Epcot ... England ... "new band"

[Tomh]

The music seemed fine to me, however I agree with the other posters who point out that they don't look the part. If Disney gets them costumed up, and they polish up the performance a bit (which is sure to happen) they should be just fine.

 

[Luvdisney]

I sure hope they sound better live then what I saw on youtube. I guess I will be hanging out down near Canada, give me off kilter any day....

 

[larryz]

A pretty eclectic mix of 60's/70's British rock, passably done, but with way too much chatter between song sets.

I'm not sure I like the amalgamated hair styles, but that's just me and didn't affect the music.

I agree with posters who felt the band just didn't look like it belonged at Disney -- to my mind, they seemed more appropriate as a warm up for the warm up at a county fair concert. They could use a bit of outfit and set coordination. Think stylized band uniforms, much like Sgt Pepper. Remember, this is Disney so it's all about the show...

And although I appreciated the Beatles medley at the end of the set, playing the songs in that order just grated on my memory.

disclaimer -- this is based on my viewing the YouTube video, which I watched almost in its entirety. Well, mostly almost.

Well, OK, I watched about 10 minutes of it, but I sampled segments from every song.

Bottom line: That's about 8 more minutes than I might have spent watching them at Epcot...

 

[lpizzuro123]

I am watching the video right now and while the music is fine I will definately miss the BI. I also agree with the "look". Maybe if they were all wearing the same tshirt the drummer is wearing. I think for Disney they should look a little more together - not just jeans and plain tshirts.

We will definately go listen to them next time we are in Disney.

Linda

 

[dmoore22]

I agree with many of the previous posters. They are just a garage/bar band. They really don't fit in with the Disney concept of a storyline/show. When in the UK I would expect to hear a British or cockney accent from the performers/cast members. I want to feel like I'm in the UK, not a corner bar in my hometown. Except, in my hometown, Chuck Berry does show up occasionally to perform at Blueberry Hill. Back in Canada Jaime, with Off Kilter, though not from Canada, stills uses Canadian pronunciation/accent in his performance. I guess I am overly critical because, and now my age will show, in my youth I did attend concerts by the originals: The Who, Cream, Herman's Hermits, Animals, The Yardbirds, Hollies and The Rolling Stones, among others, including The Beatles during their last tour in August of 66. The British Invasion are not The Beatles by any stretch but, their showmanship goes a long way to contribute to the illusion. Disney often brings in "tribute" bands to perform in the American Gardens Theatre. Perhaps they could do the same in the UK World Showcase. One week could be "The Who" tribute band, another week a tribute to the Rolling Stones, Queen another week, Pink Floyd another, etc., etc. That way the story/show concept would remain in tact. If Disney is content with the garage/bar band concept they should just bring Mulch, Sweat and Shears over to Epcot to perform the British songs from their performance list.

 

[VitoA]

First off, thank you to whoever posted the video. Second, I do realize that video (sometimes) doesn't do the audio justice. With that said, I'm sorry to say I was not impressed. I'm a musician, playinbg in bands since I was 12 (when this music was new) and still active. The lead vocals were (just) OK, the keyboard sound was cheesey, and I hate to agree, they didn't have 'the look / vibe.'

On the positive side ... the sample to Baba O'Riley was well done ... 'Kashmir' always a favorite. I liked the medley aspect ... but, for the most part, it was all icing and no cake.

I have to agree with the other posters, as a bar/garage band they are very good...as a Disney attraction, not so much.

 

[dmoore22]

First off, thank you to whoever posted the video. Second, I do realize that video (sometimes) doesn't do the audio justice. With that said, I'm sorry to say I was not impressed. I'm a musician, playinbg in bands since I was 12 (when this music was new) and still active. The lead vocals were (just) OK, the keyboard sound was cheesey, and I hate to agree, they didn't have 'the look / vibe.'

On the positive side ... the sample to Baba O'Riley was well done ... 'Kashmir' always a favorite. I liked the medley aspect ... but, for the most part, it was all icing and no cake.

I have to agree with the other posters, as a bar/garage band they are very good...as a Disney attraction, not so much.

A trip to Disney is not a cheap proposition. For the cost of getting there, the accommodations, and park admission I have very high expectations. For significantly less I can go to one of our local Midwestern pubs to hear a garage/bar band of equal, if not better quality. This just isn't the Disney standards I'm accustomed to.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We saw them when we were there last week and DH and I were dancing and singing and having a good ole time (kids seemed kind of bored though ). I looked around and saw many others getting into it too. We like them a lot and thought they had a good mix of songs that they sang. It was nice to sit outside with a beer and listen to some oldie but goodie songs

 

[JDUCKY]

Wow... I don't want to be overly critical... but they sound like a garage band - it's like soundbytes with absolutely NO soul or jamming.

I'm a huge fan of ALL the bands they are trying to cover - but this just didn't have either A) freedom to just PLAY (i.e. Disney consent) or B) Talent...

It seemed forced, scripted (okay to a degree), and a little rushed and shouted - sort of like an infomercial for a British greatest hits collection.

