Extreme

Extreme is a US rock band from Boston, active since 1985. The group centres on singer and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, singer and lyricist Gary Cherone, bassist and backing vocalist Pat Badger, and drummer Kevin Figueiredo. Former drummer Paul Geary is part of the band’s history and later remains involved in a management role, while Mike Mangini also plays drums for the group at one stage.

Style and musical character

The band is associated with hard rock, funk metal, funk rock, arena rock, art rock, alternative metal and acoustic rock. Its music draws on a wide range of influences, including the progressive hard rock and multi-vocal approach of Queen, the energy of Aerosmith and Van Halen, Beatles-style pop, and a Led Zeppelin-like organic sound. Their catalogue is marked by a mix of heavy metal, hard rock, pop and socially conscious writing.

Career

Extreme forms in Boston in 1985 with Paul Geary on drums. It later goes on an extended hiatus from 1996 to 2006. During that period, Cherone joins Van Halen in 1997, appearing on Van Halen III before leaving in 1999 and forming Tribe of Judah with Pat Badger and Mike Mangini.

The band’s mainstream breakthrough comes with the acoustic ballad “More Than Words”, which reaches number one, followed by “Hole Hearted”, which reaches number four. Extreme releases two albums during the peak years of glam metal, then receives less attention after the rise of grunge following Nirvana’s Nevermind. It later releases two more albums before the hiatus.

Reformation and later activity

Extreme reunites in 2004 for a short tour of Boston and Japan, then again in 2006 for a small US tour. In 2007 the group announces a return with a new album and world tour. Bettencourt leaves Satellite Party for the reunion, Kevin Figueiredo takes over on drums, and Paul Geary stays involved in management. Saudades de Rock follows in 2008.

In the 2010s the band works on new material, and in 2016 releases Pornograffitti Live 25: Metal Meltdown, a live audio and video presentation of a 2015 Las Vegas Hard Rock Casino concert. At the 2017 KISS Kruise, the band brings Paul Geary on stage for “Hole Hearted”.

Extreme tours Australia with Mr. Big in 2018, its first visit to the continent since 1993, then performs in several Asian cities including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok and Taipei. It headlines Shirock 2019 with Nazareth and performs in India in front of more than 30,000 people in Ukhrul.

Recent releases

In 2023 the band begins a teaser campaign, releases the single “Rise”, and announces the album Six. It also issues official videos for “Banshee” and “#Rebel”.

Line-up

The current members are Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt, Pat Badger and Kevin Figueiredo. The band’s earlier members include Paul Geary and Mike Mangini.

Albums

Extreme releases Extreme in 1989, Extreme II: Pornograffitti in 1990, III Sides to Every Story in 1992, Waiting for the Punchline in 1995, Saudades de Rock in 2008 and Six in 2023. It is associated with A&M Records.