Mourning Widows / Nuno Bettencourt
With one of the well known guitar heroes Nuno Bettencourt this tight hard rock trio hits you in the face with spurts of funk
1
songs
3.7K
plays
"UPSIDEDOWNSIDE 2001" "UPSIDEDOWNSIDE 2001"
Band/artist history
The Story....
1998, the Schizophonic tour being well over, Nuno's focus was now to form his much-wanted after-Extreme band. To play with him, he kept his Schizo bass player, Donovan Bettencourt, and asked back his late-Extreme drummer, Mike Mangini. The idea was pretty simple, create a heavy-funk power trio.
With this lineup, this no-name-yet band only played the London Mad About Music Convention in late June 1998. Shortly after, Mike informed he wasn't staying as a permanent member because of scheduling conflicts. He was set to start playing with Steve Vai at the same time.
Now being drummerless, when Nuno was asked to play at the Expo 1998 in Portugal, he realized he didn't have any choice but to take his Schizo band back, his brother Paul (guitar synth, bv's) Eddie W.(guitar, bvs) and Dave C.(drums) but just for this one time event. He didn't have the time to find a new drummer, rehearse and get ready in just over 1 month. So, the Expo 1998 saw the last of the Schizo band shows...
While in Portugal, one day, Nuno saw a painting of mourning widows dressed in black contrasting in front of a white church. The image stuck in his head, he liked the vibe of it and the name sounded dark/mysterious, just like his music... the Mourning Widows was born.
Time was now pressing, Polydor Japan who had signed Nuno as soon as his contract was over with A&M wanted a Christmas release. So, in October, Nuno & Donovan went in the recording studio to record the first Mourning Widows album with Nuno handling everything except the bass playing. Wanting to be now known as a "band" and not a Nuno solo project, Nuno decided to credit the drums to "Billy Vegas". Yea, ok.....
As planned, mid-December saw the release of that first album in Japan. It was very well received as it reached sales of 45 000 copies in just the first month. Only problem now, how can you tour to support an album without a drummer.....
During that time, adverts were being posted in every music schools/stores in the Boston/NY area looking for that missing drummer would could play hard and funky. Demo tapes were received but no auditions were given until that one tape prompted Nuno to give his first audition. Jeffrey Consi had heard about the opening from a friend who saw an ad and rushed him to send his demo. As soon as Jeff started to jam with them, Nuno knew he was the missing link to creating his power trio and so, in February 1999, Jeff was annonced as the new Mourning Widows drummer.
In early May 1999, the band flew to Melbourne, Australia (where Jeff met his future wife) to begin rehearsals for the first MW tour in Japan. The June tour comprised of 6 sold-out dates and the setlist included the whole first MW album (except TLITG), and a few Schizophonic & Extreme songs. That tour also saw the beginnings of Donovan & Jeff as backvocalists. Overall, that first MW tour went well but Nuno felt the band needed more time rehearsing so for the rest of 1999, time was spent on shaping up and developing band chemistry before doing more live shows. They also used that time to start working on the first real Mourning Widows album.
After entering the new Millenium, MW were now preparing to release their second album. "Furnished Soul For Rent" was released on July 14th in Japan and Nuno promoted it by playing a secret gig with Joey Pessia in Tokyo on July 20th. The Japanese tour being planned only in November, the band played warm up gigs in the New England area, the first of these opening for Godsmack in Portland, ME in early August. Right from the start, we could feel the band much tighter and the band chemistry happening. The Mourning Widows were now ready to take over the world....
USA
ID
10953
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Comments (9)
Extreme and Nuno's music will always be amongst the music that I classify as pure classics...too bad the alternative music invasion destroyed the appreciation for real talent and virtuosity.
I believe the best days of Nuno is yet to come.
Nuno my man, if you do read this, please check out my music as well...keen to hear your input and advice, since we grew up listening to the same heroes :)
HAIL NUNO!
Yes, Schizophonic was a huge influence for me. I really like this new stuff, I wish more people recognized and appreciated Nuno's songwriting talent.
I have to say that I love everything you've ever done, whether you do or not. I'm not one to sit and talk about mistakes or Extreme or any of that nonsense. Every artist has a musical and personal growth that they go through. There is no right or wrong, logical or rational progression. I respect you as a musician, though I don't know you as a person. Many of the amazing guitarists in the world grow tired with doing the same shtick and definitely want to move on and explore songwriting. I've found myself in that boat many times, sometimes being pushed by friends and peers. People don't respect a musician on chops alone anymore. Maybe that's a good thing. Pure technique is empty without the love and soul of an artist. You are that artist. You have a passion in everything you do. God bless you.
http://www.
Nuno, I developed alot of my guitar chops by listening to the Extreme albums. I was disapointed with "Punchline" but hey thats just me. One thing we do have in common is our heritage. I am also a portagee, a little watered down, but still from Terceira. Now Im a guitar slinging/Dairy farmer in Southern Ca. Id like to catch one of your shows soon.
Cool Music,
Im a friend of your brother Paul... :D
Like your music alot......
Are you gonna touring Canada anytime soon?????
Jenae
