I chatted with Tom Sandoval about his musical past and the bands recent run on “America’s Got Talent”
When did you know you wanted to be a performer?
I knew it a very young age. I was in grade school; third grade. At the end of every year, they would have a school carnival which included a talent show. I told my parents I wanted to be a part of it and lip sync to a song. It ended being twenty girl acts and one boy act
::both laugh::
I ended up winning! I performed to “Here We Go Let’s Rock N Roll” by C+C Music Factory.
So you grooved into first place?
Exactly! ::laughs:: I loved dancing and performing. The next year, I started playing trumpet. I played that through grade school. In High School, I was in marching band. I would get in dance contests and loved everything about music. Dancing to it, singing to it, listening to it.
What was your first concert?
My dad took me to see John Tesh. A great musician and piano player. He had all these different musicians on stage playing with them. Then I got into Metallica and saw them. Still a fan to this day.
How did this band form?
I had been in numerous bands in the past, where we played originals. I would lose myself in the music but the band would just fall apart. It would be so heartbreaking and discouraging but I loved it so much. When “Vanderpump Rules” started taking off, I didn’t have the time and passion and emotion to put into music. A buddy of mine, Jason, and I were working on my YouTube and podcast when he suggested doing music again. But he suggested a cover band. The lightbulb went off and I could definitely do that. We put the band together one member at a time. It grew to five, then nine, then ten, but currently touring with eight.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
::laughs::
Probably being able to stay young and healthy. Not aging and live forever.
Sort of like Wolverine?
Yeah, like Wolverine. I don’t need the claws though.
I’m sure they hurt and a pain to manicure.
I don’t need claws like that at all.
What is your favorite song to perform and why?
Ugh man. It’s tough to say because we have so many. We have a lot of new songs on the playlist now. I really love “Even Flow” by Pearl Jam and it came out really great. “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” by YES is another one. I grew up on that. I would say the biggest one would be “Stacy’s Mom” but as “Schwartz’s Mom.” I LOVE performing that song because Schwartz and I used to live together and we would always make Mom jokes. So this is the ultimate Mom joke. It’s like I created this whole band and go on tour to one up him on Mom jokes.
You were on “America’s Got Talent” this season and I thought you did great. You’re walking up on stage to audition in front of Simon Cowell, one of the biggest music executives in the world. Mel B; who was a part of the one of the biggest female groups of all time. Sofia Vergara, and of course Howie Mandel. What is going through your mind?
I’m glad we did it. It’s one of those awesome once in a lifetime experiences. It was a great feeling seeing Simon Cowell crack a smile when we were performing. Our last performance? Not our best, but we powered through it. You always finish and power through.
Obviously you’re on tour. How difficult is it ?
You miss your loved ones and animals and of course you’re away. It’s also hard to workout on the road. On the other hand, you’re seeing cities you’ve never seen before. We just came from Fort Worth actually. I got a cowboy hat and a cool new belt with my initials etched into it. You get to meet new people and audiences and get to create different memories every show.
Are you excited about bringing your show to Annapolis?
Yes, we’re very excited. We’ve been there before and it’s a great venue. So much fun last time and glad we’re coming back. I’m excited for everyone to see the new setlists. We can replace one timeless track with another one and everybody loves it.
Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras perform 9/30 at Rams Head Annapolis! Buy tix