MR

Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of the reunited hard rockers EXTREME has issued the following update:

"We are now finishing up the recording of our new release... which, by the way, rocks. We had a great time jamming and creating. We ended up with about 24 tunes, which we dwindled down to the 14 that will be on the record. And I'm sure it's no surprise to you, our fans, that they are a 'mishmash' of old-school rock and some tasty abstract ditties.

"As a band, we always manage to be misfits in the midst of whatever music is out there. But I guarantee it will be delicious. We are very, very excited to share it with you. Both on record and live when we come to your town... and WE WILL. Yes... we plan to tour for at least one year — well, probably two years — 'cause we've got a lot of catching up to do with you guys and gals. And we can't fucking wait... Shit! There I go fucking swearing again... What a prick... Anyways.

"It's also great to welcome Kevin 'Figg' Figuieredo to the family. I could say lots about Figg and what he brings to the intensity and sound of this band in 2008... but in the words of Joe Perry... I will 'let the music do the talking.'

"And when I speak about the EXTREME family, I also want to mention that Paul Geary [former EXTREME drummer and current GODSMACK manager] is still very much a part of the family. I'm very excited to tell you that he will be involved in the managerial side of the band, working closely with us and new addition to our business team, Robby Hoffman, to help reclaim our block of land in the music ghetto.

"Yes... Lock up your daughters and lock up your wife... Lock up your backdoor and run for your life. 'Cause once we move back in, we plan to be around for the rest of our days... God willing... however long that may be.

"Well... that's it for now. Whoever is making the trip to L.A. to see us... see ya there and say hello. We will have a drink at the Hilton bar afterwards. And for the rest of you, see ya soon..."

EXTREME — featuring original members Nuno Bettencourt, Gary Cherone, Pat Badger and new sticksman Kevin Figueiredo — will perform a private show at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) on Friday, January 18 at the Hilton in Anaheim, California.

To win a chance to see the group play live, submit your name, city and e-mail address to namm@extreme-band.com. If you are selected, you will be contacted with a time and a location to pick up tickets the day of the show.

EXTREME performed a three-song set at the Boston Music Awards on December 1, 2007 at the Orpheum in Boston consisting of "Slide", "Decadence Dance" and "Communication Breakdown". A short clip of the band's new song, "Slide", can be viewed below.

EXTREME's as-yet-untitled studio album with all-new material — the band's fifth — is set to be released in the spring.

In a recent interview with BostonHerald.com, Bettencourt described the new album as a "straight-up rock record" that expands on EXTREME's funk-metal sound.

The new CD was the key to getting back together as a full-time band, he said. EXTREME did a handful of gigs last summer, including a gig at the Bank of America Pavilion in July, but Bettencourt wasn't interested in becoming a permanent part of a nostalgia act.

"Even though we wanted to do something for years, we had to have something new to offer," he told BostonHerald.com. "In the last six months we started writing some great songs. If they weren't, we wouldn't be doing this."

Had to check this to see if Phil Varone was involved... Last I'd seen, he'd quit music altogether and was doing stand-up comedy! Has anyone seen his documentary "Waking Up Dead"? I wasn't sure if it had been officially released yet.

There is nothing greater than the news of a new Extreme album on the horizon. May Nuno have mercy on your souls!

It better be more like III Sides and less like Punchline.

Red13JoePa wrote:It better be more like III Sides and less like Punchline.

Doesn't matter dude. In a world where rock bands are either releasing shitty rerecordings of their music with outsourced singers found on youtube or dung-stained covers albums of songs that should've never been touched to begin with.....as long as Extreme releases NEW original music...it'll be good.

Red13JoePa wrote:It better be more like III Sides and less like Punchline.

Amen to that, although I wasn't a huge fan of III Sides, either, but it's still infinitely better than Punchline.

Guess Nuno's writing sessions with Perry went nowhere, huh? Gee, what a shock.

strangegrey wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:It better be more like III Sides and less like Punchline.

