Complete transcript of Rock Online's conference with Def Leppard's Phil Collen, held in the CompuServe Convention Center on December 13, 1995. Brett (Mod): % The floor is now CLOSED Brett (Mod): % Moderator recognizes [102022,3151] Phil Collen Brett (Mod): % Recognized [102022,3151] Phil Collen Brett (Mod): Good evening everyone.... Brett (Mod): and welcome to a night with Phil Collen of Def Leppard... Brett (Mod): presented by PolyGram and Rock Online Forum... Brett (Mod): without further ado... Brett (Mod): let's welcome Phil Collen... Brett (Mod): Good evening Phil and welcome to Compuserve. ga Phil Collen: Hi everybody. ga Phil Collen: Groovy. Phil Collen: ga Brett (Mod): Do you have any words of wisdom for the masses, before Brett (Mod): we hit the questions from the floor? ga Phil Collen: Wrap up and don't go outside. It's pretty chilly out! ------------------------------------------------------------ Jen/DJ asks: Hi Phil! First of all, I want to say that I am SO glad to see you online! There has been ALOT of talk about Slang, and that it will sound a bit like "TLC, Boyz II Men, and U2". Are you referring to harmonies, etc.? Also what will be the first release from Slang? Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------ Brett (Mod): :::: dramatic pause :::: Phil Collen: It does sound anything like those artist. More aggressive, more raw, live tracks in the studio in the back. It's just a ton of different influences. Alot of music R&B, Alternative Etc. ga Brett (Mod): Phil Collen: The album will be out in May. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Okie asks: Phil ... This is Okie ....I was wondering why the band decided to do three versions of Miss You In A Heartbeat on Retro? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: The original version had pretty much everything. I heard Joe playing it on the piano. We decided to do it natural sounding with Joe playing the piano. Very different from the stuff we were doing. Nice departure, raw with the piano. It was fun and we didn't know what version to leave on. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Melanie (Metal Mel) asks: Another question: Can you verify a report that Leppard are to play a show in Harrisburg, PA this Dec? If not--consider coming to Detroit! :) ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: We're not playing anywhere. Next year we have rehearsals in March and will start rehearsing in May and touring in July. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Tom (Lyrics Guy) asks: Q: Tell us about your and Viv's involvement in the Jeff Beck tribute album. ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: It called Jeffology. There were people looking for people to play a tribute album and we were picked to do it. We enjoyed doing it. It was really nice just to play guitar. ga Brett (Mod): Phil, in the liner notes for "Vault", you are quoted as saying that Love Bites was the only song that made your Mum cry.... it is my all time favorite Leppard tune... did your mom say why it had such an effect on her? ga Phil Collen: It just struck some kind of chord. Lyrically some people can relate to that type of song. When she first heard the demo she was embarrased and stuff. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ M_Reinemann asks: Hi Phil! We all miss you here in the USA. I was just wondering if there will be an accoustic version of "Have You Ever Needed Someone so Bad" either on a b-side or album? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: Not yet. We did this two month promo tour. Phil Collen: Some was acoustic for 1 hour. But we didn't do that Phil Collen: maybe one day we'll do that. If anything will Phil Collen: be a b-side we wouldn't expect it yet. We have a ton Phil Collen: of acoustic stuff though. Thanks! ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Jennifer SJ asks: First of all, Happy Holidays to you and Rory! All five of you have said at one time or another that Slang is a new sound for Def Leppard. Did this new sound just evolve or was there a conscious effort to "do something different"? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: It was a conscious effort. We got tired in the studio with sterile records. Phil Collen: We wanted to set the tone for the new album as a real band and that we could still play. Phil Collen: It was like a breath of fresh air to do our own thing and not worry about production and stuff. It was refreshing and that was the big difference on this album. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Jeff Gerhard asks: Phil i know this forum is supposed to be about def leppard but i have a question concerning Girl.How do you view your time with girl? And do you still talk to any of the other guys? Just to let you know I am friend with Darlene Deering she was shocked that i knew about girl....... ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: I meet people all around the world that bring up Girl. Phil Collen: I still speak to Jerry and Simon. Simon actually stayed Phil Collen: here this summer. I always speak to Jerry. I had Phil Collen: a great time with Girl. Def Lep and Girl came out at the same time. It was alot of fun. I really learned a lot. Phil Collen: It was very interesting and a lot of fun. ga Brett (Mod): Some of the folks here were wondering ... where are you tonite??? ga Phil Collen: I'm at home. Southern California and it's raining. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ James L. Shelby asks: Is there a better place to write to for getting in touch with the band...Besides Rock Squad? So many of us have never received anything back from them. ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: It's always a problem getting in touch with bands. Phil Collen: The best way to get in touch is like what we're doing Phil Collen: right now. Phil Collen: Three of us live in CA the rest live in different parts of Phil Collen: the world. Phil Collen: It's really difficult. Wait, some kind of online thing Phil Collen: would be perfect. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Cynbok asks: Hi Phil! I know you're big on Jackson guitars. Are you using those on Slang as well? And what other kinds of guitars are you using? ------------------------------------------------------------ Brett (Mod): while we are waiting for Phil to answer , lets' try another vote... Phil Collen: I am using Jackson and a new model coming out Phil Collen: The 1959 Gibson Less Paul reissue also. 1954 Gibson 175 on the new single from the Vault album.ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Jen/DJ asks: Jen forwarding a question from Aljaz in Slovenia (off the coast of Austria) - Is there a chance that the Leps will play here in Slovenia? Even tho no promotion has ever been made here, the Leps get ALOT of airplay and sell good too! Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: The Les Paul was the main guitar I used. ga Phil Collen: We try to play everywhere. Phil Collen: India, Indonesia and places like that, Korea, Japan a few times. We definitely would go there. It's Phil Collen: definitely the most fun part of being in the band is Phil Collen: going to different places. When Steve was alive we Phil Collen: used to take off somewhere. It's a lot of fun to do that. I think it's very important. We'll try to get there. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ P. B. Fonteece asks: Is there a chance of hearing any drum solos on this CD or the next? We need more drum solos in this world! PB ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: Certainly not. However, in Work it Out the best drum Phil Collen: solos were played. Remember all this stuff was Phil Collen: done in a living room. This album is special for Rick. He never thought he'd be playing a real Phil Collen: drum kit again. Great sound and great playing but Phil Collen: not solos. Maybe a little introduction on things in the Phil Collen: future. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Auzi asks: Hi Phil! I'm thrilled to be talking to you! :) How did you feel the day you joined Def Leppard? What did you think would happen to your life? Did you ever think you'd be this successful? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: I think it shocked all of us with Pyromania. Phil Collen: It was news to all the rest of the guys as well. Joe said do you want to come down and play guitar solos and never asked me to join the band. I was Phil Collen: just coming over to help out. It was here's the song Phil Collen: just think of a solo for it. Never really asked. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Cookie Moore asks: Will an official Discography ever be published? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: The japanese version of Vault has a discography in it with a little picture disk. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Chris asks: Ever since Hysteria the Leps have been putting out some absolutely awesome power ballads. When Love and Hate Collide is another great addition. Why all the ballads? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: Ballads are the easiest to write. We try to balance an album out. Phil Collen: To give it variety. It's unfortunate in some cases that radio stations Phil Collen: pick up on ballads. That's why ballads become such high profile songs I think. ga Brett (Mod): I couldn't resist this question..... ------------------------------------------------------------ Colin Carnes asks: Do you have any desire to do a country album? