CLEVELAND, Ohio — Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras, a cover band led by controversial “Vanderpump Rules” star, return to Cleveland this weekend after performing on the latest season of “America’s Got Talent.”
Ahead of the band’s show at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 at House of Blues Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave., the lead singer spoke with cleveland.com about the band’s steady growth and his experience on reality TV.
Sandoval formed the Most Extras, a nine-piece cover band, in 2021 with drummer Jason Bader, originally as a joke. Since then, the band has embarked on multiple U.S. tours, most recently stopping by Mahall’s in Lakewood in the spring of 2024.
“It’s just been a great growing and bonding experience with everybody in the band,” Sandoval said of the band’s trajectory. “We’ve all made each other better.”
The Most Extras specialize in covering groovy, high-energy tracks that everyone can sing along to. “Wish You Were Here” by Incubus, “25 Or 6 To 4” by Chicago and “Electric Love” by BØRNS are often on their set list.
However, for the “East of Highland 2025 Tour,” the band has added at least 10 new songs to the set list, so even returning fans can expect something fresh.
“You’re never going to get the same set list that you’ve seen before,” Sandoval said. “We create a party environment — the whole vibe and everything.”
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Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras are coming off a run on this summer’s season of “America’s Got Talent.” The band was eliminated in the quarterfinals following their crowd-favorite performance of A-ha’s “Take On Me.”
Sandoval, with all his reality TV experience, understands that it can be a “double-edged sword” to put yourself out there on television.
He was an original cast member on Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules,” which is currently undergoing a total cast revamp after its 11th season. The show spun off “The Valley,” currently filming its third season with many original cast members from “Pump Rules.” He also appeared as a fan-favorite faithful on the third season of “The Traitors,” which aired earlier this year.
While he was initially hesitant about putting himself back out there on “AGT,” he’s ultimately glad he had the experience.
“It’s a learning experience, versus a show that’s just purely based around the drama of everyday life,” he said.
And his reality TV days aren’t done yet. Sandoval is set to appear on the third season of Peacock’s “House of Villains,” premiering in early 2026. The series centers around a cast of controversial reality stars. This season’s cast includes Kate Chastain from “Below Deck,” Christine Quinn from “Selling Sunset” and Plane Jane from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” according to Deadline.
Sandoval teased an exciting season, hinting that he formed surprising bonds with stars like Tyson Apostol from “Survivor” and Tiffany “New York” Pollard from “Flavor of Love.”
“This next season of ‘House of Villains’ I think is going to be maybe the best yet,” he said.
When it comes to balancing his TV career and touring with his band, it’s all about compartmentalizing. He prioritizes whatever job he’s doing at the time and tries to forget the rest.
“It’s all about just being yourself and just being present in the moment,” he said of his approach to reality TV. “When you’re truly yourself, there’s no way you can be second best. Nobody’s better being you than you.”
Amid the “Vanderpump Rules” revamp, Sandoval isn’t sure whether or not he’ll make his way to filming “The Valley.” He acknowledged that the cast — many of whom he’s close to — is currently filming. Meanwhile, he’s been busy with the tour.
“We’ll have to wait and see what happens,” he said of a potential cameo. “I’ve also really been enjoying my privacy.”
It’s clear he feels a sense of accomplishment when it comes to establishing his band as a regular touring act, even if the road to get there was conventional.
“There’s people that show up to literally bitterly hate-watch us, and they always end up having a good time,” he said.
“They always end up singing their hearts out and jamming,” he continued. “It’s been a great experience watching the shift that happens when people actually do that.”
The band invites anyone — not just reality TV fans — who enjoy good old-fashioned fun to come to their show in Cleveland. Sandoval isn’t one to take the concerts “too seriously,” which has cultivated a party atmosphere at every gig.
“There’s this looseness about coming to see us that I really love and appreciate,” he said. “It’s undeniably a great time.”