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THEY’RE ON FIRE
Pyromania celebrates Def Leppard hits and B-sides By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
T
he Def Leppard tribute band Pyromania knows how to promote itself. Two years after Pyromania was founded in 2002, the musicians hosted a Def Leppard fan convention in Las Vegas to pique the interest of media and fans. It worked. Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen came by, hosted a drum circle and signed autographs at the Hard Rock Café. Pyromania earned mentions on VH1 and MTV, and the event raised $10,000 for Allen’s Raven Drum Foundation, which serves to educate and empower veterans, first responders and trauma survivors to prevent suicide through wellness support programs. “That was a little bit of a boost for us,” Pyromania lead guitarist Neal Shelton says. Notable gigs followed, like Summerfest in Milwaukee, for which Pyromania played songs like “Pour Some
Sugar on Me,” “Love Bites,” “Animal” and “Photograph” in front of 10,000 fans. “It was the largest audience I ever played in front of,” Shelton says. “The entire audience was singing along. I had goosebumps on my arms. I couldn’t believe I was playing in front of so many people.” Pyromania is spending 2022 celebrating its 20th anniversary. Gigs this year include a two-night stint at Casino Arizona Friday, February 18, and Saturday, February 19. “We’re going to recreate Def Leppard from the ’80s,” Shelton says. “You’re going to get all the big hits. We’ll throw in a few of the B-side-type songs, just a couple for the hardcore Def Leppard fans. We dress the part. One thing about our tribute band is everyone has real long hair — no wigs. All of us are experienced players who have been in national acts in the past. There’s a lot of talent on stage. Everybody in the band sings. You’ll hear all the big Def Leppard harmonies, like you hear on the albums.” The Torrance, California-born Shelton
performs in the Aerosmith tribute band Aeromyth, which also frequents Casino Arizona. Drummer James Schultz is a member of Sunflower Dead, who has toured with Hellyeah, Hed PE and Korn. Michael O’Mara, who fronts Pyromania, sang with Tracii Guns and leads the K-Tel All-Stars. Pyromania bassist Patrick McGrath plays guitars and keyboards and sings for the Foreigner tribute 4NR. Finally, John Kulczyk rounds out Pyromania. Spending two decades in Pyromania hasn’t been difficult, Shelton says. “They have so many hit songs. The music is so melodic,” he says. “But also, it can lean toward a heavier rock sound. They have a lot of big radio hits. At this state, they would be considered family friendly. We play concerts in the park. They have a big female following, and when the females show up, the guys come, too. It’s fun music and great songwriting.” When Shelton — who spent his teens opening for the likes of Ratt — isn’t onstage, he’s running his Neal Shelton
Entertainment and Neal’s Music Store based in Huntington Beach, California. He specializes in used and vintage equipment, while his wife, Cathy, is the expert in new pieces. Pyromania, Neal Shelton Entertainment and Neal’s Music Store all intertwine. He manages 100 tribute bands, including ABBA LA and Aeromyth. “I definitely keep myself busy,” he says. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Pyromania WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 18, and Saturday, February 19 WHERE: Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale COST: $15 INFO: 480.850.7777, casinoarizona.com, ticketmaster.com Neal’s Music Store nealshelton.com/nealsmusic
