''Waiting for the Punchline'' is the fourth album by American band Extreme, released in 1995. It is known by fans as a distinctively raw-sounding record with a significant influence from

grunge Grunge (sometimes referred to as the Seattle sound) is an alternative rock genre and subculture that emerged during the in the American Pacific Northwest state of Washington, particularly in Seattle and nearby towns. Grunge fuses elements of p ...

, especially when compared to the big production of the two previous albums. Due to its lyrics focused heavily on social matters (ranging from religion to fame) it is often cited as a

concept album A concept album is an album whose tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Som ...

. It is also the only Extreme record to feature drummer

Mike Mangini Michael Anthony Mangini (born April 18, 1963) is an American musician and current drummer of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. He has also played for bands and artists such as Annihilator, Extreme, James LaBrie, and Steve Vai. Befor ...

(on three tracks). After the album's tour, Extreme disbanded in 1996 when Bettencourt informed the band that he was leaving to pursue a solo career. After the breakup, singer

Gary Cherone Gary Francis Caine Cherone ( ; born July 26, 1961) is an American rock singer and songwriter. Cherone is known for his work as the lead vocalist of the Boston rock group Extreme and Van Halen. He has also released solo recordings. In 2007, he ...

joined

Van Halen Van Halen ( ) was an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. Credited with "restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene", Van Halen was known for its energetic live shows and for the virtuosity of its lead gu ...

in the same year as their new singer, but left three years later.

Track listing

All songs written by Gary Cherone & Nuno Bettencourt, except "There Is No God", "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" and "Naked" by Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt & Pat Badger, and "Leave Me Alone" by Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt & Mike Mangini.

Personnel

;Extreme *

– lead vocals *

Nuno Bettencourt Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt (born September 20, 1966) is a Portuguese-American guitarist, singer-songwriter, record producer, and businessman. He became known as the lead guitarist of the Boston rock band Extreme. He has also recorded ...

– guitars, keyboards, vocals, producer *

Pat Badger Patrick John Badger, (born July 22, 1967, in Boston, Massachusetts) is a musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the bass guitarist in the band Extreme. He has also performed in groups like Daemon, In The Pink, Super Trans Atlantic, Tri ...

– bass guitar, backing vocals *

Paul Geary Paul Geary (born July 24, 1961 in Medford, Massachusetts) is an American rock and roll drummer and Artist Manager. He is a co-founder and drummer of the Rock band Extreme. He left the group in 1994 to pursue a career in artist management. ...

– drums *

– drums on "Hip Today", "Leave Me Alone" and "No Respect" ;Production *Bob St. John – co-producer, engineer *Carl Nappa, Chris Carrol, Chris Nix, Michael Thompson, Scott Perry, Steve Robillard – assistant engineers *

Bob Ludwig Robert C. Ludwig (born c. 1945) is an American mastering engineer. He has mastered recordings on all the major recording formats for all the major record labels, and on projects by more than 1,300 artists including Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, Qu ...

– mastering at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, Maine

Charts

Certifications

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waiting For The Punchline Extreme (band) albums 1995 albums A&M Records albums Concept albums