Brides Helping Brides ™ - Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

Heavin Posted: Jul 19, 2005 04:34 PM

Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

Hey... i read a lot about what/who people liked about bands they used/saw, i am very curious what people didnt like about any bands they used/saw... The band may be great, just wondering about things like too loud, didnt get along with maitre d', didnt play songs they had to learn for your wedding well, too crowd involved, not enough crowd involved, maybe a certain type of music they didnt play up to par according to your standards, pleased all age ranges or only the young, or only the older... every great band has some flaws... just looking for info to help me out since I can not see any of them at a showcase prior to booking them!!! I live in CA so it is diffcult to see them from here and get a 'real' experience.. Thanks All!!

july06bride Posted: Jul 19, 2005 04:45 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

Call and many of them will send you a Cd or a Dvd or both

Franklin wayne bands will mail it to you

J&R entertainment-bands will mail it to you

Nightflite mailed me a cd

Body rock (i think thats the name) mailed it to me too
too bad i threw them away the only one i kept was heart and soul cause i am using them

Good luck!

It was a toss up for me, for Heart and Soul, Daybreak's Night and J&R Entertainment. some family members didnt love j&R so i got rid of them and then it was between the other two and I thought heart and soul had better vocals, 2 woman rather than one- which i thought was important and also were a more 'fun ' band but also top quality
Daybreaks night is fantastic dont get me wrong

jilmadison Posted: Jul 19, 2005 04:58 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

You have FM

Heavin Posted: Jul 19, 2005 05:00 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

I have a couple of DVD's, none from Frankin Wayne yet, just hard to know what there interaction will be like via DVD!!! We were able to see nightflite when we were in NY early end of June, to book our church and reception, he wasn't thrilled with them... but I thought they were good...

Having a band is the one thing he insists on and he is not around to help me with this decision!!!

Thanks!!!

Jodi73 Posted: Jul 19, 2005 05:08 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

I used Timepiece which is a Frankin Wayne band and we thought they were wonderful. My brother used Heart and Soul and I did not think they were as good. We say Code Blue and Times Square orchestra at showcases and were just more impressed with Timepiece.

lullabella Posted: Jul 19, 2005 05:15 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

We saw so many bands, I really think you need to see them in a few different showcases. We saw a few bands at showcases that were horrible, I think it was because of the rooms they were in, bad acoustics and other times they weren't so bad. In anycase, check out NYC Swing, they are the amazing.

Blu-ize Posted: Jul 19, 2005 06:45 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

It's really hard to pick a band based on a showcase. If you can, get the chance to see them play a party or at a club. Also talk to brides that have actually had the band perform at their weddings.

suven Posted: Jul 19, 2005 06:54 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

Posted by Heavin

Hey... i read a lot about what/who people liked about bands they used/saw, i am very curious what people didnt like about any bands they used/saw... The band may be great, just wondering about things like too loud, didnt get along with maitre d', didnt play songs they had to learn for your wedding well, too crowd involved, not enough crowd involved, maybe a certain type of music they didnt play up to par according to your standards, pleased all age ranges or only the young, or only the older... every great band has some flaws... just looking for info to help me out since I can not see any of them at a showcase prior to booking them!!! I live in CA so it is diffcult to see them from here and get a 'real' experience.. Thanks All!!

I used the East Coast Band. They weren't too loud or too soft- just right! But, they had about 2 seconds worth of friction with my Maitre D while they were setting up. I had asked them in advance if they needed a certain amount of space, and they said 'no'. so, when I did my final prep with the hall, I didn't allocate 'extra' space for them. Sure enough, they didn't have enough space. My Maitre D wouldn't let them 'spread out' until I gave approval. I just would have liked to have known this in advance because it did cause one table to be infront of the speaker and I got the impression the guests at that table werent' too pleased.

They were perfectly involved with the crowd. They even came out to the tables and played instruments for the older ladies. It was a BIG hit and it's even in my video!!!

They had 3 songs to learn and 1 month before the wedding, there was an issue about whether or not they could learn 1 of the songs. I was very stern and told them at that point, it was too late to make any changes and they HAD to learn the song. They did a great job, but the female singer had piece of paper with the words in front of her as she was singing and EVERYONE noticed that.

They definitely played all of the songs EXCELLENTLY and appealed to ALL age groups.

EVERYONE complimented me about the band. I STILL get people asking me for their contact info.

The only other snaffu I can think of is that at the end of the night (10 minutes before my official end time), they sang our last song. Then, a guest asked me to have them sing 'Last Dance'. When I asked, the band leader got huffy and said, 'are you kidding me? We already packed up. sorry'. I do wish he would have been more pleasant in his response to me- it was my wedding day.