This show's debut is umm...

I have to concur with this.

I was in Epcot last night with DS and we were doing Kim Possible adventures and were in the UK while they were playing.

They did seem to have some energy and the crowd was applauding but it just seemed...empty.

I'd rather watch Off Kilter 2-3 times in a row.

 

[PAcpl]

On the positive side ... the sample to Baba O'Riley was well done ...

If you thought that Baba O'Riley was well done, go check out a piano player named Daniel at Jellyrolls play it........

Absolutely amazing!!!!!

 

[Feralpeg]

I watched them twice last week. I loved them. They did different songs each set. I can't wait to see them again. They did a great mix of songs from different performers.

 

[Feralpeg]

Did I miss a Beatles song or are they not going to cover ANY Beatles? Not covering ANY Beatles at the UK pavillion seems....insane!

These guys looks like a bar band. They look VERY out of place in that pavilion!

BRING BACK BRITISH INVASION!!!!!!!!!

I did not get that impression at all. They sounded great. The did several Beatles songs in the two sets I watched.

People, maybe you should wait to see them in person before you start judging how bad they are. I liked the BI, but these guys are, IMHO, more talented musicians.

 

[summerskye]

Here's a link to their performance yesterday.
http://www.frequency.com/video/english-channel-uk-pavilion-epcot/5979841
I'm not impressed, but then I was a big British Invasion fan. I think others will like them though, although the reviews are very mixed.

Thank you for the link, I think.

Yuk! Thats was awful.

Oh how I am going to miss BI. I will stop in and give it a try. But, I don't think it is going to keep me coming back like BI did.

Why Disney Why

 

[Feralpeg]

A pretty eclectic mix of 60's/70's British rock, passably done, but with way too much chatter between song sets.

I'm not sure I like the amalgamated hair styles, but that's just me and didn't affect the music.

I agree with posters who felt the band just didn't look like it belonged at Disney -- to my mind, they seemed more appropriate as a warm up for the warm up at a county fair concert. They could use a bit of outfit and set coordination. Think stylized band uniforms, much like Sgt Pepper. Remember, this is Disney so it's all about the show...

And although I appreciated the Beatles medley at the end of the set, playing the songs in that order just grated on my memory.

disclaimer -- this is based on my viewing the YouTube video, which I watched almost in its entirety. Well, mostly almost.

Well, OK, I watched about 10 minutes of it, but I sampled segments from every song.

Bottom line: That's about 8 more minutes than I might have spent watching them at Epcot...

I find it odd that people are so put off by their look. They are playing the music of groups like Queen, Elton John, The Who. They look like those groups. Toward the end, the Beatles didn't wear identical costumes. The hair and dress reminds me of the way most rock band members dressed in the 70s and 80s.

 

[tofubeast]

I really am going to miss not seeing BI at EPCOT in the future. pout. So do these guys stick to the same eras that BI performed? To think, maybe 10-20 years from now (or sooner), the EPCOT band will be playing Oasis, Coldplay, Stone Roses. hehe. I wouldn't complain about that.

But nothing can top the Fab Four. (U2 being a close second. )

BI were awesome. Now nothing better happy to Mariachi Cobre. Those mariachi guys are my boyfriends, and my hubby is completely understanding of that!

 

[Feralpeg]

I really am going to miss not seeing BI at EPCOT in the future. pout. So do these guys stick to the same eras that BI performed? To think, maybe 10-20 years from now (or sooner), the EPCOT band will be playing Oasis, Coldplay, Stone Roses. hehe. I wouldn't complain about that.

But nothing can top the Fab Four. (U2 being a close second. )

BI were awesome. Now nothing better happy to Mariachi Cobre. Those mariachi guys are my boyfriends, and my hubby is completely understanding of that!

They played a mix of songs. They played "Glad All Over" by the Dave Clark 5, "Wild Thing", a Zombies song and a couple of Beatles songs. They played a couple of Queen songs, Elton John, Led Zepplin, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Police, etc.

 

[Music City Mama]

They played a mix of songs. They played "Glad All Over" by the Dave Clark 5, "Wild Thing", a Zombies song and a couple of Beatles songs. They played a couple of Queen songs, Elton John, Led Zepplin, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Police, etc.

So, now they're throwing Australian bands into the mix?

I haven't watched the youtube video because I don't want to have any pre-conceived notions . . . I want to see them with an open mind. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but I will surely miss BI.

 

[K9pal]

We were disappointed that the two days we were in Epcot last week were the two days they were not playing (Wed & Thurs).

 

[Feralpeg]

So, now they're throwing Australian bands into the mix?

It may be that I am wrong and that the song was by someone else. I am not a music expert. I thought it was by AC/DC. I will ask my daughter. She's much better at identifying groups than I am.

 

[larryz]

I find it odd that people are so put off by their look. ... They look like those groups.

Perhaps... but they don't look like a Disney act. Think early Stones, early Beatles, early DC5 -- suits, neat hair, structure...

That's what I expect from Disney.

If I thought it was all about the sound, they could just play tapes of the original groups and let it go at that.