Def Leppard are looking for respect
Can a Def Leppard ever change its spots? The old-school British metal band who shot to fame in the '80s are back with a new album called Songs From The Sparkle Lounge and arrive in Cardiff on tour this week with Whitesnake and Thunder.
But while contemporaries such as Iron Maiden have enjoyed a huge resurgence in popularity and credibility, Def Leppard have remained a nostalgic side show in Britain, maligned for their ability to write slick US-friendly radio rock.
In recent years the band has enjoyed a change in management that has brought about a profile resurgence in America, but guitarist Phil Collen admits the band would like to be more respected in their home country.
"(We would like) to get more acceptance in Britain," says Collen, whose father is Welsh and has an auntie from Trehafod.
"We want to get to the next stage here."