more than words

Reunited Extreme to Perform in Seoul

Newly reunited rock band Extreme will play in Seoul Dec. 13.

/ Courtesy of Yellow Entertainment

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

American rock band Extreme reunited to release a new album this year, and are now embarking on a much-awaited world concert tour. Extreme will perform Dec. 13 at the Melon-AX, northern Seoul, as part of their ``Take Us Alive World Tour.''

The newly reunited band, composed of vocalist Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, bassist Pat Badger and drummer Kevin Figueiredo, is expected to rock fans once again.

Extreme was one of the most popular rock bands in the early 1990s, thanks to the smash acoustic hits ``More Than Words'' and ``Hole Hearted.''

Extreme was formed in 1985 in Malden, Massachusetts. The band became popular in the Boston area, winning Outstanding Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Act at the Boston Music Awards in 1986 and 1987. They released a self-titled debut album in 1989, to moderate success.

In 1990, Extreme released ``Extreme II: Pornograffiti,'' which went multi-platinum. The acoustic ballad ``More Than Words'' reached number one on the Billboard charts, and became a worldwide hit.

While the band gained mainstream success because of their acoustic songs, Extreme's trademark sound is actually ``a mix of hard rock funk in the spirit and style of their predecessors in Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen and Van Halen.''

Extreme released ``III Sides to Every Story" in 1992, and ``Waiting for the Punchline" in 1995. The band's four albums sold over 10 million copies around the world.

The band decided to go their separate ways in 1996. Cherone briefly joined Van Halen as lead singer, replacing Sammy Hager. Bettencourt released several solo albums, and formed other bands such as Mourning Widows and Dramagods.

In late 2007, Extreme announced the group's reunion and plans to release a new album and a world tour. Last August, Extreme released ``Saudades de Rock,'' their first album with new music in 13 years.

Band members were excited about performing their new songs such as ``Star," ``King," and ``Learn to Love."

``As much as we enjoy recording, for me, I've always loved playing live for the fans. We can't wait to get out there and play this music," Cherone said, on the band's Web site.

Bettencourt said Extreme wanted to record as much of the new album ``live'' in the studio. ``Because of it, these songs will translate easily to the stage. We're really looking forward to getting out on tour, putting on a show. That's really where the band shines," Bettencourt said.

Extreme will start the European leg of its tour in Lisbon, Portugal, Oct. 29. The group will also perform in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Hiroshima in December, before heading to Seoul.

Tickets are 88,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555 (Korean only). For reservations in English, email 9ent@naver.com or call (02) 3444-9969.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr