Many of you keep asking for more from the excellent “Alive The Live” CD series only available in Japan. Released 2024, here we have in exclusive “EXTREME – Live In Japan 1989“.
Formed in Malden, Massachusetts in 1985, the original members – still considered to be the classic lineup – consisted of Gary Cherone (vocals), Paul Geary (drums), Pat Badger (bass), and Nuno Bettencourt (guitar). The band got its name from the fact that both Cherone and Geary were previously members of the band The Dream, and were, therefore, ex-Dream. The band gigged hard in the New England area building up a loyal fan base, while Cherone and Geary took on song writing duties. After two years of grafting on the circuit and writing original music, the band was signed to A&M Records in 1987. Extreme’s self-titled debut album followed shortly after.
The second album, Extreme II: Pornograffitti – released in 1990 – was a critical and commercial success, spawning hit singles like ‘Get The Funk Out’, ‘Decadence Dance’, ‘Hole Hearted, and of course, ‘More Than Words’. A tender, Everly Brothers-style song, ‘More Than Words’ has clocked up over half a billion streams…and still rising!
The gig featured here memorialises the first time Extreme played in Japan. Appearing at Club Citta in Kawasaki, Japan on 15 October 1989, the band was said to be blown away by its Japanese fan base. Several songs from the debut album were included in the magnificent set: ‘Little Girls’, ‘Wind Me Up’, ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’, ‘Kid Ego’, ‘Mutha (Don’t Wanna Go To School Today)’, and ‘Watching, Waiting’. It also featured ‘More Than Words’ from the (then) upcoming album, Extreme II: Pornographic Graffitti.
As a bonus, a selection of songs live from Extreme’s famous Hammersmith Odeon gigs in 1991 is also included, giving a real sense of a band coming to its peak of global success. Here you are treated to title track, ‘Pornograffitti’, ‘Color Me Blind’, and hit singles, ‘Hole Hearted’, and ‘More Than Words.
By 1992 Extreme would be firmly established on the global rock stage with its own unique musical style. The band’s star was already on the rise, but it was the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium that would truly mark Cherone, Geary, Badger, and Bettencourt out as something special.
Drummer, Paul Geary sums up Extreme’s appeal: “With Extreme, there’s always a lot of passion, and a little piss and vinegar.”
A historical show for Extreme, ”Live In Japan 1989″ Rocks.
Highly Recommended
ＩＡＣ ＭＵＳＩＣ ＪＡＰＡＮ / IACD～11307
Ｋ Ｉ Ｎ Ｇ Ｓ Ｔ Ｒ Ｅ Ｅ Ｔ 【KINGCD4563】
01 – Little Girls
02 – Wind Me Up
03 – Big Boys Don’t Cry
04 – Kid Ego
05 – More Than Words
06 – Mutha (Don’t Wanna Go To School Today)
07 – Play That Funky Music
08 – Watching, Waiting
09 – Pornograffitti (Bonus Track)
10 – Color Me Blind (Bonus Track)
11 – Hole Hearted (Bonus Track)
12 – More Than Words (Bonus Track)
Gary Cherone (vocals)
Paul Geary (drums)
Pat Badger (bass)
Nuno Bettencourt (guitar)