Pink Floyd, phish, grateful dead, frank zappa, allman brothers, disco biscuits, steely dan, SCI, widespread panic, flaming lips, Mercury Rev, Broken Social Scene, Expolsions in the Sky, Jerry Garcia Band, David Grissman, the beatles, Bob Weir, Rush, the Meters, george clinton - parliament - funkadelic, jimmy herring, john scofield, primus, mgmt, King Crimson, sigur ros, umphrey's mcgee, the new deal, ween, The Residents, The Band, sts9, brothers past, jimi hendrix, daft punk, miles, coltrane, mingus, monk, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, charles Loyd, Ozric tentacles, the Orb, Jeff Beck, SRV, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads, Tortoise, James Brown, Tower of Power, Mars Volta, Particle, Captain Beefhart, Lettuce, Gong, Beck, Prince, Santana, Tom Waits, Bela Fleck, The Who, Rolling Stones, Kiss, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, rock, jazz, funk, fusion, classical, bluegrass, disco, experimental, etc etc...........
Sounds Like
With a broad range of influences from all across the board, Mondo Gecko is eclectic in every sense of the word. From Jam Band founders like Phish and the Grateful Dead, to jazz giants like Wes Montgomery and Miles Davis, improvisation is a key element to their sound and their attitude. Artists like Parliment/Funkadelic; Scofield, Medeski, Martin, and Wood; and Jeff Beck, as well as House, Drum and Bass, Trance, and Techno have influenced their groove oriented approach, while the likes of Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, and Frank Zappa have affected their unique and diverse approach to song writing. The end result is a group that sounds like a fine blend of rock, funk, jazz, country, reggae, blues, house, bluegrass, drum and bass, and trip hop. Mondo Gecko has a strong focus on improvising, morphing, shaping, reworking, intertwining, weaving and developing music live for the audiences' pleasure.
Taping Policy
Mondo Gecko not only allows, but supports live taping of their public performances, under the presumption that all recordings are copyright Mondo Gecko, may not be sold for any amount of money, and must be made freely available to other fans via tape trees, Bit Torrent, or other file sharing method. Mondo Gecko reserved the right to change this policy at any time.
Check out our website:www.mondogecko.com Talk to us on AOL: mondogeckomusic
Mixing a blend of intricate compositions, catchy songs and fun stage antics, all with an exploratory attitude towards group improvisation, an evening with Boston-based “Neo-Jam Band” Mondo Gecko is always an adventure. The group’s funk rock sound infuses elements of electronica, space grass, reggae, and jazz fusion.
“One of my favorite things about Mondo Gecko is how different our backgrounds and musical tastes are,” says founding member Luke Stratton. “There is no use in hiding it: we all grew up seeing and listening to jam bands, and that’s what we are: a jam band. But we also have very eclectic influences… and each member brings their own unique flavor to the table.”
The guitar styles of Rob Compa and Luke Stratton contrast and combine, fusing together throughout jams and compositions alike. Bringing a strong sense of jazz theory, soulful tone, and epic solos, Rob’s guitar playing really catches the ear, while Luke’s funky rhythms, soaring leads, and psychedelic wizardry flush out the band’s sound. Keyboardist Eric McEwen’s open minded approach injects elements of classical, blues, folk, and bluegrass. Bassist Andrew Walley’s heavy jazz fusion and funk influences radiate a pulse and energy that drives the band’s live sound, and when combined with drummer Aaron Morey’s loose, exploratory rhythms, tight funk grooves, and bangin’ disco house beats, they push the ensemble into overdrive. Add in three-part vocal harmonies and an innate desire to expand some minds and shake some booties and you’ve got MONDO GECKO.
The band’s composition and song writing repertoire runs the gamut of musical styles allowing a level of adaptation and transformation not commonly found in today’s live music scene. Funk, bluegrass, reggae, techno…even classical – all can be found within one show. Story driven lyrics, unpredictable teases, and segues are also common place. One such example is the “Jam-opera” Poncho – a story of a space alien stranded on Earth who travels from club to club checking out the planet’s different styles of music.
The group’s musical educations have helped open pathways for a higher level of communication. “These guys are skilled enough not to get lost in the ethereal when they improvise,” says Janie Franz of Skope Magazine. “Mondo Gecko produces a dynamic, fun live show…There are fans out there waiting for them.”
