AC/DC Mixing stripped-down, power-chord rock and lascivious lyrics packed with double entendres, Australian hard rockers AC/DC established a brilliantly simple science to their music when they first formed in the '70s and have never deviated from it. Anchored by the chugging rhythm guitar of Malcolm Young and the fiery, blues-drenched soloing of his younger brother Angus, AC/DC moved from status as the biggest band in their native country to a burgeoning global phenomenon thanks to the onstage antics of the school-boy uniformed Angus and the charisma and lewd lyrics of lead singer Bon Scott.

Starting with their first international release for Atlantic Records 'High Voltage' in 1976 (which was actually compiled from their first two Australian albums), AC/DC racked up a remarkable string of classic effort while touring tirelessly to spread the gospel of their gritty heavy-rock sound. A year after 1979's 'Highway To Hell' became the group's most successful record to date, tragedy struck when Scott was found dead in the back of a car in London from acute alcohol poisoning.

The band considered calling it quits, but in the end soldiered on after tabbing British vocalist Brian Johnson as Scott's replacement. Their next album, the Scott tribute 'Back In Black,' would become not only the band's biggest hit, but one of the best selling album releases in history (only Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' has moved more units worldwide). AC/DC has doggedly stuck to its formula for success ever since, surviving through the rise of MTV with sporadic hits while consistently selling out arenas.

Though eight years passed between the band's last release and tour, AC/DC has emerged as one of the music industry's big winners with their new effort 'Black Ice' racking up solid reviews and millions in sales. Expect all the classic hits along with a handful of fresh tracks when the band headlines Oracle Arena Tuesday and Thursday night. British hard-rock outfit the Answer open the show.East BayOracle Arena8 p.m.$94.5012/02/200812/04/2008MusicRock