The Extras recorded live at Sheffield University, on 28th July 1979.

On this recording the line up was:
John Lake - vocals
Mike Cartwright - bass
Simon Anderson - guitar
Robin Markin - keyboards
Mark Anderson - drums
Andy Quick - saxophone

Active between 1977 and 1980. Although emerging from the Sheffield music scene at the time of punk and new wave, The Extras musically had more in common with Roxy Music. Sadly they never recorded a record. Apparently unknown to the band, but common knowledge with prospective record labels, their management at the time was involved in drug dealing. The band were oblivious as to why labels did not wish to "touch them with a barge-pole" despite having moved down to London to increase their profile, they played regular sell out gigs in a month's residency at The Marquee. Polydor had expressed interest but then back tracked due to the above (the band were baffled why). Ironically this was at a time when the music scene in Sheffield began to receive much attention. After HM Customs & Excise smashed the drugs gang, finance for the band's rehearsals dried up and this news was hugely demoralising for the band.

There is a chapter about the band in Martin Lilleker's book "Beats working For A Living" which gives much more information and there is a track by the band on the CD which accompanies the book. The Extras also feature in the "Made In Sheffield" documentary.

Thanks to Mark Anderson for kindly providing much of this information. Mark continues to make music in his current bands Paroksha and Mahamosphere and runs Andersonshelta record label andersonshelta.bandcamp.com ( "probably not the kind of music any respectable Extras fan would like - all that jazz rock fusion stuff" )

Following the demise of The Extras, Lake and Anderson continued to work together in London as 5th Column (releasing a single Steeltown) and also Anderson released several albums in the 90’s. Check out - www.souncloud.com/marco13
Some of John Lake's best vocal work can be heard on the albums Sound Advice and Human Revelations.

John Lake died tragically in a drowning accident in Goa, India 2003. Simon died in 2013. R.I.P.

Thanks to Haze for sending the recording!