Bengaluru won’t need Steven Tyler to convince Boston rock band, Extreme, to play their famous acoustic song, ‘More Than Words’ at Bandland 2024. Written by singer Gary Cherone and lead guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, the band had to fight with their music label to release ‘More Than Words’ as a single. Upon release, the song appeared on Extreme’s second album, obscene pictures (1990), reached number one and brought the band international recognition.

After a point, when Extreme began to be referred to as the ‘More Than Words’ guys, the band began to resent the song, according to Cherone. Apparently when Extreme was touring with Aerosmith in Poland, they decided not to play the song, causing an angry Tyler to write, “Play the (expletive) song!” At the door of his dressing room.

“I never had to compromise with the song,” Bettencourt says, speaking over a video call from Temecula, Calif. “We made that song. The band did not form from that song. Rock fans know who we are. Only those who are not fans of Extreme, perhaps, know us for ‘more than words’, but our true fans know us for everything we do. So we don’t have any kind of problem with it” (smiles).”

On the question of whether Extreme would play the iconic anthem in Bandland, Bettencourt smiled and said, “Of course, we will play it.”

The origins of ‘More Than Words’ are well documented. “Oh, come on, it came like any other song. You pick up the guitar, play some music, sing, write a song, tell a story, and there it is. It’s just like any other song you write. There was nothing special or different in it. It’s a very basic thing, very simple.”

Every song is different, Bettencourt says of the music-or-song conundrum. “It depends. Sometimes you have a story and a title, sometimes you have the tune, the music, sometimes the drum beat…”

The 58-year-old musician released a solo album, schizophonicHas worked as a guest musician and as part of a band with Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton and Rihanna, among others. “The first thing I did was join a band. I’m a huge fan of all the bands I grew up with. So it’s about being in the band that works best for me.

Working alone is different, says Bettencourt. “It’s just things that are probably more personal to you, songs that are more personal, and being able to do things that maybe you don’t do with a band. It’s not more or less enjoyable, just different. It’s about taking a break from what you do.”

Composing music for films, including soundtracks smart people Funny, says Bettencourt. “I love cinema. I don’t get to do it very much. I’d like to do it more.” The Portuguese-American guitarist says that scoring for a film involves visuals. “You watch the footage and create that scene, that feeling, and try to stay out of the way, be part of the scene. You never want the music to take over the scene.”

Bettencourt says that it is not good for music to dominate the scene in a film. “However, it depends on the director. There is no right or wrong. If they want it to be a stronger part of the scene, that’s it.

Lead guitarist Nuno Bettencourt Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Working in a band comes with many disagreements and compromises. “If you are married or have ever been married, you know the answer to that question (smiles). Try being married four ways at the same time, not just to one person, but to three people at the same time, and good luck with that.”

In the final calculation it works out, says Bettencourt. “It’s not rocket science. Being in a band has its ups and downs. A band is like any family. All families are dysfunctional, especially rock bands.”

Admitting to not enjoying touring, Bettencourt says, “I enjoy touring to play on stage, but the other 20 hours are hard. Being away from friends and family and living out of suitcases, traveling, sleeping on buses, things like that are definitely a young person’s game. In your 20s, you love it, but once you’ve been doing it for 10 years, and we’ve been doing it for almost 40 years, it loses its charm very quickly.

Extreme performed at Shirock Festival in Manipur in 2019. “We’ve never played in a big city like we’re going to do now, and we’re excited.” Fans can look forward to the best rock show of their lives, says Bettencourt.

Extreme will perform as part of BookMyShow Live’s Bandland 2024 at NICE Grounds, BIEC, Bengaluru on 23rd and 24th November.