BIOGRAPHY
"Live Wire is really close to AC/DC! WOW!" (2012)
"You've kicked the shit out of ALL the songs I've see you play so far. The instruments sound like AC/DC and the vocals remind me of Bon AND Brian. Everything AC/DC in one package!" (2009)
"Never Stop Rockin'!" -Brian Johnson, AC/DC (2000)
"This is the closest thing to the real thing I have ever seen!!" (2018)
I closed my eyes and thought I was at an AC/DC Concert! KUDOS TO YOU! GR8 JOB!" (2007)
Testimonials
Angus and Malcolm recognize them as the best AC/DC tribute band in the world. They are pretty damn good" (2003)
LIVE WIREoffers the most complete and authentic reproduction of AC/DC's sound and stage performance in the world. LIVE WIRE's live show is the most accurate duplication of the original band that AC/DC fans worldwide have come to love.
Established in the year 2000 and hailing from the New York metro area, LIVE WIRE has performed for audiences on FIVE continents around the world including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The band has performed for audiences across the United States, Canada, Egypt, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Venezuela, Peru, Honduras and many other regions.
Lead singer Francis Crouse brings to you an unmatchable emulation of Brian Johnson himself, portraying AC/DC's frontman of the last 40 years with a powerful delivery of voice and stage presence like no one else! Rhythm guitarist Bill Voccia, bass guitarist Joe Whalen and drummer Billy Rauff hold down the rhythm section, the driving force behind the AC/DC juggernaut of sheer rock 'n roll power and wall of sound. Last but not least, the Ultimate ANGUS YOUNG clone in North America, Mike Hughes rounds out the band to deliver to you the most unforgettable and undeniably most authentic AC/DC experience on the planet. Joined by Kristoff Piper on bagpipes as the icing on the cake with the bands powerful rendition of AC/DC's timeless anthem It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n Roll)
LIVE WIRE emulates the pure essence, power, and electricity of what an AC/DC show is all about and has proven to audiences time and time again that you can't stop rock 'n roll. High Voltage rock 'n roll at its best.
LIVE WIRE performs the best of AC/DC from the early roots of the bands Australian club circuit days, to the superstar worldwide status of their present hits. Complete with a full stage performance, just as if Angus Young and the boys were rocking before your very eyes. The closest you're gonna get to the real thing™...let us electrify an audience near you!
There are well over 100 AC/DC Tribute bands from around the world, and many of them claim to be “The Ultimate AC/DC Tribute band”, however only one band can actually back up this statement and prove it. LIVE WIRE, from the New York metro area is comprised of five veteran professional musicians, most who were from the very first original AC/DC Tribute bands to ever be formed in the world. LIVE WIRE consists of the very finest AC/DC member clones/impersonators to form the most accurate AC/DC live show you will ever see, next to the real thing.
LIVE WIRE can give you the biggest hits: "You Shook Me All Night Long", "Highway To Hell", "Back In Black", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "T.N.T.", "Whole Lotta Rosie", "Thunderstruck", "Hells Bells" and more, to the other big fan favorites such as "Shoot To Thrill", "Have A Drink On Me", "Sin City", "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be", "Jailbreak", "Shot Down In Flames" and many, many more. Our repertoire is continually growing, now over 80+ songs strong, and we're adding new songs to our set lists as often as we can.
The band is available for bookings worldwide, and accept booking inquiries for any type of events ranging from Clubs and concert halls to festivals and rallies to casinos and cruises to private parties and corporate events.
There's no denying that everyone likes AC/DC in some way, and LIVE WIRE are here to deliver you the power, energy, image, and sound that you would expect at an actual AC/DC concert. If you want ‘the closest you’re gonna get to the real thing’, then LIVE WIRE –The world’s definitive AC/DC Tribute band is the band for you. Our goal is to spread the music of AC/DC, who we consider to be The Greatest rock n roll band of all time, bar none, and we are here to prove that FACT!. If you don’t own every AC/DC album after we’re finished playing, we intend that you will soon after!
WE SALUTE YOU!
About the band
Mike Hughes (Angus) - Lead Guitar - The mirror image of Angus himself, Mike is the world's closest to the embodiment of Angus Young.
Bill Voccia (Malcolm) - Rhythm Guitar - Tone. Bill is one of the world's most renowned AC/DC fanatics, and performs his dedication to Malcolm on stage with every ounce of his heart and soul every show.