Mondo Gecko strives to make their events more than just concerts; their concern for ambiance is apparent as soon as you walk through the doors. Their black-lit merch booth, neon stickers and glow-in-the-dark Geckos have become visual signatures. Tapestries, mood lighting, and even smoke-filled bubble machines are common place. “We really try to play rooms that not only sound great, but look cool as well,” says Eric. “If they don’t look cool, we make them look cool!”
The band also stresses the importance of community, and their “fans are family” motto is their modus operandi. Their road manager, their merch girls, their street team – they all started as fans. Shedding the old dichotomy of a band and its “fanbase”, Mondo Gecko instead considers the audience part of the show. Live painting, interpretive dance, artistic photography, and of course live recording are not only allow but encouraged.
The band has been hard at work performing at venues such as Harper’s Ferry and Bill’s Bar in Boston,Tammany Hall in Worcester, and legendary Slade Hall in Burlington, VT. They’ve opened for acts such as The Brew, Strange Design, and Spiritual Rez, and have played festival such as Jerry Jam, Belstock, Wally World, and Greg-A-Palooza.
Reviews:
“…a great new band from Boston called Mondo Gecko. This band boasts five members…who combine that technical skill with a distinct sense of humor that Phish would have been envious of in their early days.
…The jams are structured but allow for a lot of freedom. These guys are skilled enough not to get lost in the ethereal when they improvise.
…Mondo Gecko produces a dynamic, fun live show. These guys need to make a swath through the heartland and hit the summer jam festivals. There are fans out there waiting for them.”
-Janie Franz, Skope Magazine
"....these guys are the real deal: talented muscians, original music and great jams...stay tuned"
DJ John Ruland
KEUL Girdwood 88.9 FM, Gridwood, AK
Arrrrrrggghhh! Great show at The Barn! Between you guys and Montana Slim, it was a rockin' night! And it was way fun singing "Roses are Free" with you. See you in October mateys...
Thanks for the add!!! I found Mondo Gecko here while surfing myspace music! Love your music!! I'm going to try and make it to Gemstones this Fri :)
If your in town Sept 17th.....Great show coming up!!! Make sure to come out and get Funkdefied @ The Lowell Brewery Exchange with my boy Danny Bedrosian and SECRET ARMY. This will be an amazing show featuring members of Parliment-Funkadelic!!! Hope to see you there!!!!
DEADHEADS GET READY TO PARTY HEARTY WITH FAMILY GROOVE COMPANY~ROOTSTAND~IFDAKAR,AND MORE! Hey now! The 3Gs ('aka Grateful Garcia Gathering), is returning back to the Camp NCN Venue in beautiful Black River Falls Wisconsin July 30th though August 2nd 2009 where it all began over 6 years ago! A grateful place where Garcia fans will be gathering! It also marks the celebration of Jerry Garcia's 67th Birthday, plus the 14th Anniversary of Jerry's untimely passing. We have leased the campground venue for July 30th though August 3rd 2009 for our 6th annual music festival.
Other great music festivals have hosted at this venue such as Weedstock, Farmapalooza, Big Wu Family Reunion, Campout Roots Festival,just to name a few!
Artists included: Family Groove Company, Rootstand, Ifdakar, Boney Fingers, Baghdad SCUBA Review, Fungus Garden Reverb, Jam and the Playground Kids, In the Dark, MMC Trio, Elf Lettuce, Vinny Weible & Soul Logic, Groovitational Pull, The Reggie, Grateful Beth and the Volunteers, The Bar Tab Band, John Statz, Mr. Cab Driver, Brok'n Arrow, Greyleaf, and more Jambands to be added soon!
Our friends at Mystix Toyz will be on board at the 3G's for tons of family fun with juggling demonstrations, including juggling workshops, face painting, kids parades, plus drum circles and fire dance jams every night
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey returns to Boston for 4 very special shows with Club d'Elf on July 10th & 11th.
Come celebrate life with JFJO & Club d'Elf!
| JFJO & Club d'Elf | Live @ The Lizard Lounge |
| Fri. July 10th & Sat. July 11th |
(early & late shows both nights!)
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