I have an unusual request list for a wedding, basically the groom has fairly specific taste. I was wondering what tunes people might suggest playing that will have a broader appeal without offending him. The last line is the biggest worry " typical party records ! Here's list as follows :

Our Favourite artists

1. gary numan
2. eminem
3. depeche mode
4. green day
5. john foxx
6. rammstein
7. linkin park
8. new order
9. duran duran
10. backstreet boys
11. nine inch nails
12. savage garden

Anything up to date if requested
We would prefer not to have christina aguilara, kylie, coldplay, will young, and typical party records.! Thanx :-)


Any help much appriciated
Cheers

Hayd

Its not too bad...after all

1. gary numan
8. new order
9. duran duran
3. depeche mode
10. backstreet boys


Are all well known and have some real crowd-pleasing classic tunes - so plenty to work on there. Try things like Gary Newman into the Sugababes Friends electric (did I recall the right cover?), Blue Monday (of course) and True Faith from New Order, Just cant get enough from Depeche mode...

Also, looking collectively at the grooms choices above - its follows the 80's Electronic scene, with new a little new romantics chucked in too, so look at other 80's electronic bands and you get to things like Human League, Yazoo (Situation, Don't Go!), etc,etc,etc.

Then you've got...

4. green day
7. linkin park

hmmm ... ok for some, if the requests seem to be going that way - hand out the razor blades and ear plugs....you could do a nice green day karaoke by holding up cue cards with "Strum strum" written on them...



and of course, for the ballards and buffet music 12. savage garden


Even Eminem's "Without me" has a fairly good "crossover appeal" into playable music. The ones I'd have concerns about were the lesser known, and/or lesser appreciated

5. john foxx
6. rammstein
11. nine inch nails


The only thing that surprised me a little was that he's asked for "No Coldplay" which I find tends to get asked for by the same people who usually ask for Green Day and Linkin park... oh well, thats folk for you.

"Typical party records" might mean stuff like Agadoo, The Birdie Song, Macarena etc.
In which case you may be pleased not to have to play them.

If he means some of the more mainstream stuff you may have a problem, not least if other guests start asking for it.

We've had weddings where the bride and/or groom have insisted on leaving out certain styles only to relent when their guests started asking for them.

I feel it's absolutely right to accommodate clients' requirements. However they should be aware that their taste may not be the same as their guests and your job is play something for everyone as much as possible.

I was with a mate last week who has seen Rammstein three times since Christmas. He said they are really heavy and go overboard on pyrotechnics, fire pouring out of their faces live on stage, etc. So it may be worth borrowing a couple of flame throwers!!

John Foxx did Burning Car if I remember my vinyl collection correctly. Not much of a dance tune but possibly his biggest hit??

Nine Inch Nails are someone else I know little about, perhaps the groom himself should be asked for specific tracks.

He should also confirm what he means by the generic term of party music.

Otherwise, it sounds quite fun - always nice to play something a bit different. However, I think Gary Numan sounds better live than studio so I'd trial a couple of live songs out of interest.

A couple of years ago I did a prom night, they had four pages of requests but included some real gems from bands I had never heard of...including Less Than Jake. They asked for History of a Boring Town, which isn't bad, but whilst researching I found covers of Greased Lightning, I Would Walk 500 Miles and Centerfold. Whilst not to everyone's taste, they do offer us alternatives.

Green days - boulevard of broken dreams and linkin parks - numb are both playable. I find most people who like these bands really hate Coldplay and Travis.

Thankx guys, you seem to be thinking the same way as myself , which is good. I had already sent him an e-mail to clarify the term party music and also asked for some of his favourite tracks from the lesser know artists such as rammstein , nine inch nails , john foxx etc...

Could be an unusual wedding so I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Hayd

Just 2 that came to mind....

Green Day - Basket case, or Warning,
N.I.N. - Head like a hole

OK 3 actually.

4 ... Linkin Park - In the end

You never know his friends may be into the same types of music, if they are these would definatly work.

just thought of 2 more Rammstein - Sonne, or Du Hast

Cheers Steve good to know someone who knows a little about NIN and Rammstein LOL


Thanks also Vinnie , they are the only 3 John Foxx songs I have anyway so I'm hoping they'll be the ones he wants.

Cheers

Hayd

Just to add - make sure you know where you stand on 'guest requests' on 'their choice of music' for the reception.
Also echo the above comments.

BTW - There's a pretty fair Tubeway Army / Sugababes mixed track on the Mastermix Mash up series worth a listen if you get the chance.

