This week’s Music Wednesday (formerly known as Wordless Wednesday) features some remarkable musicians performing live with some unusual musical instruments, including spoons and a very tuneful anvil. (By now, you should know how much I enjoy homemade percussion!) They are joined by some more traditional bluegrass instruments to form a badass group called Steve’n’Seagulls. Their version of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck is pretty epic (and I’m a little in love with the vintage red tractor in the background, too).

When I first came across the group, I thought they looked a little too much like American hayseeds. I set out to check whether they were authentic or not just a rarer variety of lumbersexuals. Alas, I was surprised (and, yes, a little disappointed) to learn they’re five nice boys from Finland who happened to “find a barn to play music in.” The rest – the overalls and the hay and the quirky headgear – is all for effect. And once I had watched a few of their videos, it became pretty obvious that they’re too gimmicky to be entirely serious. That’s okay. Their arrangements are so tight, I can forgive them for being the Finnish equivalent of the Village People.

Of all the versions I’ve heard of this song (and there have been quite a few), I really think this one is my favorite.

In case Steve and company aren’t quite your speed, heres 2Cellos with their rousing and equally badass (but completely different) version of the same song.

And if you need to hear the original (you know, for reference), here’s AC/DC with the song that started it all. Enjoy!

I was trying to keep this post about Thunderstruck, but I started listening to Steve’n’Seagulls, and I hit upon this gem. It’s their version of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper,” and I cannot stop playing it.