JOE ELLIOTT: The DEF LEPPARD 'Juggernaut Is Up And Running'

DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliott has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"Well, we're off! As usual, there's too much to do and not enough time to do it in, but the LEPPARD juggernaut is up and running!

"After Saturday's first day of rehearsals, yesterday was a day spent shooting footage to be included on the North American release of the 'Best Of'/'Rock of Ages' DVD. We shot 6 songs fully live in the rehearsal facility plus some 'B-roll' sort of back up footage if you like. Went well enough, so we'll see how it all turned out in a week or so.

"Today will see us doing much the same thing as well as running through the extra songs we're going to need for the shows we'll be doing with TESLA. We'll be working on some stuff we haven't played for a while and even some stuff we haven't played ever! So perhaps there's a few surprises in store, hopefully — including maybe one or two songs off the upcoming 'Yeah!' album (can we still call it an 'album', when vinyl's pretty much dead?) which will be released on September 20th. That's two albums out in four months, with a tour in between! Have we ever been so active?! Well, I suppose after a year off, we kinda need to be!

"There's an old analogy that goes like this: Take a look at the swan; above, all calm and still, but underneath flapping like the clappers! Well, that's us right now; oozing rockstar cool at every given opportunity, but secretly wondering/worrying if it's all going to be ready in time! It'll turn your hair grey and will add to the worry lines, but truth be told, I guess we wouldn't have it any other way. It certainly beats working for a living (yeah right!)

"See you down the road somewhere I hope..."

DEF LEPPARD will tour minor league baseball stadiums with BRYAN ADAMS, beginning on June 1 in Portland, Oregon. DEF LEPPARD will play several shows of their own during the summer as well.