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Jul 15 - With DEF LEPPARD currently on break from touring and recording any new music, lead singer JOE ELLIOTT has buried himself in an unusual new project. Elliott created the band DOWN N' OUTZ, which includes the London-based band QUIREBOYS, to release the album My ReGeneration. The CD features songs by MOTT THE HOOPLE, as well as the bands formed by Mott the Hoople's various members after they broke up, including MOTT, BRITISH LIONS and solo songs from Hoople singer IAN HUNTER.
Why Mott the Hoople? Elliott says that while many people think that "THE BEATLES or the [ROLLING] STONES or THE WHO or maybe LED ZEPPELIN" are the most important band in music, he said, "for me, it's Mott The Hoople."
The idea for My ReGeneration arose after Elliott and the Quireboys opened for Mott when they reunited in October of 2009. Elliott said that he found out that the band wanted him to be involved with the reunion when he "got this kind of hush-hush [message] in March of last year" that said the band were getting back together and were playing shows. He immediately e-mailed the Def Leppard team and told them "on penalty of death, do not plan anything for the first week of October because I am not going to be around." That gig led to Elliot forming Down N' Outz to record the Hoople tribute. My ReGeneration is currently available in stores, though so far there are no plans for Down N' Outz to tour.
As far as Elliott's other band is concerned, he said Def Leppard is taking the year off and staying out of the spotlight. But behind the scenes is a different story -- Elliott rattled off a laundry list of projects the band is currently working on, including "a couple of books...Coffee table photo books." Leppard are also in the middle stages "of a cartoon series that's in the making" as well as "a box set which will cover the entire history of the band." And yes, there's new music in the future -- the band is planning on releasing a live album next year and are currently working on new material.
Def Leppard fans can also look forward to hearing a new interpretation of the band's hit "Photograph" on CARLOS SANTANA's upcoming album, which is in stores on September 21st. He's covering the song with CHRIS DAUGHTRY on vocals. Elliott said he hasn't heard the cover yet, adding "with Santana I kinda get the feeling it's gonna be very, very different."
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