Extreme. Most people know them as the band with the least appropriate name of all time. This is mostly due to the fact that Extreme are unfortunately known for their ballads. Something that cursed many bands from the late 80’s/early 90’s era. However, if you actually take the time to dig into Extreme’s catalog you’ll discover a different band than what top 40 radio displayed. A band with a very high level of musicianship accompanied by astute ears for strong riffing and major funkage. The bands secret weapon? Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt. Combining the styles of Brian May and Eddie Van Halen. Then taking those styles to musical heights once thought unplayable. Their 1989 debut is a prime example. Track after track of raw, uncompromising funk-metal drilled right in the ear hole! Songs like ‘Kid Ego’, ‘Teachers Pet’, ‘Mutha (Don’t Wanna Go to School Today)’ and ‘Smoke Signals’ put the band ahead of the competition from an early start.
The reality is that they actually kept the bad asserey going on their second album ‘Pornograffitti’. But they were dumb and released ‘More Than Words’ as a single. Which sounds more like an acoustic Air Supply song than what the band actually plays most of the time. In all fairness it was 1990 which was the year of the power ballad. And it’s not like they had Anthrax level street creds to begin with or anything. But whatever perceived edge they had diminished greatly. And when the band released ‘Hole Hearted’ next, their reputation as prissy boys was carved in stone. And it’s really unfortunate because they really are talented as hell. I wonder what would have happened if the band had released ‘Lil Jack Horny’ as the first single. That song to me is what the band is all about. It’s slow groove and a thick, funky guitar riff that slaps ya right in the kisser. The album also contains one of Nuno Bettencourt’s most unreal moments, the enigmatic ‘Flight of the Wounded Bumble Bee’. That alone should put the band in the upper echelons of rock.
If that wasn’t enough the band followed up with what I consider a near masterpiece. ‘III Sides to Every Story’ is a concept album obviously split into three parts: The heavy funk that they’re known for. This time around though these songs contain political lyrical content. As opposed to the previous sex, drugs and rock n roll content that dominated their previous two records. Then come the ballads they’re known for. These songs are pretty much done in typical Extreme fashion. Maybe a little more thoughtful this time around in terms of arrangement. And then the album finishes off with a three part song ‘Everything Under the Sun’ which is about introspective human observation. It’s the perfect, unexpected move for a band that had previously done an album so commercial. And the album showed extreme, pun intended, growth. Unfortunately the album came out at the wrong time. 1990 may have been the year of the power ballad. But 1992 was the year for any band that released a power ballad to be stoned to death. So it was with Extreme. ‘III Sides’ sold a small fraction of it’s predecessors and began a downward spiral for the band. In 1995 the band took one more shot and missed by a mile. The album, ‘Waiting for the Punchline’ is another fine moment. But it failed miserably.
I’m really glad that the band got back together eventually. Their fifth album ‘Saudades De Rock’ is a really impressive comeback album. Of course, it didn’t sell gangbusters or anything. But it did regain some of their fan base and the tour was a success. And they’ve shown that they are a band that can really fucking jam. They are a live band and frankly their ‘Take Us Alive’ album from the reunion tour is one of my favorite live albums. The band just kicks ass live!! The levels of talent are unreal! It’s like they’re playing a chill game of catch in front a couple thousand people. So natural. So underrated. I have yet to check them out live in person but I can’t wait to see them eventually. This is truly one of the most misunderstood bands of all time. And they deserve respect.
Nuno on full display. Although I don’t know why they put a crying baby in the introduction. It’s weird.
Keeping it funkay!
It’s moments like this that validate the bands name.
A perfect Extreme song. Long live pinch harmonics!!
Showing major growth on their third album. This song seems very relevant right now.
Better ballad than ‘More than Words’. Why can’t they be known for this one?
One more track. From the ‘Saudades De Rock’ tour. A song from the ‘III Sides to Every Story’ album. The second movement to ‘Everything Under the Sun’ which is my favorite Extreme song. As you can see they’ve built their fan base back up a little bit.
Wasnt Get the Funk out released before ‘ more than words’? Thats what got me into them way then
Yeah I think you’re right. But ‘More than Words’ and ‘Hole Hearted’ came out right after one another which is what did the damage in the heavy music community. I’m constantly trying to defend these guys and show people what they’re really all about.