Doesn't matter dude. In a world where rock bands are either releasing shitty rerecordings of their music ......... or ........ covers albums .....as long as Extreme releases NEW original music...it'll be good.

Somehow I agree with both these statements!

I was a huge fan of Extreme and this sounds like they are back in it for the long haul!! Very excited. And nice little Krokus quote laid down by Nuno!!

Great to hear that Paul is still involved with the band as well. That guy impressed the hell outta me when I saw them on the Pornograffitti Tour! All of them did!

Red13JoePa wrote:It better be more like III Sides and less like Punchline.

AB-SO-FRIGGIN'-LUTELY!!!!

Punchline SUCKED and BLOWED at the same time.
III Sides is a rock Masterpiece.

STORY_TELLER wrote:Guess Nuno's writing sessions with Perry went nowhere, huh? Gee, what a shock.

Those sessions were YEARS ago just after FTOSM. Perry probably just wouldn't commit...

Didn't "Bands Reunited" try to get these guys back together? They should have got back together back then when someone was paying attention.

brywool wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:Guess Nuno's writing sessions with Perry went nowhere, huh? Gee, what a shock.

Those sessions were YEARS ago just after FTOSM. Perry probably just wouldn't commit...

Actually there was a report of new sessions with Perry and Nuno a few months back...although it was discussed as possibly a rehash of the old reports from the ATW era...

RedWingFan wrote:Didn't "Bands Reunited" try to get these guys back together? They should have got back together back then when someone was paying attention.

I think it is better that they did it on their own terms!

But Nuno was the hold out then and it sounds like he did not come around until he was sure there would be new material and a commitment to it. Kudos to him!

brywool wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:Guess Nuno's writing sessions with Perry went nowhere, huh? Gee, what a shock.

Those sessions were YEARS ago just after FTOSM. Perry probably just wouldn't commit...

No, they got together again in the last 8 months (or so). Nuno said as much in an interview about his recent collaboration with Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction).

jrnyman28 wrote:

RedWingFan wrote:Didn't "Bands Reunited" try to get these guys back together? They should have got back together back then when someone was paying attention.

I think it is better that they did it on their own terms!

But Nuno was the hold out then and it sounds like he did not come around until he was sure there would be new material and a commitment to it. Kudos to him!

Of course he did. His last bunch of side projects flatlined on arrival (no pun intended). His only real success was with Extreme so it was a matter of time before he came around to a reunion. At the very least, old fans will support a tour if not an album.

STORY_TELLER wrote:Of course he did. His last bunch of side projects flatlined on arrival (no pun intended). His only real success was with Extreme so it was a matter of time before he came around to a reunion. At the very least, old fans will support a tour if not an album.

It depends on how you define "success". Just because he might not have sold as many albums as he did with Extreme, doesn't mean he didn't have a successful career outside of that band, by his own standards.

At worst, I think Nuno might have struggled to find his solo direction. He seemed a little unfocussed. But I am sure that being able to do whatever you want, without any constraints, is rather liberating.

And to hear him talk about Extreme now (and he does seem to be the only one talking about it at the moment) he seems genuinely excited about the future. I can only hope the band sticks to these ideals and doesn't fall into routine like Journey did.

conversationpc wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:Of course he did. His last bunch of side projects flatlined on arrival (no pun intended). His only real success was with Extreme so it was a matter of time before he came around to a reunion. At the very least, old fans will support a tour if not an album.

It depends on how you define "success". Just because he might not have sold as many albums as he did with Extreme, doesn't mean he didn't have a successful career outside of that band, by his own standards.

Uhhh, how about cash? You know, moolah. Payin' da bills? That's how most define success. Dollars is a quantifiable way to gauge the popularity of what you produce as an artist. People buy what you do means they dig what you do. They don't buy it, they don't dig it.

Guarantee you this reunion has financial reasons written all over it for all concerned. Not that it's a bad thing. Just shouldn't paint it as pure artistic integrity choices.

RedWingFan wrote:Didn't "Bands Reunited" try to get these guys back together? They should have got back together back then when someone was paying attention.

