He is Sheffield's biggest rock star. He has a new album - in no way hinting at past glories - called Euphoria. He has a working knowledge of Swarfega, Ryan Giggs turns him on and he once punched a one-armed man. He is the singer in Def Leppard and he will be asked ….
How the devil are you?
Very well thank you. Life's a bit hectic at the moment with the new album and everything. Not that I'm complaining. If you'd told me when I was twenty-one that I'd be busier than ever at thirty-nine I'd have said, OK, I'll settle for that.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
T-Rex, Sheffield City Hall, 1971. It was at the height of their success, they were amazing. Bolan was the reason I got into music. I remember the venue seemed enormous, by the time we played there I swear you could spit onto the back wall. Once you've done Madison Square Garden a lot of other venues shrink.
What were you like at school?
I found my school reports the other day: "Shows promise, should concentrate more, if he spent as much time on his homework as he does on music and football he'd be top of the class."
If you weren't a rock 'n' roll star what would you be?
Realistically, I'd probably still be working in a factory in Sheffield. I was a storekeeper at Osborne Mushet Tools, responsible for buying everything from Swarfega to grinding wheels. I wrote all the lyrics to the first album in the basement.
What's your most treasure material possession?
My record collection - particularly the David Bowie and Beatles bootlegs.
What's the worst record you've ever made?
After we did our first EP we did a single with Nick Tauber who'd done Whiskey In The Jar with Thin Lizzy. Somehow his production skills deserted him, the opening guitar riff sounds like it was done on a fuzzy acoustic. It was called Wasted. It taught us how not to make records.
When did you last cry and why?
In the Philippines in 1996. I phoned my Mum and Dad and Mum told me Dad had just had a heart attack and was in hospital. I'm really close to my parents and there I was on the other side of the world not knowing if he'd still be alive the following day. Luckily he made a full recovery.
What's your poison?
Sake. I have a frighteningly high tolerance for it. I never use those little cups - it has to be at least a mug's worth. I can do a bottle in half an hour.
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Lucky. Excitable. Enthusiastic. Annoying. Happy.
What's in your pockets right now?
Nothing, I'm fresh out of the shower. When I go out I take fifty quid and one credit card. I'm frightened to death of losing my wallet.
Who was the last person you punched?
Rick, our drummer, in Spain, 1994. I was having a, let's just say, "turbulent time" in my personal life. Basically we had a scrape over women. It was all over in about two seconds. We kissed and made up the next morning.
What was the last record you bought?
Tom Waits Mule Variations. I'm a big fan. After we've sent a day rehearsing in the basement, our manager and I like to come upstairs and shoot some pool and just let the Waits album go round and round. I love it. It's perfect pool music.
What are you most likely to complain about in a hotel?
Tardy room service and ridiculous charges for foreign phone calls.
What characteristics do you think you've inherited from your parents?
I'm becoming my Dad, which frightens me, much as I love him. We're both worriers. My Mum's an ex-nurse who has no sympathy for everyday aches and pains 'cos she's seen kids die and stuff. She's taught me not to grumble.
What is your most unpleasant characteristic?
I've got a bit of vigilante in me. I like it when Charles Bronson puts a bullet through someone's head because they've raped his daughter. I'd be just the same.
What's your culinary specialty?
None. I could burn water. I made breakfast for my girlfriend when she was ill a while back - I don't think it helped.
What is your greatest fear?
Dying before my time. Sometimes you get on an airplane knowing you're going to be on another twenty three in the next twenty three days and you wonder ….
What music would you have played at your funeral?
Rest In Peace and All The Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople, and Eric Idle's Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
What's the greatest film ever made?
There are two. The Italian Job and The party with Peter Sellers.
Can you recite a line of poetry?
"The boy stood on the burning deck …" I'm sorry, it's the only line I know.
Have you ever been arrested?
Once. Me and my girlfriend got arrested in Los Angeles hotel for having an argument. An over-officious security guard stuck his nose in so I told him to fuck off. he called the cops. It was soon after the whole O.J. Simpson thing and they were pretty hot on spousal abuse and my girlfriend was covered in scratches from horse-riding. We tried to explain that we'd just been screaming at each other, but they wouldn't have it. The charges were dropped in the end but I had to spend a couple of hours in the cage.
What turns you on?
The female form, specifically my girlfriend's. And great goals like Ryan Giggs's winner against Arsenal.
Happiness is …
Right now, two weeks off.
Where are you off to now?
We're off to LA to shoot a video for the new single. Then we're going to finish off some B-sides. We're doing some classics like The Faces' Stay With Me, Bowie's Rebel Rebel and Who Do You Love off Ian Hunter's first solo album.
from Q Magazine, July 1999 edition