*The Geckos originally formed in 1995 on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Jon
Lyons and Paul, who had grown up together in South Haven,
Michigan, had played in bands together throughout the years.
*The Geckos played for two years all over Florida, South Carolina,
Michigan, and back to Florida again.
*Jon Lyons married Daniella and left the band; (now residing in
Switzerland).
*Paul spent the next 10 years playing in every corner of the globe
(some corners better than others), playing for various bands in various
situations. In 2007 Paul booked a jam at Casey’s Alley on
Fort Myers Beach and was later told they advertised it as the
Geckos. Paul was surprised to learn people remembered the band, and
the name stayed. This started six months of musicians coming and
going as schedules and personalities mixed and matched. The
shows continued, which leads us to the current line up and just how
they met.
The quick version:
*Paul met Mike Sciarrino years earlier in a band where Sciarrino actually
was the lead guitar player and Paul was the lead vocalist;
shocking considering Mike was one of the best drummers he
had ever met. In 2006 Paul needed a band for a New Year’s Eve gig
and got Sciarrino to play drums. However, at that time they both
had previous commitments and were unable to keep gigging together.
A couple of months later, Paul rented some sound equipment for a couple
of gigs from his friend Richard Voss. Voss, also a guitar
player with his own band, began to run sound and help with the inner workings of
the band (then a 3-piece). Due to a busy schedule, they began to
search for a bass player and drummer who could play all of the
shows, rather than using subs once or twice a week. Most of the subs
were players from other bands who had an open night.
In October of 2007, Paul and Rich again found themselves looking for a
substitute bass player and got hooked up with Fred Miller through
Paul’s friends Dominic and Marsha (Adrenaline Junkies). Fred was
living between Rhode Island and Florida at the time and was unable to
commit to a full-time position. However, after a couple of gigs, they
knew it was undeniably good and Miller made the move and became
the permanent bass player for the Geckos.
Also in October 2007 was Roctoberfest at Charlotte County Speedway, a
concert hosted by Parrot Magazine. Jack, from Parrot had arranged the
Geckos to play on a side stage with (or before or after) Shawn
Brown (formerly of "Shawn & Jenell"), who did a sizzling acoustic act. Paul and Shawn
exchanged numbers and kept in touch over the next few months.
In November, the Geckos’ drummer announced he was leaving the
band. Paul called Michael Sciarrino who cleared his schedule,
and agreed to join on a permanent basis in December.
There was no denying once everyone heard Fred Miller and Michael
Sciarrino jam that the Geckos were up and running. One problem, however,
Paul got laryngitis and was unable to sing the shows.
Rather than cancel, Paul called Shawn Brown to fill in as the band’s
singer. Brown had a full gig schedule already, but made time for the
band. In true Gecko fashion, the band hadn’t even been formally
introduced to one another when they began to play music.
The reaction from the crowd only consolidated what the guys
already knew – this was just a killer band with loads of
experience, allowing the widest variety of music to be heard from any
bar band in the biz. Dig it!!
From smokin’ three and four part harmonies to rock-n-roll anthems, from
awesome acoustic songs to soulful guitar licks, bangin’ bass
riffs to down-right dynamic drummin’ to an amazing assortment of
lead vocals, this band covers all the bases. To put it in the band’s
own words, “This is why I love to play music!” This band
lives for the gig! In true Gecko tradition, they can adapt,
overcome, and rock any club, bar, dance hall, rally, party, gathering, or
concert of any type and all ages. You only live once, you owe it
to yourself to come and party with the Geckos!