Overall, I would definitely recommend them- they are extremely talented and definitely pleased the entire crowd! But, they have 2 people 'in charge' and I'd probably deal with the other person if I had to book them again because he seemed A LOT more personable.

Heavin Posted: Jul 20, 2005 02:06 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

suven---

Thanks so much for the info... Definitely good stuff to know when I pick a band, especially any needed space! I will be sure to inform my maitre d to let the band do what they need so they can do their job and guests are comfortable! Also about the song thing... I will have to make sure they don't cut out early! Good things to have ironed out before hand!!!

-i printed out your info and am putting it in my planner so i dont forget!!!

These are those small important things I wouldn't think of and need to know...

Thanks so much!!!

csorisi Posted: Jul 20, 2005 02:13 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

Honestly it is your personal preference. My FH is a music person so when it came to choosing a bad he did the choosing even though I basically saw all the bands b/c he works nights & he would go to showcases of bands I narrowed it down to. We booked renegade b/c every song they played sounded like the original. They have a showcase every month. They are a LIparamount band & we got to speak to the band leader directly. I also believe that anyone can make a dvd so if you have a dvd & like the band make sure you are able to see the band live, I think that is important. I really didn't like any of the bands I saw by Franklin Wayne--I remember one I saw at the Fox HOllow but can't remember there name--they were good but we ultimately went with our band b/c they were the complete package for us. When it all comes down to it though it is what your looking for and what you feel most comfortable about. Unfortunately this was one of the hardest parts of planning and it takes a lot of time but it is fun...enjoy!!

janelovesharry Posted: Jul 20, 2005 09:25 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

I think what I really disliked was the sequencers that all of the bands that we saw showcase used It sounded like there were 15 musicians on stage, when there were 6...hmmmm...something doesn't add up. If I wanted to pay lots of $$$$$ for that, I would have hired a DJ and then a live singer.
We are using Soul Revival and let me assure you...they don't use sequencers. What you see and hear is what you get. I think they sound better than the bands we heard using sequencers. Their website is www.soulrevivalband.com.
Good luck with your decision...

suven Posted: Jul 20, 2005 09:31 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

Posted by Heavin

suven---

Thanks so much for the info... Definitely good stuff to know when I pick a band, especially any needed space! I will be sure to inform my maitre d to let the band do what they need so they can do their job and guests are comfortable! Also about the song thing... I will have to make sure they don't cut out early! Good things to have ironed out before hand!!!

-i printed out your info and am putting it in my planner so i dont forget!!!

These are those small important things I wouldn't think of and need to know...

Thanks so much!!!

PK2BE Posted: Jul 20, 2005 09:50 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

I agree with Janelovesharry...beware of sequencers. If a band sounds too good then they are probably using sequencers.

Here are some of the bands I would recommend:

Times Square Orchestra
Arcadia or Renegade-LI Paramount
NYC Swing-expensive

akajt98 Posted: Jul 20, 2005 10:58 PM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

I am using NYC Swing and they are great, and although they are more money than some of the others, they will work with you so def negotiate. That said, some people may find them to be too many peices, or too brass sounding, or too in your face. We love them, all 13 peices and are very excited to get them. Every band has a different sound and style and I would suggest checking out a few.

ssdbk Posted: Jul 21, 2005 12:51 AM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

I am surprised that more people didn't LOVE NITEFLIGHT. I am using them and I am crazy about them!!!!! I've seen them 3 times, love their DVD and love the downloads from their website. And I saw many bands that sucked and were more expensive!!!!

CalJoe0124 Posted: Jul 21, 2005 07:38 AM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

Try Soundcheck Entertainment they have about 8 bands Paris and The Projekt are amazing!

Kra5hnburn Posted: Jul 21, 2005 08:15 AM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

I went to a showcase once and saw a great band. Then it turned out one of my friends used them. They're called DayBreaksNight. They're amazing! They're a 9 piece band and when the one guy sings, he sounds like Sinatra and when another guy sings and plays piano, you think Billy Joel is in the room! People were on the dancefloor all night and they played a great mix. They even let some other people come and play/sing with the band. They played all the BRides requests--she just had to had everything in early so they could learn it--and a wide range of selections for everyone. We loved them and we always talked about if we did it again we would have spent the extra money (over a DJ) and used them.

Blu-ize Posted: Jul 21, 2005 08:27 AM

Re: Bands - what didn't you like about what you've seen

Posted by ssdbk

I am surprised that more people didn't LOVE NITEFLIGHT. I am using them and I am crazy about them!!!!! I've seen them 3 times, love their DVD and love the downloads from their website. And I saw many bands that sucked and were more expensive!!!!

I'm a fan. I had them too and loved them.