's memoir is the first to reveal the band dynamic from behind the scenes, painting a portrait of five extremely hardworking, talented, and mischievous musicians who were yet culpable to the demons that drive many bands apart: sudden fame, sex, drugs, and rock and roll., Dirty Deeds is a laugh-out-loud insider account of the early struggles and strong personalities behind the rise of hard rock's most successful group. In his honest and revealing memoir, Evans reveals a life with many turns: a rough upbringing, lucky breaks, soaring highs and terrible personal loss. It was a long way to the top and he was just getting started.
