We were supposed to meet at 9 a.m.
But that was just a little too early for the longhaired AC/DC tribute band.
Mike Hodsall, known as Cow, was still sawing logs when the phone rang.
“I’m sleeping,” said the groggy Cow. “We had a good night.”
After landing in Whitehorse late Wednesday, the tribute rockers wound up at the Taku singing karaoke.
Guns and Roses’ Sweet Child O’Mine was a crowd pleaser, said Cow.
“After closing the place, the staff sat down with us and started pouring pints of Guinness.”
By 11 a.m., Cow had roused himself.
“There’s a rave going on in my skull,” he said, accepting a couple of Advil from drummer P. Thudsworthy
“Here’s your ecstasy,” said Thudsworthy (who thinks his name sounds like a butler’s).
Their long, curly hair still wet from showers, the guys offered around toast before munching on greasy eggs and sausage.
Cow fiddled with his plate, making a face with fried-egg eyes, toast eyebrows, a sausage nose and a hash-brown chin while he related tall BC/DC tales.
Apparently, the five guys are brothers — former herring fisherman from the tiny seaside town of Plugg.
Global warming destroyed their livelihood, so they became rock musicians.
“No, not rock musicians,” said guitarist Mangus Hung, jumping in.
“We moved to rock stardom.”
The musician part is questionable, he said.
There is another band that really likes BC/DC’s music, noted Cow.
“There’s some Australian tribute band doing all our songs,” he said.
“And they’re more successful with our music than we are.”
Despite competition from AC/DC, BC/DC still manages to travel extensively.
Or, so they claim.
Some guy at BC/DC’s Calgary Stampede show on Tuesday night was sure he’d seen the rockers in Japan.
“We’ve been milking the teats of rock all over the world,” said Cow.
“Maybe we’ve been to Japan, Russia, Sri Lanka and Tasmania.
“I can’t remember.”
Though, the boys do remember their best show.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, sold out faster than any other gig.
“And that’s our goal — to completely sell out,” said Cow with a grin.
Being in an “all-original” cover band isn’t every musician’s dream.
“But you can’t be an original band and play everywhere,” said Hung.
Rocking out to AC/DC music was the obvious choice.
“It’s in the woodwork of people,” he said.
“And people love something that’s familiar.
“So we give them something with a name that’s one letter off, then they love you and give you money.”
And the band’s inspiration?
There isn’t any.
“We’re not terribly inspired,” said Cow.
“Marshall (amps) inspire us,” added Hung.
“The shear wattage of it,” said Cow.
Only three of the five rockers made it to breakfast. As the meal drew to a close, plans were hatched to catch the two sleeping bandmates in the buff.
Apparently, it’s not a new prank for the BC/DC crew, and has resulted in guys running naked through hotel hallways.
Raunch is all part of the shtick.
How raunchy?
Well, some bands sell T-shirts. Others sell stickers and posters.
These guys sell thongs. Thongs bragging about nasty acts committed with the band (use your imagination).
“We don’t sell those anymore,” said Hung.
But groupies are still welcome.
And stage diving is all part of the show.
“We’re full of bam,” said Hung.
“It’s because of the armadillos in our trousers.”
Most shows, Cow trots around the stage in a bovine suit, sometimes swapping it out for Elvis get-up.
“I lost the Alice in Wonderland dress,” he said.
“That reeked of machoism.”
Cow also sports a cowboy hat to hide “his shame hole.”
Bending his head, the longhaired electric tuba player pointed out a balding patch.
“It reflects the light on stage,” he said.
This is the band’s first Yukon tour.
“It was an accident,” said Cow.
“We were trying to get to Albuquerque. And here we are eating bacon and eggs in Whitehorse.”
They’re here until Sunday.
The headbangers hope to do mountain biking. And ride the White Pass train.
“It’s like a holiday,” said Thudsworthy.
“And we each have our own room.”
“Usually we share a king-sized bed,” said Cow.
“And we have to rotate to the outside like penguins,” added Thudsworthy.
When they’re not playing shows, which they have been since “1960/74,” BC/DC spend time on yachts throwing money into inland seas, said Cow.
BC/DC plays at the Yukon Convention Centre Friday and Saturday night.
Tickets are $29.