2015 Copyright
THE SHOW OF NON-
Below are the questions we can remember being previously asked. If your questions is not on here, please feel free to call us or email us.
How is it best to time things?
Can I pick the bands playlist?
Will you learn our special song?
Is the video on your website a true reflection of the band?
Are you able to DJ in between sets?
Can we use your sound system for speeches?
What time do you start and finish?
How long do you take to set up?
What if the band split up before my event?
Can my sisters/bosses/daughters dog sing with your band?
Does the band have PAT and PLI certificates?
Why should I book The Generals?
How much does it cost to book the band?
Can we see some previous client testimonials?
Do The Generals have any specific requirements?
What type/size venues are you able to play at?
What is the band power requirement?
The absolute minimum space the band require is 5m wide by 3m deep. However this will be very cramped and with the speakers so close together the sound will also be compromised in general, with a much higher risk of feedback. The more space you can give us, the better the show will be, with more room for us to show our personalities on stage, and the sound quality maximised to the the speakers able to be further apart. A recommended stage area would be 7-
How is it best to time things?
The bands performance times are important in making your evening flow properly, and we are totally flexible with this, although we prefer that our performance doesn't happen at the same time as the buffet or anything else you may have planned at your event. We also recommend that our second set is timed so that we play for the last hour of the event, as the dynamic of the performance works really well in this format, and creates a finale effect at your party.
Typical timings are as follows -
Arrival 6pm to be set up and sound checked by 7:30.
Background/DJ music from 7:30 until 8:30.
Buffet from 8:30 until 9pm
Live set 1 from 9:00 until 10:00
Background/DJ music from 10:00 until 11:00
Live set 2 from 11:00 until midnight
Can I pick the bands playlist?
We are more than happy for you to pick which songs from our repertoire are played, but we do prefer to play a set we know works really well keeping a dance floor full all night.
It is usually best if you let us know any songs you definitely DO or DON’T want rather than a hard and fast list that we feel obliged to not deviate from should the mood require it. This can be done in the pre-
We are able to travel both UK wide and internationally.
Due to the nature of our work, we don't play many public gigs as all of the events we perform at tend to be private parties or corporate events. We try to offset this situation by making sure we have plenty of promotional material, including lots of live recordings. If you want to follow us on Facebook, any last minute public gigs that do come in will be promoted on there:
Will you learn our special song?
We are happy to consider learning your special song. It largely depends on whether the particular song fits our playing style and sound. It would be difficult for us to pull off a Frank Sinatra song, for example, due to our instrumentation. At the time of booking us, please let us know if there’s a particular song you’d like us to consider learning so we have enough time to learn it well.
Is the video on your website a true reflection of the band?
There is a 100% true live recording of a performance created to give you the opportunity to hear us playing totally live. No audio modifications have been made to the videos or tracks.
Once you have made your initial enquiry by either filling in the enquiry form on this website or by calling us on the number provided, we will email you a contact to complete, sign and send back in the post to us with a 20% deposit cheque.
Are you able to DJ in between sets?
We carry a laptop with over 5000 songs, and have spent many hours putting pre-
If you have some specific songs you want played you can let Austin know prior to the event and he will make sure they are ready to go on the night.
If you would prefer to have Austin acting as a live D.J rather than playlists playing, then you will need to take the DJ package upgrade option
Can we use your sound system for speeches?
You are welcome to use our PA system for your speeches so long as they happen after we have set up.
We only use high quality equipment. A brief summery is as follows:
Drums
Pearl Master's Custom
DW/Pearl Hardware
Zildjian K Cymbals
Ludwig 400/Noble N Coolie Snare
Guitar
Amp-
Gut-
Pedals – BOSS Digital Delay, Philhilborne Signature Treble Booster
Bass
G&L Basses
Gallien Krueger Amp and Cabs
He also uses midi keyboard pedals
PA
72 x Mackie 450 V2 active top speakers
2 x Mackie 1501 active Bass Bins
Allen & Heath ZED 420, 20 channel mixing desk
Allen & Heath ZED 12fx, 10 channel mixing desk
Sennheiser ew100 G2 Radio Microphone
Behringer Multicom PRO-
Yahama 1000watt fold back Power Amp
2 x Mackie 450v2 active fold back speakers
3 I-
Yes. We use 3 x ACME icolour lights, all linked up with foot control for the ultimate lighting show during your event
We usually play two one hour sets. This can also be divided into three 40 minute sets, or 1x90 minute set if you prefer.
What time do you start and finish?
We arrive at 18:00 and usually start our first set at around 21:00, and play our second set in the final hour of the evening, but again we are totally flexible with this. Arrival and finish times are 18:00 and midnight as standard with early arrival and late finish fees applicable outside of these timings.
How long do you take to set up?
Assuming access to the venue is straight forward (i.e. ground floor room with no steps and vehicle access close to the venue), once all the equipment is loaded in we can normally be set up and sound checked in an hour.
Unfortunately, we don’t take provisional bookings as our demand is such that we would be turning clients away on popular dates. However, when you make an official enquiry with us, your enquiry will be logged in our system and you will be given first refusal on your date should anybody else enquire for the same date.
What if the band split up before my event?
Like many professional party bands, our work is our livelihood and so we take our commitments very seriously.
In the very unlikely event that the band had split up before your party, every effort would be made to find a suitable replacement band.
Can my sisters/bosses/daughters sing with your band?
We love it when people get up to sing a song with us, but we do like to make sure that those singing or playing with us have some experience of being on stage. We’re happy to arrange this with you in advance. However, past experience has taught us that welcoming impromptu guests onto the stage on the night itself, can often end in disaster so we’d rather steer clear of that situation!
We always wear white shirts, 3-
Does the band have PAT and PL certificates?
We have Public Liability Insurance cover up to £5M. We do not carry a PAT Certificate, as Government Legislation from Health and Safety does not require it. Nor does the Association of British Insurers. Please read this article to find out more.
Why should I book The Generals?
We are one of the busiest and most experienced party bands in the UK. We have travelled all over the UK and Europe, and played in every type of venue to all kinds of people, so we bring a wealth of experience to your event, not to mention equipment and live sound of the highest quality.
It is important to us that we play something for everybody at your party. We understand that your event is special, and that you only get one chance to get it right. You are guaranteed 100% of our energy, enthusiasm and integration with you and your guests. We love what we do!
How much does it cost to book the band?
Prices vary slightly based on the time of year, the location of your event, timings, and any upgrade options, but our standard price starts at £750. We don't charge for the time it takes for us to travel to the gig.
Can we see some previous client testimonials?
Yes. We testimonials from previous satisfied clients on our website here
Do The Generals have any specific requirements?
We request a room in which to change.
What type/size venues are you able to play at?
We have played in every type of venue, from festivals, huge marquees and ballrooms to intimate clubs and private residencies.
We always make sure that our volume levels are such that people at your event can still converse, but really feel as though they are at a gig when they're on the dance floor.
Being a guitar based rock and pop function band, the nature of the music we play means that we can only turn down so far! If your chosen venue has a DB limiter, please discuss this with us at the time of your enquiry -
What is the band power requirement?
We usually request 2 double 13 amp supplies near to the stage area. We prefer to run lights from one power source and audio equipment from another to reduce the risk of noise interference.
As a rule, we draw approximately 16 amps with everything on and have only ever experienced any issues in events in marquees where the generator capacity has been too low.
