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I don’t know about you, but as the nights get longer and darker, I’m in the mood to break out the glitter ball and have a bit of a party!
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***If you follow Brides Up North on Twitter or Facebook (and if not, sort it ahhht!), then you will have seen that exclusive invitations will be winging their way out VERY SHORTLY for a rather divine Brides Up North Carols, Candlelight & Cocktails Christmas Party at a very special, and very Christmassy, North Yorkshire secret location. If you would like to join us on Tuesday 11th December 2012 please email julia@bridesupnorth.co.uk asap to register interest – numbers are very limited, and it’s going to be oh so special. Both industry friends and brides to be welcome – this isn’t a time for sales or scheming, it’s simply a time to celebrate – and it’s on us!***
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Meanwhile, I am thrilled to introduce you to some of my Brides Up North Featured Suppliers who certainly know how to get a party kicking – the awesome Func On The Rocks. If you are looking for your wedding band, check these guys out. Now: Hit it!
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How did Func On The Rocks begin?
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We all met at Music College in 2004 whilst completing our Jazz Degree and began gigging together professionally soon after. We have worked together on various original projects over the years and have grown into a very close group of friends.
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Who makes up your band? Tell us about yourselves?
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Cherie Gears, Singer/Songwriter – The boys in the band are like my big brothers! We have so much fun working, rehearsing and performing together. I have been singing for as long as I can remember and had the privilege of performing at Rowan Atkinson’s 50th Birthday Party along with a star studded audience. I was featured, performing solo on BBC’s Songs of Praise in 2005 and 2011, The South Bank Show and Sky 1 Don’t Stop Me Now. My biggest loves are writing songs and performing to a live audience!
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Lee Walker, Pianist/ Backing Vocalist – Although the band are based in Leeds, I’m the only member who is actually born and bred in Yorkshire. I come from a very musical family and have been playing piano since my dad took me to my first piano lesson at the age of 8. Before Func On The Rocks I’ve worked in a number of different bands, including Queen and Amy Winehouse tribute shows. However, the last few years working with the guys from Func On The Rocks have definitely been the most rewarding and enjoyable as I love the music we play and we’re the best of friends on and off stage.
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Steve Drinkwater, Drummer – Baby of the bunch and proud brummy. You’ll always find me subconsciously tapping away on the nearest surface. When I’m not gigging, I’m teaching drums to the next Keith Moon.
Chris Glanville, Bass Guitarist – I’ve been playing Bass since I was 14yrs old and also come from a very musical family. I’ve performed at many events throughout the country since doing my degree at Leeds College of Music. The guys in Func On The Rocks have been a major part of my adult life, musically and personally, they’re all incredible people and musicians. It is well known that we love to "build the audience up into a frenzy!!!".
Eirik Svela, Lead Guitarist/ Backing Vocalist – Originally from Norway, I came to Leeds to study and now I never want to leave. After graduating from Leeds College of Music I have been working as a guitarist in a variety projects including the stage production of "9 to 5 – The Musical" and "Kathy Kirby: Icon". I always look forward to the gigs with Func On The Rocks because we have such a great time playing and the guys are so much fun to be around...
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What sort of tracks/ music do you sing/ play?
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Lee – Each member of the band enjoys playing and listening to different styles of music so we understand that our audiences will also have diverse taste. It’s important for us to play songs which will appeal to a variety of different people and bring them together on the dance floor.
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Chris – We have a wide range of songs in our repertoire from Stevie Wonder to The Killers, Beyonce to Queen and are constantly adding to it so we stay fresh and modern. We will always put a set list together to suit a client’s taste, whether they’d prefer an evening of Motown, modern chart hits or old school rock classics.
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Cherie – I love singing in all styles so a diverse repertoire is perfect for me, plus it keeps our audience up on the dance floor all night long.
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What can a bride and groom who book Func On The Rocks expect?
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Chris – A day of live entertainment they will never forget. We offer everything you could need to make your day as special, memorable and unique as possible. We tailor the entertainment around your wedding requirements to suit your musical tastes and personalities. With our lighting for the stage and dance floor, complimentary DJ station, plus the band performing your first dance (a song of your choice) as part of all our packages, we are the solution to your entertainment needs.
