image gallery
"Rock and Roll Famine...I know it might sound crazy, but there is a massive shortage of rock and roll on this planet."- Nuno Bettencourt
Extreme are set to return in the spring of 2008 with their first album of all new material in 13 years. The band features original members Nuno Bettencourt (guitar), Gary Cherone (vocals) and Pat Badger (bass), along with new drummer Kevin Figueiredo.
The Grammy-nominated Extreme have released four albums, plus two greatest hits sets—selling over 10 million records worldwide—and completed multiple world tours. They also achieved a #1 hit single, "More Than Words"—from their 1990 multi-platinum album Extreme II: Pornograffitti—on the Billboard Hot 100, which they followed with the Top Five "Hole Hearted." Although these two acoustic hits brought the band great mainstream success, it overshadowed the band's trademark sound: a mix of hard rock funk in the spirit and style of their predecessors Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen and Van Halen—fueled by Bettencourt's signature guitar flights and Cherone's resonant vocals—and matched with a social consciousness in their lyrics. A career highlight came for Extreme when Queen's Brian May asked them to perform at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert in 1992, which gave the band considerable credibility beyond the hard rock fraternity.
 |
||||
|
Extreme have been introduced to a new generation of music fans who are connecting with the band through MySpace as a result of the inclusion of their song "Play With Me" on 2007's "Guitar Hero" video game. Outside of Extreme, Cherone joined Van Halen as lead singer in 1998, co-writing the Van Halen III album and touring the world with them. Bettencourt joined up with Jane's Addiction front man Perry Farrell to form the band Satellite Party and co-produce their album Ultra Payloaded. Satellite Party also consisted of drummer Kevin Figuieredo, whom was previously in a band with Bettencourt called Dramagods.
Through the years, Bettencourt and Cherone have remained close and continued to collaborate on occasion. But what exactly inspired them to rejoin forces as Extreme?
"Rock and Roll Famine…I know it might sound crazy, but there is a massive shortage of rock and roll on this planet," says Bettencourt. "It's almost extinct. I mean the true spirit of quality rock and roll—you know, Musicianship, when you would give up every moment of your day to master your instrument and create your own identity and sound so as to respectfully outdo all your past heroes whilst proudly wearing the badge of their influences."
"Passion," says Bettencourt, is what drives Extreme. "To do whatever it takes, with integrity, to bring music to the people, not because of fame…but just cause you simply couldn't wait to share it with them."
"We realized," adds Bettencourt, "not only are the people starved for rock and roll...So are we. Let's eat."
Extreme is set to release Saudades de Rock on August 12, 2008. Produced by Bettencourt, he says: "It will have all the ingredients of an Extreme record. The music is always Funkier than most rock bands—and born a Bipolar Bastard child of Mr. Zeppelin and Mrs. Beatles."
Also on tour this Summer, 2008, one-day Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camps Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp™ is the ultimate music experience, that allows musicians and enthusiasts alike the once in a lifetime opportunity to jam with legendary rock stars, play live on stage at major concert venues, and live their rock 'n' roll dreams. Simply stated, our mission is to bring people's musical fantasies to life! This year's RockStar Counselors features Gilby Clarke (Guns n' Roses), Chris Slade (AC/DC, The Firm), Earl Slick (David Bowie/John Lennon), Dave Ellefson (Megadeth), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Mark Slaughter (Slaughter), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Mark Hudson (Aerosmith/Grammy Award Winning Songwriter), Kip Winger (Winger) and you!
Special Guests will be stopping by select tour dates to meet, greet and jam with Campers. Past camps have hosted The Who's Roger Daltrey, Slash from Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver, The Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman, Joe Walsh from the Eagles, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, Mickey Hart from the Grateful Dead, Paul Stanley from Kiss, Motley Crue's Vince Neil and dozens more.
Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp has teamed up with Live Nation and the House of Blues to present Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp's summer schedule. YOU will play live on stage with Rock Stars at major concert venues like House Of Blues, The Fillmore, and Irving Plaza in front of your friends, family and adoring fans!
Sign up for our Platinum Rock Star Tour package and come on tour for 5 amazing days! Take part in the scheduled camps on event days, and hang out like a rock star, playing and recording on your days off. You'll travel on the tour bus with our Rock Star counselors, stay at the hotel, and even receive a per diem for meals.
No experience necessary! Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp is open to musicians and enthusiasts alike. If you're an expert shredder or have never lifted an instrument, we guarantee you will be playing live on stage with your band that night! If you are a Guitar Hero or Rock Band enthusiast, this is your chance to experience the real thing.
Live The Dream! Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp
For a full summer camp schedule and complete details, visit: www.rockcamp.com