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FunkSTATE are South based 4 piece, playing a mix of blues, soul and funk with a subtle hint of jazz. The band has a collective wealth of experience, having played at a variety of venues such as the Marquee Club in London.
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Expect to pay prices around the following.
Fridays and Saturdays:
£940 for 2 x 1 hour sets.
Any other day of the week:
£710 for 2 x 1 hour sets.
**Travel may be charged for when over 30 miles from home area of Southampton Hampshire. **
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IMPORTANT:
Prices are given as a guide ONLY. Please
click here for further information on Pricing.
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blues acts-bands
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Hampshire
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Blues, Soul and Funk with a hint of Jazz thrown in for good measure.
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Lead and Bass Guitars, Keyboard, Drums, Saxophone and Male Lead Vocals.
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Marvin Gaye, Santana, Doobie Brothers, James Brown, Robben Ford, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Booker T, Stevie Wonder.
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FunkSTATE are the UK Souths premier blues/soul band, playing a carefully crafted mix of blues, soul and funk with a subtle hint of jazz. Established since 2000, the band members have a collective wealth of experience, having played at a variety of events from small pubs through to major venues such as the famous Marquee Club in London. The band use modern high quality sound and lighting equipment, and are also able to cater for a wide range of interval CD music.
Whatever your venue or function, FunkSTATE will be sure to deliver a show of popular songs and great entertainment.
Below is a description of each band menber in their own words inclduing a list of their equipement used in the band:
David
I have played guitar and bass for 26 years, starting alongside Paul R to form one of Southamptons best known rock bands Loaded Dice. Mainly a self-taught player, I would be the first to admit that a lack of advanced theory has possibly hindered me. However, I believe strongly that playing from the heart is equally as important. After Loaded Dice I moved on to play in a variety of bands outside of the rock genre to gain experience of funk, soul and dance music, spending some 15 years playing bass which culminated in 5 years with function band 'Pray'. However, it was in the early 80's playing guitar with established rock band 'Trader', which saw me playing at important London venues such as the famous Marquee Club. My enthusiasm for the fusion of blues and jazz was the spur to co-form FunkSTATE alongside Richard (ex-Pray), thus bringing together my favourite musical influences such as Santana, Pat Metheny, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck and BB King. FunkSTATE is the perfect outlet for me to play all those great blues based tunes that many people have not forgotten but would like to hear again. It's a huge buzz to see people recognise and respond to rarely heard songs.ones that many other blues and soul artists don't feature.
David's Equipment:
Fender 50th Anniversary Strat; Fender Hot Rod Strat; Fender Esprit Standard; Fender Blues Deville 4x10 combo; Peavey Classic 30 combo; Boss FX; Menatone Red Snapper
Richard
I've been playing and writing music for about 20 years and am self taught. In 1993 I entered the Yamaha Electone Festival and was selected to play in the National Finals held at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and was one of nine finalists. I began to playing keyboards in bands in 1991, the first being Icon a 60's 70's 80's and 90's covers function band, the second being Pray being of a similar ilk. In 1994 I was playing with a original rock/soul group called Taylor. We had some reasonable success during it's existence playing such gigs as Southampton Guildhall, where we supported Boy George. Also supported Bitty McClain at the Wedgwood Rooms in Portsmouth and an unplugged support for Geno Washington at the Maple Leaf Southampton. Now enjoying the ivory tinkling in FunkSTATE. I write music for an independent Bournemouth film company Big Brush Films. The lastest short film entitled 'Schnibber' a black comedy which was screened at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival 2004.
Richard's Equipment:
Hammond XB-1; Yamaha S90; Hughes & Kettner Rotosphere; Roland KC-500 1x12" 250w
Greg
Classically trained from age 9 on Double bass, I played in many Youth Orchestras (Dorset Youth Orchestra, Wessex Youth Orchestra etc). I progressed through the Royal Academy of Music exams and also began to play the Electric Bass Guitar at age 13. Starting my Electric Bass gigs in an Acid Funk Jazz band at school, I developed my style to playing with many varied bands including 60's / 70's covers band Icarus. After my GCSE exams, I studied A-Level music at Bournemouth College; it was here that my love of the bass & music really grew into my passion today. After College, I filled the bass slot in heavy progressive rock band, Empty Cage. This took me to Minneapolis to record with Todd Fitzgerald (Engineer for Artists such as Sting, Sheryl Crow, and Willie Nelson). In the States I also met up with American singer-song writer Tamrah Aeryn, for which I now play occasionally on her visits to the UK. Since returning from the States I've also been depping for a few bands. Joining up with guys in FunkSTATE is now my fixation, finding the bass groove in this amazing line-up. My influential bassists are Victor Wotten, Michael Balzary and Jaco Pastorius.
Greg's Equipment List:
Status S-2 Graphite through neck 5 string, Crafter Pro 5's, Genz Benz GBE600 head and Genz Benz cabs.
