Boston-based rock group EXTREME is set to return in the spring of 2008
with its 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.

In the coming weeks, EXTREME will announce its plans for a world tour
in 2008 as well as a release date and label for the as-yet-untitled
album, which is being produced by Bettencourt. The guitarist 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.”

EXTREME has 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 frontman Perry Farrell to
form the band SATELLITE PARTY and co-produce their album, “Ultra
Payloaded”. SATELLITE PARTY also featured drummer Kevin Figuieredo,
who 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.”