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UNLEASHED IN THE EAST!
Nuno Here.
And on behalf of the band, I Just wanted to thank all the relentlessly loyal fans of Japan. You are always there for us and we thank you for that loyalty. Those 4 nights in Tokyo were incredible. We also wanna thank everyone in Hiroshima, Nagoya and Osaka. We would also like to apologize to all the fans that were waiting around the corner after the show, in Osaka. That was the only night of the 51 shows we did all over the globe, that we did not stop the van to get out and say hi and sign autographs and take pictures after the show. Unfortunately there was a bug going around in our group and as it was a cold wintery night we had to pass and to not jeopardize canceling the remaining dates on the tour. I promise we will make it up to all of you next time in Osaka. We felt terrible as you made it one of the most special and exciting nights of the Japanese tour.
We took advantage of shooting a video for the song "RUN". Concert footage and casual footage. Some of you will probably see yourselves in there somewhere. It looks great and everyone will see it in the new year along with videos for the songs...GHOST, INTERFACE, KING OF THE LADIES and TAKE US ALIVE.
We also went to South Korea for the first time. We had no idea what to expect. And what we witnessed was rather scary.... And I mean that in an incredible way. It was as if 19 years of waiting for Extreme to show up exploded in one concert. Not only was it deafening when the lights went down.... But when we kicked into the first song that night... which was Decadence Dance ... The crowd was so explosive that it was the first time in my whole career that I could not hear my guitar.... nor could I hear the rest of the band. I remember looking over at my band mates and seeing the combination of fear and elation at the same time. When I stepped out front to play a solo, I was sonically engulfed and ripped apart by the fans... It was like being on deck of a ship in a storm with hurricane winds and waves relentlessly hitting you in the face... but instead of running for cover you had to hold it together and take it. Quite an amazing experience. I'm sure it was 19 years of pent up energy... but the biggest surprise was looking out and seeing at least 60% of a new generation of young fans. Regardless... Seoul let us know that they have SOUL! And they express in a way I have never witnessed before. It was like stuffing the intensity and energy of a 70,000 Stadium crowd into a 2,000 capacity venue. After the show our FOH sound engineer told us he had to reach for the Master fader in a panic, cause even out front, with the big PA system, he also lost the band. No lie.
Thank You Korea for that memorable experience. Sorry we never made it to play for you. Now we know what we were missing. And we won't make that mistake again...see you all soon.
The last stop on our 2008 tour was Jakarta, Indonesia. Another City/Country Extreme never landed on in our previous years. And once again, like Korea it was well worth making that long flight for one show. What a way to end the tour. Playing to passionate fans who had never seen us and also anticipating our arrival. The love and warmth was felt from the minute we landed. From the crew- caretakers, who met us at the airport, to the Press at this amazing press conference. As a culture, they went out of their way with their hospitality. But we also had no idea what to expect from the fans. But once again when we stepped out on that stage we were slapped across the face with incredible energy and passion. "Why did we not come here before"?... It ended being our biggest audience of the year. And man you sang your asses off! And you also performed your asses off along with us... without a doubt the hottest and sweatiest show of the tour. Knowing it was the last show, I think the band left everything they had on that stage. It made for an incredible finale. I think I've been saying this everywhere... but once again the amount of the new fans there was overwhelming. And yes Indonesia.... we WILL be back on every new tour. Thanks for waiting so long for us.
Well.... what a year for Extreme. As a band we are blessed. Blessed by you.... our fans. To be able to come back after 13 years and feel the love and loyalty from all of you, all over the world, is just too emotional to put into words. I cannot even tell you all how special this tour was for us. Thanks for your forgiveness in abandoning our relationship with you for so many years. And for our newcomers... you've embraced us with open arms and an open mind.
Although every audience we performed for and celebrated with, show us their appreciation and gratitude in many different ways... by no means is one city, country or fan better than the other. Every single show has been uniquely memorable. That's why we are so lucky as a band. We get to experience and feel the passions from Madrid to Glasgow. From Manchester to Paris. From Florida to Korea. It's insane.
And we still have places we've yet to rock with... Scandinavia, South America, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Canada. Then we'll do it all over again.
Whatever your beliefs, through the holidays and always... May we all celebrate in Peace.
See you in 2009.
Nuno |