The Untouchables charm audiences at Chequers Bar<\/p>\n
By Fitha Wiyanti Dahana<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It was 12:45 p.m. at the Chequers Bar, Mandarin
\nOriental Hotel. The Untouchables had invited the audience to make
\nrequests. Someone in the audience asked for Missing by Everything
\nbut the Girl, a song which has been on at many discos throughout
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Tony, Darrell, Chad, Morris and Red looked at each other,
\nconfused, as the song requested is totally unlike the songs they
\nusually perform. With a look of comical determination, Morris
\nRussell proceeded to bang out the song's melody on the keyboard
\nand heartily sang the lyrics.<\/p>\n
The others jauntily tried to keep up, laughing at their
\nattempts to sing the song, until, finally, they broke in laughter
\nand blared out their rendition of Boyz to Men's Bended Knees.<\/p>\n
The Untouchables are a fresh change to the current club scene
\nin Jakarta. Unlike their competitors who usually belt out the
\n\"top 40\" songs or other \"standard pub-band\" songs such as Queen's
\nBohemian Rhapsody and James Brown's I feel Good, The Untouchables
\nperform a variety of different songs.<\/p>\n
From Bob Marley's I Don't Wanna Wait in Vain and Prince's 1986
\nhit Kiss, to Coolio's Gangster's Paradise, this band can sing
\njust about anything.<\/p>\n
Their musical abilities are not the only reason which makes
\nthe band so entertaining. These guys are very energetic,
\nconstantly dancing to their music, with a simple but very funky
\nchoreography.<\/p>\n
Warm and constantly in touch with the audience, they joke
\naround, thus making the audience forget for a second the hustle
\nand bustle of everyday life.<\/p>\n
Formed in 1993, the members of this band collectively have 60
\nyears of musical experience, hence their name, The Untouchables.
\nAs Tony Thompson, the band's guitarist puts it, \"when you have
\nthat much collective experience in one band, the talent is
\nuntouchable.\" Along with playing some musical instrument, all six
\nmembers are vocalists.<\/p>\n
Coming from different backgrounds, each member brings a
\nspecial talent and flavor to the band. Chadwick Radellant, the
\nband's percussionist, originates from Trinidad and brings reggae
\nand rocksteady to the band's act.<\/p>\n
Reginald Young, the band's bassist, was introduced to the
\nworld of jazz at an early age. \"My father used to sing with Duke
\nEllington's Band and I was always influenced by gospel music and
\njazz and blues,\" recalls Reggie.<\/p>\n
These different backgrounds give each member special character
\nthat, when added to the others, creates a magic chemistry.<\/p>\n
The Untouchables, scheduled to appear at the Chequers until
\nthe beginning of September, are currently working on the
\nrecording of a single, Lost in Your Love. Journey Into Mind, the
\nband's first single, recorded in Singapore and mastered in the
\nStates, will soon be aired on local radio stations. The video to
\nJourney into Mind, shot in Hong Kong will also be released
\nshortly.<\/p>\n
When asked why they choose to produce and release these songs
\nin Asia, Reggie answered that it was just for practicality, so
\nthat they can continue working on it while on a tour. \"We've
\nnever heard of a band that first released a single here
\n(Indonesia) and then in the States, so we decided to try that,\"
\ncommented Reggie, adding \"we hope it works.\"<\/p>\n
With their musical abilities and excellent showmanship, The
\nUntouchables' act is a must for pub goers who enjoy soulful and
\ndiverse music in a cozy and warm atmosphere. Superb as an
\ninternational pub-band, hopefully their upcoming singles and
\nshows will prove to the world just how \"untouchable\" they are.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-untouchables-charm-audiences-at-chequers-bar-1447893297",
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