





Year : 1995
Style : Hard Rock , Alternative Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans + Video
Size : 180 mb
Bio:
Extreme is an American rock band, headed by frontmen Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt,that reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Among some of Extreme's musical influences are Van Halen, Queen, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. The band played at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, also jammed with Brian May and Van Halen, and Cherone joined Van Halen in 1996.The band has described their music as "funky metal" in the early days,but it would evolve much more in the mid-1990s by blending classic rock influences with post-grunge and alternative rock.They have released five studio albums, two EPs (in Japan) and two compilation albums since their formation. The band was one of the most successful rock acts of the early 1990s, selling over 10 million albums worldwide.Extreme achieved their greatest success with their 1990 album Pornograffitti, which peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold in May 1991 and double platinum in October 1992.That album featured the acoustic ballad single "More Than Words", which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.Extreme reformed for a short tour in 2004 playing in the Azores (August), in their hometown of Boston at the WAAF anniversary (September 19) as well as a few concerts in Japan (January 2005). After a hiatus during 2005, the band returned in 2006 with the "classic" Pornograffitti line-up to do a small, three-show reunion tour through New England.In July 2007 Bettencourt quit Satellite Party for the definite Extreme reunion with Cherone and Pat Badger. On November 26, 2007, the band announced plans for a world tour in the summer of 2008 with King's X as well as a release date for their new album, Saudades de Rock, produced by Bettencourt. Kevin Figueiredo, who played with Bettencourt in DramaGods and Satellite Party, took over drum duties for the band. Original drummer Paul Geary would still remain involved with the band, albeit in a management position. Singles from the album have been available on MySpace including "Star". The album was released on July 28, 2008 in France, August 4, 2008 in Europe, and August 12, 2008 in the United States.The band then embarked on the Take Us Alive World Tour, supported by King's X in the US and Hot Leg in the UK, with various other dates in Europe and Asia, through all of 2008. In 2009, the band continued to tour, co-headlining the East Meets West Tour with Ratt. The final date of this tour, in their hometown of Boston, Massachusetts, was recorded for the release of the band's first live DVD called Take Us Alive.According to a December 2010 interview with Cherone, Extreme had been writing new material for a new album, which they planned - at the time - to release in 2011. Asked in the same interview if the band will produce the new album by themselves or get an outside producer, Cherone replied, "There's talk of a few people. It would be great to get an A-list name. I don't know if that happens. My dream producer would probably be Rick Rubin. Here's a guy that's done Johnny Cash, the Chili Peppers and you know, Neil Diamond."[9] But due to conflicting schedules with Bettencourt supporting Rihanna on her tour during 2011, plans to go into the studio were postponed to 2012.Also in 2010 rumors started about possible commemorative shows for Extreme II: Pornograffitti, given the 20th anniversary of the record. Finally, in 2012, initially a small string of such shows in Japan has been confirmed, marking the full return of the band's activities after a hiatus when Bettencourt was on tour with Rihanna, as well as other side projects by other members, most notably Cherone's Hurtsmile. Extreme were to tour Australia in April 2013, with Richie Kotzen as support act, but the shows were cancelled due to scheduling conflicts with Rihanna's 2013 North American tour.
Album:
Waiting for the Punchline is Extreme's fourth album, which was released in 1995. It is known by fans as a distinctively raw sounding record - especially when compared to the big production of the two previous albums - with a significant influence from grunge and alternative rock, while still showcasing guitarist Nuno Bettencourt's talents. Due to its lyrics focused heavily on social matters (ranging from religion to fame) it is often cited as a concept album.It is also the only Extreme record to feature drummer Mike Mangini (on 3 tracks). After the album's tour, the band subsequently disbanded in 1996 when Bettencourt informed Extreme that he was leaving the band to pursue a solo career. After the breakup, singer Gary Cherone also joined Van Halen in the same year as their new singer, but left three years later. Sometimes you just gotta laugh. Extreme released two of their finest albums after grunge wiped the slate clean. Extreme were the punchline, but that didn’t stop them from making a smokin’ fourth album. In 1992 Nuno envisioned the next album as “really funky”, and there is some funk here. However Waiting for the Punchline was much more straight ahead: stripped down, no orchestras, no rap, just guitar rock through and through.“There Is No God” sounds like an odd title from a band as Christian as Extreme were, but Gary Cherone has always been a lyrical champion. It’s not as simple as it appears, but the groove just lays waste. The next track “Cynical Fuck” turns it up further. It is pure smoke, and perfect for the decade it was written in. “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know” takes the soft/hard approach with a loud droning Nuno riff. It’s another brilliant song, and harder than what Extreme were doing before. Much of Waiting for the Punchline is driven by the bass and drums. The interesting thing about this is that drummer Paul Geary left during the making of this album, and was replaced by Mike Mangini who is now in Dream Theater. You hear two very distinct drum styles through the CD. Geary has a straight ahead approach, while Mangini is capable of just about anything. His first track is the single “Hip Today” and you can hear how his beats are anything but basic.“Hip Today” is a good tune and a good indicator of what the album sounds like: Bass, drums, guitar. Listen to how the rhythm guitar drops out when Nuno solos. Just like the first classic Van Halen. The lyrics sound bitter as Gary warns the next generation of bands that their time too will end. Things slow down a little on “Naked”, before the side-ending instrumental “Midnight Express”. This is a truly brilliant track, proof that Nuno’s stunning plectrum practice has paid off. When it comes to acoustic guitar work in rock and roll band, Nuno is among the very best. “Midnight Express” gives me callouses just thinking about it.Dark moods commence the second side with “Leave Me Alone”, a sentiment many of us understand. Don’t worry about me — I’m happy alone sometimes. Nuno uses volume swells a-la Van Halen’s “Cathedral” to create a nifty riff. Into “No Respect”, Nuno makes his guitar purr, while the rhythm section throws it into overdrive. “Evilangelist” tackles the religion questions again, with a funky riff and cool digitized chorus. The dark and heavy vibes give way to light shortly on “Shadow Boxing” and “Unconditionally”. Both tracks are brilliant but different. “Shadow Boxing” might be considered the “Hole Hearted” of this album, while “Unconditionally” leans towards “More Than Words”. Neither are re-writes, but those are the easiest comparisons.One final surprise is the unlisted bonus track. It wasn’t on the cassette version, but you will find the title track “Waiting for the Punchline” after “Unconditionally”. There are two cool things about this. One: it’s an awesome track, much like the angrier stuff on side one. Two: it closes the album even better than “Unconditionally”. Great little surprise so don’t hit “stop”!The thing about Waiting for the Punchline is that it’s a grower. The first couple listens, I thought “It’s not as good as their old stuff, but what is these days?” The new stripped down Extreme didn’t seem as interesting as the lavish one from Extreme III or the flashy one from Extreme II. After a few listens, different textures began to emerge, add their own colours and depth. Particular with the guitar work, but also the rhythms, there is much delight to be discovered here.
Line-Up:
Gary Cherone - lead vocals
Nuno Bettencourt - guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Pat Badger - bass guitar, backing vocals
Paul Geary - drums on all but "Hip Today", "Leave Me Alone" and "No Respect"
Mike Mangini - drums on "Hip Today", "Leave Me Alone" and "No Respect"
Tracklist:
01. There is no God
02. Cynical
03. Tell me Something I Don't Know
04. Hip Today
05. Naked
06. Midnight Express
07. Leave Me Alone
08. No Respect
09. Evilangelist
10. Shadow Boxing
11. Unconditionally
12. Fair-Weather Faith + Waiting For The Punchline (Hidden track)
+ Video "Hip Today" (Official Video)


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