Terror Twin [Def Leppard] #Wattys2016

I: White Lightning

Hysteria.
a state in which your emotions (such as love) are so strong that you behave in an uncontrolled way.

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Steve buried his head in his hands.
He stared down at the concrete under his shoes.

The lanky, blonde man blew out a sigh from between pale lips, running his fingers through his long, wavy hair. His Vintage Sunburst Les Paul leaned against the wooden bench he sat on, next to a bus stop a few meters down the street. The bustling traffic didn't help the stress building up in his muscles. A notebook was seated next to his thigh, opened to a blank page; consequentially, the first page.

It was Autumn, 1982.
Sheffield, England.

Steve was overwhelmed.

He twirled some of his locks around his first finger, beginning to hum a riff from the last album he had put out, titled High 'N Dry, 1981.

Although it was the second album they had released under the band name Def Leppard, they still were yet to find a hit.

In a world drunk on rock 'n' roll, Steve thought their rough sound would fit right in, as it was the start of a new era.

A promising era, for the 80's already reeked of filthy, harsh, downright disgusting rock 'n' roll.

Def Leppard was founded in 1977 on just that.

Two friends, vocalist Joe Elliott and bassist Rick Savage, better known as just 'Sav'. They were later joined by drummer Rick Allen and lead guitarist Pete Willis.

Pete had invited Steve to audition for the band once, but Steve hadn't bothered to show up. He always was the shy, quiet type; just a not-so-lonely man and his guitar.

The second time Pete asked, though, Steve appeared in front of his future band and played the solo of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird unaccompanied.

He joined on the spot.

Their first record, On Through The Night, released in 1980, barely struck a match in their scene. Still, the band was unfazed by it: who's going to get big with their debut album anyway?

They were sure High 'N Dry was it.
The 42 minute LP had some of their best material on it, ten times better than the debut in Steve's opinion.
The band had put its faith into Bringin' On The Heartbreak - the ballad didn't even make the charts.

They were running out of money, their small jobs weren't bringing in enough to keep a manager, never mind renting a studio or recording equipment.

Steve was starting to get the vibe that they weren't going to make it after all.

Yet the world was oblivious to the minuscule band's wishes, and Joe felt it in his heart to believe and start writing again.

The traffic paused, and only moments later a soft voice broke the silence that screamed in Steve's ears.

A singing voice.
Steve knew who that was.

"Gypsy, sittin' lookin' pretty, the broken rose with laughing eyes."

Steve glanced up, blue eyes shimmering as he rolled them at his older friend.

"'Aye, Steve. What are you doing out here all 'lone?" Joe's British accent purred, a small smirk crossing his thin lips. Steve only shrugged.

Joe was tall and leggy, even more so than Steve, with brown-dyed-blonde long hair that reached just past his shoulders. It reminded Steve of a lion's mane; and boy, could that lion who wore it roar.