It doesn't take long for those listening to the new Def Leppard album 'Euphoria' to sense a definite change in the Sheffield, England quintet's musical stride. While still chock full of catchy melodies and superb production, there seems to be a more playful side to the music this time out, much different then the band's last outing, the more emotional and sometimes odd-sounding 'Slang' (1995).
When asked about the subtle changes within the band's music -- and even the changes throughout the years -- drummer Rick Allen comments, "I think there is many aspects and facets to this record. There is something for everybody. That came out of doing a record like 'Slang,' where we had a lot of freedom to do what we wanted to do. We change as musicians and it comes out in what we do on record. People wanted a classic Def Leppard record, but they also wanted a bit of self-indulgence and I think that's what we got here with 'Euphoria.'"
Some people might not know this, but Def Leppard have been around for almost twenty years, a lengthy time for any band out there. Since the early days of bar room showcases onto selling out arenas and delivering hit single after hit single (the band saw a definite flourish of them in the late 80s), Def Leppard has always been about having a good time. Along with singer Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, Def Leppard has managed to stay alive in the ever-evolving music scene of the 90s. While not selling monstrous amounts of records as they had done with 'Pyromania' in 1983 and 'Hysteria' in 1997 (the new record is #59 on Canada's SoundScan charts, #65 on U.S. charts), the band still manages to keep things going thanks in part to hit singles and a strong and supportive fan base.
"I feel like a sad old tosser," laughs Allen about the years he and his mates have invested into Def Leppard. "I'm joking but you know what? Every morning Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler get out of bed and do the whole Rock n' Roll thing and they have like ten or fifteen years on us all and it gives us hope to be able to continue this. We just want to try to do this as long as we can and just write good songs. That's all."
And the process of writing songs, how do they fall into place for Def Leppard? How do they pick the songs that make up each record? "Writing songs has always been important to us," relates Allen. "It is something that we have always prided our self with. We have written many songs and it just comes into focus for us when we know we have a song, when there is nothing else we can do with it and it sounds strong. But it's hard to not go back and want to fix up things. We've written some great songs, but to get to that point took a bit of time. At the end of the day if we can sit down and hear it as a music fan and we feel the emotions it conjures up, then we're happy."
How have they managed to stay in tune and alive in this savage world of rock n' roll?
"I think friendship and the whole family values thing of being in a band has kept us together," he says. "We all grew up together in this band. The fact that friendship is more important than any other aspect seems to be the reason why it has worked out for us in the long run. Plus the fact that we can write pretty decent songs. I don't think we are afraid to disagree with one another. Light-hearted competition is good, as long as you don't take it any further than that."
As for the change in music, especially in the 90s, he states, "It was a big deal for us in the early 90s when the whole scene changed with the introduction of Nirvana. We welcomed the change, but then there were all of these other bands out there popping up and rehashing all these sounds and styles. It wasn't good. We became the alternative to the alternative at the time. I think people are ready to smile again and smoke a joint, rather than be sad and stick a needle in their arm."
"We've always been into this for the entertainment factor," finishes Allen. "We never wanted to get involved in religion or politics or any statements within our music, though at times we have and have been serious with certian songs, but the main ingredient for Def Leppard has always been to entertain the fans and send them home happy. It's been a great party then and now."
