Sometimes, the most interesting of projects arise from the most unusual of circumstances. So it is that the Down ‘N Outz is a project fronted by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, backed by The Quireboys and playing rare tracks connected only by Mott The Hoople… Joe Elliott takes up the story, „When Mott The Hoople announced they were reforming for a week’s worth of shows at the Hammersmith Odeon I was asked that I participate in some capacity. They’ve always been my favourite band and it’s nice to see the rest of the rock world finally catch up and give them their due.“
The Down ‘N Outz supported Mott The Hoople at one of their legendary 2009 reformation shows at Hammersmith Odeon. In addition to Joe Elliott (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards), the band featured The Quireboys’ Paul Guerin (Guitar), Guy Griffin (Guitar), Keith Weir (keyboards) and Phil Martini (drums) and finally bassist Ronnie Garrity (Raw Glory). Following a rapturous reception, the one night project took on a life and energy of its own and an album project was born.
The band then decided to record an album, “My Re-Generation” produced by Elliott and Ronan McHugh, which was recorded in Elliott’s personal studio with basic tracking done at Moor Hall studio Bedfordshire by engineer Chris Corney. The album featured entirely covers of songs by artists related to Mott the Hoople, such as Mott, British Lions and Ian Hunter.
On 21 April 2014, Down ‘n’ Outz released their second studio album, The Further Adventures Of… The record was welcomed with good reviews, with Classic Rock Magazine stating: “Further Adventures raises the bar for Mott The Hoople covers while giving timeless songs a new lease of life, as classics deserving of a new audience.“