In 2016, when Brian Johnson faced unexpected hearing problems during the AC/DC Rock or Bust tour, he had no choice but to step back from touring abruptly. This unforeseen situation led AC/DC to regroup and, with the assistance of Axl Rose, they managed to complete what had turned into a tumultuous tour. However, had events unfolded differently, the band might have opted for a more localized replacement for Johnson’s role.

During a recent interview on the UCR Podcast, Jet frontman Nic Cester revealed that he unexpectedly found himself in the mix for this iconic gig. “I had just returned to Australia after living abroad for quite a while,” he shared. “This particular morning, while I was grappling with jet lag and reading the newspaper, I came across the shocking headline that Brian Johnson had departed from AC/DC. I remember telling my father-in-law, ‘You definitely wouldn’t want to be the guy stepping into those big shoes.’ Just half an hour later, my phone rang, and I was invited to audition in Atlanta, Georgia.”

“I couldn’t help but laugh and exclaim, ‘Wow,'” he recounted. “Honestly, I never believed I’d land the gig, so I thought, why not just experience it? What a unique opportunity! In hindsight, I didn’t get the role, but it was an incredible experience to spend two days singing in a small rehearsal studio with AC/DC.”

Exploring the Audition Songs: Which Classics Were Included?

During the audition, Cester was presented with a diverse selection of songs from both Brian Johnson‘s era and the earlier Bon Scott period. “I was familiar with ‘Back in Black,’ as I had performed it with Muse,” he reflected. “I practiced ‘Highway to Hell’ extensively and performed it exceptionally well. ‘Back in Black’ felt great, and I was confident, thinking, ‘I’ve got this!’ I also tackled ‘Whole Lotta Rosie,’ a song I knew quite well. But then, Angus Young began firing songs at me one after another, which I believe was a deliberate tactic to assess how I would handle that level of pressure. Every detail of that audition seemed meticulously designed to create stress and evaluate my reactions.”

READ MORE: Discover the Ultimatum AC/DC Gave Axl Rose

Despite describing the sound level in the room as “the loudest thing” he had ever encountered, Cester noted that the atmosphere in the Black Crowes‘ rehearsal studio in Atlanta, the audition venue, was surprisingly relaxed. This did not catch him off guard. “I realize this might sound cliché, but knowing they are Australian created a different kind of connection,” he elaborated. “We shared a musical heritage. Growing up, I not only listened to AC/DC but also absorbed the musical influences that shaped them, like the Easybeats. AC/DC is woven into the fabric of our culture, but there are many other bands that perhaps you’ve never heard of, which struggled to gain recognition beyond Australia.”

Jet Marks 20 Years of ‘Get Born’ and Prepares for New Music

Celebrating over two decades since their 2003 breakout debut album Get Born, the Australian band has spent the previous year revisiting this landmark album during concert performances. Filled with hits such as “Are You Gonna Be My Girl,” “Cold Hard Bitch,” “Rollover DJ,” and “Look What You’ve Done,” the group is naturally feeling nostalgic about the early days of recording this album in Los Angeles at Sunset Sound. A special release for Record Store Day is scheduled for April 12, showcasing rarities and outtakes from Get Born.

They are set to kick off a U.S. tour on May 28 in Montreal, and concurrently, they are working on a new album. Last fall, they previewed their latest music with a single titled “Hurry Hurry,” which has made its way into their recent concert setlists. However, they are under no pressure regarding the release of the new album, which will be their first full-length project since 2009’s Shaka Rock. “We are taking our time with it,” Cester mentioned. “There’s no strict timeline, so we’re focused on gathering as many great songs as we can. It has been quite a journey, especially since we had a wealth of songs a year ago, but we weren’t really functioning as a band then because we had been away for so long. Over the past year, we have rekindled our chemistry and collaborative spirit.”