Front page	From the Event Guide archive! This article refers to an event which took place on, or until, 08 November 2008 Music Interview - Extreme / The Academy Extreme Behaviour Rachel McMahon speaks to Nuno Bettencourt of Boston rockers Extreme. 13 years after the release of their last record, Extreme have just finished their 5th album, ‘Saudades de Rock’, out last August. Lead guitarist and backing vocalist Nuno Bettencourt considers the album; “I think this time it actually turned out better than I had hoped for.” Of the record, the guitarist considers that “It was just kind of whatever we came up with and, you know, came up with in the rehearsal space. Whatever we wrote - we were just trying to capture that the way it was.” The meaning of the album’s title (‘Sausades de Rock’ –roughly translated from Portuguese as ‘a longing for rock’) was two-fold, referring to their own desire to be playing after their extended hiatus, but also as a yearning for a greater volume of rock music to be made in general. As Bettencourt explains, “I think there’s a void out there of rock ‘n roll music” but adds also that it was “In a selfish way, for us to play it too.” Forming in 1985, the band went through various guises until the present-day line-up of Gary Cherone, Pat Badger, Figueiredo and Bettencourt. Of these, only he and Cherone have been members since the band’s beginnings. “We were in two separate bands locally and we kind of met by chance”, explains Bettencourt of his and Cherone’s acquaintance. “We were doing a gig together and we stayed in touch through the years. And a couple of years later, he just asked me if I want to come down and jam with him,” recalls the musician. From the start, they noticed in each other a similar musical taste, as Bettencourt recalls, “One of the bands that kind of anchored us really was Queen, always.” However, about how Extreme should sound - “We had no idea!” he laughs, admitting, “We were never really sure what was going to happen. I mean, you have your heroes but as much as you want to, you never really sound like them.” Of the band’s return, Bettencourt feels that “It was just time. Everybody had done all the projects they need to do and we were all kind of reaching out to each other at the same time. So we knew that, you know, depending on the new record, if it was something that we were excited about we were going to do it.” The reaction towards the group’s reunion has been “I’d say so far, so good. The majority of it’s been good”, the guitarist deems. Joining the newly reformed Extreme is drummer Kevin Figueiredo, who had known Bettencourt from playing together in both the alt rock groups, Satellite Party and DramaGods. Taking over from ex-drummer Mike Mangini, Bettencourt says of the new recruit, “He’s definitely added some spark to it, you know, he’s an aggressive drummer. He’s got a great feel for it.” Contemplating Figueiredo’s input, he comments, “I think he even makes the old stuff sound really exciting”. Reforming and disbanding at various points since the group’s inception, Bettencourt affirms one consistency throughout the band’s lifetime; “I think we’ve always fought for the best songs and tried to create the best that we can at the time.” Considering their music, he says, “We don’t try to make it sound current or ancient or futuristic – it’s just kind of the best stuff that we can do now at the time.” Set to tour into December, Bettencourt sketches their future plans, “We’re going to be touring for quite a while. I’m sure we might even come back around a second time again.” As for where they plan to go from here, he’s vague; “We’re always good at trying some stuff out.” MCD presents Extreme at The Academy, 57 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1, on Saturday 8th November. 7pm. €33.60. extreme-band.com / www.myspace.com/extreme / www.mcd.ie / www.theacademydublin.com / www.ticketmaster.ie