Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of the reunited hard rockers EXTREME has issued the following update:

"We are now finishing up the recording of our new release... which, by the way, rocks. We had a great time jamming and creating. We ended up with about 24 tunes, which we dwindled down to the 14 that will be on the record. And I'm sure it's no surprise to you, our fans, that they are a 'mishmash' of old-school rock and some tasty abstract ditties.

"As a band, we always manage to be misfits in the midst of whatever music is out there. But I guarantee it will be delicious. We are very, very excited to share it with you. Both on record and live when we come to your town... and WE WILL. Yes... we plan to tour for at least one year — well, probably two years — 'cause we've got a lot of catching up to do with you guys and gals. And we can't fucking wait... Shit! There I go fucking swearing again... What a prick... Anyways.

"It's also great to welcome Kevin 'Figg' Figuieredo to the family. I could say lots about Figg and what he brings to the intensity and sound of this band in 2008... but in the words of Joe Perry... I will 'let the music do the talking.'

"And when I speak about the EXTREME family, I also want to mention that Paul Geary [former EXTREME drummer and current GODSMACK manager] is still very much a part of the family. I'm very excited to tell you that he will be involved in the managerial side of the band, working closely with us and new addition to our business team, Robby Hoffman, to help reclaim our block of land in the music ghetto.

"Yes... Lock up your daughters and lock up your wife... Lock up your backdoor and run for your life. 'Cause once we move back in, we plan to be around for the rest of our days... God willing... however long that may be.

"Well... that's it for now. Whoever is making the trip to L.A. to see us... see ya there and say hello. We will have a drink at the Hilton bar afterwards. And for the rest of you, see ya soon..."

EXTREME — featuring original members Nuno Bettencourt, Gary Cherone, Pat Badger and new sticksman Kevin Figueiredo — will perform a private show at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) on Friday, January 18 at the Hilton in Anaheim, California.

To win a chance to see the group play live, submit your name, city and e-mail address to namm@extreme-band.com. If you are selected, you will be contacted with a time and a location to pick up tickets the day of the show.

EXTREME performed a three-song set at the Boston Music Awards on December 1, 2007 at the Orpheum in Boston consisting of "Slide", "Decadence Dance" and "Communication Breakdown". A short clip of the band's new song, "Slide", can be viewed below.

EXTREME's as-yet-untitled studio album with all-new material — the band's fifth — is set to be released in the spring.

In a recent interview with BostonHerald.com, Bettencourt described the new album as a "straight-up rock record" that expands on EXTREME's funk-metal sound.

The new CD was the key to getting back together as a full-time band, he said. EXTREME did a handful of gigs last summer, including a gig at the Bank of America Pavilion in July, but Bettencourt wasn't interested in becoming a permanent part of a nostalgia act.

"Even though we wanted to do something for years, we had to have something new to offer," he told BostonHerald.com. "In the last six months we started writing some great songs. If they weren't, we wouldn't be doing this."