Northern Ireland rockers The Answer have told of their delight at being asked to open for AC/DC on their upcoming tour of North America.

The explosive Co Down four-piece will play 42 dates in the States from October 28 to January 31, including shows at Madison Square Garden in New York and at the Forum in LA.

Prior to the AC/DC shows, The Answer — who have already supported The Rolling Stones, The Who and Aerosmith — will perform their New York headline debut at the Crash Mansion on October 25.

Singer Cormac Neeson said the support slot was a “dream come true” and described AC/DC as “probably the greatest rock ’n’ roll act on the planet.”

“Opening up for AC/DC on the American leg of the Black Ice World Tour rivals any high we have experienced as a band and there have been a few to date,” he said.

“The potential this serves up for the Answer is unbelievable. The American market is the biggest in the world and this is something we have only dreamed about up to this point.

“We’ve played a few gigs in the States before, but nothing like this. We’ll be performing in front of crowds ranging from 17,000 to 40,000 a night. We’ve been handed a remarkable gift on a plate and we’re going to make the most of it.”

The Answer have recently signed a record deal in New York with Sony Red. The tour will coincide with their debut US release of Never Too Late, a four-song EP and bonus DVD.

The band landed the support slot through record label connections — The Answer are with Australian company Albert Productions, the same label AC/DC began their career with.

Up to 150 bands were considered for the slot, but Malcolm and Angus Young, who formed AC/DC in 1973, liked the Answer’s sound.

“I think they saw us as kindred spirits,” said Cormac.

The lads head to New York next week and Cormac said they can’t wait.

“We’re excited more than nervous,” he said. “We played to 80,000 people in Belgrade when we supported the Stones and loved every minute of it and we’re really looking forward to playing with AC/DC now.

“I’m sure this will be an experience to remember and it’s a real privilege for us to be offered the opportunity.”

The Answer were back on home soil last night, playing in Belfast’s Spring and Airbrake.

The band hope to be invited to support AC/DC on their European tour, which includes an 02 show in Dublin on April 18.

“We’re really focused on America at the moment but it would be amazing to support them in Europe, particularly when they play Dublin,” he said.

“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”