Yea, Bettancourt acted like a self-important tool and submarined the whole thing.


That Bands Reunited show was great, Extreme was one of the few I saw that didn't play (Maybe Frankie Goes To Hollywood?) and definately the only one I saw where one pompous diva ruined it.

Come on, dude you're playing rock-n-roll, not curing cancer.

conversationpc wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:It better be more like III Sides and less like Punchline.

Amen to that, although I wasn't a huge fan of III Sides, either, but it's still infinitely better than Punchline.

III Sides is STILL in constant rotation on my iPod and computer at work.
Definitely hope they go more that route or something more in tune with
their debut. Punchline was an attempt to sound "current" or "modern" when it
came out, all stripped down and 'dry', very little effects or big production.

Red13JoePa wrote:

RedWingFan wrote:Didn't "Bands Reunited" try to get these guys back together? They should have got back together back then when someone was paying attention.

Yea, Bettancourt acted like a self-important tool and submarined the whole thing.


That Bands Reunited show was great, Extreme was one of the few I saw that didn't play (Maybe Frankie Goes To Hollywood?) and definately the only one I saw where one pompous diva ruined it.

Come on, dude you're playing rock-n-roll, not curing cancer.

Wasn't there something about one of their wives having an affair with the other? Like Gary's wife had an affair with Nuno or something? That'd be TOUGH to come back from.

I met Nuno and Gary once when III Sides came out. They were doing an interview up here in Seattle (for a friggin station that NEVER played them! SEATTLE RADIO HAS ALWAYS SUCKED) and Gary was WAY cool. We talked about vocal stuff (singer here) and Nuno was playing a guitar through an amp as part of the interview and he and Gary were just talking and singing together. I believe they did "Stop the World" (I have to think hard!). While they were off the air, Nuno was S H R E D D I N G. Eddie VH has NOTHING on Nuno. Anyway, the amp he was using was buzzing a lot. So he and Gary signed it and said "Auction it off for charity" and left it there. Both cool guys. Nuno was extremely quiet, Gary was really cool to talk with. Big Freddie fan (Freddie Fender of course! ). Nice guys back then.

I heard from a relaible source that Steve Perry came down to the studio to hang with Extreme as they recorded their new record. They recorded the record at NRG Studios in LA and Steve was literally there everyday for 2 weeks! He is a huge fan of the band and just wanted to hang out and "absorb the vibe." The band supposedly welcomed his presence with open arms.

gatorzone04 wrote:I heard from a relaible source that Steve Perry came down to the studio to hang with Extreme as they recorded their new record. They recorded the record at NRG Studios in LA and Steve was literally there everyday for 2 weeks! He is a huge fan of the band and just wanted to hang out and "absorb the vibe." The band supposedly welcomed his presence with open arms.

Is Steve perry going to do anything with Extreme??

gatorzone04 wrote:I heard from a relaible source that Steve Perry came down to the studio to hang with Extreme as they recorded their new record. They recorded the record at NRG Studios in LA and Steve was literally there everyday for 2 weeks! He is a huge fan of the band and just wanted to hang out and "absorb the vibe." The band supposedly welcomed his presence with open arms.

Okay, if I was Gary Cherone and Perry was there, I'd have laryngitis in an instant!
pressure!

STORY_TELLER wrote:Guess Nuno's writing sessions with Perry went nowhere, huh? Gee, what a shock.

how do you figure??

perhaps they are using some of that material here.

Since Perry hung with them at the studion for a while, maybe there were more.

Cat

brywool wrote:

gatorzone04 wrote:I heard from a relaible source that Steve Perry came down to the studio to hang with Extreme as they recorded their new record. They recorded the record at NRG Studios in LA and Steve was literally there everyday for 2 weeks! He is a huge fan of the band and just wanted to hang out and "absorb the vibe." The band supposedly welcomed his presence with open arms.

Okay, if I was Gary Cherone and Perry was there, I'd have laryngitis in an instant!
pressure!

Why? Gary is a stronger singer than Perry is now...