Hard To Handle

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Hard To Handle

Hard To Handle are a no-nonsense funk and soul band who guarantee to keep your dance floor hot throughout the night. In a deliberate move away from the smoother, staid nature of other such function bands, guitarist James Hannay has assembled a troop of high-class, vibrant young musicians whose sounds have taken them up and down the UK and across Europe. Notching up over 75 gigs in the 2 � years since formation.

And what sounds they are. Typified by the raw funk of James Brown, the horn-heavy punch and swing of the Stax label and the melodic dancefloor magic of Motown. The set is rounded off with rock'n'roll favourites and a fillet of the modern era's finest party tunes. Their tightly wound rhythm section are complemented perfectly by London's finest horn section last seen on world tour with Lily Allen and Mark Ronson.

Above and beyond the world-famous horn section, Hard To Handle's rhythm section is comprised of experienced London session players and fronted with the unmistakeable vocal tone and range of Aaron. Individually the band has performed all over UK the world in front of literally millions of people, at such venues as Wembley Stadium, Glastonbury main stage, Albert Hall, 02 arena, Jules Holland Hootenanny, and featured on Top of the Pops and even Saturday Night Live in New York.

Line-up

Vocals
Keys
Guitar
Drums
Bass
(2 backing vocals within that band)

Extra Line-up(s)

2/3 piece jazz/ early dinner. Piano/vocals/guitar.
7/8 piece (horn section):
Trumpet
Sax
Trombone (who is also an accomplished female vocalist giving you class backing vocals as well as songs performed by her)
Percussionist

Also included

1800 Watt Mackie PA system with 800w sub-bass if requested. Full Lighting rig- PAR cans, Intelligent light sensors etc

Location

South East based and will travel to these areas: South East, South West, Midlands, Wales.

Previous Clients

Numerous Weddings and private parties
Corporates
Baulch & Lomb
Porsche
Creator UK
Cameron McKenna
The Designers Guild

We booked Hard to Handle for our wedding and they made the night absolutely incredible, they were so much fun and everyone had a great night, most of the ladies had just a small crush on the lead singer by the end of the night ! Having the horn section made them stand out as a band. Would highly recommend!

-Rose

'Thank you so much for making our Christmas Party a huge success, everything from start to finish went so smoothly it was an absolute pleasure working with you and the band, particularly the ease and professionalism you showed in working with the other Band to create a fabulous evening with them as well as a show stopping performance. The DJ tunes were very good too in that you "listened" to the mood of the dance floor but the live music exceeded expectations. Once again, thank you. I wouldn't hesitate recommending you or indeed using you again.' Mary Woolcot. London, MWB Group Xmas party, Dec 2010.

We booked Hard To Handle for our wedding in 2010 after my daughter had seen them at a friends 21st and recommended them , and they were fantastic - had the dance floor rocking all night, with ages from 11 to nearly 111! Our guests all said how brilliant they were and the horn section was the icing on the cake!!! Would book them again anytime, any occasion.

Lulu and Nick Oliver. Wedding. August 2010

'We had a great experience with the Hard To Handle. If you want a talented live band who are also attune to what the hosts want played then look no further.'

Will and Zoe Duff-Gordan. Wedding June 2010

'After an eternity of cringe-inducing speeches about the groom's misdemeanours, Hard To Handle took to the stage... and smashed it outta the park. This band is tight. Their wonderfully varied set took the party through the decades delivering 60s rock n roll standards, soulful anthems and even, to the groom's delight, the occasion old skool reggae classic. Such was their performance that the band is just about the only thing guests remember from our wedding. Worth every penny, especially the addition of the horn section who were epic. Thanks so much to the band for making our special day so memorable. I would not hesitate in booking them for any event, they are sure to go down a storm.'
Mike & Sarah Stockwell. Wedding May 2010

'Hard To Handle performed in concert with a full gospel choir and managed to transform the evening into a spectacular musical triumph. You got an audience of 900 people to their feet and we have been inundated with compliments from people wanting know when the next event is! Hard to get better praise than that. Thanks to all of you for making the night!'
Bunny Turner (London) Dec 08 St Lukes Chruch

'Hard To Handle played at our wedding reception and were awesome. We know it sounds cheesy but it's true. They were highlight of the evening.
The lead singer's voice is incredible - how he hits those high notes is beyond us. The rest of the band are all equally fantastic and gave a
great, energetic performance. We couldn't get enough and demanded an encore (or two). We've had so many compliments and requests for
information about them from our guests, that we're now starting to feel a bit like their agents. They get a huge thumbs up from us.'

Nick and Rhoda Payne-Cook. Wedding Oct 09


'We heard about Hard To Handle through one of the bridesmaids and when you are organising a wedding, sincere recommendations from friends go a long way to easing the stress. In fact all of our suppliers came recommended but it was the band that shone through and made the evening. The only pointer we gave them was our first dance (Valerie) yet their playlist was perfect for young and old and I have never seen a dancefloor so full all night. Needless to say the crowd would not let them leave and we lost count of the number of encores etc. So it is easy for me to unreservedly recommend these guys to anyone who is reading this. Book them and relax or spend time stressing over the caterers!'

Nathaniel Ives Jun 08- Wedding

'Hard To Handle played at our wedding and they were absolutely blinding. Their playlist is superb, great tunes not the usual cheesy wedding numbers and they created a brilliant atmosphere - the dance floor was packed from start to finish. They were very professional, had all the equipment, and looked like they were enjoying themselves - not just going through the motions. I cannot recommend them highly enough, and would pay good money to get them again.'

Tom and Henrietta Nelson- Wedding Aug 09