Review Centre: Rock 'n' Roll Bands

"We would just like to say a MASSIVE thank you to you and the The Renegades! Sam and his bandmates played at our wedding and we are so happy that we found them. Wow!! They were seriously amazing. So friendly and so talented!!! Despite it being a bit of a crazy night, and starting a lot later than expected, we want to highlight how professional the guys were. We are very very grateful. Ourselves and our guests loved every second of them playing. We have received so many compliments as well. They definitely played a huge part in making our special day so memorable and EPIC! We would highly recommend them! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"They were absolutely fantastic. The dance floor was full all night, and they interacted with guests so well. One of our nephews was invited on stage with them for a guitar solo which he LOVED and was such a nice touch. Can't recommend Straight Up enough. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"For our reception we sought a fun and lively band to kick off the evening. We feel very lucky to have stumbled across House of Chords online. They were great value for money and delivered a 2 hour set of upbeat songs to keep people up and dancing. They were so great they even managed to command an encore! They showed great flexibility to accommodate a delay and they even learnt and performed Dancing In The Moonlight beautifully for our first dance! The band played a key part in our special day and we would very highly recommend."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks Ben, you and the band were great!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Ben, thank YOU and the guys for a great atmosphere on Saturday - so many people have commented on how well you fitted in. all the best, Fraser."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I cannot put into words how amazing you all were last night! You made our day so special and so much fun! EVERYONE loved you and said how amazing your voice is. Thank you for being part of our big day and thank you for your fantastic music! Big love, Sean & Katy x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A great time was had by all. Elvis did everything I asked of him n he put his whole self into it. He was brilliant. Couldn't have asked for more. I found myself singing with him, wondering what he thought of that?. Would recommend him. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I have known Ivan as the Runaways Drummer for a long time. Dedicated to a point. July 10, 2013, Harry was Ivan's client "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A massive thank you to the House of Chords who performed at the Stan Bowley Trust annual ball at Alton Towers last night. All of you should be extremely proud of your performance. From the moment you arrived you were obliging and worked with us to get the best visual and sound effects we could. I have been organising this event for nine years now, and without doubt you are the most amiable, obliging and talented group to have graced our stage. The guests flocked to the dance floor from track one, and did not sit down until the end of your long set. The quality of your performance from an organisational point of view was outstanding.....I am sure we will meet again!!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks so much, we and everyone there had a great night! Carrie and myself thought the band was perfect, and everyone else there also thought you guys were fantastic - there was a lot of compliments from the guests. In fact one of the guests has asked for your contact details. Thanks again for a great, and entertaining set!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"REVIEW OF OUR LATEST CD ALBUM IN JAZZ JOURNAL Kit Packham’s One Jump Ahead: Everybody Loves A Boogie The entertaining British jump-jive revival band ploughs the familiar furrow, offering cheeky covers and originals with occasional solos By Hugh Rainey -13 October 2023437 Formed in 1984, this UK group plays jump-jive in a bright and breezy, entertaining style, blended with R&B and vintage rock and roll, and seasoned with light-hearted humour. Leader Kit Packham sings confidently in appropriate style on every track bar one, and contributes alto and tenor to the backing throughout. Packham also composed and wrote the lyrics for eight of the tracks and alternative lyrics for some cheeky adaptations of standards – My Swingin’ Valentine (an upbeat treatment of My Funny Valentine, which surprisingly works quite well) and the very funny Basingstoke (to the melody of Baby Face) and Buy A CD (with appropriate uninhibited bathos to My Way). On the whole, the originals work well for the genre. Love Me, Love My Saxophone and I Dig Potatoes have amusing lyrics somewhat reminiscent of Louis Jordan and Slim Gaillard in style. Enjoyable versions of Don’t Get Around Much Any More, Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby and My Swingin’ Valentine, come closest to straightforward jazz treatment with some worthwhile brief solos and touches of arrangement. The tracks come from sessions in 2009, 2017 and 2023, mainly as six or seven piece lineups it seems, but with changing personnels. Though studio recorded, the CD comes across as cheery live entertainment – for dancers, rather than perhaps for close, serious listening. But it’s certainly good fun, with some inventive fresh material, and a sense of humour to give a welcome lift to your spirits in these troubled times. Discography Everybody Loves A Boogie; Don’t Clap On The First Beat Of The Bar; Old Rock “n” Roll Songs Never Die; Don’t Get Around Much Any More; Love Me, Love My Saxophone; Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby; Route 66; Alley Club Blues; As Time Goes By; Alright, OK, You Win; Lockdown Chase; My Swingin’ Valentine; I Dig Potatoes; Basingstoke; Buy A CD; We Had A Real Good Time/We’ll Meet Again (53.52) Collectively: Kit Packham (v, ts, as, bar, cl); Nick Tomalin, Perry White (p); John O’Reilly (g); Steve Knight (g, ts, bj); Alex Keen, Ollie Blanchflower (b); Derek Gayle, Kenrick Rowe (d); Simon Da Silva (t); Tracey Mendham (ts, cl). UK, 2009, 2017, 2023 (No further details.) Pelican records PEL CD 523 "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"House of chords were absolutely brilliant! So incredibly well received by our guests, everyone said how much fun the evening reception had been with a great live band. They were really accommodating with learning 3 extra songs for us, they arrived at the venue promptly and their communication with us during the build up to the wedding was brilliant. Couldn’t fault them at all. Worth every penny. Highly recommend this band."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Excellent driving set today at Solihull Jazz Festival 2022 -high energy despite the heatwave.... Great range of music and tight arrangements. Ace!!"

Reply by The Catfish Kings
Hi Chris, so kind of you to post this review - as you say, in the middle of a heatwave. We apprecaiate your comments very much. If you're ever at a show of ours again, please come and make yourself known All the best Harry

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks Ben. Really great music and everyone said how great you guys were. Thanks again so much. The tip was the least I could do - you all deserved it. Best, Mark"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked them for our wedding and they did a 60’s/70’s set for us. Incredible music and so great to dance to. They’re friendly, punctual and professional and very talented. Thoroughly recommend this band!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: