Def Leppard Atomic Mess News

The Hart Dynamics drum site has scheduled Rick Allen for an online chat. No date has been announced as of yet. For more information, check Hart Dynamics.

The Unband has been announced as the opening act for the Def Leppard Summer 2000 US tour. The following blurb is from KNAC.com:

Well, it's only halfway through the year, but we are confident that this wins the award for "Most Unlikely Tour Package Of The Year." Power rock punkers The Unband have scored the opening slot on the first leg of the Def Leppard U.S. tour!!!! For those of you who haven't heard the up and coming TVT act, they sound kinda like Motorhead meets Nashville Pussy and are sure to scare the sh*t of he pop-metal Def lep fans. Should make for a hilarious and rockin' tour!!! The Unband have toured with other metal acts lately as well, including Dio, Motorhead, Dokken, Great White, Anthrax and Jackyl. The Unband's set will feature a six-foot, inflatable, mechanical hand that can gesture at the crowd, including such classic moves as "the finger," "metal horns," and "the peace sign." The group is touring in support of its debut album, Retarder, which was released March 7 on TVT Records.

The two bands will tour together from July 20, 2000 (at Mansfield, MA) through August 12, 2000 (at Burgettstown, PA). No bands have been announced for any shows after these dates.

Coming soon: an overview of The Unband.

The guitar card for Back In Your Face has been added to the Guitar Section.

I have added a short sample of The Law's original recording of Miss You In A Heartbeat. This version was recorded before the one released by Def Leppard on Retro Active.

Courtesy of Steve Veile: 850KB MP3.

Dalvin Degrate (aka Mr. Dalvin) of the RnB band Jodeci has released a solo album on Maverick Records. Titled Met.A.Mor.Phic, the album includes a cover of Love Bites. Sound sample will be coming shortly.

Rick Allen will be performing live with Mark Englert as part of The Mark Mason Project. Show locations are as follows. Time and prices are still TBA.

Wednesday, May 31, 2000
The Whiskey
8901 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA
(310) 652-4202

Friday, June 2 , 2000
Scruffy O' Shea's
822 Washington Blvd.
Marina del Rey, CA
(310) 821-0833
(310) 821-7432 (Entertainment Line)

A new Ian Hunter 2CD compilation set is out. It features Ian Hunter fronting for Def Leppard in All The Young Dudes. The track was originally recorded in 1996. Phil is also featured playing guitar on a second track.

Joe Elliott was at an Ian Hunter show in Leeds recently. He sang lead vocals on All The Way From Memphis and backing vocals along with Tracie Hunter on All The Young Dudes. He also closed the show playing Through The Looking Glass, which was billed as Joe's birthday present to Ian.

The listings of previous tour dates from 1979 to the present have been updated. Many dates that were missing were added, venues were corrected, and finally, everything was organized in an easier to read format.

Leppardmania, a new tribute album, is out in stores now. It can be purchased at most online music stores.

Cover art: 1.

Courtesy of tcdmntia@mm.com: 237KB MP3

Courtesy of Geary99@aol.com: 1, 2.

Courtesy of OrcaBay: 1, 2.

Phil Collen will be joined by Joe Lynn Turner of RAINBOW on an AC/DC tribute "remix" album. The two will record Back In Black (Die Krupps Remix).

Leppardmania - A Tribute To DEF LEPPARD, has the following track listing:

• John Corabi (UNION) - Wasted
• Joe Leste (BANG TANGO) - Rock Brigade
• Jani Lane (WARRANT) - Photograph
• Kevin Dubrow (QUIET RIOT) - Rock, Rock (Till You Drop)
• Steve Whiteman (KIX) - Too Late For Love and Foolin'
• Kelly Hansen (HURRICANE) - Rock Of Ages
• Phil Lewis (L.A. GUNS) - Bringin' On The Heartbreak
• Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS) - Let It Go
• Jizzy Pearl (LOVE/HATE) - High 'n' Dry
• Kory Clarke (SPACE AGE COWBOYS/WARRIOR SOUL) - You Got Me Running
• Paul Shortino (ROUGH CUTT) - On Through The Night.