In the Beginning
In 2008, Kurt Squiers and his friend Gregg Ferguson set out to create a feature-length documentary film called "AC/DC Beyond the Thunder," spotlighting well-known AC/DC fans paying homage to these iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. From actors and athletes to comedians and CEOs, Ivy League professors to military war heroes, the duo found no shortage of inspirational stories.
After shooting on the Highway to Hell for two years, Squiers and Ferguson approached AC/DC’s management to seek partnership with the band for a world-wide commercial release. And while the band said they, “weren’t quite ready to make a historic piece while we're still making history,” AC/DC liked what they saw. Apparently so did others. Covered in Adweek, Spin, Kerrang! and even as a cover story in Classic Rock Magazine featuring an insert of the film’s trailer, AC/DC Beyond the Thunder was gaining significant traction.
A special screening of the film previewed in London during The Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards in front of members of The Who, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, among others, with Squiers accepting the album of the year award for AC/DC’s 'Black Ice' on behalf of the fans. The film's promotional trailer was then asked to go on tour with The Melbourne Arts Centre, Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art, and at the AC/DC endorsed Australia’s Family Jewels Exhibition touring Sydney, Melbourne, Glasgow and Seattle. All of a sudden, the industry began discussing distribution deals for a film that didn’t quite yet exist.
But without the band’s full partnership, Kurt and Gregg decided that their feature film was...Shot Down in Flames.
Blow Up Your Podcast
Driven by the ethos instilled by AC/DC, Kurt and Gregg, along with compadre and sound engineer, Eric Kielb, decided to redirect their energy into a podcast. Since 2019, the podcast has gained global recognition and hundreds of thousands of listeners, consistently delivering engaging and thought-provoking conversations with a diverse array of notable guests who’ve been Thunderstruck. AC/DC Beyond the Thunder is back, serving up inspirational stories about the fans, for the fans, by the fans. For those about to talk, we salute you!
Now through ACDCpodcast.org, 100% of listener contributions goes directly to two charities that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others: the Make-A-Wish and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundations.
Launch here: BeyondTheThunder, or listen on any major streaming platform
Listen to Kurt Squiers discuss AC/DC Beyond the Thunder on Brands In Action: Spotify or Apple Podcast.
Who Made Who
AC/DC Beyond the Thunder theme song, “Trailor Trash” written and performed by Gannon Arnold, VO talent by Bruce Jacobson, cinematography and sound recording by Gregg Ferguson, engineered and mixed by Eric Kielb, written, directed and hosted by Kurt Squiers, produced by Gregg Ferguson, Eric Kielb, and Kurt Squiers. AC/DC Beyond the Thunder is a SQUiERS, LLC / Current Motion production. ©AC/DC Beyond the Thunder Podcast. All rights reserved.
This has been a Gnat Attack Presentation. Shazbot. Nanu Nanu.
Beyond the Thunder Promo Trailer
For Those About to Watch (we salute you)!
Awww, thanks Eddie!
Call Me Anytime
Got questions? Have comments? Idea for an episode? Want to be a sponsor? Lead a life of crime? Let us know. And if you really think you know AC/DC, test your mettle daily here on Twitter's one & only AC/DC Trivia du jour.
Thank you!