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Asia is doing it backwards. Months after the band formed in 1981, it was headlining arenas. But Asia is playing intimate theaters and clubs on its current tour behind its latest album, “Gravitas.”

Vocalist-bassist John Wetton called from his English home to detail why Asia, who performs Sunday, Sept. 14, at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro in Hartford, is a rare long-lasting supergroup and why guitar whiz Steve Howe left the band. He also reveals why his bandmates wouldn’t let him name the group’s latest album “Valkyrie.”

Q: Supergroups never last but Asia has existed in one form or another for 33-years. How do explain that?

A: It’s true. Supergroups don’t last. How long did Blind Faith last? Not very long. They were the norm but we’ve lasted due to the music. I wasn’t part of the group for a long time (1991-2006) but like you said, Asia stayed together in one form or another.

Q: You reunited with the original band members in 2006 but in 2012, Steve Howe ‘retired’ from Asia but he returned to Yes. Did Asia almost splinter after Howe departed?

A: We talked about what we wanted to do. Losing a guitarist like Steve would be incredibly difficult for any band. But after he left, the first question we asked each other was, ‘Do we want to continue?’ We all said, ‘yes.’

Q: No pun intended.

A: (Laughs). Right, when we asked ourselves if we wanted to continue, we all should have said, ‘Jethro Tull.’ We contacted Toto’s Steve Lukather, who worked with us during the ’80s, but he wasn’t available. But fortunately Sam Coulson was available.

Sam comes with no baggage. He’s easy and we’ve been off and running with him. We started working quickly with him. When we started work on this album, all I had was an album title, ‘Valkyrie.’

Q: But it’s not called ‘Valkyrie.’

A: That’s true. (Asia drummer) Carl Palmer thought it was too feminine a name for the album. But in mythology Valkyrie was tougher and stronger than the male figures.

Q: Since you’re the singer and songwriter, shouldn’t you have more say than the drummer?

A: It doesn’t work that way in Asia. It’s a democracy.

Q: But aren’t rock bands best as fascist regimes? The history of rock reflects that.

A: Perhaps but if someone really doesn’t want to do something, I won’t force the issue. ‘Gravitas’ was a name that was mentioned and we all liked it and we went with it. But in my head the album is still called ‘Valkyrie.’

Q: During a recent chat, Kansas guitarist Rich Williams said that Kansas will no longer release new material since fans only care about the vintage material. Is that valid and why were you compelled to release a new album?

A: Because that’s what we do. I understand the argument about why not to make albums at this point. But I’m incredibly naive. I really believe that there are fans out there that want to hear our new material. They’ll listen to the new songs and check out the artwork and the liner notes because they’re curious about who engineered ‘Gravitas.’ Making an album means that we’re an organic band. I love writing with (keyboardist) Geoff Downes. That’s a match made in heaven. So we’re out there playing new songs and we love that.

Q: You also play the old hits. You’ve never had a problem playing ‘Heat of the Moment,’ ‘Only Time Will Tell’ or ‘Don’t Cry.’

A: I know some bands don’t like playing a song they played a million times but we’re not that way.

I still love it and I’d better because the fans want to experience those songs again. I know when I see bands, I want the hits. Most people do. I remember when we did so well with that first album.

Q: What was that like?

A: It was crazy. We were practicing in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and one of the industry tip sheets, the Friday Morning Quarterback, was touting our album. They said it would be big and it all happened quickly. ‘Heat of the Moment’ became a big hit right out of the gate.

Q: Did you have any idea that it would become a monster or did it, like many hits, almost not make the album?

A: (Laughs) It almost didn’t make the album. Steve Howe didn’t like it one bit. He thought it was too poppy. How funny was it that the band he left made ‘90125,’ which was so poppy. Steve didn’t like the opening guitar intro to ‘Heat of the Moment’ either

Q: But you made him do it.

A: Yes.

Q: So much for a democracy.

A: Yes, but looking back I think that was the right decision. ‘Heat of the Moment’ started it all for us. I can’t help but look back at that song fondly. I’ll sing it until I can’t sing anymore.

ASIA appears Sunday, Sept. 14, at Infinity Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford. Tickets are $80 and $110. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Information: 866-666-6306 and www.infinityhall.com