Deckchair Poets

Welcome to the homepage of the band of several names; Deckchair Poets, Zorbonauts, Jerusalem, The Men Of The Doomsbury Lifeboat and Zebras Don't Smoke.
Their main differences being that Deckchair Poets material can contain humorous lyrics along with an anything-goes attitude to music, whilst Zorbonauts and Jerusalem lyrics tend to be of a serious nature, hence their music can contain a darker edge.
On the other hand Zebras Don't Smoke is a name used solely for albums wholly containing cover songs, so any kind of music can pop up under its banner.
Whilst The Men Of The Doomsbury Lifeboat was a name used for a solitary single, released way back in the days before Kylie Minogue's wiggling hot pants were voraciously devoured by both drooling, and discerning hot-panters, of all ages and musical denominations, alike. (It's amazing how many people like a bit of gold in their teeth!)
It's interesting to note that these days the odd smile can be found in both Zorbonauts and Jerusalem's work, just as the weight of the World can sometimes be found plonked in a deckchair.
As the same select core of musician's play on all recordings there are many similar sounds echoing throughout these differently named bands releases.

The balmy bunch of dream weavers, who'll sprinkle diamonds in your ears and paint rainbows in your mind, can include any of the following celestial barrel rollers and Shangri-Larian astral plane loop the loopers...........................

Lynden Williams (vocals) - Jerusalem. The Britz. Oxoxox.
Ollie Hannifan (guitars & mandolin) - Mister Kanish. Synaesthesia. Mamma Mia.
Geoff Downes (keyboards) - Asia. Yes. The Buggles. Downes Braide Association.
Nick D'Virgilio (drums & percussion) - Big Big Train. Spock's Beard. Genesis. Tears For Fears.
Dave Meros (bass guitar) - Spock's Beard. Pattern-Seeking Animals. Iron Butterfly. Eric Burdon.
Rachael Hawnt (vocals) - Cosmograf. The Beautiful Secret. Great Scott!
Bob Cooke (guitars & mandolin) - Jerusalem. Pussy. The Britz.
Will Wilde (harmonica) -Will Wilde Band. Dani Wilde Band.
Ashley Cutler (bass guitar) - The Beautiful Secret. Great Scott!
Rachel Hall (violin) - Stackridge. Judy Dyble. Big Big Train.
Ray Drury (keyboards & accordion) - The Producers. Teed Up. Rufus Stone.
Sue Lord (violin & viola) - The Stringbeans Quartet. Tracy Chapman Band.
Henk Leerink (bass guitar) - Not Dead Yet. The Britz. Call Me Blondie.
Gina Briant (piccolo & tin whistle) - City Of Southampton Orchestra.

Of course the main core of the band, around which glittering satellites twinkle, are those much travelled, stardusted and interstellar good-vibrationist explorers:- Lynden, Ollie, Geoff, Nick, Dave and Rachael - long may their Huskies wheeze, their rockets zoom, and their footbaths bubble!

Sadly Bob Cooke lost the use of his left arm, after his second stroke, in 2010. Thankfully he still composes, via his music computer, and his forthcoming work will always find an outlet on future releases. Despite his absence Bob's playing still occasionally features as part of the band's output due to a backlog of unreleased material containing his musical input.

Another invaluable member of the recording team, who flings many an extra noise, and effect, into the musical mix, is studio owner, producer and engineer, Rob Aubrey, who's worked with Bob and Lynden since 1987. His ears are enshrined in music legend, but he did have to get them syringed out lately.

If you're reading this out of curiosity, then please listen to the music.

If you've heard the music then stay curious, as you never know what might happen next!?

Now where's that tin of rainbow paint?

Ah! Sarah-Jane Szikora, artist in residence at Deckchair Palace, has obviously pinched it again!

Bring back that tin of rainbow paint you very naughty, but exceptionally lovely and talented, artistic genius!!

Zorbonauts
'The Smartypants Variations'

(Singsong Music: Singsong ???)

Digital Album
Released - TBA

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Geoff Downes, Dave Meros,
Nick D’Virgilio, Rachael Hawnt, Bob Cooke & Rob Aubrey

Lyrics

Samples

Deckchair Poets
'Be My Pillow'

(Singsong Music: Singsong 154)

Digital Album
Released - 14th January 2022

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Geoff Downes,
Dave Meros, Nick D’Virgilio, Rachael Hawnt, Bob Cooke,
Rachel Hall, Ray Drury & Rob Aubrey

Lyrics

Samples

Deckchair Poets
'Forever Christmas'

(Singsong Music: Singsong 127)

Digital Single
Released - 12th November 2021

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Geoff Downes, Dave Meros,
Nick D’Virgilio, Rachael Hawnt & Rob Aubrey

Lyrics

Sample

Deckchair Poets
'Be My Pillow'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 26 CDs)
Not For Retail

Manufactured - July 2021

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Geoff Downes,
Dave Meros, Nick D’Virgilio, Rachael Hawnt, Bob Cooke,
Rachel Hall, Ray Drury & Rob Aubrey

Lyrics

Samples

Zorbonauts
'Armed Slobbery'

(Singsong Music: Singsong 134)

Digital Album
Released - 21st May 2021

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Geoff Downes, Dave Meros,
Nick D’Virgilio, Rachael Hawnt, Ray Drury, Will Wilde,
Bob Cooke, Rachel Hall, Gina Briant & Rob Aubrey

Lyrics

Samples

Zorbonauts
'The Unobserved Beaver'

(Talking Elephant: TECD462)

Released - 19th March 2021

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Geoff Downes, Ollie Hannifan,
Nick D’Virgilio, Dave Meros, Rachael Hawnt,
Bob Cooke, Rachel Hall & Rob Aubrey

Lyrics

Samples

Deckchair Poets
'The Crop Circlers' Guide To Abstract Expressionism'

(Singsong Music: Singsong 129)

Digital Album
Released - 26th February 2021

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Geoff Downes, Dave Meros,
Nick D’Virgilio, Rachael Hawnt, Ray Drury, Will Wilde, Bob Cooke,
Rachel Hall & Rob Aubrey

Lyrics

Samples