Q - |
How much do you charge? |
A - |
This is usually the first
question people ask. Surprisingly enough, you won't find the answer to this question
on most bands' websites. Why? Because they want to find out how much they can
get out of you before committing to a price. We don't work that way. Our rate
is $900 for a four hour function. We are proud of the value we offer at a rate that
is considerably lower than that charged by most other bands (and some DJs). For more
details on our rates, such as travel fees and overtime rates, see our RATES page. |
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|
Q - |
How can I check to see if
you're available for my function? |
A - |
Simply go to the SCHEDULE and check to see if
your date has been taken. This list is updated as soon as new bookings are
confirmed, or as soon as we know of a date where the band is unavailable. If your date is more than 5 months away and we have a club or
restaurant performance booked for your date, it's possible we can change the date of that
performance. Please call and inquire. |
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| Q - |
Where
can I come hear you play? |
| A - |
LOOKS EZ makes regular public
appearances. We perform at nightclubs, parks concerts, service clubs, etc....
We may be able to have you come as a Band guest for a while at some Private events and
Clubs. PLEASE Call so we can make arrangements. A list of our upcoming performances
can be found by going to our SCHEDULE
page. |
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| Q - |
How do you get such a big sound from only a three
piece group? |
| A - |
LOOKS EZ takes full advantage
of all the technology that is available to us today. We make use of MIDI sequencing
technology that uses real drum and bass guitar samples to make our sound fuller. While some people characterize this as "Not Being A Real
Band", this is the exact same technology that drives performances by Madonna, Michael
Jackson, Phil Collins, ZZ Top and most of the other Major pop stars on tour
today.
This is also the reason why you can have a live band
sound as full and as close to the original as we do, yet at over half the cost of
the 10 and 12 piece bands out there.
The use of this technology also allows us to perform at
much quieter volumes than most other bands in smaller rooms, and yet with far more energy
than would be possible.
For example, a snare drum produces one tone when hit
softly, and another, more energized tone when hit harder (i.e. "louder").
With a live drummer the volume needed to achieve this level of energy may well be more
than the room (and your guests) are comfortable with.
By using the sampled drum sounds we have infinite
control over their volume, and we maintain a consistent tone quality that gives the song
the drive and excitement needed. |
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| Q - |
I really want
a live band, but my parents are concerned that it will be too loud. Can you play
quietly enough so that folks can still hear to talk without having to shout? |
| A - |
Absolutely. One of
the strong points of LOOKS EZ is our ability to play quietly,
particularly in the early stages of the reception, or in smaller rooms where people also
want to be able to talk. We have had
receiving lines set up directly in front of the band and the family was still able to
greet their guests effortlessly.
We make it a point to start the reception at an
extremely low volume. This way, you can always request that the volume be turned up
if you'd like.
We'd much prefer that you ask to have things turned UP
rather than DOWN. |
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| Q - |
I
really like a certain song that's not on your songlist. Would you be willing to
learn this song for us? |
| A - |
Absolutely! We would be
more than happy to learn a special song for you provided it's within our realm and time
permitting (3 months advance notice). While we don't guarantee we can learn the song, we do use these
suggestions when evaluating new material for us to learn when time permits.
Finally, we will be more than happy to play a CD of your
song if we're unable to learn the song for you. We have done this in the past and has
worked very well. We will also play any other CD music you may have in between sets. |
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| Q - |
How do you
dress for a performance? |
| A - |
Typically, for a formal event
such as wedding or corporate party the band will wear black tuxedos. If requested we
can also dress casual (NO JEANS). If you are hosting a theme party, the band is more
than willing to accommodate the theme by dressing appropriately. |
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| Q - |
Can
you hold a date open for me? |
| A - |
The band's policy for bookings
is that the first person to sign and contract and send a retainer gets the date.
While we do not put a "hold" on specific dates without a contract and retainer,
we will be more than happy to call you and advise you if there are any serious inquiries
for your date. Again Please check our Schedule for available Dates. |
|
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Booking The Band
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|
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| Q - |
Does LOOKS
EZ use a contract? |
| A - |
Yes, we use a contract for all
performances. This ensures that there are no miscommunications between the band and
our clients. It is for the protection of all parties concerned. |
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| Q - |
What is the process for booking the band? |
| A - |
The process goes like
this: Contact LOOKS EZ
Email - David@looksezband.com
or Phone - 803-366-5863
Then we'll mail two identical copies of the
contract to the client
The client signs both copies and returns ONE copy with
the retainer (typically $200) back to the band leader.
Upon receipt of the contract and retainer, the
date is officially confirmed.
