BACK IN BLACK—AC/DC tribute band Bonfire are, from left, bassist James Pulli of Simi Valley, rhythm guitarist Sean Colligan of Studio City, lead singer Sean Mulvihill of Redondo Beach, lead guitarist Steve Pandol of Moorpark and drummer Forrest Everett of Encino. The band will perform at 11 p.m. tonight, Friday, Aug. 8, at The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. Bonfire, an AC/DC tribute band with members who live in Simi Valley and Moorpark, headlines tonight's 11 p.m. show at The Canyon in Agoura Hills.

James Pulli, Bonfire bassist and Simi resident, recalled the band's huge reception when they headlined the Big Ball festival in Wrexham, Wales, in August 2006.

"There were some hardcore AC/DC fans there," Pulli said. "They had tattoos, patches. Everyone was crazy for them, especially the Germans. They're just nuts for them."

Bonfire hopes to continue building connections like those with U.S. fans. After their date at The Canyon, they'll be at Universal CityWalk on Friday, Aug. 15, playing sets at 8 and 9:15 p.m.

Steve Pandol of Moorpark spent more than six months finding the right musicians for Bonfire, which played its first show in July 2001.

Pandol plays the part of legendary guitar player Angus Young (in his customary schoolboy outfit), and singer Sean Mulvihill of Redondo Beach does his best Bon Scott impression every night.

The two are the only original members of the band. Pulli has been Bonfire's bassist for two and a half years.

Drummer Forrest Everett of Encino and rhythm guitarist Sean Colligan of Studio City round out the band.

"I think this is the best lineup," said Pandol, who will turn 40 on Saturday. "We're all seasoned musicians. I've never had a band where we all get along so well."

Bonfire plays music exclusively from the Bon Scott era of AC/DC, comprising roughly five albums between 1974 and February 1980, the time of Scott's death.

Named after a boxed set commemorating Scott, Bonfire prides itself on capturing AC/ DC's sound, energy and enthusiasm by using many of the same 1970s-style instruments and amplifiers the original band used.

The tribute band also studies old music videos and live footage to incorporate into their live sets and wears clothing from the era.

Mulvihill sings with a Scottish-Australian accent like Scott. Pandol acts like Angus on stage.

"Steve runs around with shorts, a velvet jacket and tie and runs around like a nut," said Pulli, 43, the oldest member of the band. "We try to go the extra mile and do what we can to replicate the early shows."

The bassist, who's lived in Simi Valley for 15 years, enjoys the "raw and real" sound of early AC/DC.

"They went into the studio with no polishing on the albums. It's just a mic up to a loud amp," Pulli said. "It's just energetic, raw music."