FAIRBANKS - Last year, just after the opening act had finished, the lights at the sold-out Hell’s Belles performance went black.

But not for the reason you’d think.

A power outage at The Blue Loon left everyone waiting for the Belles’ under only safety lights. It would be over an hour before power was restored and the band was finally able to perform. However, the crowd thinned during the long wait, and only 100 or so die-hard fans stuck around, according to lead guitarist Adrian “Angus” Conner.

Conner said the power went out two more times before the set was over. It was frustrating but not enough to keep Hell’s Belles from rocking through a selection of classic, if not legendary, rock ‘n’ roll that is AC/DC.

An all-female tribute band to the Australian hard rockers, the women play hits from landmark records like “Highway to Hell,” “T.N.T.,” and “Back in Black.” AC/DC may have never won a Grammy, but “Back in Black” is the second-best selling record of all time, with over 49 million copies purchased since its release in 1980, only behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

So with a tribute band playing records so ingrained in American pop culture (try to count the times you’ve heard “Highway to Hell”) what makes Hell’s Belles stand out?

“We get together and have a great time, most of the time,” Conner said. “Not that every show is perfect, but the energy is really good.”

Conner, who has been with the band for 10 years, tries to stay as close to the music as possible. With music as classic as AC/DC, there’s little need for improvisation.

“We really try to do them justice,” she said. “From not taking any liberties with our own versions. We try to stick with what’s on that recording.”

Australian Amber Saxton joined Hell’s Belles last year. Hailing from Wollongong, Saxton said in Australia you’re raised on AC/DC, especially when your hometown is 50 miles south of Sydney, where AC/DC originated.

“Pretty much everyone where I grew up listened to AC/DC,” Saxton said. “It’s like a prerequisite to live in the area.”

Saxton, as lead singer, is tasked with the Bon Scott role. She tries be as authentic as she can in recreating Scott’s trademark howl in an effort to pay homage to the singer, who died at 33 in 1980.

“He’s a hero of mine, (I’m) keeping his spirit alive,” she said. “It’s an honor to do that.”

While part of Saxton’s lure to the band is both homage and patriotism to her native Australia, it also gives her an opportunity to rock, really hard.

“This bunch of girls makes me happy, and they’re equally happy about what they do in life,” she said. “People are amazed that women can rock, which is pretty (stupid,) because women have been fantastic musicians throughout the ages.”

Contact features editor Suzanna Caldwell 459-7504.

IF YOU GO

What: Hell’s Belles

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Blue Loon, 2999 Parks Highway

Tickets: $25 online

Information: www.theblueloon.com,

457-5666