Intro (Edit)

Extreme is an American glam metal band that reached the peak of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

They have released five studio albums, two EPs in Japan, and two compilation albums since their formation. The band was one of the most popular rock acts of the early 1990s, selling over 10 million albums globally. Extreme achieved their peak of success with their 1990 album Pornograffitti, which peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200. It was certified gold in May 1991 and 2 times platinum in October 1992. That album featured the acoustic ballad single “More Than Words”, which reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in the United States.

Extreme was formed in Malden, Massachusetts in 1985. Singer Gary Cherone and drummer Paul Geary were in a band called The Dream. Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt was in a band called Sinful. Bassist Pat Badger was playing with a Berklee based outfit called In The Pink. Following an altercation between the rival groups over communal dressing rooms, the four decided to form a new band together.

The band began to play numerous shows in the Boston area. They developed a strong local following, and were named “Outstanding Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Act” at the Boston Music Awards in 1986 and 1987.

The band had accumulated several original songs by the time A&R director Bryan Huttenhower signed them to A&M Records in 1988. The band then recorded their self-titled debut album which was released in 1989. The first single off of the album was “Kid Ego.”

Sales of Extreme’s first record were sufficient to record another album. Michael Wagener, was hired to produce the bands Extreme II: Pornograffiti album in 1990. The record, which showcased Bettencourt’s guitar-playing, was a mixture of funk, pop and the glam metal sounds. “Decadence Dance” and “Get the Funk Out” were released as singles. Neither single was successful in the United States, and the album had fallen off the charts when A&M sent the third single to a number of radio stations in Arizona.

The acoustic ballad “More Than Words” entered the Hot 100 on March 23, 1991, at Number 81. It later became a huge success, hitting Number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in the United States. The next single, “Hole Hearted,” another acoustic ballad, was also successful, rising to Number 4 on the same popular music chart.

The band began recording their third album in 1992. III Sides to Every Story was released on September 22, 1992. The first single from the album was called, “Rest in Peace.” The album contained noticeable Christian themes. Presumably placed there by Cherone, who said in interviews being interested in evangelical preachers. The album was generally favored by music critics and some fans, but it failed to sell as well as Pornograffiti.

In 1994, Mike Mangini, ex-Annihilator, replaced Paul Geary on drums. Paul left the band to pursue a career on the business side of the music industry. He has managed successful acts such as Godsmack.

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History (Edit)

The first record to feature Mangini was, Waiting for the Punchline. It was released on February 7, 1995. The singles “Hip Today,” “Unconditionally,” and “Cynical” were released. The album sold less than III Sides to Every Story and Extreme disbanded in 1996.

In 1996, Gary Cherone joined Van Halen for the recording of their album Van Halen III, which was released in 1998. Eddie Van Halen was initially drawn to Cherone as a lyricist. Cherone’s lyrical style did not go over well to Van Halen’s core fan base. This led to his departure from the band in 1999. He later formed the band Tribe of Judah which released an album called Exit Elvis in 2002.

In 2005, Cherone released a four song sampler CD, called Need I Say More. Bettencourt released a solo album called Schizophonic in 1996. In 1998 he formed a group called Mourning Widows. They released an album in 1998. They also recorded a follow-up album called, Furnished Souls For Rent, in 2000. Following the breakup of Mourning Widows, he released another solo album called Population 1 in 2002.

Eventually acquiring new members, Bettencourt decided to keep the name Population 1 and then they released a five-song E.P. entitled “Sessions from Room 4″ in 2004. Then they changed the band’s name to Drama Gods and recorded a follow-up CD entitled Love in 2005.

A 13-song Extreme compilation, The Best of Extreme – An Accidental Collication of Atoms?, was released in 1998. A re-packaged album with a different tracklisting was also released in 2002 called Extreme – The Collection.

Extreme regrouped for a short tour in 2004. They played in their hometown of Boston as well as a few concerts in Japan and Azores. The band returned in 2006 with the original line-up to do a small, three-show reunion tour through New England.

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Update (Edit)

In 2007, Extreme announced plans for a world tour in the summer of 2008. The tour included King’s X. They also announced the release date for their new album, Saudades de Rock, produced by Bettencourt. Kevin Figueiredo, who played with Bettencourt in Drama Gods took over drum duties for the band. Original drummer, Paul Geary, is still involved with the band, just in a management position. Saudades de Rock was released on July 28, 2008 in France, August 4, 2008 in Europe, and August 12, 2008 in the USA.

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