ASIA REUNION

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:05 pm

Well, I guess this could be "Ric Artists" because Steve Howe played on at some point. But anyway, a post from Steve's website:

"February 1, 2006 - In conjunction with Asia's 25th anniversary the four original members--Steve, Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer, and John Wetton--plan on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the creation of Asia with a CD, DVD, and world tour.

The original members wish to convey their heartfelt thanks for the global support, love and enthusiasm that has made this possible. Stay tuned for updates."

I'm revealing my true, inner loser when I say that this is AWESOME. I love Asia! Yay for reunions . . . now if only Genesis would agree to one . . .

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:15 pm

Forgive me, Bob...it's not that exciting to me. The original UK reuniting, now that would be something...

I never understood them naming the band 'Asia'...maybe they found the word already doodled on a sketch pad over at Roger Dean's house.

One thing's for sure: if you want a dead horse beaten, Carl Palmer's your man...

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:34 pm

One thing's for sure: if you want a dead horse beaten, Carl Palmer's your man...

LOL!!

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:50 pm

I've actually never heard anything by UK. John Wetton's awesome, so I'm sure I'd like it.

As for band names, I have no idea. Like, why did Boston names themselves Boston when they're not from Boston? Why did Europe name themselves Europe when I'm sure the entirety of Europe wants to disown the band (the Final Countdown anyone)? Dunno . . . the name may not make sense, but, as you said, it's great for Roger Dean album covers.

Also, I do not understand the joke about Palmer . . . is he famous for reunions or something?

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:05 pm

The name for the band was chosen for purely commercial reasons. It was at the beginning of the ALPHAbet and would be closer to the front of the record racks. I always liked Asia and thought that some of the non-radio songs on the first two albums were real good. So what if it was one of the biggest selling albums for 1982!
Robert, if you've never heard any UK, then you're in for a real treat. The linup of Whetton, Bruford, Holdsworth and Jobson was the best, but the albums without Holdsworth and Bruford with Terry Bozio on drums are good too.
If anyones seen "The 40 Year Old Virgin' then you'll remember the scene where his budy makes fun of the rather large ASIA poster on his wall. Later on in the movie, "Heat Of the Moment" is played during a scene.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:36 pm

I bought the album when it came out in '82, I liked it well enough. When I heard Wetton's bass tone on 'Heat Of The Moment' I thought it was a Rickenbacker; in the video he's playing a P-Bass, though....

I LOL'd about the Carl Palmer reference cause while he's a well-known drummer IMO his meter is ALL over the place....Up then down..

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:50 pm

Ooooh, Terry Bozzio played with UK? I'm DEFINITELY checking them out then . . .

Yeah, that scene in "40-Year-Old Virgin" was one of the only things that really got me laughing in that movie . . . "Dude, you have an *Asia* poster!"

I also think it's funny how Asia routinely appears near the top of "Worst Bands Ever" lists, along with, surprisingly, ELP . . . I think it's just because they're easy to pick on. I can think of hundreds of other bands that I feel are infinitely worse than either of them, but, what are you gonna do . . . big name magazine music critics rarely know what they're talking about anyway . . .

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 4:06 pm

Lists like that are made up by people who think modern top 40 is "just the best thing ever".

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:23 pm

My favorite line from The 40 Year Old Virgin : "Is that an Asia poster ? How hard did they laugh at you, at the store, when you took that in to get it framed ?"

Don't mean to offend, but that was funny !

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:51 pm

That was such a great line. Really . . . especially so for us Asia fans, who understand all too well . . .

However, I believe I overcame my embarassment the moment I walked up to the check-out counter of Media Play with "Asia", "Alpha", "Aqua", and "Arena" all in my hands . . . I got a very funny look from the cashier, and it was officially confirmed that I am a dork. And Asia still rock.

brianb · Post by **brianb** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:09 pm

I thought the 40 Year Old Virgin would be lame..I was wrong. I thought Asia would be amazing..again I was wrong. I was lucky enough to see Bozzio with Missing Persons. You don't see that kind of drumming too often. Maybe Peart..I hope everyone here has read " Ghost Rider"".

byu · Post by **byu** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:57 pm

I remember hearing what the line up would be for Asia -Wetton, Downes, Palmer, Howe. Many of us thought "Wow, the most amazing Super Group!". I slept in line in January (Chicago) for tix without ever hearing a note. When I finally heard the first single - Heat of the Moment - I was a bit disappointed. I liked the show at the Auditorium Theratre over all but I think everyone expected something a little less commercial. There was an over all feeling of "selling out". I appreciate the album more now than I did then. I was much happier when Yes came out with 90125.

I did see UK in both incarnations - Bruford/Holdsworth & Bozzio. Both were amazing.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:21 am

I think I'm a bit more forgiving when bands "sell out" . . . I like 80s Yes, though not as much as 70s Yes . . . I like 80s Genesis though not as much as 70s Genesis. The way I look at Asia is basically that they took pop music and made it wortwhile. I would LOVE modern pop music if it was anywhere near as virtuosic and melodic as Asia was; to me it's like a representation of what pop music COULD BE if it tried really, really hard.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:05 pm

I never really did like Asia or 80's Yes. In fact, I'm trying to forget the 80's ever existed musically save for a small handfull of albums.

Happily Yes did come back with some good stuff in the 90's. "Mind Drive" returned to the CLASSIC sound of Yes to me. The Tsongas DVD is exceptional IMHO.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 1:49 am

There is an Asia video out there somewhere that has Wetton playing an old Fireglo 4001.

I cant think of the name of the song, but it shows him in a studio playing to a movie soundtrack or something.