What can I expect when I book The Polar Bears?
Well, the usual format is two sets lasting between 45 minutes and an hour each.

We play 2 sets of cover material which is aimed at playing something for everyone. And if you enjoy us then we don’t take much persuading to play a few more!

That’s the usual format but we have enough material to play a lot more than that; indeed on special gigs like New Years Eve etc, we have been known to deliver three x 1 hour sets!

We pitch our sets accordingly – if it’s a Sunday afternoon pub when most people are not up for dancing then we don’t go too overboard with dance songs (because we’d look a right bunch of tits if we did!). If however it’s a party or a wedding type shindig then all the songs are up tempo and aimed at creating a party atmosphere.

Do you have a demo, or a CD?
We have recorded a few songs here and there yes. There is a page on this site entitled“Multimedia”. From there you can download posters and MP3’s of the band. They are not pucka studio quality songs but they are enough to give you a feel for what we are about. Come see us live if you really want to experience us at our best!

Can we pick the songs you play for us?
With prior notice, yes! Have a look at the songs page on this site and these are the songs you can choose from.

Can you set your gear up in the afternoon?
If it’s a Monday to Friday gig then it’s a definite no!

Although we declare all our earnings and are registered with the Inland Revenue, this is still a hobby for us. We all have day jobs so we can’t set up in the afternoons.

If it is a weekend gig and setting up in the afternoon is essential, then we can (with prior notice) do this; however this may incur a slightly higher fee.

So what time will you arrive then to set up?
For the vast majority of venues and functions we aim for a 7pm arrival. This is based on a 9pm start. It takes us about 90 minutes to set the whole lot up, but obviously in smaller venues less than this. If we are late, blame the guitarist as it won't be for any other reason!

But we want you to start earlier!
Ok no problem just let us know and we will try and work around this. Are you sure however that you want us on earlier? Most places don’t get going till after 9.

I want to book you for my wedding. What time will you start playing for us?
It’s totally up to you; however our experience has shown that most wedding parties don’t get going till after 9 when everyone has had a chance to talk to each other and have a bit of buffet etc. Ideally it goes like this:

• We get there around 7 pm, set up and get some background music on within 30 minutes of arriving
• We keep the background music going till 9 but pick it up a bit if people start dancing
• Buffet at 9 (We don’t provide this by the way!)
• Band on at 9:30 after first dance
• DJ set, 10:20 till 11pm
• Band 11 till midnight
• DJ set to finish, mellow down the evening and keep the hotel venue management happy!

Can you recommend a DJ too?
You don’t need a DJ when you book us!

We have an extensive collection of DJ music loaded onto a laptop which enables us to provide a DJ set between our own sets. Also our lightshow is more than adequate in delivering a DJ experience as well as a live music show. We can do chart music, cheesy wedding disco, rock/metal even some Lounge/Swing music. Effectively, book us and your whole evening is sorted!

If I book you with the DJ set, can you play specific songs in the DJ set?
No problem!
We will need prior notice however for this to ensure we have all the songs u want loaded into the laptop. Just email Richard with your list.

Are you prepared to travel?
Although the majority of our work is in the South Wales/West area, we are more than happy & willing to travel further afield, although you would obviously need to account for travelling/ hotel expenses & a drop of diesel for the old van. Please contact us for further details – you will be surprised how reasonable we are!

What about requests?
No problem! Provided we already know the song!
Otherwise sorry it’s a no. We spend a lot of time on our set meticulously learning stuff that we can play and keep in our set for a good few months. Time is tight so we haven’t got time to just learn a song as a one off – sorry.
We do however have a broad section of over 50 songs to choose from, so it aint all bad is it? We are constantly adding to the list as well – trying our best to remain relevant song wise.

My Uncle/Sister/Cousin can sing/drum/play guitar, can they do a number with you?
We would love to be able to say yes to this but we’ve had so many bad experiences in the past, like:

• our gear damaged,
• drunk people, falling over,
• drunk people not getting the message that one song is plenty
• the rest of the audience wanting to have a go

………that because of all this, then unfortunately it’s a no. If this isn’t good enough then book a Karaoke!

But I’ve seen people get up on stage with you in the past?
Granted, but we hope that whenever people do this, they respect the situation. We don’t mind people getting up and singing along with us or dancing on our stage etc but please don’t do this unless:

• You can sing
• You stay for one song and then rejoin your friends;
• You are not too drunk so that you become a nuisance, and
• You give us our tambourines back!

There is a lot of gear up with us, and some of it costs a few bob, please please respect this and we will respect you.

I really want to book you but I’m concerned about the size of our venue. I’ve seen you before and you have a LOT of gear.
We do indeed have a lot of kit and we like it this way. We can however slim things down with slightly smaller sound and light set ups. In terms of lights we can provide a variety of light shows, Very basic, Basic, Average, more than average or Pink Floyd! Just let us know in advance if we haven’t played there before and we will work around the venue. We have fitted in everywhere so far!

Do you have to use those Frigging smoke machines?
We don’t HAVE to, but we depend on the smoke machines to get the best effects from the lights. If you have detectors etc then I guess we can leave them in the van. You’re no fun at all are you?

Ok, I want to book you, how do I do that?
Call Richard on 07949 001822, or email him.

I have a pub and want to book you. Can you provide posters as well?
We can indeed! You can download these off our Multimedia/ Posters page. If however you haven’t got a printer or are just too tight, get in touch with us and we will send you some.

We are more than happy to send you some big (A3) colour posters, but only if you ask for them. If this seems odd it’s because we have lost count of the amount of times we have sent posters to venues only to arrive and find nothing on display. As printing and sending posters is not cheap or environmentally sound, we only send these out on request now.

Do you need a deposit?
No thanks just pay us cash on the night please – that’ll do nicely!

NB: For wedding parties we would prefer payment before we start as we have been caught too many times by people who have inadvertently, dare I say drunkenly gone home with our money in their pockets. Get your Best Man to sort this out with us while he is still coherent!

I’d be happier if I gave you a deposit. What if you cancel?
It takes something major for us to cancel a gig, we have soldiered on in the past with Man Flu, Shingles, Gall Stones, Hernias, Vertigo, even Vasectomy recuperation, (I remember that one well!)

We don’t cancel gigs willy nilly as we have a an established reputation to maintain.

I’ve seen you before and want to see you again – how can I keep in touch with you?
Either via this site, or via our Facebook Page. We try to provide regular updates of upcoming gigs, new songs etc etc.

I have another question that isn’t covered here!
Email Richard. He will be able to answer it for you. (He’s not very good on Sport though!)