Paul
The nonsense all started in the mid seventies when guitarist Dave P Martin asked me to drum in a newly formed Southampton band with 3 others. This was to become the infamous 'Loaded Dice', playing venues in the Southampton area such as Richard Taunton's College, a support slot at the Nuffield Theatre for Welsh rockers Sassafrass and even The Undertones at Southampton Uni. After 2 years Dave left and Loaded Dice reformed - I continued for another 3 years with a new line up and then quit to pursue a career in singer song writing - released my own single Paradise in 1984 and knocked Stevie Wonder of the No1 spot, (courtesy of Henry's Records - St Mary's Street - now MM Music). Had a brief stint on percussion with Southampton reggae rockers Duballup - more song writing and recording and turning professional musician/recording engineer/producer of much music around the mid eighties. I landed a tune with 80's soulster Paul Young around 1990 Heaven Can Wait and worked as vocalist in Streetlife then keyboard/vocals in Network. Still writing and recording - this time for ITV & BBC. More solo projects and releases to follow and several live solo TV appearances and promotions in Ireland from 2000 on.
Paul's Equipment:
Drums, Shure SM57
Sing List:
DON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER - M-PEOPLE
I SHOT THE SHERIFF - ERIC CLAPTON
MOONDANCE - VAN MORRISON
BLACK MAGIC WOMAN - SANTANA
UNCHAIN MY HEART - JOE COCKER
THE THRILL HAS GONE - BB KING
WHY DID YOU DO IT - STRETCH
LONG TRAIN RUNNING - DOOBIE BROTHERS
MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME - TOM JONES
PRETZEL LOGIC - STEELY DAN
AIN'T NO SUNSHINE - JACKSONS
NUTBUSH CITY LIMITS - TINA TURNER
GOING DOWN - FREDDIE KING
MUSTANG SALLY - WILLSON PICKETT
CHAIN OF FOOLS - ARETHA FRANKLIN
FM (NO STATIC) - STEELY DAN
SEX MACHINE - JAMES BROWN
I FEEL GOOD - JAMES BROWN
PHONE BOOTH - ROBERT CRAY
GREEN ONIONS - BOOKER T & MG'S
PRISON OF LOVE - ROBBEN FORD
SWEET HOME CHICAGO - BLUES BROTHERS
AINT NO LOVE IN THE HEART - WHITESNAKE
COLD SHOT - STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN
WALKING THE DOG - RUFUS THOMAS
COCAINE - JJ CALE
MESSING WITH THE KID - RORY GALLAGHER
HOMEWORK - DOCTOR FEELGOOD
KEEP ON RUNNING - SPENCER DAVIS GROUP
CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU - TEMPTATIONS
YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME - PAUL WELLER
SMOKE ON THE WATER - DEEP PURPLE
BROWN EYED GIRL - VAN MORRISON
STAND BY ME - BEN E KING
MAYBE TOMORROW - STEREOPHONICS
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED - STEVIE WONDER
A 'thankyou' letter from a customer:
"I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed watching you all perform at the Courthouse on March 2nd. I had a wonderful time. You played and sound "Great". Watching you guys interact with one another really showed the bond and dedication that you have to your group, as well as how much fun you have doing it. Each of you bring something special to the band and must be part of the reason why you guys are becoming so successful.
You really know how to entertain the crowd. Keep it up!"
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Demo Downloads:
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File Name
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Track
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Size
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Type
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| FM (No Static) | 1,532 KB | mp3 | | Phone Booth | 1,532 KB | mp3 | | Chain Of Fools | 1,271 KB | mp3 | | Smooth | 1,887 KB | mp3 |
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Extra
Pictures (click to enlarge): |
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Wedding Reception at Grasmere House Hotel
Rory and I would like to thank BluesSTATE for the marvellous entertainment you provided for our wedding reception. We always knew you would provide us with top quality music and you did not let us down. Many of our guests have asked after you since the wedding and we know of lots of people who are coming to see you in the coming weeks. Rory and I would recommend BluesSTATE to anybody
no matter what occasion and will continue to do so in the future.
Thank you all, Best wishes.
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Wedding Reception at Lainston House
Hope you are well. Sorry for the delay in sending an email but we have been busy on honeymoon, which was fantasic, and are now just settling back down to normality! I wanted to thank you and the rest of the band for such a great evening. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and I think this was evident as no one was sitting in their chairs at the end of the
evening. My friends made a comment that they have never seen so many people on a dance floor at a wedding before!
Thank you to for allowing us to use your microphone - just goes to show what happens when the bride has had one too many wines!!
Anyway I thought the music was brilliant and suited our tastes very much.I would recommend you to anyone who needs a band and wish you all the success for the future.
Once again and many thanks.
Very best wishes.
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Bouncy Castles and Sides, Magic, Clowns, Juggling, Stilt
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! ! OVER 18's ONLY ! !
The full low down on our Stag and Hen Shows including
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| ©2005
@lpha Entertainment.
blues acts-bands - funkstate - southampton |
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