Def Leppard Atomic Mess News

Def Leppard may be seen as Sheffield's finest sons but talking to singer Joe Elliott, you soon discover the Midlands have played a crucial role in shaping the band into the rock superstars of today.

But you have to back track a long way to get there.

Back past the multi-million selling 1980s success of the Hysteria and Pyromania albums, with legendary producer Mutt Lange shaping the band's sound and guiding them into the stratosphere.

Past the car crash that cost drummer Rick Allen his left arm, and past the alcohol-related death of guitarist Steve Clark.

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Def Leppard bassist Rick 'Sav' Savage is not looking his best when I meet him the morning after the band's intimate performance at London's Carling Academy Islington.

There were just a few hundred invited guests and competition winners in attendance and Sav says: "It was like the club gigs we did before the debut album came out in 1980."

But Sav adds that he went on stage in some discomfort - and he's still suffering.

"I've been a little under the weather with a kidney infection which leaves me weak," he reveals. "When we came off stage I told the others that I wouldn't want to do that kind of show every night for a living!"

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Joe Elliott was interviewed by the UK Guardian. Below are some of the questions that were asked in the interview:

• The best holiday …
• To get around on tour …
• We gave up on the plane …

Full text of interview…

I've added a download of M!ss Crazy's cover of Tear It Down to the audio section.