EXTREME
House of Blues, Houston, Texas
02-17-24, Thomas Rosas
An hour before opening, the line to enter the House of Blues Dallas wrapped the venue. The eager fans braved the 30-degree temperature but soon would get a warm welcome performance by Living Colour, whose hard rock and funk-infused music prepared the crowd for Extreme.
Extreme delivered a powerhouse performance that exhilarated the sold-out venue of both the old and younger generations. Opening with Monster off their multi-platinum album Pornograffitti, Gary Cherone’s dynamic vocals effortlessly captivated the audience’s attention. The mind-blowing guitar virtuosity of Nuno Bettencourt mesmerized fans with his insanely intricate solos. Pat Badger, who honored Texas by wearing a black cowboy hat, along with drummer Kevin “k-Figg” Figueiredo provided the band with a solid foundation and groove that was felt by the crowd.
The energy from the band was infectious, creating a dynamic atmosphere that drew the crowd’s excitement from start to finish. The band’s tight musicianship and energetic stage performance demonstrated their decades of experience, leaving no doubt as to why they continue to attract and sell out venues nightly. The carefully crafted setlist brought a perfect balance of classic hits from previous albums but also included numerous songs off their latest album Six.
Too many bands that derived from the 80s scene have come and gone; however, Extreme has given us music that transcends the decades of musical changes. Through strong vocals and captivating guitar riffs that lead into memorable melodies, in conjunction with a solid foundation of rhythmic bass and drums; Extreme has proven that the band and their music have sustainability.
