On the road

AC/DC is on tour following the release of their new album Black Ice. Photo / Supplied

Heavy rock's most enduring band is thundering its way back to New Zealand.

AC/DC return here for the first since 1996 and play outdoor shows in Wellington on January 30 and in Auckland on February 6 as part of the Black Ice World Tour.

AC/DC has clocked up more than 200 million record sales worldwide since forming in Sydney in 1973, with latest album Black Ice selling more than 6.5 million copies since being released in August last year.

The stage production, which will be transported from Wellington to Auckland by 48 semi-trailer trucks, is tipped to be one of the biggest ever seen in the country.

Meanwhile, one of San Francisco band Flipper's biggest fans was Kurt Cobain. The Nirvana frontman was so enamoured with his hardcore musical heroes he even wore home-made Flipper T-shirts.

Flipper formed in 1979, and despite death, injuries, and departures of members, the band plays on. As part of the 30-year anniversary they play Auckland's Bacco Room on June 19, and Wellington's San Francisco Bath House the night before.

In another Nirvana connection, bass player Krist Novoselic had a two-year stint in Flipper from December 2006. He played shows and recorded both albums in this time but decided touring was no longer for him. He was replaced by Rachel Thoele and, along with the original members Bruce Loose, Steve Depace and Ted Falconi, the band is on the road again.