The Untouchables charm audiences at Chequers Bar
By Fitha Wiyanti Dahana
JAKARTA (JP): It was 12:45 p.m. at the Chequers Bar, Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The Untouchables had invited the audience to make requests. Someone in the audience asked for Missing by Everything but the Girl, a song which has been on at many discos throughout Jakarta.
Tony, Darrell, Chad, Morris and Red looked at each other, confused, as the song requested is totally unlike the songs they usually perform. With a look of comical determination, Morris Russell proceeded to bang out the song's melody on the keyboard and heartily sang the lyrics.
The others jauntily tried to keep up, laughing at their attempts to sing the song, until, finally, they broke in laughter and blared out their rendition of Boyz to Men's Bended Knees.
The Untouchables are a fresh change to the current club scene in Jakarta. Unlike their competitors who usually belt out the "top 40" songs or other "standard pub-band" songs such as Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and James Brown's I feel Good, The Untouchables perform a variety of different songs.
From Bob Marley's I Don't Wanna Wait in Vain and Prince's 1986 hit Kiss, to Coolio's Gangster's Paradise, this band can sing just about anything.
Their musical abilities are not the only reason which makes the band so entertaining. These guys are very energetic, constantly dancing to their music, with a simple but very funky choreography.
Warm and constantly in touch with the audience, they joke around, thus making the audience forget for a second the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Formed in 1993, the members of this band collectively have 60 years of musical experience, hence their name, The Untouchables. As Tony Thompson, the band's guitarist puts it, "when you have that much collective experience in one band, the talent is untouchable." Along with playing some musical instrument, all six members are vocalists.
Coming from different backgrounds, each member brings a special talent and flavor to the band. Chadwick Radellant, the band's percussionist, originates from Trinidad and brings reggae and rocksteady to the band's act.
Reginald Young, the band's bassist, was introduced to the world of jazz at an early age. "My father used to sing with Duke Ellington's Band and I was always influenced by gospel music and jazz and blues," recalls Reggie.
These different backgrounds give each member special character that, when added to the others, creates a magic chemistry.
The Untouchables, scheduled to appear at the Chequers until the beginning of September, are currently working on the recording of a single, Lost in Your Love. Journey Into Mind, the band's first single, recorded in Singapore and mastered in the States, will soon be aired on local radio stations. The video to Journey into Mind, shot in Hong Kong will also be released shortly.
When asked why they choose to produce and release these songs in Asia, Reggie answered that it was just for practicality, so that they can continue working on it while on a tour. "We've never heard of a band that first released a single here (Indonesia) and then in the States, so we decided to try that," commented Reggie, adding "we hope it works."
With their musical abilities and excellent showmanship, The Untouchables' act is a must for pub goers who enjoy soulful and diverse music in a cozy and warm atmosphere. Superb as an international pub-band, hopefully their upcoming singles and shows will prove to the world just how "untouchable" they are.