Adrenalize rocking out Coshocton with best of Def Leppard

COSHOCTON − Presenting the type of raw and high energy rock show the 1980s was noted as the goal of Adrenalize, The Ultimate Def Leppard Experience .

The tribute act to one of the most popular hair metal bands of all time will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, on the Coshocton Court Square as part of the third annual summer concert series. The first concert of the season was the Pat Benatar tribute band, Invincible, on June 22. Up next is the Chicago tribute Beginnings on Aug. 3 and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute Southern Accents on Sept. 8.

Adrenalize features George Tsalikis on lead vocals, Damiano Christian on guitar and vocals, Jef Scarfi on guitar and vocals, Lenny Lee on bass and vocals and Lee Nelson on drums and vocals. Nelson said they perform all the hits people know by Def Leppard, along with some deeper cuts like “Wasted,” “High 'n' Dry” and “Switch 625.”

"What we pride ourselves on is that we really try to create a concert experience. It's not just a cover band, you can see that anywhere. We try to create a rock concert experience like you would have seen back in the 80s when the scene was a real scene," Nelson said. "We just don't perform it. We relive it. You're not coming just to listen to songs. You're coming to be in the songs."

Def Leppard originally formed in 1976. Their albums "Pyromania" in 1983 and "Hysteria" in 1987 went diamond in the U.S. "Adrenalize" in 1992 went triple platinum. "Love Bites" went to number one on the Billboard singles chart and they had 12 other top 40 singles such as “Foolin,'” “Rock of Ages” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me.” Def Leppard was inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Nelson said it's impossible to pick his favorite Def Leppard song. But if asked if there are any he doesn't like, the answer is a quick no. He does prefer the bouncy, up beat songs, but the ballads have their place too.

"What I can honestly tell you is that I don't get tired of playing these," Nelson said. "I never gets old."

Nelson believes tribute acts of all kinds are important in keeping some artists alive and catering to their fans. He laughs when someone accuses them of thinking they're just as good or better than Def Leppard. That's not the point of what they do.

"We're playing songs we love and tributing this act. Do we think we're Def Leppard? Absolutely not. That's the first thing that comes up. 'Oh, these guys think they're rock stars, they think they're Def Leppard.' No, it's not about being rock stars. It's about being a musician, playing music you enjoy and conveying that to other audiences that enjoy that same music," Nelson said.

"If you want to see a smaller scale band performing with blood, sweat and tear, come see us. You'll get a great experience."

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Adrenalize rocking out Coshocton with best of Def Leppard