I. UFO. Werewolves of London > Sweet Home Alabama* > Poncho**. Shakedown Street***
*”Sweet Home Montana”, Meatstick Tease
** Wounded Dreamer Tease. “Thank you” speech after Poncho (with Auld Lang Syne Tease).
*** With Jordan Giangreco from The Breakfast on synth, Rhodes, and vocals. Bathtub Gin Tease.
[Organic Sound Project Opened, Mondo Gecko opened for The Breakfast]
I. Jam > Wounded Dreamer > WIM. Smokey Mountains. Spin the Wheel > Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) > Spin the Wheel* > Brosiah Man Down. Funky Bitch **
*With Sesame Street tease.
** With some improvised lyrics and a Shakedown Street tease.
[Opened for Grateful Dead tribute band Playin' Dead]
Massachusetts’ latest contribution to the jam scene is a five-piece funk rock outfit called Mondo Gecko. With a strong emphasis on live improvisation, the group features driving lead guitar similar to Umphrey’s McGee contrasted with the funkier clavinet and keyboard lines reminiscent of Phish’s Page McConnell. Also similar to Phish is Mondo Gecko’s grassroots approach of playing local venues, building upon a dedicated fanbase, and involving friends and family with street team, merchandise, and touring assistance. The group has played all over the northeast and it would not be surprising if they started to tour nationally within a short period of time. Musically, Mondo Gecko is not restricted by a single genre, but rather fuses elements of rock, jazz, funk, and reggae among other musical styles to make for a live experience that covers all cylinders. Each member is well-seasoned, having played in other local groups previous to Mondo Gecko, so they all bring a unique personal style to solos as well as to the band’s sound as a whole. Their story-like songwriting nicely compliments the full instrumental groove that backs them. The glue of the group is the interlocking groove of bassist Andrew Walley and drummer Aaron Morey, who together provide a catapult for guitarists Brad Garone and Luke Stratton to contribute explosive solos or share in the groove with funky rhythm licks. Weaving in and out of the guitar is keyboardist Eric McEwen who lends a whole different perspective, taking many different tones and lending a unique attitude to every song. Mondo Gecko are still getting on their feet, but thanks to a constantly loaded gigging schedule, their name is spreading like wildfire throughout the jam community. Their open taping policy has created plenty of opportunity for new listeners to hop aboard, but to get the full experience, you must get out and see these guys live.
Sound Check: The Other Side. Ship of Fools. Late Night.
I. Jam > Tangled Up in Blue > Relics. UFO*. High Gravity. Simple World**. Poncho***.
E. Piano Man Tease. The Music Never Stopped+. Give Me Some Money.
*Who’s Got The Funk Tease.
** Birdland Tease.
*** Shakedown Street Tease during Funk section. Top Gun Tease during Outro section.
+Scarlet Begonias Tease.
Out of 160 or so bands, Mondo Gecko’s been selected as a Top Ten finalist in Magic Hat’s “We Want to Sponsor Your Band’s Tour” contest!
We’re so honored to have been selected… there are some seriously awesome, big time bands on the list! We’ve got a chance to win $1000 cash and some promo materials for an upcoming tour. That being said… here are a few reasons why you should vote for your favorite group of geckos:
1. If we win, we’ll spend the money on either A. a new PA so our music sounds better or B. the beginnings of a light rig so you eyes can be as dazzled as your ears at future shows.
2. It’s Magic Hat! I wear a freakin’ magical hat every show… Walley says it’s a stupid hat but I say magical. ;-P
3. We’re the only “jam band” on the list … and Magic Hat is THE local Vermont jam lot scene beer!!!
4. Cause we said “Please”?
5. I’m guessing that MG and Co. have consumed more Magic Hat #9 that all the other bands on the list combined… so really they are just giving us out money back.
You’ve got until Nov. 29th so head on over and vote! Thanks everybody!
![TOURposter_VOTENOW[2]](http://mondogecko.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/TOURposter_VOTENOW2-662x1024.jpg "TOURposter_VOTENOW[2]")