You guys are braver than me. I would have turned this function down because I know I'm not the best man for the job when it comes to that style of music.

Just remembered the recent N.I.N. single "The hand that feeds" is fairly dancy too & for Linkin Park there's also Crawling & Papercut.

As for Jon Foxx he has about 8 albums out but I'd say the above mentioned are the best known

Maybe you should ask your client to supply any that he realy wants to be played?

For slower moments Green Day - Time of your life (good riddance), or their new one (I forget the title at the mo)

While were on Green Day of coures there's American idiot ( if you have the clean version)

Or perhaps do some research and expand your market ?

I'm with you on this one Chris. If the whole gig was required to be a style I was not familiar with then yes, pass it to somebody more experienced in that area. However, this is a wedding with family and friends of all ages. The groom has made some requests that are a bit different than the norm so you will have to play them - but there will be plenty of other people wanting to dance to Abba and Tom Jones. That's where you come in, the groom will have a great night and so will you.

That was my thought C.S. , with a bit of research no gig should be too much trouble and you gain good experience for the future should you encounter others with similar taste.

Although I requested an idea of what songs and styles they like I have only recieved it 3 weeks before the wedding . I have never and will never cancel a wedding or any other booking at short notice. Especially when with a little effort it should be no problem.

Cheers

Hayd

Take the function of course and make it sensational. If virtually the whole night is intended to be music that I am unlikely to play at 99% of weddings, then I'm walking away.

I got over my former gig-pig mentality a long time ago and now don't feel I need to take every enquiry that comes my way.

Find out exactly what he means by the no party music line - i turned up at a 21st a few weeks ago and someone said to me - we dont want any cheese. Then asked me if i had MC Hammer?!?!

:S

Richard

I often see DJs advertise their services thus:

"All music types for all occasions!
Specialising in weddings, engagement parties, sports and social clubs, 40th and 50th brithdays, bar mitzvahs, etc!"

That DJ isn't a specialist, they are a generalist (does that word exist yet?). I choose to specialise at quality wedding and corporate entertainment, so I'm happy to refer a job like the one mentioned above on to some other DJ who might be better suited.

Thank you gentlemen for putting me straight there I now see what you mean. It is easy to misunderstand what other people write, my last post tonight was read by eskie who told me on msn that he didnt get what i meant so i edited the post.
The gardener comment wasnt a jibe but my way of pointing out the way i read your post as meaning djs who claim to be able to do anything and not just djing.

There's no reason why a DJ who is passionate about rock shouldn't be every bit as good (or better) at entertaining a wedding crowd than me. I just think that a tux looks better than black leather waistcoat and black jeans, that's all.




JOKING!!!!!


As for the advertising line, I was meaning single operator companies specifically.

Not much I'd actually play at a gig, but with the exception of Eminem, Savage Garden & Backstreet Boys I like them all.

Getting a lot of requests for Green Day at the moment

Just thought I'd post the outcome on this wedding:

To my supprise it went really well, when faced with a room 3/4 full of people over 60 the groom was more than happy for me to play some 60,s and rock and roll etc for the first hour. Funny how the B&G change their tune when faced with a room full of relatives.
The Groom also informed the guests that he had made some unusual requests so when him and his m8's were moshing to Rammstein the crowd was entertained by them, not looking at me with discust

Overall a really good night many good comments from members of the family and B&G were thrilled with the evening.

In many respects I'm glad I took this booking as now I have a better undaerstanding of metal for future reference ( hopefully I won't need it though LOL ).

CHeers for everyones input

Hayd

So what did you actually play?

Played lots of 80's synth seuff , new order , depeche mode, Eurythmics, aha, duran duran, visage , Bowie , Gary numan , Underpass -John foxx , police, ultravox etc

On the rock side , Basket case ,american idiot , boulevard of broken dreams ,Du Hast -Rammstein ( groom went mental to this ) , Sonne , Ich Will , Head like a hole- nine inch nails, the rasmus , busted ( could not believe it went down sooo well ! ) , Queen

Early evening , Back to the 60's mix , Cotton eyed joe, rock around the clock , monkees , other typical wedding stuff LOL

Although an unusual list for a wedding as it's what they were passionate about , it was right for the night

You da Rock man Steve


Believe it or not they actually did the timewarp and the Cha cha slide !! odd rockers eh !

Most Rock fans aren't as biased & narrow minded in their musical tastes as most people think. I was in Ireland a few years back (on the day of Joey Dunlop's funeral) we were in the only club in Donegal Town. It was hillarious to see 50-70 bikers out on the floor to Darude - Sandstorm (or somesuch other)