The line-up of this Boston, USA-based quartet originally comprised Gary Cherone (b. 26 July 1961, Malden, Massachusetts, USA; vocals), Nuno Bettencourt (b. 20 September 1966, Praia da Vitória, Terceira, Azores, Portugal; guitar), Pat Badger (b. Patrick John Badger, 22 July 1967, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; bass) and Paul Geary (b. 24 July 1961, Medford, Massachusetts, USA; drums). The origins of the band can be traced to local act the Dream, whose sole six-track EP in 1983 featured Cherone and Geary. As Extreme, the original line-up found themselves on television in 1985 via a video clip for ‘Mutha (Don’t Wanna Go To School Today)’, as part of an MTV competition, but it was the arrival of Bettencourt in 1986 and Badger the following year that boosted their career. A recording contract with A&M Records was quickly secured and the band made their vinyl debut with ‘Play With Me’ for the soundtrack to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
The inevitable self-titled debut album followed. Encompassing elements of pop, metal, funk and blues, their songwriting powers were still in their infancy at this stage and although competent, the album met with widespread critical indifference. Pornograffitti (1990) was a stunning second release, being an ambitious concept affair, subtitled ‘A Funked Up Fairy Tale’. ‘Get The Funk Out’ reached number 19 in the UK charts in June 1991, but the band had already broken through in America in March when the simple acoustic ballad ‘More Than Words’ topped the charts. The song climbed to UK number 2 in July the same year. ‘Hole Hearted’ was their only other US success, reaching number 4 later that year, although they would continue to achieve Top 20 singles in the UK until 1995.
The band’s music was now characterized by Bettencourt’s innovative guitar playing, intelligent lyrics and a diverse style that transcended a variety of musical genres. Their appearance at the Freddie Mercury memorial concert in May 1992, which interrupted sessions for III Sides To Every Story, gave them considerable exposure beyond the heavy metal fraternity. Prior to the band’s appearance at the Donington Festival in the summer of 1994, Mike Mangini (b. 18 April 1963, Newton, Massachusetts, USA; ex-Annihilator) replaced Paul Geary on drums. After the disappointing critical and commercial reaction to 1995’s Waiting For The Punchline, Bettencourt announced plans to release a solo album through Colorblind, the label he formed through A&M. The band formally broke up in October 1996, with Cherone moving on to become lead singer with Van Halen.
Cherone and Bettencourt later reunited in 2004 to play a number of live shows in their native Boston and Japan. Joined by Badger and new drummer Kevin Figueiredo they announced a full-scale reunion at the end of 2007.
