Extreme and Living Colour Packs the Voodoo

September 2, 2024

*Gary Cherone with Extreme in Kansas City. Photo by Josh Chaikin*

With the heat still on, it was nice to be indoors. Though the Voodoo Lounge seems small, 1,000 fans packed in, just across from Gordon Ramsay’s Steak. You sure say weird things when you go to a casino…It would be an exciting night of classic rock from two heavyweights of the genre.

Kicking off the night was Living Colour, with vocalist Corey Glover proudly introducing themselves, “We are Living Colour from New York City!” before launching into “Leave it Alone” from 1993’s Stain. The quartet, rounded out with Vernon Reid on guitar, Will Calhoun on drums, and the only non-original member, Doug Wimbish on bass, who has a more than impressive resume with his work as a session musician with artists such as Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash.

Living Colour would plow through their set with minimal fanfare; no shoutouts for their favorite KC BBQ place, and no mention of the Chiefs, a refreshing change for sure. It was interesting to hear Christmas carol “The Little Drummer Boy” during the intro of Funny Vibe

Are you ready to relive the electrifying energy of an Extreme concert? You’re in for a treat as we dive into the recent performance that brought the house down. The legendary rock band, fronted by the charismatic Gary Cherone, teamed up with Living Colour to deliver an unforgettable night of music that left fans buzzing with excitement.

Get ready to journey through the highlights of this epic show, from the moment Living Colour took the stage to the last encore of Extreme’s set. You’ll discover how these two powerhouse bands breathed new life into their classic hits and showcased their enduring influence on rock music. Whether you were there or wish you had been, this article will give you a front-row seat to the action and a deeper appreciation for these iconic artists.

As the lights dim and the crowd roars, you can feel the excitement building. Extreme takes the stage, and it’s like stepping back in time to the 1990s. Gary Cherone, at 61, bursts onto the scene with boundless energy, running laps around the stage like a “loosed hell beast.” His voice, remarkably well-preserved, belts out challenging hits like “Decadence Dance” with the same vigor as in their heyday.

Nuno Bettencourt, looking eerily unchanged since the ’90s, stands before three Marshall stacks, his guitar tone transporting you back to the band’s glory days. His playing is crisp, precise, and melodic, even when he’s shredding. The chemistry between Nuno and bassist Pat Badger is evident, their performances fully enthralling.

As you settle into your seat, you’re in for a treat with Living Colour kicking off the night. This legendary rock band, formed in the mid-80s, brings a unique fusion of heavy metal, funk, and alternative rock to the stage. With Corey Glover’s powerful vocals and Vernon Reid’s electrifying guitar work, they set the perfect tone for the evening. You can’t help but be mesmerized by Glover’s white and red dreadlocks flipping as he moves across the stage, his voice effortlessly transitioning from melodic singing to intense growls. The band’s short but impactful set culminates with their signature hit, “Cult of Personality,” leaving you craving more of their creative sound and energetic performance.

You’re in for a treat as Extreme takes you on a journey through their musical legacy. The band kicks off with “It’s a Monster,” setting the tone for an electrifying night. As they launch into “Decadence Dance,” you can’t help but feel the energy surge through the crowd. The medley of “Teacher’s Pet / Flesh ‘n’ Blood / Wind Me Up / Kid Ego” showcases the band’s versatility, while “Play With Me” brings back memories of Guitar Hero days.

Nuno Bettencourt’s acoustic prowess shines during “Hole Hearted” and the mind-bending “Midnight Express” solo. The ultimate fan favorite, “More Than Words,” brings tears to your eyes with its live beauty. As the night progresses, you’re treated to classics like “Get the Funk Out” and “Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee,” before the band closes with the soul-stirring “RISE,” leaving you in awe of their enduring talent.

You might think of Extreme and Living Colour as one-hit wonders, but their influence on rock music goes far beyond their signature tunes. These bands have left an indelible mark on the genre, blending styles and pushing boundaries in ways that continue to resonate today.

Extreme’s fusion of funk, metal, and progressive rock set them apart from their contemporaries. Their willingness to tackle societal issues in their lyrics, while their peers were focused on more superficial themes, showed a depth that was rare in the glam rock era. You can hear echoes of their innovative approach in many modern rock bands.

Living Colour, with their unique blend of heavy metal, funk, and alternative rock, helped pave the way for a more diverse sound in rock music. Their politically charged lyrics and Vernon Reid’s virtuosic guitar work have inspired countless musicians across genres.

After a 30 minute break to clear the stage, the lights dimmed and the anticipation was growing; energy was getting ready to burst, and things exploded when Extreme took the stage, and it was like stepping back in time to the 1990s. Gary Cherone, now 63, burst onto the scene with boundless energy, demonstrating incredible energy, and flexibility; his voice just as powerful as it was decades ago.

Some might think of Extreme and Living Colour as one-hit wonders, but their influence on rock music goes far beyond their signature tunes. These bands have left an indelible mark on the genre, blending styles and pushing boundaries in ways that continue to resonate today. New generations have discovered both artists due to their contributions on the Guitar Hero series, and Gary Cherone gave a memorable performance of “Hammer to Fall” at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. It’s clear these artists are well-respected by their peers, and the packed house shows they’re known for more than just a few songs.