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: No. Phil Collen: Our old producer was into country and western music. Phil Collen: Not me personally. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Jennifer SJ asks: We've heard Rick Allen has a computer, and you're obviously typing on SOMETHING. Can we look forward to any other cyberinteraction with the band? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: I would really like to think so. Phil Collen: We have nothing set up. Hopefully in the near future. Phil Collen: I don't get too involved in it. Phil Collen: I'm really interested in doing it. Definitely. Phil Collen: ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Brendan asks: Hi Phil, I'm 12 and learning to play guitar. Any advise besides practice ? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: I spent a lot of time learning things I didn't like and that put me off a bit. Phil Collen: Find out your good points. Try to listen and be open minded as to what Phil Collen: everyone is doing. I perfer listening to singers these days and that really helps Phil Collen: my guitar playing. It's great instrument and a great way to express yourself. Phil Collen: The whole competition thing is something not to become involved in. Phil Collen: When I was a kid, a lot of my friend were into violence. Phil Collen: and into weird stuff. I channelled all my teenage angst into the guitar. Phil Collen: It's a person thing, self expression. Most people any where in the world Phil Collen: it's when their a teenager. Channelling to guitar, music helps you get your act together. ga Brett (Mod): I'm curious Phil, who are your early influences in Rock? ga Phil Collen: When I was 4 I pretended to be Paul Mccartney. I was into the glam stuff in the 70's. Phil Collen: I used to like to listen to the Motown stuff. There Phil Collen: are so many different areas of music that I got into. Bowie in the 70's, Hendricks. Phil Collen: I saw Eno from Roxy Music. I was totally cool. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Barbara asks: Hey Phil, tell us is it possible to put together a Lep convention like Kiss does? It's not as though you guys couldn't pack 'em in ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: The big problem is that we need to do it in a neutral space where we'll all be together at the Phil Collen: same time. We rarely get the time off. For example if there was one in LA in May Phil Collen: maybe we'd do it. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Ron asks: If ballads are the easiest, what songs are the hardest to write? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: Commercial hard rock songs. Phil Collen: Anything like Addicted to Love, Smells Like Teen Spirit. In general they're harder to write without Phil Collen: sounding the same as everything else. ga ------------------------------------------------------------ Scout asks: I was lucky enough to be at the Intimate and Interactive in Toronto last month. You guys were amazing!! I was blown away by your lead vocals on MYIAH! any chance we are going to hear you or Sav do any lead vocals on any upcoming albums? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: I sing on a lot of stuff, background vocals, verses. Yeh Phil Collen: maybe so. Thanks for asking. Not as yet though. Brett (Mod): Well, folks.... unfortunately time is up for tonite.... We have time for one more question.... hmmmmm Brett (Mod): who's will it be???? ------------------------------------------------------------ Russ Sinclair asks: Hey Phil! On your next stateside tour (which we WILL road trip as far as it takes to see), will you be using another 'in the round, in your face' sort of stage set? ------------------------------------------------------------ Phil Collen: No I don't think so. Phil Collen: We done it twice now. It's time for a chance. Phil Collen: The last three albums we did in a certain way. Phil Collen: In the round thing for the next tour definitely won't Phil Collen: be. As soon as you get bored with something you Phil Collen: more on. The next tour will be exciting! Phil Collen: ga Brett (Mod): Phil.... Thanks so much for taking the time to be with us tonite... You are great! I also want to thank Cindy from PolyGram and also Rock Online for bringing us the Phil Collen / Def Leppard Conference tonite. Brett (Mod): Thanks for coming tonite Phil. Brett (Mod): Let's let everyone say goodnite to you themselves....... Happy Belated Birthday! Brett (Mod): % The floor is now OPEN Jen/DJ: Night Phil! And Thanks! Phil Collen: Thanks very much now I'm going out for an Indian meal. Thank you all! Jennifer SJ: Thanks again, Phil!!! Trish: hey happy bday Danika: Goodnight, Phil! Jacques Boileau: goodnight Phil Chach: bye, Phil..you rock