Def Leppard: The Wait Is Over

That ‘ol rock cliché, ‘No rest for the wicked' could most definitely apply to rock legends Def Leppard.

While so many of their counterparts during the 80s rock movement are considered either washed up, planning reunion shows or six-feet under this British quintet is still going strong.

They join the ranks of a select bunch of rock royalty who have maintained three decades worth of life on stage and have managed to pull through the backlash of an ever-changing music scene.

Their hair might be shorter and wives may have come and gone but one things for certain, 100 years from now someone will still know every lick to "Pour Some Sugar On Me."

Between albums, including their latest Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, the band consider touring the globe their vitality and part of the way they stay relevant.

Guitarist Vivian Campell (former Dio and Whitesnake) who joined the rest of the crew in 1992, said part of Def Leppard's success is their primal urge for rock ‘n roll.

"We all have a collective ego," he joked during a phone interview from Los Angeles. "But the music is much more important."

Def Leppard laughed their way to the bank when critics chided them for taking a radio-friendly approach in the early 80s. When others who also rode in on the New Wave of British Heavy Metal took less commercial paths, Def Leppard was considered the wicked stepchild.

How dare they make it to mainstream radio. How dare they make it on to an upstart music television channel.

"It depends on who you ask," Campbell said about the backlash. "Def Leppard started wih the New Wave of British Heavy Metal but weren't heavy metal. They were pop dressed up as rock. When you think of heavy metal you think Black Sabbath. Def Leppard has strong pop leanings."

The guitarist says it's best not to get hung up on labels, unlike frontman Joe Elliot, whose track record includes being quite outspoken.

Instead they deal with the trends from an outsiders perspective. Elliot has said in recent interviews that the new album has a 70s feel to it with brushes of middle-to-late 70s AC/DC. Each worked separately on the new material while on the road, with each of the members contributing their own flare.

"It's actually our most honest album," Campbell said. "We didn't want to reinvent the wheel...sometimes we've ended up with a square wheel. But on this record the difference is you're getting four different lyrical points of view. Oh don't worry, there's still some mindless lyrical nonsense.

"It's like food, though...I like pizza but it's not all I eat," Campbells said of the band's diverse musical taste. "I love to play Leppard songs like but I don't instinctively write them. So we all bring different things to the table."

At the end of the day Def Leppard is a band about escapism, free from any political lean or darkened topics.

Through Pyromania, Hysteria and Adrenalize three of the band's most prolific albums Campbell says fans just want to rock out.

 "We're a strange little quirky band," he said. "But we respect each other and realize we aren't like so many others who have self-destructed."

Miriam Ramirez covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4468.

DEF LEPPARD

• WHEN: Wednesday, July 30
• WHERE: Dodge Arena
• COST: $120, $90, $65 (plus facility & convenience fees)
• FOR MORE INFO: www.dodgearena.com