Extreme's gig at the G-Mex, 16 December 1992

by Julie Owen

It was a very cold evening as we started on our 70-mile journey up the motorway.  After getting slightly lost, and being stuck in traffic, we eventually found the venue.  The queue was already long - thankfully we chose the right one, which enabled us to get a good place at the front of the stage.  The venue was packed, and the atmosphere electric!  The opening act was an American band called Hardline.  Their set was very loud and powerful, the songs were catchy, and soon everyone was singing along.

After a very long wait, and much excitement, the black curtain that dawned the stage fell, to the opening sounds of 'Warheads'.  The crowd went crazy as Paul, Pat, Nuno and Gary burst onstage.  'President', 'It('s A Monster)', 'Rest In Peace'... the pace was fast and furious, with Gary making full use of a very small stage, bouncing around as if his life depended on it.

The crowd were packed so tight around me, it was getting extremely hot! (pun intended).  We were then treated to Nuno's guitar wizardry, in the shape of 'Midnight Express'.  It's amazing to watch him play so fast, and yet so brilliantly at the same time.

Gary then introduced us to the second part of the show - the song which probably caused the most noise all night, 'More Than Words'.  Everyone sang along word for word - it was very moving.  After the wonderful 'Stop The World' came the third part of the show (my favourite).  Through the dry ice emerged the Heavy Metal Horns, something you wouldn't expect to see at a rock concert, but they really did shed a whole new light on things.  They made a big difference to 'Politicalamity', in which Gary taught us all a new wave in tune with the chorus.  Then came a funky version of 'Cupid's Dead', which lasted 17 minutes, and included Gary's dancing skills, Nuno on the drums, but best of all, Gary and the trumpet player messing around - this involved audience participation in the style of Freddie Mercury - Gary had to mimic the trumpet, and we had to follow suit, which was very funny.

Alas, it was almost time for us to go home, but not before the fantastic 'Get The Funk Out'.  We got 'Seven Sundays' and 'Decadence Dance' as the last two songs.  Gary and the rest of the guys said their last thankyous and goodbyes, and it was all over.

I came away totally exhausted, but very happy.  It was a thoroughly entertaining show, and a night I shall never forget.