The Untouchables charm audiences at Chequers Bar
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.