The Ricky and Joe show

Almighty man Ricky Warwick has signed a solo publishing deal with Peermusic Ireland, and started work on a Joe Elliot-produced album.

"When you've spent as much time in the studio with Mutt Lange as Joe has, you're going to pick up a few tricks of the trade," he tells HOTPRESS. "I don't want to pigeon-hole it too much, but a couple of the tracks are similar to Copperhead Road-era Steve Earle. In other words, it's still as rock 'n' roll as hell!"

The Def Leppard man has also lent Warwick his Dublin studio.

"He's got a full 48-track set-up in his house, which has made recording a doddle. The way it works is we go in, have a few beers and see what happens."