Eels, Bob Marley, Sublime, Fela Kuti, Lightyear, The Beatles, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, The Clash, John Hegley, Householdname records, The Cure, Dizzee Rascal, The King Blues, Paul Simon, Vampire Weekend, Nas, Foals, Stewart Lee, Daniel Kitson, Dave Chappelle, KRS 1, Ben Folds Five, Eminem, Bright eyes +many more
Sounds Like
Have a listen...
‘Gecko fearlessly crosses folk, reggae and hip hop, beautifully detailing life, love and friendship.
Raw, talented and in my opinion, one of the best songwriters in the UK.’
Jamie Jazz, The King Blues
‘I like it, I'll be playing it a lot more.’
Mike Davies, BBC Radio 1 (on track 'Where I've Gone')
‘When I'm in the mood for stimulating, uplifting, West Country acoustic ska-pop, I always turn my dial towards Gecko. That should be quite enough for you to do the same’
Barney, Sonic Boom Six
‘‘Stop Look Lizard!’ is quirky, witty, lyrically delightful and bloody fine..the more spins you give it, the more it flirts with those eardrums, giving off an easy-going presence that lulls you in. A ridiculously charming little number. (4/5)'
Punktastic.com (EP Review)
‘Songs in the Key of Lizard is a sophisticated effort. Bags of charm, musically creative and lyrically thought provoking throughout. An addictive listen. The live performances are full of energy and sparkle too. We’re watching Gecko with interest’
James Walshe, Kerrang! Radio and Q Radio
‘An extremely talented, young, enthusiastic band who are always a pleasure to have play at our venue. Totally professional and really know how to entertain a crowd! Can’t wait to see what these guys do next!’
Mr Wolf's, Bristol
‘An incredible spectacle blending sometimes heartfelt, sometimes comedic lyrics with a hotpot of musical styles that keeps you guessing until the very end. (4/5)’
Punktastic.com (Live @The Underworld review)
‘Can't Move' is just sheer sarky genius. Gecko is sharp as hell, his tunes are killers, his words amuse and provoke in equal measure: he knows his history. Generation-crossing stuff. If you're 20, play it to your parents. If you're 50, play it to your kids. Randy Newman meets The King Blues at an all night campfire Strummeralong. Great stuff!’
Attila the Stockbroker
‘Will has strong song-skill’
John Hegley
‘Will Sanderson-Thwaite (aka Gecko) has an upbeat and unaffected honesty both in his voice and artfully uncontrived lyrics. 'Songs In The Key Of Lizard' pretty much covers the big things in life-love, terrorism, Guanabana Juice, gorillas-in a grounded and wittily personal way’ (4/5)
Tony Benjamin, Venue Magazine
‘Of all the CDs bands have given me over the past few years, the Gecko album has received the most play at my place. I put it on. My house mates put it on. Awesome vibes!!’
Chris Murray
‘Gecko is without a doubt one of the brightest new talents in the South...Songs in the key of Lizard is exceptional for its originality, intelligent lyrics, melodic tunes, positive content and general overall feel...this CD is fantastic. One of the two best that we have ever received at Bristol Rocks for review. Buy it Buy it Buy it!!!!!!!!’
Bristolrocks.co.uk
‘Gecko's album is quite brilliant...It was a delight to hear and to play on the programme. Varied, full of charm and wit, and tracks you can dance to. Job done!’
Gary Smith, BBC Radio Bristol introducing
‘It’s one album I know I’ll come back to and enjoy again and again, it’s also a big step forward for this young man and opens up a career in front of him, that it seems he can take in whatever direction he wants to. A real talent.’
The Beat Surrender
‘a singer/songwriter of some note judging by his second album which combines The Streets’ style delivery with gorgeously lilting tunes and bags of invention. Hooks abound and his scattershot lyrical concerns are a constant delight. One to watch.’
The Crack magazine, Newcastle
Produced and mixed by Peter Miles' expert hands (The King Blues, Sonic Boom Six) this is pop music with a punk rock ethic, dance music with a singer songwriter's eye for narrative, Acoustic music brimming with electricity.
Think Vampire weekend's indie take on world music, Roots Manuva's poetic britishness and the playful wit of Randy Newman.
With support from the likes of Radio 1's Mike Davies, The King Blues and punk poet Attila the Stockbroker the future looks exciting for Gecko.
Gecko has played alongside many brilliant acts including The King Blues, Sonic Boom Six, The Blockheads, The Aggrolites, Chris Murray, Mouthwash, Babar Luck and John Hegley.
Gecko has received airplay from BBC Radio 1 (Mike Davies), BBC 6 Music (Tom Robinson), Kerrang! Radio and BBC Radio Bristol.
