Rewind the '80s with China Crisis & X Simple Minds

MANILA, Philippines - It’s going to be a night of ‘80s Brit pop/rock as China Crisis, together with X Simple Minds, performs tomorrow night at the SMX Convention Center.

This is China Crisis’ second visit to the country for this year, following a successful private performance last January at the McKinley Hills in The Fort and Eastwood City. 

At the height of its popularity in the ‘80s, China Crisis became known for its sound that united elements of synth pop, jazz, progressive rock and new wave. It became one of the leaders of the so-called New Romantics Movement alongside such bands as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Talk Talk, Simple Minds, Eurythmics, etc.

China Crisis was formed in 1979 by Gary Daly (vocals and keyboards) and Eddie Lundon (guitars); they were childhood pals who had a mutual passion for Motown, Steely Dan, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder music. After playing with different post-punk bands in Merseyside, England, they formed China Crisis and released two singles African and White and Scream Down at Me in 1981. A year later, they were signed up by a major label, Virgin Records, and released the debut album Difficult Shapes and Passive Rhythms.

At the presscon yesterday at the new Midas Hotel along Roxas Blvd., the biggest question on everyone’s minds was what’s the story behind the duo’s name.

“We were about 17 years of age, and at that time, the reports that came out in the news were the crisis in Russia, still a communist country at that time,” Gary told The STAR.

That stuck along with some interest in the orient. So China Crisis was born, although Eddie maintains that it was simply because the name sounded great to their ears, rather than a political statement of sorts. “We really just liked the sound of it. It didn’t have an extra thing to it, really,” said Gary. 

The STAR also asked the story behind two of its biggest hits, and probably the most popular among Filipino fans. According to Eddie, Wishful Thinking, the third single from the second album Working with Fire and Steel, Possible Pop Songs Volume Two (1983), was a sort of ode to western-country music influences, not to mention, an experiment of how a western-country song could sound like.

Eddie also confirmed that Black Man Ray from the third record Flaunt the Imperfection (1985) was inspired by Ray Charles.

The duo has managed to release a total of six records, including Some People Think It’s Fun To Entertain, What Price Paradise, Diary of a Hollow Horse and Warped by Success in between 1982 to 1994. Other singles popularized by China Crisis were King in a Catholic Style, Christian and Tragedy and Mystery.

China Crisis is working on a new album, which it hopes to release next year. It will still reflect the sound that helped them achieve chart success — smooth, uncomplicated and melodic pop.

Both Gary and Eddie are based in Liverpool with their families. For its performance tomorrow, China Crisis is coming with a full band, and to watch out for is the prodigious female drummer Sian Monaghan.

The 22-year-old Sian has been touring with China Crisis for a year now. She is a fan of China Crisis music even before she was asked by Eddie, who is actually her teacher at the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts (co-owned by former Beatle Paul McCartney), to play for the band.

After the Philippines, China Crisis will be going to Singapore.

Meanwhile, two of the original members (Derek Forbes, bassist and Brian McGee, drummer) of another legendary UK band of the ‘80s musical era, Simple Minds, are touring with China Crisis. Derek, who is also a Los Angeles-based radio jock, said that they were asked by China Crisis to join in the Philippine tour after a great reception last January. Fans will best remember Simple Minds as the group responsible for the new wave classic Don’t You Forget About Me from the John Hughes movie The Breakfast Club. Its other chart-toppers are Alive and Kicking and Belfast Child.

China Crisis and X Simple Minds Live in Manila is produced by Steve O’Neal Productions. For details, visit www.steveonealproductions.com.