Explosive, emotional, uncompromising and too loud. In a rock landscape that increasingly oscillates between retro glamour and digital calculation, THE EXTRAS take on a role that seems to have been orphaned for a long time: that of a band that doesn't confuse emotionality with pathos, pairs punk roots with songwriting skills - and has the attitude to shout without shouting slogans.
Founded in Cologne in 2023, but with international DNA, two of the four members come from the USA, THE EXTRAS combine the raw spirit of the American underground with contemporary European
culture. The founders Elmar Freels (Cologne) and Jon Manierre (New York) are completed by transguitarist Killer Krissy, drummer extraordinaire Leroy Kaldenbach and bassist Pat Bewick. With their
independent widescreen sound, sophisticated lyrics and turtlenecks based on Lou Reed's model (only in white), THE EXTRAS are a stylish exception. They combine raw energy with accessibility,
melancholy with anger, punk with pop – and show that empowerment can also be loud, chaotic and collective.
The line-up is as diverse as the songs: five herd instinct objectors with attitude. Frontman Elmar Freels once toured with punk'n'roll legends DUMBELL to the birthplace of punk, the legendary
CBGB's. Today he works as a creative for the "Heute Show". Co-founder Jon Manierre is a musical prodigy and immigrant from New York. He doesn't speak German, but he does know guitar, bass, synth
and Bee Gees vocals. His arrangements give THE EXTRAS songs that certain extra. Also, US import: Pat Bewick – punk entertainer, bass thunderstorm and Jon's brother in spirit. Krissy Weiffen is
doubly trans: gender and genre. Coming from metal, she brings new soundscapes and self-confident femininity to the band with her explorer axe. Drummer and night worker Leroy Kaldenbach is not
only the pacesetter, but also the ear of the band: four songs on the album were recorded and produced by him.
What is it about? It's about isolation and longing in "People" – the lyrical self likes people. Actually. It's about resigned rebellion in "Bad times" – the lyrics consist only of the title and
"Oh yes". There is nothing more to say about the world situation. "Point blank" brings anthemic self-abandonment: the situation is bad – and we ourselves are to blame. "The firm" settles accounts
with regulated wage labor, the influences here more British than American. "Summer is coming" is the summer hit for increasingly hot times: PIXIES, IGGY POP, DEAD KENNEDYS jamming in the sauna.
"Takin' a ride": driving around and taking drugs are not the most productive activities, but sometimes they are. Congenially sung along by Annika Manheller, who is also often present live on
vocals, together with (A)Nette they are the ALPHA SINGERS. There are sometimes seven people on stage. "Hellhounds" channels paranoid blues myths à la MOTÖRHEAD, only sung more beautifully. "The
luscious ones" tells of life in the US trailer park - a roots rocker with Hold Steady echoes, created on a DUMBELL tour through the south of the USA. A big influence of the band is HÜSKER DÜ!
Dave Grohl once said that he stole all the riffs from Bob Mould - if he's going to steal them, then from the best: presumably also the motto of "Sometimes"? The shortest piece is pure New York
Punk: "G. Masina". The band can hardly believe that punk pioneer Sonny Vincent, who was already on stage with the DEAD BOYS and RAMONES at CBGB's in the mid-seventies, plays all the guitars here.
And at over 70 he has more fire than any Aussie and neo-punk. Just like the other guests with hero status: HÜSKER DÜ legend Greg Norton plays his wild bass on the song! And with Jamie Oliver, one
of the best punk drummers ever can be heard, known from UK SUBS, ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE and FANTAZMAZ. How did this come about? Already in the founding year 2023, THE EXTRAS supported the all-star
punks UTRABOMB, around Greg Norton and Jamie Oliver. And with Sonny Vincent, Elmar Freels was on many European tours as a roadie and tour manager – rock'n'roll school instead of studying to
become a teacher.
The album “Closer” was produced partly by old master Paul Grau (RAUSCH, KROKUS, EMIL BULLS) at Gismo 7 Studio in Spain and partly in Cologne with Leroy Kaldenbach. Also present at the Spain
sessions: Wendelix (ex-YETI GIRLS) on drums and Giselle Kasper on guitar, both of whom are now on the road in other bands.
Cover design of the new album: Ekaterini Tsepou. The image of an erupting underwater volcano comes from the archive of the Hamburg artist and photographer Peter Piller.
