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Q Branch Archive for posts tagged ‘james bond tribute’

Articles

Skyfall

Skyfall – this bond theme has been recorded by the Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band.  Originally recorded by Adele for the Bond Film Skyfall in 2012 which starred Daniel Craig as the suave 007 Agent.  The song was actually released at 0:07am on the 5th October as this date was apparently called “James Bond Day” and marks the 50th anniversary of the release of Dr No.

Sadly, the original Skyfall recorded by Adele was the last Bond theme to feature the amazing Derek Watkins on trumpet.  He was a hero to many trumpet, and brass, players all over the world having a unique and unmistakable sound and technique and had played on every Bond sound track.  He was, quite simply, a legend! A truly remarkable and gifted musician.  To see a clip of Derek and an absolutely stunning version of My Way – follow this YouTube link – you’ll see for yourself why he performed on every Bond Theme and why he has been so inspirational to so many brass players – a very classy performer and in a league all of his own!

The recording by Adele apparently had 77 musicians performing this bond theme and over took two days to record.  The Bond Tribute Band are just 10 people and we took a total of 4 hours to do all six new tracks in the studio but we think our version of this piece of bond music is authentic in sound and dynamic.  This is one of our favourite bond themes to perform.

The Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band only ever perform totally LIVE and only as a 10-piece.  You won’t find any backing tracks used in any of our performances.  If you are looking for a band for a James Bond Event then please get in contact – we’d love to hear from you!

Articles

Man With The Golden Gun

The Man With The Golden Gun – a hit for Lulu in the James Bond film of the same title and written by John Barry.  This Bond theme was originally described as “mundane” but we think it’s far from it if the lyrics are anything to go by!  John Barry wrote this theme music in just under three weeks but it was not one of his favourites!  Alice Cooper also wrote a bond theme titled The Man With The Golden Gun but the powers that be opted for the Lulu version instead.

This version is by the Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band and we think it’s a great fun number – lots of bounce, cheeky lyrics and gives a bit of audience interaction when we perform this number live at James Bond themed events!

So if you are looking for a band for a James Bond event and would like some bond music for the evening that’s a bit like this bond theme – fun and entertaining – then please get in contact. Visit our website for more information www.bondtributeband.co.uk

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Most Memorable Bond Girl Ever!

Well it’s official!  The Queen has been given an honorary Bafta for the “Most Memorable Bond Girl” in recognition of a lifetime’s support of British Film and Television.  The award was presented to the Queen by the Sir Kenneth Brannagh. We all know that the London Olympics was fantastic for the UK both economically and emotionally and seeing the Queen arrive in style by parachute and “Skyfall”  (yes ok, we know it was a stunt man really but this was brilliant for the film and Bond fans worldwide) had to be one of the main highlights of the Olympics.  Daniel Craig arriving at Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen and escort her through the corridors was a brilliantly fantastic idea and showed the World that the Queen has a great sense of humour.  Only one thing was missing in our view though – an appearance by a James Bond Tribute Band!  It would have been awesome to have had THE Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band there performing the Bond Music – Skyfall as she landed and made her entrance!

 

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007 at Villa Balbianello on Lake Como

This has to be one of the most romantic venues in the world! Villa Balbianello has been used in two Hollywood films – Star Wars Attack of the Clones where Anakin Skywalker and Amildala had their wedding ceremony and also in Casino Royale where 007 James Bond was recovering from his interrogation by La Chiffre and the Villa Balbianello is used as a hospital.

Situated on Lake Como the views and scenery from the hotel are stunning!  And the Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band should know – as we’ve been there!  In fact we arrived in true style on THE most gorgeous executive speed boat after a tour of an hour around the Lake.  The villa and grounds are absolutely stunning and all the houses surrounding the Lake are simply beautiful.  You’ll see pictures of the james bond tribute band members in the grounds of Lake Balbianello on our website www.bondtributeband.co.uk as well as our entry for the Olympics Synchronised Swim – but without the synchronised bit!

We were flown out to Lake Como for a wedding that was themed Star Wars and James Bond and it was possibly THE most incredible weekend that The Name is Band have had the pleasure to attend and perform at!  The Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band will travel anywhere in the world for any event – just contact our own Miss Moneypenny to arrange your very own Bond party.

Going back to the torture scene in Casino Royale we do wonder how007 actually managed to survive such a battering.  The interrogation was designed to inflict as much pain as possible without killing him but we love the fact 007 shouts out “I’ve got a little itch down there… do you mind?” Classic!

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New Director for the next Bond Film!

Well who is going to direct the next Bond film with the totally gorgeous, suave and sophisticated Daniel Craig as Bond?  Sam Mendes has said no to directing the next Bond film so the role is now up for grabs!  Looking back in time, how different would Bond be if directed by Alfred Hitchcock? It would certainly have been given a different slant altogether and there would be lots of twists and turns throughout.   Quentin Tarantino would be an interesting choice and would take it to a whole new level.  We’d certainly have a more violent and bloodthirsty Bond on our screens.  If the director was to be Tim Burton then he would possibly most definitely replace Daniel Craig with Johnny Depp and the hot Bond Girl would be a quirky Helena Bonham Carter!  How about Clint Eastwood with his Dirty Harry hat on – taking Bond back to a Cowboy arriving not on a highly polished and powerful DB5 but a thoroughbred stallion in-between his thighs (ladies – to be fair either works for us right?).   The bookies favourite appears to be Guy Ritchie of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels fame but who has also recently directed the new Sherlock Holmes movies which proved to be hugely successful also!  Interesting times – the James Bond Tribute Band shall watch and wait with interest!  To be honest, we think that Muse would be GREAT at producing the next Bond music for the film….!

