Extreme!

[Sorrell]

I've been really busy since I saw this show, but I don't want to forget to write about it.

Last month, Bartman and I went to see Extreme in San Francisco. King's X was the opener. Oh yes, this was a dream concert for me!

Extreme has re-formed for a new record and world tour after about 15 years. Thay have been one of my favorite bands since "Pornografiti" came out. I've never lost my love for them. To me, they're just one of the greatest, most underrated and misunderstood rock bands, ever.

I had hoped that they'd still be good. They were not. THEY WERE FUCKING GREAT!!!!! These guys haven't lodt anything. They still play with more enthusiasm and professionalism than any modern band ever will.

Gary Cherone's reputation was murdered, when he got on that sinking ship called Van Halen. Anyone seeing him perform now, will immediately forgive him for that record. He is the most amazing front-man I've ever seen. He nailed every note of every song, all night! His stage presence is second to none.

Nuno Bettencourt is a GAWD!!!! He is the reason I got into the band. I still say the Nuno and John Sykes are the two most underrated guitarist of our time. Nuno brought his "A-Game" this night. I left the theater inspired like I haven't been in ages. Awesome! Simply Awesome!

The whole band (new drummer included) was amazing. They make it look so damned easy. They are true legends.

The new record is really good. Nuno's production style leaves a bit to be desired. He produced "Waiting For the Punchline", and that's his sound. He likes a dry mix with very few overdubs. It is however, a very honest representation of how a band will sound live. I've listened to it more times that any other CD I've bought since Opeth's "Deliverance".

I'll write more later. I have to go. The Renn Faire awaits.

SS

 

[BadMoose]

Crap! How did I miss this show?

 

[stryder]

Sounds like you had a good time Steve.

Extreme has always been under-rated, " more than words " kind of pigeon hold them into a " category " which unfortunatley helped their wallets but hurt thier credibility.I have heard from several musicians the same feelings of respect for the band as you.I was actually surprised when I heard some of thier other songs how good they really are , I to was a victim of the stereotyping one hit wonder FM airplay as a lot of people.

Hopefully I can catch them live and get a New fresh experience.

 

[Bartman]

That was one of the best concerts I had ever been to. As a relative "uninformed dumbarse" with regards to their music, I was unsure about what to expect. I could only base any presumptions on what Sorrell told me.

Holy crap was he right. These guys leave EVERYTHING on the stage. The only other band I have seen with that kind of intensity live is DevilDriver, and they only do maybe an hour show. Extreme played for prolly around 2-2.5 hours. Gary Cherone is the best frontman on the planet (sorry Diamond Dave) bar none, and Nuno Bettencourt is, well........from another planet.


I'll go see them every time they blow through town.

Good times


~B

 

[SharkBlack]

The only other band I have seen with that kind of intensity live is DevilDriver,


~B

DEVILDRIVER!!!

Love that band!

Glad you guys had a good time...

 

[koelling]

Glad you guys had a good time...

I think it's safe to say they had an EXTREMEly great time

 

[yamahazildjian7]

I think it's safe to say they had an EXTREMEly great time

Badahhhm Pshhhhhh!

Z

 

[Sorrell]

Sounds like you had a good time Steve.

Extreme has always been under-rated, " more than words " kind of pigeon hold them into a " category " which unfortunatley helped their wallets but hurt thier credibility.I have heard from several musicians the same feelings of respect for the band as you.I was actually surprised when I heard some of thier other songs how good they really are , I to was a victim of the stereotyping one hit wonder FM airplay as a lot of people.

Hopefully I can catch them live and get a New fresh experience.

Isn't it amazing that such a huge hit record can nearly ruin a band's career? They still play that song with all the respect it deserves. I was glad to see that they didn't slam it or play an abbreviated version or something. They are such pros!

And Bartman, DEVILDRIVER!!!! What a great show that was.

SS

 

[StephenSLR]

"More Than Words" kind of pigeon holed them into a "category" which unfortunately helped their wallets but hurt thier credibility.