JulieMJTE: 'night Phil! Okie: Thank you Phil! It's been an honor! pat: night Phil M_Reinemann: Bye phil! Trish: goodnight Cynbok: Thank you Phil! Don Shaull: how is Show how is Sav doinggoddnight phil. LC: night Phil Cynamin (AJ): Good bye Phil! Thank you for coming! MARIA TERESA JAVIE: happy birthday, phil! Okie: Happy B-day! Scout: goodnight Jen/DJ: Merry Christmas! Jeff: Rock on! AngiLynn: Bye from 3 of your BIGGEST fans!!!!! Cookie Moore: It was great seeing you & everyojne in Vancouver Phil! Dennis Carver: Night Phil enjoyed it Melanie (Metal Mel): Thanks Phil! Chris: nice talkin with you, Phil! Don Shaull: goodnight see ya phil Richard Preston: (cheers & screams) Thomas C. Dyer: Thanks Phil chandra: Thanks alot Phil!!! Tom (Lyrics Guy): Thanks Phil! Toon: Hope to see you guys play in the US soon, Phil! Eva Sines: G'night Phil Thanks so much.. James L. Shelby: For all here that have access to IRC I run the DefLeppard channel. William Bonds: Phil you NIght Phil Up the hammers Jen/DJ: Ditto Cookie! Vancouver was GREAT! awest: goodnight, tell the others hello Jacques Boileau: see you in Montreal! Don Shaull: see yacheerschcheers pat: Thanks Phil, hope you do a US tour soon Scout: Thanks Phil!! Hope to see you in Canada again soon!!! Don Shaull: how is ho Okie: AUZI!!!!!!!! Danika: Phil, is it still raining in your area? I think that it's just windy in my part of LA. Jeff Gerhard: dick/exit JulieMJTE: Okie, are you okay? chandra: Are you a Howard Stern fan Cookie Moore: Hope you and the rest of the Band & your families have a Happy Holiday Season! Cynamin (AJ): Great work on WLAHC! Keep it up! Don Shaull: how is savhow ishow is sav Richard Preston: Very KEWL!!!! Brett (Mod): Don't forget to GO ROCKON to visit the Rock Online Forum. Okie: I don't know Julie ..pinch me! Don Shaull: how is how is sav Okie: better yet ...let Phil! ;-) JulieMJTE: Pinch! Chris: when will the transcript be available? Melanie (Metal Mel): Thanks for your help tonite Brett! Brett (Mod): Clap, Clap, Clap, Chach: Tel sav nice hair Brett (Mod): No problem Mel. Teegan: Emulation mode/exit Jen/DJ: Great job Brett! Thanks! Brett (Mod): Sorry I couldn't get to everyones question. M_Reinemann: Hi Brett, will there be a transcript of this conference available? Cynamin (AJ): Thank you Brett JulieMJTE: Shall we "Garage? Melanie (Metal Mel): How many did you get? Tons? William Bonds: Well done Phil up the hammers Brett (Mod): I will upload the transcript tonite, it should be available some time tomorrow. Melanie (Metal Mel): Good idea Julie! Jen/DJ: YES JULIE!!! LC: lets go to the garage lep fans Cynamin (AJ): Hey.... what server for the IRC channel? Colin Carnes: it is sad to see what has happened to Lep!!!! Jen/DJ: Garage Lep fans!! Don Shaull: how ihow is savhow howhow is how is sav JulieMJTE: LOL! Jennifer SJ: Garage??? Cynbok: Where will the Transcript be available! James L. Shelby: us.underground.org #DefLeppard Melanie (Metal Mel): Garage!! Okie: I Chris: how can I access the IRC channel? Jen/DJ: Sav is diong OK Colin! John Masker: help Eva Sines: Brett, where will the transcript be abvailable GO ROCKON? Okie: I'll meet ya all in the garage!! Jen/DJ: diong -=doing Teegan: exit James L. Shelby: Find software called mIRC if you use a PC JulieMJTE: See ya there! AngiLynn: Are you saying we should go to the garage???? Cookie Moore: Thanks Brett! JulieMJTE: YES! Jen/DJ: YES! Melanie (Metal Mel): Yep! James L. Shelby: Thanks Brett. Thank Cindy Jennifer SJ: YES! Okie: Let's go!!! Brett (Mod): Yes the Transcript will be available in the Rock Online Forum. John Masker: i got it Chris: where do I find mIRC, is it on Compuserve? Cynamin (AJ): Where are we going? Cookie Moore: And thanks to Cindy at Polygram too! Bartman: I wanted to Know when lep would be in Toronto Brett (Mod): Everyone GO ROCKON to continue your chat ... Don Shaull: howhhow is sav? William Bonds: cookie moore you crawler Cookie Moore: How do you get to Rockline Forum? Jen/DJ: Yes! Thanks Cindy! ;-> James L. Shelby: Use an archie program to find it. Its a program finder. Brett (Mod): GO ROCKON Chris: thanks Chach: brett, are you kicking us out? Ralph: Hello ++++++/exit Brett (Mod): % The floor is now CLOSED Brett (Mod): This ends the formal conference with Phil Collen, if you would like to continue your chat.... GO ROCKON to visit the Rock Online Forum. Brett (Mod): Good nite all, and THANKS to ALL of you for coming! Happy Holidays. Brett (Mod): % The floor is now OPEN William Bonds: If UK subscribers were not allowed to access why didn't someone tell us it is 3am here Brett (Mod): % Moderation of this conference has ended Brett (Mod): % The floor is now OPEN Colin Carnes: they were allasleep Brett (Mod): Conference PolyGram / DEF LEPPARD Guitarist Phil Collen is no longer available