Def Leppard back in Singapore after 20 years
After almost 20 years, veteran English rock band Def Leppard is back on our shores.
Dubbed as one of the greatest artists of hard rock, the 38-year old group shows no signs of letting go of their passion — music.
Album
Their 11th studio album, titled Def Leppard, was release on Oct 30 this year and debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 in the US.
The self-titled album was actually made during their North American tour early this year.
The band says that because they weren't tied down to any record companies or executives, they felt that this is the first album that they've truly made for themselves.
"We were able to create it for the right reasons. It wasn't because we wanted to be noticed on social media or this and that," said guitarist Phil Collen.
"It wasn't a business proposition. It was about being an artist, a thing that we really wanted to do. That's why the album sounds the way it does. It's pure us. It was all done in the true sense of artistry."
Social Media and New Music
When asked if things would have been different if social media had existed at the time the band was just formed, front man and lead vocalist Joe Elliot said that he's glad that it didn't.
"Purely because it gave us more opportunity to concentrate on what we really wanted to be, which is a band."
Collen added: "I think also when people form bands now, the motivation is a lot different than what we had. They want to be recognised or noticed. It's more of an ego-driven kinda thing, which is a shame.
"We wanted to make music, we wanted to be artists first."
The band also feels sceptical about new music, with new technology making it easier to create music.
Guitarist Vivian Campbell said: "I know how easy it is to make music nowadays. All you need is a laptop, $500 dollars worth of software and a microphone and a little bit of skill.
"What's really different is in the live arena. That's where you know if you're listening to great music or not. A lot of people can create music that, on the surface, superficially sounds really good, but they can't perform it live."
Concert
On what we can expect for their concert, Collen said that after touring for eight months, the band is at the best they've actually ever been.
"The vocals, the playing, the tightness... you're gonna see a Def Leppard that's at the top of their game, the best we've ever been in the 30 odd years that we've been around.. so we can guarantee that."
Catch the band on Tuesday's (Nov 24) Breakfast Show with Glenn Ong and the Flying Dutchman on One FM 91.3.
Def Leppard will be holding their concert tour on Tuesday (Nov 24) night at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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