Return of the Video Stars

Eighties supergroup Asia will bring its classic progressive sounds to the State Theatre.

By: Susan Van Dongen

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A lot may have changed since the ’80s, but the band Asia is touring again.


   Ronald Reagan was president and whatever- happened-to groups like Soft Cell and A Flock of Seagulls were one-hit wonders. Radio was selling listeners synthesizer bands and stripped-down, New Wave-inspired pop-rock. In the era of sweatshirts with the sleeves cut out of them came Asia, a progressive-pop-rock supergroup that brought together guitarist Steven Howe (Yes), drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), bassist John Wetton (UK, King Crimson) and keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes, The Buggles).
   Critics groaned ("just when you thought prog rock was gone") and questioned how calculated the whole Asia project was. The band’s very name was said to have been selected because it meant the "product" would be in the forefront of the record stores, in the "A" bins, back when there were actually records in bins in stores.
   It only took a couple of hits ("Heat of the Moment," "Sole Survivor") to propel Asia to success. Critics kept grumbling, but fans rejoiced and the eponymous album remained at Number One on the Billboard charts for nine weeks.
   For Mr. Downes it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time, with music that had technical chops but also radio-friendly melody.
   "There was a lull in the market for our music," he says, speaking by phone from his studio in England. "The punk thing had kind of peaked and people were looking for something, songs they could grab a hold of. Here we were, with progressive roots, but also songs that were contemporary, musical, modern rock. That was really what was required."
   It’s 25 years later and Asia is enjoying popularity again, thanks in part to "Heat of the Moment" having been featured in the movie The 40 Year-Old-Virgin. A silver anniversary is a premium time to dust off the axes and hit the road, even though one of the guys in the band hit the big 6-0 this year (Mr. Howe, in April).
   All four original members of Asia are out on a lengthy tour that includes a performance at the State Theatre in New Brunswick June 28, one of only two stops in the Garden State.
   "We had a window when we could make this happen, in terms of all four of us being available," says Mr. Downes. "It was kind of a day of reckoning, ‘Should we give it another go?’ But I don’t think we ever really lost our thread. We’ve played together on again and off again for years. We have a particular sound, the four of us, and I think this was part of the reason for our success. We have this rapport. So we decided to go for it and here we are."
   The group is coming stateside after successful tours in Britain, Latin America and Japan. The band has begun recording new material and is about to release Fantasia: Live in Tokyo (Eagle Rock), a double live CD recorded this past spring in Japan. A DVD companion to the album is slated for release in the fall of 2007.
   Latin America, Japan and U.K. notwithstanding, America was particularly good to Asia in its first incarnation and Mr. Downes and company are excited to be touring the U.S.
   "We really cut our teeth here," he says. "Nothing paralleled the success in America."
   Perhaps listening to the shouted audience requests for gems from the other groups, Mr. Downes says this is the first time Asia will trot out hits from Yes, King Crimson, ELP and maybe even his band, The Buggles.
   "That was something we shied away from when we first came out, because we wanted to establish Asia as a new vehicle," he says. "But looking back, we figured, ‘Why not try Crimson or Yes,’ and it’s really opened up new doors for us."
   The exposure of Asia’s music in recent films has surprised Mr. Downes, especially "Heat of the Moment."
   "You can’t keep that one down," he says. The song was also featured in the dark comedy The Matador, starring Pierce Brosnan.
   "There have been a lot of requests for our music," Mr. Downes says. "It’s encouraging that our music has not been forgotten, that it touched a piece of the American psyche. It’s great to still be relevant."
   Mr. Downes can claim fame to another aspect of modern rock history. The Buggles may have predicted the rise of MTV and the importance of bands being photogenic when they recorded the 1979 song "Video Killed the Radio Star," from the album The Age of Plastic. It celebrates the golden days of radio, and reflects on a star whose career was cut short by the advent of television.
   Ironically, the rise of music videos meant musicians also had to consider television as a way to market themselves. Suddenly, they had to look good on camera. Who cares if you’re a technical wizard like Mr. Howe? You’d better make a compelling little film.
   The song and its video were cemented in rock history when it was the first clip to be aired on MTV, Aug. 1, 1981. Now MTV doesn’t even play music videos. What does Mr. Downes think of that?
   "It was a great thing to be associated with, it was a groundbreaking period," he says. "MTV was formed on rock videos and now it’s morphed into other things that are not in my taste, reality TV and whatnot. It’s kind of a shame but it’s a sign of the times — tastes change.
   "I’m not even sure if Asia was coming out today, if we could get the kind of support we got from radio and the record companies," he reflects. "It’s harder for bands now — they’re discarded after one album. (When we launched) there was a long-term commitment for Asia. We were certainly lucky in that respect."
Asia will perform at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, June 28, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35-$55. (732) 246-7469; www.statetheatrenj.org. Asia on the Web: www.originalasia.com