Bengaluru music enthusiasts can rest assured that they won’t need a persuasion campaign led by Steven Tyler to ensure that the celebrated Boston rock ensemble, Extreme, delivers their iconic acoustic ballad, ‘More Than Words,’ during their performance at Bandland 2024. The timeless hit, crafted by vocalist Gary Cherone and lead guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, faced a challenging journey to success. Their music label initially resisted releasing ‘More Than Words’ as a single. However, upon its release as part of Extreme’s second album, “Pornograffitti” in 1990, it skyrocketed to the top of the charts, earning the band global fame.
Despite the song’s success, it brought a peculiar kind of notoriety to the band. As Extreme became predominantly recognized as the ‘More Than Words’ band, Cherone admitted that there was a period when they began to feel resentment towards the song. An amusing anecdote recounts a moment on tour in Poland with Aerosmith when Extreme opted not to perform the song, prompting an exasperated Steven Tyler to famously scrawl “play the (expletive) song!” on their dressing room door.
Yet, for Nuno Bettencourt, the song never posed a dilemma. Speaking candidly from Temecula, California, through a video interview, Bettencourt shared his perspective: “I’ve never had to make peace with the song. We crafted that song. It didn’t define the band; we defined it. Rock fans understand our broader repertoire. For those who know us solely for ‘More Than Words,’ that’s fine, but our genuine fans appreciate the diversity of our work. Thus, there’s no issue from our side,” he expressed with a smile.
When queried on whether fans can expect to hear the beloved anthem at Bandland, Bettencourt playfully said, “no,” before confirming with a smile, “Of course, we will play it.”
‘More Than Words’ has humble beginnings, Bettencourt explained. “It emerged like any other song. You pick up a guitar, strum some chords, sing a melody, write some lyrics, and tell a story. There wasn’t anything particularly unique or magical about its creation; it’s quite straightforward, actually.”
Each musical piece is distinctive, Bettencourt elaborated, particularly concerning the interplay between music and lyrics. “It varies. At times, you start with a story or a title in mind, while other instances involve a developing melody or rhythm.”
Bettencourt’s impressive career extends beyond Extreme. At 58, he released a solo album, “Schizophonic,” and has collaborated with prominent artists like Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton, and Rihanna. Despite these ventures, he identifies most strongly with band dynamics. “Being in a band was my starting point.
. I have a profound love for the bands I idolized growing up. Being part of a band resonates with me the best,” he commented.
Reflecting on his experiences as a solo artist, Bettencourt revealed, “Solo endeavors hold a different charm. They allow you to explore more personal themes or undertake things you might not with a band. It’s not necessarily more enjoyable—just different, offering a refreshing departure from the usual.”
Additionally, Bettencourt has dabbled in film scoring, contributing to projects like “Smart People.” He described this experience as exciting, acknowledging his love for movies. “I haven’t done it extensively, but I would like to explore that field more. Scoring for films involves adapting to visuals—capturing the emotion and fitting seamlessly within scenes without overwhelming them.”
However, one constant challenge within band life is finding harmony amidst disagreements. “If you’ve ever been married, you’ll understand—it’s akin to being married to multiple people simultaneously. It’s certainly tricky,” Bettencourt stated with a grin. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the rewarding nature of band life. “Ultimately, it works itself out. Like any family, bands have their highs and lows. All families are inherently dysfunctional, especially rock bands.”
Touring comes with its own set of challenges for Bettencourt. “While performing is thrilling, the remainder of the experience is taxing. Being away from loved ones, living out of suitcases, enduring bus rides—it all wears you out. It’s more fitting for younger artists in their 20s. After four decades, it loses its charm rather quickly.”
Extreme last enthralled Indian audiences in 2019 at the ShiRock Festival in Manipur. Their upcoming performance in Bengaluru at Bandland 2024 marks their debut in a major Indian city, and excitement is palpable. Bettencourt promised that fans can anticipate “the best rock show of their lives.”
Scheduled for November 23 and 24 at NICE Grounds, BIEC in Bengaluru, Extreme’s Bandland 2024 performance promises to celebrate both their iconic hits and diverse musical legacy, setting the stage for an unforgettable event.
