Making a Big impact

AMERICAN rock supergroup Mr Big will be back to perform in Malaysia this month, and this time it will be in support of its latest album Defying Gravity.
The concert, Mr Big Live in Malaysia 2017, is organised by Plan 7 Production and will be held at Mega Star Arena, Kuala Lumpur on Oct 14 at 8pm.
Other than performing the new songs from Defying Gravity which was recorded over the course of six days, Mr Big will also be entertaining fans with its classic hits, including To Be with You, Take My Heart and Wild World.
The current Mr Big line-up comprises its four original members - frontman Eric Martin, Billy Sheehan on the bass, Paul Gilbert on guitars, and drummer Pat Torpey.
The band did break up in 2002 but got back together in 2009. Mr Big has released a total of nine studio albums to date, including Defying Gravity which was released this year.
It took three calls to Los Angeles to get through to Pat Torpey, the drummer of popular 1990s rock band Mr Big.
When the call finally got through, the apologetic Torpey gave gave an insight into what it was like reforming a band that had initially parted ways due to internal disagreements, and also about coping with Parkinson's (he was diagnosed in 2014) while touring.

Torpey, 58, is both drummer and backing vocalist for Mr Big and has over the years played drums for other artistes, including John Parr, Belinda Carlisle, Robert Plant and The Knack.
When the band parted ways, it wasn't amicable and they each pursued their own individual projects.
"Well, we couldn't resist each other," Torpey laughed, about getting back together. "We kind of went through a cycle that a lot of bands go through. We kind of split up and thought we needed a break from each other and did some solo stuff.
"After a while, we realised that Mr Big was a unique band and we had our own way of approaching our music.
Now here we are back together again, which is what I always wanted. My home is with Mr Big."
Torpey said he was lucky that he has bandmates who share similar likes, musical influences, and were inspired by the same things.
"We have a chemistry that is quite unique and that is what drew us together," said Torpey. "I think it is about maturity. You don't know what you have until it is gone."
Many of the band's songs are iconic and still enjoy radio airplay and some were featured on movie soundtracks.
How does he feel about having fans from different age groups?
Torpey said it is something he never dreamed about. He is happy that the band has been around for almost three decades, and has fans with kids who are now fans of Mr Big.
"It is a lifetime achievement that we are all really proud of."
There are some Mr Big's tracks that are mainstays on every concert.
When asked if there were songs he wished the band got to perform more, Torpey said that there are so many.
"There are a lot of songs. we had nine studio albums. I guess I enjoyed playing Never Say Never. It was a song I enjoyed playing and we haven't played it in a while."
Torpey said he would come up with a longer list if he had more time to think things over.
The coming concert isn't the first time Mr Big has performed in Malaysia. What would Torpey like to say to his Malaysian fans?
He said: "I can't wait to be back. It has been a long time and it's fun to be back. Thanks for sticking by us all these years and I hope to see everybody come with their kids, friends and family members, too."
Many wondered how Torpey still manage to tour with the band with his medical condition.
"What we are doing is that we have an extra drummer called Matt Starr and he has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
When I am on stage I do some singing and I play some drums when I can. When I can't I play tambourine, percussion and I have a smaller drum kit that I play. I sing a lot.
"That is the thing about Mr Big. Our four voices make the Mr Big sound with our background vocals. I am just glad to be able to go on the road and be involved."
Concert details are available on TicketCharge Malaysia website.