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Bond Music – At It’s Very Best!

The latest Bond FilmSkyfall” broke more than its fair share of box office records!  For bond music, and with the success of the latest Bond film, it was great to see how well the title song “Skyfall” did at the Oscars. For the musicians amongst us, it is hugely pleasing to see how important music is to the success of the bond films. This is obviously where our Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band comes into its own.  Being able to perform these great songs to a live audience is such a great opportunity. Many of the Bond songs are such a good example of how jazz, rock and orchestral styles can be fused together and they of course always sound best when played live! The Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band enjoys playing the songs and being part of such an amazing Bond band with each instrument facing its own challenges and technicalities in the different bond music titles available. Long may it continue! Bring on the Bond music!

Articles

Bond Girl Hairstyles

Sarah (female vocalist and Bond Girl in the Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band) has spent hours looking on-line for inspirational Bond Girl hairstyles for a recent live DVD recording. The Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band recorded several songs: Skyfall, From Russia With Love, Live & Let Die, The Man With The Golden Gun, Thunderball and Diamonds Are Forever. To see the videos then visit our website.

Sarah found that the early iconic styles used big curlers followed by a huge amount of backcombing.  Then followed about a litre of hairspray to hold it all in place so everything moved at the same time or didn’t move at all!  Thankfully new products and styles have been made since then and Bond girl hairstyles now are much more relaxed but are still really glamorous.  There isn’t really a Bond Girl hair look anymore so there are lots to choose from.  So whether your hair is long, short, curly or straight there is a glamorous and sexy style that will suit both the event and your chosen dress for the evening.

If you have long hair then go for the loose big curls that fall casually to the shoulders, or tight curls along the 50’s Hollywood styles. For short hair, opt for the cropped sultry look or even the messy “bed hair” look for the ultimate in phooaar.  If you have mid-length hair a tousled and loosely pinned “up-do” or a well-groomed and brushed back but seriously sexy ponytail.

Add some sparkles, diamante pins, ribbons, fresh flowers, bows, sequins to the finished hairstyle for added bling.  All Bond girl hairstyles have something in common though – the hair looks glossy and healthy and has ooooodles of glamour! So whatever your own hair length and style there is a Bond girl look that will match both you and your chosen outfit.

When that bond music starts, and if you’re lucky enough to be at a Thunderball where The Name is Band the Bond Tribute Band are performing, then you’ll be A View to a Kill on the dancefloor!  (See what we did there?)

Articles

How do I dress like a bond girl?

It’s your opportunity to be a Bond girl for a night – and there are lots of Bond girls to model yourself on!  Pussy Galore, Plenty O’Toole, Holly Goodhead and Honey Ryder!  Lots of names with double entendres! Of course, it may get a bit chilly if you turned up at a party dressed like Ursula Andress in a bikini or with gold body paint all over but you’d certainly grab more than your fair share of attention!   There’s also the black bodysuit/catsuits although be warned these outfits are fairly unforgiving – you may be a little bit more Pussy Galore than you intended to be!

You don’t have to go that far though!  There are stunning dresses available and every bond girl had the opportunity to wear a sexy and stunning dress either in the film or walking down the red carpet afterwards so there are lots of options available.  Look at your own figures – what style dress works well on you – backless, plunging necklines, halter neck, bodycon, floaty and flirty – there will be a bond style dress to fit!

Whatever your bodyshape remember the emphasis should be on top to toe glamour.  To be honest, the more glamorous the better and this may be one of the occasions when you can actually get away with wearing top to toe in sequins without looking like you are a Shirley Bassey tribute singer!  That’s the job of the female singer in the The Name is Band the Bond Tribute Band – now she LIVES in head to toe sequins – all day, everyday!

Articles

Bond Themed Party

There are lots of themes for parties nowadays but a Bond Themed Party is still one of the best themes around! It’s certainly an iconic theme and works for both males and females.  Ladies can be Bond girls for an evening and let’s face it, there are lots of Bond girls over the decades to base the look on – from the haughty Pussy Galore to the voluptuous Plenty O’Toole! Men can be Bond for the night and look suave and sophisticated with the single raised eyebrow and the strong chiseled Bond jaw clench.

If you really want to get the party started then Bond music is totally essential.  If you are planning an informal and laid back relaxed event with a few people attending, then buy one of the many 007 Bond Theme CDs with all the original performers – maybe even buy a Bond themed Karaoke CD and get everyone singing along to them.  To encourage people to get involved offer a prize for the best performance of the night such as a bottle of Martini – The Name is Band of course!

However, if you are planning something spectacular and really want to give your guests the WOW factor then you HAVE to get a live band that can really perform the bond music and, just like Bond, do not make any compromise on our sound or quality.  Of course, not just ANY band will do – you need THE best James Bond themed band in the UK – you need…… the Bond Tribute Band The Name is Band!  There is no other band like it and the Bond Tribute Band perform everything totally live with no backing tracks in sight.  Don’t accept any substitute!  Book the best!