If you missed the show on Monday night, check it out… http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/mikedavies/
Sick of it All - 'Step Down' (Fat Wreck Chords) Bad Brains - 'I Against I' (Caroline) The Street Dogs - 'Angry Kids' (Hellcat) Civet - 'Son of a B****' (Hellcat) Gallows - 'London Is The Reason' (Warner Bros) Alexisonfire - 'Young Cardinals' (Roadrunner) Grave Maker - 'Sever The Head' (Smallman) The Lawrence Arms - 'Spit Shining S***' (Fat Wreck Chords) Hot Water Music - 'Trusty Chord' (Epitaph) The Gaslight Anthem - 'Miles Davis & The Cool' (Side One Dummy) Frank Turner - 'The Road' (Xtra Mile) Polar Bear Club - 'One Hit Back' (Bridge Nine) Anti-Flag In Session - 'Sodom and Gomorrah' Star F'ing Hipsters - 'Zombie Christ' (Session) Outlaw Anthems: 5 AFI - Crash Love 4 Nothington - Roads, Bridges & Ruins 3 Teenage Bottlerocket - They Came From The Shadows 2 Strike Anywhere - Iron Front 1 Strung Out - Agents of The Underground Spinerette - 'All Babes Are Wolves' (Hassle) American Steel - 'Safe & Sound' (Fat Wreck Chords) Subhumans - 'Mickey Mouse Is Dead' (Southern Studios) Municipal Waste - 'Divine Blasphemer' (Earache) Anti-Flag In Session - 'The Economy is Suffering' (Let It Die& 'The Gre(a)t Depression' NOFX - 'My Orphan Year' (Fat Wreck Chords) Far From Finished - 'I Want You Back' (Old Shoe) X Ray Spex - 'I’m a Poseur' (Castle) The Steal - 'No Control' (Banquet) Rat Attack - 'The Southern Lights' (Lock Jaw) Rancid - 'Up To No Good' (Hellcat) Pama International - 'I Still Love You More' (Rockers Revolt) Gecko - 'What You Gonna Do?' (White Label)
If you missed the show on Monday night, check it out… http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/mikedavies/
Fugazi - 'Waiting Room' (Dischord) Teenage Bottlerocket - 'Skate or Die' (Fat Wreck Chords) Star F'ing Hipsters - 'The Civilization Show' (Alternative Tentacles) The Aggrolites - 'Sufferer' (In Session) AFI - 'Beautiful Thieves' (Interscope) Against Me! - 'Up The Cuts' (Sire) Dead To Me - 'Little Brother' (Fat Wreck Chords) The Ghost of a Thousand - 'Knees, Toes, Teeth' (Epitaph) The Exploited - 'Punk’s Not Dead' (Secret) Social Distortion - 'Far Behind' (Time Bomb) The Arteries - 'Paying For The Name' (Art of The Underground) The Magnificent - 'Citizen X' (Sub Pop) Paint It Black In Session - 'Sacred' (Radio 1 Session) Thrice - 'All The World Is Mad' (In Session) Outlaw Anthems: 5 Chuck Ragan - Gold Country 4 Thrice - Beggers 3 Billy Talent - III 2 AFI - Crash Love 1 Frank Turner - Poetry of The Deed Spinnerette - 'All Babes Are Wolves' (Hassle) Pinhead Gunpowder - 'Losers of The Year' (No Idea) NOFX - 'You’re Wrong' (Fat Wreck Chords) No Friends - 'Loaded Question' (No Idea) Crazy Arm - 'Still To Keep' (Xtra Mile) Dead Swans - 'Thinking of You' (Bridge Nine) Alexisonfire - 'Born & Bred' (Roadrunner) Paint It Black In Session'Bliss' & 'Surrender' (Radio 1 Session) Pennywise - 'We’re Gonna Fight' (BYO) 7 Seconds - 'Sink With California' (BYO) Rise Against - 'Savior' (Interscope) Sonic Boom Six - 'Back to Skool' (Rebel Alliance) Gecko - 'What You Gonna Do?' (White Label) Krum Brums - 'S.O.S' (TKO) Hatebreed - 'Become The Fuse' (Roadrunner)
Hey, Loving the new tunes, EP is great. :) If you ever need a support act at any point in time, then don't hesitate to check us out. Sorry, no tunes up yet (not helpful i know :D) but check out the videos, and if anything ever comes up, then we'd certainly love too. :) Keep it up!
no problem really like your music, the pub i drink in, the owner has heard your stuff and told me to listen to it cos id like it and he was quite right
just discovered you guys but it seemed you were already one of our friends. just like to say you're tunes are amazing, you've proper got a good thing goin right here. hopefully see you Guys around one day :)
Hi guys, thanks once again for the session. Hope the EP launch goes brilliant, see you soon. Richard
Bristol Introducing is broadcast on BBC Radio Bristol at 1am every Saturday, repeated 1am Sunday and available all week via the listen again button at bbc.co.uk/bristol or on the iPlayer.
