In their forty-three year (!) recording career, it isn’t unfair to say UK rock stalwarts Def Leppard are known for a pretty steady formula and approach of, in the main, pristine, polished hard rock songs, centred in an eighties sheen. Most of us could recognise a Def Leppard-style song without too much difficulty, and they aren’t (a few deviations – RetroActive, Slang, Taylor Swift, and Ghostly interactions – aside) known for their musical risk-taking or surprises.
One of the stalwarts of the early NWOBHM scene, like many others in the genre, Whitley Bay rockers Tygers of Pan Tang were signed – albeit briefly – to celebrated Geordie label Neat Records along with the likes of Venom, Raven, and Saracen. However, while many of those acts were to remain on Neat a while longer (original vocalist Jess Cox even left the band to run the label), the commercial potential of Tygers… had not gone unnoticed, the band being signed almost straight away by prominent international label MCA.
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After leaving Mötley Crüe several months ago on a wave of positivity, and being replaced by John 5, former guitarist Mick Mars is suing his former band. The amicable retirement was actually a ruse,and he was apparently fired from the band. Mick has levied several serious charges against the band. According to a legal filing obtained by TMZ Mick claims his tour profits were slashed tremendously, that he wanted to perform live versus his band playing mostly to pre-recorded backing tapes, including Nikki Sixx pre-recorded bass tracks for all of the dates for “The Stadium Tour.” We know for a fact that Vince Neil and Tommy Lee have used tracks, but Mars prides himself on his playing, in spite of his battle with the debilitating illness, ankylosing spondylitis. He also claims Nikki “gaslighted him” by saying his playing skills have lessened over time. Mick is preparing his debut solo album, while his former band is on a world tour for 2023-24 with Def Leppard.
The brainchild of Dio and Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, Last In Line was formed in 2012 to celebrate the life of metal legend Ronnie James Dio. Reuniting some of Dio’s former bandmates to perform as a tribute act, Campbell handed vocalist Andrew Freeman the unenviable task of stepping into the great man’s elven boots, the former Great White and Lynch Mob frontman handling the job with confidence and authority ever since.
Heavy Metal supergroup Last In Line has shared a new single and music video for “House Party At The End Of The World.” It is the closing track of their upcoming new album, due out soon, on New Album Jericho Out March 31 Via earMusic. Watch the video and pre-order the album at the links below now.
According to a report from ABC News WSVN 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen was assaulted outside the hotel he was staying at after a show in South Florida. Allen was outside the Four Seasons in the valet area for a smoke. At that very moment, according to a police report, he was violently attacked by Max Edward Hartley, 19, who was visiting from Ohio. Allen in South Florida to perform a show at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino over the weekend. The show, this past Sunday, had Def Leppard co-headlining with Mötley Crüe. Allen, who has one arm following his infamous 1984 car accident, 59, was staying at the Four Seasons on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Bailey bailed out of the Broward County Jail on Tuesday. He was met by a 7News photographer who questioned why he would knock over a man with one arm and whether he knew that the man was Def Leppard’s drummer.
Funko, the global sensation of popular vinyl collectible toys company has finally released the POP Rocks! Vinyl Collecable figure of iconic Heavy Metal singer for Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and his solo career- Ronnie James Dio. Other artists who have gotten the Pop! Rocks treatment includes Slipknot, N.W.A., Kiss, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Prince, Rob Zombie, FFDP, Alice In Chains, PanterA, Dee Snider, Twisted Sister, a set of the guys in Twizted, Glow in The Dark Iron Maiden, and more. The Funko brand, which sells other figures and licensed merchandise, went public with an IPO in 2018.
After their biggest year ever this year, Hellfest 2023 has booked headliners Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden, and Slipknot! Set to take place June 15-18, 2023 In Clisson, France, the bill also includes Def Leppard, Pantera, Porcupine Tree, Amon Amarth, Alter Bridge And Within Temptation, and more! Headliners for the 2022 edition of Hellfest included Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Judas Priest, Deftones, Ghost, Scorpions, and Korn over two long weekends to make up for the missed pandemic year of 2020.
Ghost Cult caught up with Classless Act at Aftershock festival! Derek, Franco, and Dane chatted with Keefy all about their experience touring with Motley Crue and Def Leppard all year, their collaborative nature as a group, what they are looking forward to in 2023, and their upcoming unplugged EP!