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All you then need to consider are any optional extras. For example, an instrumental jazz trio playing during your wedding breakfast, vocal duet during the drinks reception, or perhaps to walk you down the aisle. You can even choose to add a brass section to the 5 piece band to really give the evening some extra func!
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Cherie – Through our many years of professional experience we’ve gained the confidence to create a day as extravagant, or as intimate as a Bride and Groom wish. Playing together for so many years creates a natural rhythm within a band and we pride ourselves on the ability to turn our hand to any music style request thrown at us.
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What sets you apart from your competition?
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Cherie – We work and socialise together every week, rehearsing, writing, arranging and this really shows through our performances which are always tight, fresh and fun! We’ve invested in a fantastic PA which ensures great sound quality no matter how big or small your venue. We understand our responsibilities are not just to provide a fantastic performance, but also take pride in our ability to set up quickly and efficiently, arriving smartly dressed. Manning the DJ station all night to take requests from guests and packing down safely are all part of our service with a smile!
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Steve – It’s a real team effort, no-one tries to steal the show and we all enjoy putting our own individual mark on the set list. We’re a solid band where unlike a lot of other function bands, we are exactly the same group of people on every gig, not just session musicians. We know each others strengths and personalities inside out which really shows on stage.
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Lee – It’s important for a Bride and Groom to feel confident in a band that have the experience and professionalism to provide a day that they and their guests will always remember. You can count on us not to let you down.
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What is included in the service?
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Our standard evening package consists of:
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– 5-piece band with full PA available anytime from 5pm – Midnight
– 2 x 50mins sets of live music
– Personal song request played live (eg. first dance/favourite song)
– Stage / disco lighting
– Complimentary DJ station (manned throughout).
We also offer a selection of additional extras:.
– Afternoon line-ups (eg. Duet/Trio/Quartet)
– Band/DJ available after midnight
– Additional brass section (eg. Saxophone/Trumpet)
– Second lead vocalist to compliment Cherie’s outstanding voice.
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What if a Bride & Groom ask you to learn a song? Can you do that?
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Eirik – Absolutely. We love learning a song for our brides, it makes the night really special!
.Cherie – I feel so lucky to perform for Brides as they walk up the aisle to be wed or sing their first dance, it’s such a special feeling. Live music has such a magical effect on people. Songs can hold so many beautiful memories and create new ones.
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Lee – The first dance together at a wedding is one of the most important moments to any Bride and Groom. With us taking the lead, the couple can relax in the knowledge that their special song will be performed professionally and with the care and attention to detail it deserves..
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What are your personal favourite pieces to perform at a wedding/ what really gets a party started?
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Cherie – I love Stevie Wonder and anything with a funky groove, watching the audience get into a circle and take turns to free style is so much fun! Bringing everyone together. I also love singing Beyonce and Chaka Khan too.
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Chris – Personally as a bass player, I like to play anything with an underlying groove. So anything Motown, James Brown or Michael Jackson, suits me down to the ground..
Eirik – We find alot of the Kings of Leon numbers always go down really well.
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Can you give Brides Up North an idea on price?
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Steve – We understand how expensive planning a wedding can be, and try to provide a competitively priced service. Our complimentary DJ station is an excellent way to save hundreds of pounds immediately, whilst still guaranteeing great quality live music for the rest of the night. Our packages start from around £995, and vary slightly depending on the time of year and day of the week.
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Where are you located and will you travel?
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We are based in Leeds but will travel anywhere.
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Are there any really memorable weddings that you have performed at? Any good stories?
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Cherie – I love to see a couple learn a dance routine or pick a funny first dance that is really special to them. We once performed ‘Never Can Tell’ from Pulp Fiction and the bride and groom did the real dance which went down really well. It’s so nice to see everyone in a big circle around the Bride and Groom at the end of the night singing along with us! Finishing the evening with a bang.
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Steve – We recently had the opportunity to perform with Narina Pallot. By coincidence, she was a friend of the Bride and we were able to perform the first dance and a couple of other songs with her, which was great.
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How can Brides Up North see Func On The Rocks in action or find out more?
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You can visit our website funcontherocks.com, or find us on Twitter and Facebook which we constantly update with photos, live footage, audio and blogs from different events.
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 supplied by Func On The Rocks
Func On The Rocks is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier and this is a sponsored post
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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