Orland band to perform at ‘Extreme’ cast party

A local band will have a rare chance this weekend to perform for the cast and crew of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” at the show’s private wrap party.

“Extreme Makeover” has been in Milbridge for the past week building a home for the family of Brittany Ray, Ron Smith and their three children, the middle one of whom has autism.

Gilpin Railroad Incident, a local band that formed in 2005, was selected to perform partly because of a connection it has to autism awareness.

The group’s original track “Younger Days” was written by guitarist Chris Soper and was recorded on a CD to raise money for an autism school.

As for genre, Soper said it’s an original acoustic rock band with its own style.

“Nobody’s been able to put a finger on what exactly we play,” he said Friday.

The band has about 30 original songs and also plays some cover band titles.

“We’ve never done anything like this,” Soper said. “We’ve played some pretty cool concerts, but this is definitely probably the most people that have some influence that can help us out in the long run.”

While the time and location of the private show can’t be disclosed, Soper said the group is looking forward to playing for the ABC crowd.

“We’re awful excited about it,” Soper said. “We hope people respect and appreciate what we write about.”

The band consists of Soper and Brad Radley on vocals and guitar, Becky Bowden on vocals and bass, Sharla Hamor on vocals and percussion, Amy Hopkins on keyboards, and Wayne Gross on drums. Jamie Moore, who is transitioning to be Gilpin Railroad’s new drummer, also will perform with the group.