Extreme consists of Gary Cherone (lead vocals), Nuno Bettencourt (bass, vocals), Pat Badger (guitar, piano, keyboards, hammond organ, vocals), Paul Geary (percussion, drums, vocals).
See Extreme for other uses of the word.
Extreme was an American funk metal / glam metal / hard rock band which achieved popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Some of Extreme's influences, Queen and Van Halen, are easily apparent from their music's multi-part vocal harmonies and electric guitar tone and virtuoso techniques. Being asked about their style, Extreme categorized their music as 'Funky Metal'.
Extreme was formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1985. Vocalist Gary Cherone was in a band with drummer Paul Geary, whilst guitarist Nuno Bettencourt was in a band with bassist Pat Badger. Following an altercation between the rival groups over communal dressing rooms Cherone, Geary, Bettencourt, and Badger decided to form a new band.
Cherone and Bettencourt began writing songs together and played numerous shows in the Boston area. The band gradually developed a strong local following, and was named "Outstanding Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Act" at the Boston Music Awards in 1986 and 1987.
The band had accumulated approximately 55 songs by the time A&R director Bryan Huttenhower signed them to A&M Records. In 1988, the band signed to A&M Records and recorded their self-titled debut which was issued in 1989. The first single was "Kid Ego," a song that Cherone would later admit made him cringe.
Moderate sales of Extreme's first record were sufficient to support a second release. Michael Wagener, who had previously worked with Dokken and White Lion was engaged to produce Extreme II: Pornograffiti 1990.
The record, which showcased Bettencourt's extraordinary guitar-playing prowess, was an ambitious and complex mixture of funk, pop and glam metal sounds. It revolved around a loose concept, following the path of young boy Francis as he wandered through a decadent, degraded and corrupt society. "Decadence Dance" and "Get the Funk Out" were released as singles. "Get The Funk Out" reached number 19 in the UK charts in June 1991. Neither single was successful in the United States, however, and the album had fallen off the charts when A&M sent the third single to a number of radio stations in Arizona.
