Center Stage with The B-Film Extras

The $64,000 question: Why are some bands destined to sign record deals, cultivate groupies and make an obscene amount of money, while others never quite “make it” and are left with nothing more to show for their blood, sweat and tears than a MySpace band page? There may never be a true answer to this question, but I do know that it takes talent and a heck of a lot of good self-promotion to start. The B-Film Extras performed on April 11 at the Rock and Roll Hotel and, like many, are looking to be a band that succeeds. Gauging by the caliber of their performance that night and the audience response to their music, it is clear that this young band from DC may be well on its way.

The B-Film Extras’ songs are rich with beats and harmonies complemented by expressive lyrics—a true musical treat. They released a new album earlier this year titled “Signs of Waking Up” that contains five tracks with contemporary tunes and upbeat songs in the same vein as bands like Coldplay. Their strength lies in their ability to harness their musical and vocal talents without sounding restrained or convoluted. The B-Film Extras started their set strong and performed all the songs off their latest album, including a few others like “Burn Down” and “Wait to Kill.”

Highlights from their set and album include “Love (in stereo),” which showcases their musical fortitude. They effectively blend their individual sounds and twist them into something new and different from what you hear in their other songs—making it both notable and memorable. The music and lyrics on this morose song about the darker side of love shows The B-Film Extra’s true potential.

Another clear stand out from the evening was their performance of “Signs of Waking Up.” The song is open to interpretation… a commentary on the state of the nation, an epiphany of a young man on the verge of adulthood, or perhaps simply a lament on what could have been? The band begins the song with a deconstructed sound and builds upon its exposed foundation using an ebb and flow of instrumentals and evocative vocals. The melody is catchy and optimistic, and listeners are left yearning for more.

In addition to using their music to draw in the audience, they also encouraged audience members by throwing a flip cam into the crowd at the beginning of their set. It’s fun, it’s simple, and it’s genius. The video makes its way around the audience with some folks shying away from the camera in the dimmed light of the club, while others relish their 15 seconds of fame and become more animated as the camera nears. The end result is priceless. In short, if I had that $64,000 at my disposal (or perhaps an offshore account) one of the first things I’d do is sign The B-Film Extras and put them on tour—the rest would take care of itself.