Def Leppard keeps crowd on its feet

© 2000 Syracuse Online.
All rights reserved.

Def Leppard keeps crowd on its feet 
Band works its spell on the audience, getting them to sing along with their 
hits. 

By Mark Bialczak 

Singer Joe Elliott asked for the crowd's help.

The rock fans at the State Fair Grandstand Monday night couldn't wait to 
assist their heroes.

"If you sing it louder than they did in Texas, we might put you on instead," 
Elliott said before Def Leppard launched into a very cool acoustic version 
of its hit "Two Steps Behind."

Who knows what version of the song will show up today on 
www.defleppard.com, but the fans in Syracuse sure did their best to outdo 
the folks from San Antonio. 

It was a 100-100 show, when 100 percent of the fans stayed on their feet 
100 percent of the time.

The sweat flew because the work of Elliott, guitarist Vivian Campbell, 
bassist Rick Savage and drummer Rick Allen unleashed a barrage of great 
songs.

Since the days they hit the charts with "Photograph" in 1983, Def Leppard 
has been the kind of band that works its crunchy but melodic rock until it 
captures your brain.

A bunch of happy "prisoners" sang along to most every song - "Hysteria," 
"Animal," "Foolin' ," "Rocket," "Let's Get Rocked" and "Rock of Ages." And, 
of course, "Pour Some Sugar on Me," which had fans throwing packets of 
the granular sweets on stage.

Elliott presided over the whole affair with the panache of a rock front man 
who knows his band has what it takes. The Brit is pure sassy 'tude, lording 
over the stage with the presence of a Mick Jagger.

But Elliott made sure his passionate side showed when he spied a medic 
working over a fallen comrade on the floor part of the grandstand.

"We're not fighting, are we?" Elliott said. "Thank God for that. Just passed 
out from the excitement. Let's give thanks to the medical staff."

It took a while, but the four guys in the modern rock band Days of the New 
won over the Leppard-anticipating crowd sometime toward the end of their 
hard and loud set. Days of the New rocks harder than any other band that 
basically employs two acoustic guitarists.

Their handful of radio songs slowly drew the fans in, including "Shelf in the 
Room" and "Downtown."

They also unveiled a song from the band's third disc, which will be out 
shortly, and "Fighting with Clay" should become their next radio song.

But the clincher was definitely the finale, a blistering version of their most 
popular tune. Lead singer and guitarist Travis Meeks, guitarist Shane 
Vetter, bassist Dr. Konrad and drummer Ray Rizzo had everybody wound 
up for that one.

The crowd sang along to the lyrics "I've finally found the reason, I don't 
need an excuse, I've got time on my hands, you're the one to abuse."

Then the fans went back to downing beers and buzzing for Def Leppard. 

Tuesday, August 29, 2000