UNCASVILLE, Conn. – In 1990 Rawk band Extreme released Pornograffitti to the world. It started off slow, but when it was over it sold more than two million copies and included two top-five singles. Fast forward 25 years later, and Extreme brought their brand of Boston funk to the Mohegan Sun Arena this past Friday night for a full performance of Pornograffitti.
Playing the entire Pornograffitti release from start to finish is a huge bonus for Extreme fans as this was by far their most popular and successful release. And on this night, they gave the fans what they wanted. The band opened with the first track Decadence Dance and came out to a roar from the crowd. Lead singer Gary Cherone was his usual high energy self, bouncing around the entire stage. Although his vocals were mixed a little low the first two songs, things were straightened out for the rest of the show.
Li’l Jack Horny came next and showcased guitarist Nuno Bettencourt’s amazing playing. When I’m President and Get the Funk Out followed before the band slowed things down and played their biggest hit More Than Words. The song featured a seated Bettencourt playing acoustic guitar while Cherone belted out the words.
Roaring back with Money (In God We Trust), It (‘s A Monster) and the title track Pornograffitti. The band slowed things down once again as a piano was brought on stage for the crooner type song When I First Kissed You. Kicking it up another notch, the band plowed through Suzi (Wants Her All Day What?) and He-Man Woman Hater.
Once again slowing things down the band finished off the first set of the show and the rest of Pornograffitti with Song for Love and their second biggest hit Hole Hearted.
The encore consisted of six songs and included a couple of songs off of Extreme’s very first release, Play With Me and Kid Ego. The rest of the encore was rounded out by Take Us Alive, Am I Ever Gonna Change and Cupid’s Dead.
The show got off to a rocky start with an hour delay that had the fans booing the band before even taking the stage. The band via Bettencourt issued an apology, but didn’t really give a reason, basically stating, things happen. Overall though, Extreme put on a great show filled with some great songs and incredible musicianship. Extreme realized some fame in the early 90’s with their top five singles and had the Nirvana’s of the world not turned up, they may have become a musical force for years to come.
Feel free to send your comments or questions to [email protected]. Rawk Report is your source for New England related concert news and live music reviews.