Francis Crouse (Brian)- Lead Vocals -
Is that Brian Johnson himself? No, it's Francis Crouse, the world's most accurate Brian Johnson you will ever see. The voice, the look, the stage presence, the moves, the energy
Francis' passion for the music
and to the fans is evident in his
on-stage delivery every time!
Joe Whalen- Bass Guitar - Holding down the ryhthm section, Joe emulates the dynamics of Cliff Williams to lay the foundation of thunder under every track.
Billy Rauff (Phil) -Drums - Billy hits the drums like a sledgehammer, the power, the force, the driving essence of Phil Rudd is channeled into every beat.
Kristoff Piper (Bagpipes) - Kristoff lays down the essential bagpipes for one of AC/DC's and Rock music's biggest and most profound anthems "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n Roll)" and delivers the performance that would make every AC/DC fan and Bon Scott himself proud.
Band Members
I've seen over 7 different AC/DC tribute bands from coast to coast, and you guys are absolutely the best by far! (2019)
"Best ac/dc coverband there is!" (2006)
LIVE WIRE - The ULTIMATE AC/DC Experience is your #1 choice for Festivals, Bike Rallies, Theaters, Night Clubs, Corporate Events, Casinos, Private Events, and any other event that requires the definitive AC/DC Tribute Show. Look no further, LIVE WIRE has delivered the most accurate representation of an AC/DC concert experience to audiences nationwide, and across 5 CONTINENTS around the world since their inception in 2000.
The band is available for bookings WORLDWIDE, and has become the most established and recognized AC/DC tribute show in the world...Let us electrify an audience near you! ™
When the REAL AC/DC isn't available, LIVE WIRE is your solution!
IN ROCK WE TRUST!
Over the past 2 decades, LIVE WIRE:
- Were the only AC/DC Tribute band featured on AC/DC’s official website and YouTube Channels and to be included in AC/DC’s only official fan-documentary video to date “AC/DC Fannation”.
- Were part of a Tribute Band feature on CBS Sunday Morning News.
- Were named as the top AC/DC Tribute Band in the “10 Top Tribute Bands Nearly As Good As The Originals” list by Ultimate Classic Rock
- Were featured as an answer to an AC/DC-related question on the T.V. game show JEOPARDY!
- Performed live on XM Radio for the Opie & Anthony show.
- Completed a USO tour for the troops in the Mediterranean region.
- Headlined and performed to sold-out audiences at festivals and venues across the nation.
- Performed live supporting acts such as Rhino Bucket, Zebra, and George Thorogood.
- Audrina Patridge posed in the July-August 2014 issue of Playboy magazine wearing a LIVE WIRE - The Ultimate AC/DC Experience shirt!
- Were part of a feature in Metal Hammer magazine, German edition.
"best sounding and looking tribute to AC/DC, I have ever seen!" -Kelly B (2021)
"Best AC/DC cover band in the world, they will never disappoint you! I’ve seen them at least 6 times and it just gets better every time!" -Tom B (2021)
Next best thing to being in stadium with 80,000 people and the real AC/DC. Awesome! -Patrick O (2021)
I've seen all of the other tribute bands around the east coast MANY times and none of them even come close to you...you guys are the REAL DEAL! (2021)
History: LIVE WIRE was originally formed in Long Island, New York in mid-late 1999 by Rhythm Guitarist Bill Voccia who recruited drummer Billy Rauff. The band started performing their first live shows in the year 2000 and went through severeal different lineups including 3 different singers and guitarist changes over the course of three years with countless auditions until finalizing the first longer-lived lineup by around the year 2003 followed by a bassist and lead guitarist change around the year 2006 when Mike Hughes joined the band. By the year 2018 the band established their most authentic AC/DC tribute lineup to date with the additon of Francis Crouse followed by
Joe Whalen on bass 2 years later.
Joe Whalen on bass 2 years later.
If you've been searching for the true AC/DC Tribute Experience, look no further! LIVE WIRE is your ultimate choice for festivals, Theaters, bike rallys/events, corporate/private events, casinos, national tours, international events, and all other venues that require the very best AC/DC experience in the nation. Let us electrify an audience near you!...
LIVE WIRE has traveled from NEW YORK to dominate audiences in FLORIDA, OHIO, MICHIGAN, COLORADO, RHODE ISLAND, TEXAS, VERMONT, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, CONNECTICUT, and everywhere in between. Audiences have been left astounded to experience what other acts in those areas could not deliver!...
LIVE WIRE has performed in Spain, Finland, Canada, Peru, Honduras, Egypt, Turkey, and Venezuela, and is available for bookings worldwide!...