FD Entertainments
Providing Professional Function Bands for All Events
Dutifully administering original swing, stomp and boogie at clubs, pubs, festivals and speakeasys since 2001, when lithe frontman, Poetic Licensee and chancer Jonah Flatfoot Esquire met drummer and dog handler Dr Bunko Greyhounds on the 9.15 from Limpley Stoke to Bath one wet wednesday in february.
Within but a few short months, the band that we now know and love had succeeded in persuading various other musicians into playing aside them on trumpets, saxophones, double basses and trombone to scoop their first gigs as resident roof-raisers at the now sadly defunct Hat & Feather Inn, a legendary hostelry in Bath, that when the band make their millions, they have vowed to restore to its former 'glory'.
Several years, a thousand gigs, three albums, nine suspended sentences and twelve replacement livers on, and the band are renowned for their 'stamina sapping, effervescent live performances'.
The horn heavy Hussies will have even the most troubled of feet flailing in the aisles and singing along to their uniquely catchy brand of song and dance.
Sigh in wonder, as they straddle the jazz meridian and steer their syncopated collossus bareback through your grandads' shed...
Why not then adorn your most dandy attire, fasten those braces, and cover your chest in vapour-rub for a memorable evening with The West Countrys' Most Exclusive Drinking Club...
Coming soon to a dancehall / bandstand near you!
Genre
Gypsy Jazz, Original Acts, Themed
Line up
Minimum: Drums, Double Bass, Guitar x2, Vocals, Barritone Saxophone
Repertoire
Original Music
Discography:
FIVE GUYS MAIM NOTES EP (2002)
FLATFOOT SHARPSUIT LP (2004)
CONTINENTAL ADAPTOR LP (2008
Location
South West
UK Wide
Yes
International
Yes
Performance Time
2x 45min sets
Equipment
PA & Lights
Rates
From £1,760.00
Mileage Charge
Travel @ 30p per mile
Client Testimonials
MEDIA QUOTES / REVIEWS
'The latest loaded long player from the hussies entitled ‘Continental Adaptor’ has all the trappings of a mini wax cylinder classic. Opening with the splendid swank ridden ‘Kecker Rocker’ and sounding like somebody tearing down bunting with their teeth, this latest offering just like their live performance, is a captivating cavorting beast caked in opulent moreish magnificence.'
Dan Heatley, Mofo 2008
'Hailing from Bristol (in the UK) The Zen Hussies second long player ("Continental Adaptor") is a free-for-all, no-holds-barred, get-your-lazy-ass-up-outta-that-seat-and-dance mixture of vintage jazz, swing and not-so-big band. Some of the things that make this recording work are obvious: they're great musicians and snappy dressers (both requirements for their chosen style(s)). But lots of bands can claim those two merits. There are a couple of things that make The Zen Hussies stand out: They're daring. To keep "Continental Adaptor" from sounding like (yet) another tribute to a bygone era the band is wise enough to mix a goodly number of sounds into this album's eight tunes. You can easily pick out the swing/jazz/elements but you'll run across circus waltzes ("The Whiplash Waltz"), croonerific Sinatra-esque balladry ("Honey Bee Suite") and damned if that doesn't sound like SKA ("My Kinda Lady"). There's a lot to hang your head on here and repeated listens are paid off handsomely. This isn't a retro group where when you've heard one song you've heard 'em all. (Think more Squirrel Nut Zippers, less Cherry Poppin Daddies). But the real key for this set is that The Zen Hussies have managed to capture the energy of a live performance. This is hard to do on a recording but is *essential* for a group that's focused on getting people to shake their money makers. I'm not saying that the group isn't even more visceral live, I'm just saying that you can hear what makes their live sets a hoot on these recordings. And without that there's no point putting songs to wax (and yes, this recording is available on LP!). To sum up: "Continental Adaptor" is a blast and should be the soundtrack to your next dance party.'
Sepiachord 2008
'Born showmen with one eye on the absurd, The [Zen] Hussies play songs that lodge in the head like well aimed bullets, creating a sea of beaming revellers on a dancefloor bursting at the seams...'
Venue Magazine, 2005
'Film Noir & Ska collide with a distinctive blue tone to the two tone...the Hussies transported me to a more fearless era...I almost breathed down a strangers' neck...'
Decode Magazine 2005
'A Brylcreem sculpted anachronism, cymbals puffing and horns huffing like a runaway steam train'
Kyrsten Grayewski, 2008.
'Boundary-Decimating...skanktastic combo who leave no danceflooor unshaken, imagine The Specials at their peak whilst wearing the broadest of grins'
Buena Vista Social Club Presents, 2007
'The sonic definition of happiness'
Rachel Wild, Festival Eye 2008