I disagree, Extreme were big in the Metal world (albeit the Glam/Sleaze era) with their songs Kid Ego and Little Girls long before 'MTW'.

Nuno was plastered onto every Guitar magazine there was for quite some time before and after that song, he even had a Washburn signature model. Apart from Susanna Hoffs I don't know anyone without credibility that managed to gain signature model status.

What you are talking about is the perception Average Joe Public has of them and if you are into Metal you do not care about what 'Joe and Jane hip-hop/Britney Spears Public' think of them.

s

 

[Sorrell]

I disagree, Extreme were big in the Metal world (albeit the Glam/Sleaze era) with their songs Kid Ego and Little Girls long before 'MTW'.

Nuno was plastered onto every Guitar magazine there was for quite some time before and after that song, he even had a Washburn signature model. Apart from Susanna Hoffs I don't know anyone without credibility that managed to gain signature model status.

What you are talking about is the perception Average Joe Public has of them and if you are into Metal you do not care about what 'Joe and Jane hip-hop/Britney Spears Public' think of them.

s

That's exactly what I was talking about. It was Joe and Jane Q. Public who pigeonholed them into the stereotype to which I was referring. NOT real music fans. Real fans don't check the charts to see if they're still allowed to like a band.

I was a Nuno fan before MTW came out. He is still one of my all time favorite guitarists.

I don't give a shit what anyone else thinks about the music I listen to. I wouldn't wish my music collection on anyone. :Smokedev:

I am and will always be an Extreme fan.

SS

 

[StephenSLR]

It was Joe and Jane Q. Public who pigeonholed them into the stereotype to which I was referring.

Let them think what they like for you and I know the true worth of Extreme.

Isn't it amazing that such a huge hit record can nearly ruin a band's career?

Only in the eyes of the elite underground squad and their opinion is just as valid as Metalphobe Joe Public.

That song actually promoted their career, it brought them to the eyes of the public and there would be 'more than' many people who bought that album for that single alone then decided to delve further and find out more about them.

Their career as the band Extreme was ruined because they split.

s

 

[Sorrell]

Let them think what they like for you and I know the true worth of Extreme.



Only in the eyes of the elite underground squad and their opinion is just as valid as Metalphobe Joe Public.

That song actually promoted their career, it brought them to the eyes of the public and there would be 'more than' many people who bought that album for that single alone then decided to delve further and find out more about them.

Their career as the band Extreme was ruined because they split.

s

Is it just me, or are you TOTALLY missing the point of what the fuck I'm saying? I am a true Extreme fan.

THEY said that this song gave people the wrong ideas about the band. THEY said that people used to walk out of their shows after that song was over. THEY said that it pigeonholed them into being labeled as an "acoustic band". THEY said it almost ruined their career.

News flash dude! I'm not some fucking newby wannabe metalhead douche-bag here! I've been playing metal guitar for over 30 years. I don't talk out of my ass.

If I'm taking your words the wrong way, then I'm sorry. I'm very passionate about the music I love. And, I get very angry when someone thinks they can tell me what's what.

SS

 

[StephenSLR]

Is it just me, or are you TOTALLY missing the point of what the fuck I'm saying? I am a true Extreme fan.

I think it's just you, it is quite obvious you are a fan and there's no need to be rude about it.

I think THEY should be grateful for that hit, so what if people walked out on THEM after that song, those people paid THEM money, I don't see how it hurt THEIR career.

The money THEY earned from THAT song gave THEM the luxury to make more music. THEY are taking it the wrong way.

It almost reminds me of THAT loser Curt Kobain, if he didn't want all THAT money, why the hell did HE sign a record deal?

s

 

[Sorrell]

It almost reminds me of THAT loser Curt Kobain, if he didn't want all THAT money, why the hell did HE sign a record deal?

s

I agree with you on that point.

I wasn't trying to be rude. That's why I prefaced my statement with "Is it just me?". As I stated, I'm very passionate about music.

SS

 

[Sorrell]

Here's a bootleg video from the same week we saw them. Too close for a good mix, but very cool!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKWyj2axcQQ&feature=related[/ame]

SS