– 17.20u Gecko 3
The Edinburgh-based groove trio gecko 3 were formed in the Spring of 2000 by Marty Philip (vocals/guitar), Paul Gilbody (double bass) and Hugh Martin (drums). After several years of collaboration in the Edinburgh music scene they set out as a three-piece to write fresh grooves based on a new mix of jazz, hip-hop, latin, funk and reggae.
Since releasing their debut EP ‘A Walk Across the Ceiling’ in 2002, gecko 3 have performed in the US and mainland Europe, in addition to regular UK gigs in venues from London to Skye. Highlights include the legendary Ronnie Scott’s in Soho (with Brit Award Winner KT Tunstall as a guest vocalist) and London’s Kashmir Klub (as KT’s backing band – Marty and Paul sang backing vocals on KT’s Mercury nominated album ‘Eye to the Telescope’), headlining the multi-media Fiasco.tv event, headlining the Music Marquee and the Main Stage at the Edinburgh Festival’s Fringe Sunday. They have also performed live televised gigs in Princes Street Gardens and frequent headlines at Acoustic Edinburgh’s Festival Programme since 2003. The second EP ‘Mentum’ was released in 2005 to critical acclaim and an extensive presence on podcast playlists. To promote the release of their third EP ‘Momentum’ in 2007, the band undertook a European tour including dates in Amsterdam, Paris, the South of France and the ‘Ca Jazz a Huy’ festival in Belgium, culminating in an appearance on the M1 stage at the Redbourn Festival, alongside Sandy Thom and the Ordinary Boys.
In the last three years gecko 3 have also played the Skye Festival and the Leith Festival in addition to support slots for Roy Ayers, the Quantic Soul Orchestra and Spanky Wilson, Nizlopi, Cibele, and Finland’s Five Corners Quintet. Other dates include London’s 12Bar, the Red Rooms and Mr Lynch in Newcastle, Inverness’ Ironworks (as support for the Cuban Brothers), Edinburgh’s ‘Departure Lounge’, ‘Motherfunk’ and Parisian venues L’Olympic and La Fleche D’Or. 2008 saw the band returning to venues in Paris, with additional dates elsewhere in France and as part of the Brussels Jazz Marathon. The 2009 programme began onstage at the legendary Departure Lounge Hogmanay party, with further regular spots at Edinburgh’s Jazz Bar and the headline at the Brevedent Music Festival in Normandy in the summer. The release of the album is planned for October 2010 with upcoming promotional dates across the UK and Europe.
Reviews:
“Gecko 3 sound and feel right for the moment with their quirky lyrics and retro sound” Scot Campus “unbelievably difficult to describe without feeling like you are not doing them justice… 5/5” edinburghguide.com “clever – and they know it. But this is still easy listening gold.” Daily Record “seriously catchy” indielaunchpad.com “everybody’s favourite”,“sumptuous” Edinburgh Evening News