Geckoes
Geckoes have been a name on the English Ceilidh scene for over 30 years. Evolving out of the country dances of the British Isles, Europe and America, English Ceilidh dancing is typified by its exuberance, and Geckoes' music has all the energy and style that it takes to fill a floor with hundreds of delighted - if somewhat sweaty - dancers.
For many years been a favourite attraction at dance clubs such as Oxfolk and Unicorn, and regular performers at major folk festivals including Sidmouth, Towersey, Broadstairs, Chippenham, and Whitby, Geckoes are still capable of getting dancers moving, playing exciting, driving dance music.
Read more: Geckoes - an illustrated history
"Another one of the more deceptive English Ceilidh bands, not loud and no drums but playing with a style that can leave you considerably exhausted after a handful of dances. They have a nice touch and play the tunes with a good lift tempting you to dance quite a bit more energetically than planned".
(Martin Kiff, Webfeet)
The band have released 3 critically acclaimed albums, all available on Bandcamp.
"Geckoes know how to make smooth transitions and keep up an insistent rhythm. They never get that loud, never get that brash but they always maintain the tension. There’s no drum kit but a mass of variegated percussion to drive things along. Tunes are as apt to be led by a mandolin as a squeezebox and the arrangements sound as if a lot of care has gone into them; this is no pub session free-for-all".
(Nick Beale, Folk Roots)
"They have aimed for a greater degree of arrangement, variety and pace so as to satisfy the listener as well as the dancer - and boy, have they succeeded... a transparency of texture and subtlety of arrangement which, linked with great playing and an overwhelming internal rhythmic force just leaps out at you".
(Paul Burgess, Folkwrite)
If your booking requires a smaller, more flexible band than the full Geckoes line-up, Chameleons could be just the thing for you.
Band members
Andy Cheyne
bass guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle
The band's multi-instrumentalist. As a morris dancer and musician he had a long association with Ducklington, before joining Berkshire Bedlam and Kirtlington; he is also a huge fan of genuine Argentinian tango. His sensitive guitar arrangements were heard to great effect in a song partnership with Michelle Soinne, while he also played bass in the Jim and Sylvia Barnes band. A prolific composer of often rather tricky tunes, including a number in the Geckoes repertoire - for example 'The London Schottische', 'Miss Jessica Marshall', and 'Tom and Dulcie and Chocolate and Bananas'.
Andy Turner
anglo-concertina
In the 1980s Andy played for dances with the Oyster Band, and with Chris Wood in Polkabilly. As well as Geckoes, he plays with dance band Oxford NAGS. He also sings and plays with Oxford-based concert band Magpie Lane, in a duo with Bampton fiddler Mat Green, and with Oxford's West Gallery choir Christminster Singers. Andy has composed several tunes played by Geckoes, including 'Gradgrind's Fancy', 'A Boy's Best Friend' and 'Friday's Child'.
More details on the Andy Turner website
Caroline Butler
fiddle
Caroline has been closely involved with the folk song and dance scene in Oxford since the late 1970s. She was singer and fiddle-player with early '80s "rogue folk" band Jumpleads, along with Dave Townsend and guitarist Jon Moore - one of the other original members of Geckoes. She currently sings and plays with the Mellstock Band, seventeenth-century specialists the Oxford Waits, and the Christminster Singers. She was a founder member of Rogue Morris, and helped to kick-start the long-running Oxfolk ceilidhs. Caroline is also an experienced caller, a role which she often fulfils with Chameleons.
Besides her musical interests, Caroline is a talented artist - see examples of her work at www.carolineritson.co.uk
Heather Horsley
keyboard
Heather is a very experienced dance musician, much in demand for her wonderfully danceable keyboard playing. Best known as a member of the legendary, and hugely influential, Old Swan Band, she also plays with Token Women and New Bees, and was a member of Stocai. But over the years she has depped at festivals and dances with numerous other dance bands. Heather has in fact been making occasional appearances with Geckoes and Chameleons since the 1980s, finally becoming an official member in 2024.
Matt Quinn
melodeons
Matt is a talented musician who joined us in August 2012, having recently completed the BMus in Traditional Music at Newcastle University. The son of an influential box-player from the 1970s new wave of English Country Dance bands, he has made a name for himself in his own right - as a solo performer, and in numerous ensembles including The Dovetail Trio, The Mighty Quinns (a duo with his dad Dan Quinn), Dogan Mehmet's Deerhunters, ceilidh band The New Slide and, most recently, in a duo with George Sansome, and the trio Culverake.
More info at mattquinn.bandcamp.com
Gigs
Watch this space!
Listen
All three Geckoes albums, including the highly sought-after cassette-only release Geckoblaster are available to listen to and purchase from geckoes.bandcamp.com
The Red Horse
Art Gecko
Geckoblaster
Contact
For all enquiries please contact geckoesband@gmail.com