From: "Mike N. Reinemann" Date sent: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 17:03:37 -0400 Subject: Def Leppard hasn't lost its heavy-metal polish Express-News: Arts and Entertainment 08/03/2000 Music: Def Leppard hasn't lost its heavy-metal polish By Robert Johnson Express-News Staff Writer Has any band's timing been worse than Def Leppard's? One of the biggest bands of the '80s, the British pop-metal quintet with the "Mutt" Lange- crafted, multilayered sound has succeeded almost in spite of itself. Consider the following: After becoming the darlings of early MTV with the 1983 "Photograph" album, the band struggled for four years to record the follow-up. With super-producer Lange unavailable, the band turned to Jim Steinman, known for his work with Meat Loaf. The tunes with Steinman were scrapped, and they decided to play "Waiting for Mutt" instead. In the interim, of course, Rick Allen had the car crash that turned him into a one-armed drummer. Fortunately, the follow-up, "Hysteria," was even bigger, beginning a yearlong climb to the top of the charts that would eventually produce six hits. You'd think the band would have learned its lesson, but no. An endless tour delayed sessions for the next album. By then, guitarist Steve Clark was in bad shape. He entered a rehab clinic to kick his alcohol abuse, but it was too late — he died in early 1991, having already worked on part of the next album. This time the delay was costly. By the time "Adrenalize" appeared in 1992, grunge was in, and pop-metal bands were on their way out. Most '80s bands attempted to redefine themselves at some point in the '90s, usually without success. Def Leppard again waited too long. Though it received some good press, 1996's "Slang!," which ditched the layered sound in favor of a rougher mix that incorporated industrial and techno, sounded like a desperation move. It sank almost without a trace. Wisely, the band regrouped and did the only thing it could — go back to basics, trends be damned. Last year's "Euphoria" was an unapologetic return to the pop-metal sound. It certainly went over big locally — a promotional concert at a local Wal-Mart drew a throng of 8,000 that lapped up a 45-minute set. Tuesday night in the Freeman Coliseum, the band makes its first "official" appearance in San Antonio since an "in-the-round" show at the late HemisFair Arena in 1993. And while Def Leppard isn't exactly riding a hair- band revival, it's no longer uncool to be an '80s relic, guitarist Vivian Campbell said. Saying there was a time in the '90s when "everyone hated us," Campbell told a writer for the Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette, "The first show we did for 'Euphoria' was a big radio festival. The guitarist in Hole was wearing a 'Pyromania' T-shirt and we heard Local H being interviewed on the station saying how excited they were to be playing with us." Though record sales may never reach "Hysteria" proportions, tours are a different matter. Fueled by classic-rock radio, there are enough people out there still wanting to hear "Rock of Ages" or "Armageddon It" to keep Def Leppard on the road. Tuesday's show is the third leg of the "Euphoria" tour, which finds the band playing to sizable crowds. And this is without being part of a package such as the recent Poison/Dokken/Cinderella/Slaughter bill. "I won't begrudge anyone making a living, but you'll never see Def Leppard sharing a bill with another band from the '80s from that genre," Campbell told the Telegram. "Bands like that watered down what Def Leppard started with 'Pyromania.'" He said the band looks to Aerosmith, which has had more comebacks than Muhammad Ali, for inspiration in toughing out the lean times. So what's next? A new album, naturally. The band is scheduled to enter the studio in January to make an album due out sometime in 2001. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rjohnson@express-news.net Express-News: Send press releases or story ideas to the S.A. Life editor or fax them to 210-250-3405. © 2000 KENS 5 and the San Antonio Express-News. Portions © 2000 AltaVista. All rights reserved.