What Do You Want To Hear?
I was checking out RollingStone.com today, and they had an interesting interview up with Phil Collen from Def Leppard. In it, Phil talks about how fans react to new music from the band when it’s performed in concert:
“You’d really like to go out there and play all your new sh-t off the new record, but you can’t do that, because they’d walk out,” he says. “It’s like when you go and see the Stones and Keith Richards starts doing a couple of songs, and everyone goes and buys a T-shirt.”
It’s unfortunate that for so many bands, that’s really the case. But not for everyone. Artists like U2 and Bruce Springsteen have the sort of fans that love hearing the new material. I remember seeing one gig on U2’s ”Vertigo” tour at Air Canada Centre where a woman behind me was singing along with “Yahweh” from “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” like it was an old classic and not the closer to the new album.
I figure fan reaction to a new song directly correlates to strength of the material. Will a new Def Leppard track from “Songs From The Sparkle Lounge” hold up beside a classic from “Pyromania” or “Hysteria”? If it does, than I’d think fans would want to hear it as much as a classic song.
How about you? When you see Def Leppard, or any established band for that matter, do you want to hear new material? Why or why not?
Take a listen to ”Nine Lives”, the first single from Def Leppard’s ”Song From The Sparkle Lounge” and then input the bonus code: LIVES
March 27th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Hi Andrew,
I have seen Springsteen twice on his current tour ( Detroit and Hamilton). As much as I like the new CD, the audience is really with him when he plays old songs like Badlands or Born to Run. If he would only play new songs, the concert wouldn’t be half as good. It’s good that he mixes it up.
March 28th, 2008 at 2:31 am
I hate to judge, but the simple truth is the new material by Def Leppard isn’t any good. The REAL truth is, though I loved High and Dry, Pyro, and Hysteria, THAT wasn’t really “good” either. It was timely, stylsh, rocked, catchy, Mutt Lange- genius… but good? Nope. “You got the peaches, i got the cream” vs. “See the bird with a leaf in her mouth, after the flood all the colors came out”. There is and has alwas been SOUL in U2, Springsteen, McCartney even, which is why people WANT to hear them play new material. But Def Leppard? It was always shallow. We outgrow shallow. And recycle it with bands like Fallout Boy. Viva Bono. Phil Collen could be more grateful and would therefore be happier, perhaps.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:28 am
You have to mix it up. This song kind of sucks so I could see why people might head for a t-shirt or beer when this starts. However bands that have new material that is worth hearing (U2, Springsteen and even the last two shows I saw, Bon Jovi and Mellencamp) find ways to integrate new stuff between their greatest hits.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Hi Andrew,
I don’t think the song is great from Def Leppard, but it is worthy of a listen. I , also, agree with some of the other comments that even though the new material may be strong, we are always hoping to hear the big hits of yester-year. There are noteable strong Discs that have come out recently -Springsteen, Bon Jovi, etc.. But what will always be the pitfall with every new Disc released - It will always be judged by the strength of their old hits —– rather than be judged for the growth they show or their matured stage in life. Strong Writers we always have strong material - RUSH, U2, Mellancamp, Springsteen, Bon Jovi, etc…other pop rock bands will struggle for past greatness, but you know what - they may get it right on occassion and they are still selling tickets to concerts, which counts for something. Right ?
Some other recent notables would be Helix’s latest release:
“The Power of Rock “n” Roll” - the whole disc is everything they were in the past - it rocks , it’s party music, and Brian has kept it simple, but catchy and fun. The song “Get Up” is the Helix we remember.
Check it out: http://www.planethelix.com/MainMenu.htm
and
WASP’s latest released -yes WASP, their latest Song “Heaven’s Hung in Black” has over 100 requests (web radio) in the last year since it’s release. It is current and a great tune - dare to check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbrqWarXPw0
Sometimes the older artists get it right once or twice again - even after 20 or 30 years later.
RiffBoyRob
P.S: I will always love Def Leppard even though they may have weak material. Loyalty keeps them and other artists going !
March 28th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I’m going to the Def Leppard concert, I’m hoping they play mainly songs from their 1st couple of albums back in the day, I’m sure they will play a couple of new ones however, I’m one person who likes to hear the hits, I wish bands would stop making useless CD’s and play the songs that made them famous in the 1st place
March 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I just listened to Def Leopards new song, I’m sorry but if you think adding Tim MaGraw to the track is going help, it doesn’t, I heard it once and truthfully I couldn’t give a rats pattudy if I heard it again, same old, same old.
March 29th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
i agree with Loir.
Tim Mcgraw DOES NOT HELP. what does he have to do with an 80s rock band? def leppard is a great live band buy they should just stick with their old albums from the 80s and early 90s because these are the good ones.
they keep making new albums but the sound is totally different from their old style. they should follow maiden & megadeth by sticking to their old sound whre the fans can appreciate them more.
rock on stroogies….
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Well, being a huge Def Leppard fan, I liked the new song but was shocked to find out Tim McGraw was on it - they’re great all on their own & don’t need any extra help. When at a concert, it’s expected that any band’s going to play new stuff so I don’t mind hearing it. However, it’s better if they intermix it with their old stuff & not play a bunch of it all in a row - somehow it’s more enjoyable that way. Sad that I can’t see Leppards in Hamilton on the 13th, but looking forward to their return to Toronto hopefully soon!!