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| Q - |
Do
we have to make arrangements to feed the band? |
| A - |
We do request that
arrangements be made for a light meal for the band. However, we do not want our
clients to have to pay the same rate as their guests to feed the group. Most
caterers in the area will allow the band to go through the buffet line after the guests
have finished, or they may provide a vendor sandwich or other light fare. If a
caterer is insistent on charging full fare for the band to eat, other arrangements can be
made. This is not a major issue for the band! |
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| Q - |
Do
we have to make lodging arrangements for the band? |
| A
- |
LOOKS EZ is a self
contained Band. We travel in a Motor Coach so no lodging arrangements are necessary. If at
all possible, We would like to stay overnight at the venue site unless restrictions do not
permit. This is not a major issue either. |
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| Q - |
Do
you require Payment in Full prior to the day of my event? |
| A - |
No. Once we receive your
retainer, no further monies are due until the day of the function. Whether we are
paid before the beginning of the event, during, or while we're breaking down, that's
entirely up to you. If you PREFER to pay in advance so you have one less thing to
worry about, that's fine, of course! |
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| Q - |
How do you
handle Overtime requests? |
| A - |
LOOKS EZ charges $200 for each
additional 60 minute set of music beyond the contracted hours. The decision to
extend the performance does not have to be made until the very end of the contracted
period, at which point you simply ask the band to stay and play some more. We book overtime in 1/2 hour increments. The band typically
only books one performance a day, so overtime is never a problem. We'll play for as
long as the guests are still partying! |
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| Q - |
How is
payment to be made? |
| A - |
We accept cash, personal or
corporate / business checks, and money orders. |
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| Q - |
Do you require a stage? |
| AA - |
The
simple answer for this question is no, we do not require a stage. For corporate
functions or other performances where the band is a significant focus of attention a stage
does help direct that focus, particularly in larger rooms. However, for weddings and
other private parties, it is the newlywed couple or guest of honor that is the real focus,
so a stage is definitely not necessary |
| Q
- |
If we have a stage, what are your staging size requirements? |
| A
- |
The
minimum size stage that the band can fit on is 12' x 10'. For stages of this size
the band's speakers will be located off the stage on either side of the band. Larger
stages are helpful in that it provides us more room to move and interact, and permit us to
locate speaker cabinets and light trees on stage rather than off to the side. |
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Preparing for your function
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| Q - |
Do we
select the songs we want from the songlist? Do we put the songs in order? |
| A - |
Here's what we do. We
will ask you to indicate any songs from our list you don't want us to play. As the reception progresses, we will be taking requests from your
guests, and if we can honor those requests we will, (unless, once again, the request is on
the "don't play" list).
We will also be "reading" the crowd, to see which songs are receiving the
best response. It is this experience in reading a group that sets the band apart
from a human jukebox playing the same songs in the same order all the time. |
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| Q - |
What
information do you need from me in advance of the reception? |
| A - |
Since every wedding is
different, we don't need the same information from everybody. However, as a general
rule, here are some of the pieces of information we look for:
1. Itinerary for the reception. What time do
guests arrive, what time is meal served, cake cut, etc.
2. Will the entire wedding party be introduced? If
so, we need the list of names in advance. We're pretty good with this, but phonetic
pronunciations for some of the more difficult names are appreciated. We'll go over
this list with you before the event to ensure names are pronounced properly.
3. When is the first dance, right after introductions or
after the meal? What song?
4. Will there be a Father/Daughter Dance?
What song?
5. Is there a separate Mother / Son Dance, or is
there just going to be one "Parent Dance" where we invite Mother / Son up
halfway through the Father / Daughter song?
6. When will the Parent Dance occur...after the
First Dance, after dinner, or at some other point?
7. Will there be a Bouquet Toss? Will there
also be a Garter toss? When will this occur?
8. Is there a toast that will be offered?
Who will be doing it?
9. Will there be a blessing / grace offered just
before dinner?
10. Are there any special rules or requirements for the
band imposed by the facility? Examples might be carpets for hardwood floors, early
or last minute load-in due to room availability, specific set up and break down times,
specific volume requirements, etc.
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|
| Q - |
How long does it take you to set up? |
| A - |
Much depends on the
facility we will be performing in of course, but in general it takes about 2 hours to get
the PA system set up and ready to go. If extensive lighting is requested that
generally takes and additional 30 minutes.
The band typically arrives two/three hours prior to the contracted start time, to ensure
that everything is ready to go before any guests arrive, and to give the band time to
change for the performance. However, we have in the past been able to get the full
band set up in as little as 1 1/2 hours with sufficient advance notice. |