For Alaskans who love to rock, Hell's Belles salutes you.

The all-female group formed as a tribute to Aussie super rockers AC/DC in 2000. While AC/DC's power chords are standards on Alaska radio, the boys behind "TNT" have never taken the stage in Alaska. The Belles, however, visit the state twice a year and play to packed houses in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

The Belles are sometimes called the second best thing to AC/DC, a comparison lead guitarist Adrian Conner is proud of.

"We definitely take that as a compliment," Conner said in an interview from Austin, Texas.

In addition to Conner as Angus Young, the current Belles lineup includes original member Mandy Reed as Cliff Williams (bass guitar), Lisa Brisbois as Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar), Melodie Zapata as Phil Rudd (drums), and Jamie Nova as both Bon Scott and Brian Johnson (lead vocals).

The Belles' set is often built on hits such as "Thunderstruck" and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," but they're planning to show off their "Highway to Black" playlist at Chilkoot Charlie's tonight. The band will work through the entire "Highway to Hell" album starting with the signature song and going all the way to "Night Prowler." After an intermission, they'll jump back onstage and crank up "Hell's Bells," playing through the "Back in Black" album to "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution."

Conner said the Belles see themselves as performers trying to re-create a live version of the studio-produced albums fans are used to, but it's a challenging feat: even AC/DC doesn't sound exactly like their albums live. The bar is set even higher by a set that runs around 90 minutes.

"It's really hard vocally for our singer," Conner said. "She had to quit smoking when we started doing the new format."

Conner gets a workout onstage too. Dreadlocks flailing, she mimics Young's antics and dress, jumping around in a sports coat and plaid skirt that apes the short-shorts of his schoolboy outfit. Conner gets a bit banged up during shows, but she's too much of an entertainer to rein it in. Instead she sees a masseuse to work out the bruises.

Their work ethic is also apparent in their practice habits. While Conner is in Texas, the other Belles are in different cities in Washington, making frequent jam sessions hard to pull off. Conner said the group spent a year getting the "Highway to Black" set dialed, often practicing individually by playing along with CDs. When they do get together at gigs, the ladies use their sound check as a chance to practice as a group.

For the skeptics and purists who might turn their noses, consider this: A few years ago the girls got props from their idols while hanging backstage and swapping stories. Guitarist Young even told Blender Magazine the Belles were his favorite AC/DC tribute band. It's a fitting compliment for a group that acts as Alaska's ambassadors to AC/DC.