Deckchair Poets

Welcome to the Homepage of The Spotty Dogs, a bunch of wet-nosed, waggy-tailed, beachside frolickers, who enjoy scampering alongside donkeys and sniffing in the aroma of freshly mown candy floss. The majority of these pedigree chums have previously recorded together under the invigorating monickers of
Deckchair Poets, Jerusalem, Zebras Don't Smoke, and Zorbonauts.

The list of those who were let off the leash, after howling within those latter four musical 'walkies', included, Bob Cooke, Geoff Downes, Ray Sparrow, Rachael Hawnt, Bill Hinde, Ash Cutler, Rachel Hall, Will Wilde, Ray Drury, Sue Lord, Dave Desmond, Henk Leerink, and several others who managed to escape the
dog-catcher and consequently ran off to chase many an unsuspecting postman.

The present line-up, who'll hopefully sprinkle diamonds in your ears and paint rainbows in your mind, consists of...

Lynden Williams (vocals) - Jerusalem. The Britz. OXOXOX.
Ollie Hannifan (guitars & mandolin) - Mister Kanish. Synaesthesia. Mamma Mia. Back To The Future.
Martin Orford (keyboards & flute) - Jadis. The Lens. IQ. John Wetton. Big Big Train.
Nick D'Virgilio (drums & percussion) - Big Big Train. Spock's Beard. Genesis. Tears For Fears. Mr Big. Steve Hackett.
Dave Meros (bass guitar) - Spock's Beard. Pattern-Seeking Animals. Iron Butterfly. Eric Burdon. Big Big Train.

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 Lynden since 1987. His ears are enshrined in music legend, but he did have to get them syringed out lately.

Like many bands their musical journey is an ongoing and lengthy adventure, which started many decades ago when vocalist, Lynden Williams, joined the Salisbury-based band, Jerusalem, and made a lifelong friend of guitarist, Bob Cooke. Since those days the pair were involved with many line-ups, changing the band's name repeatedly, and invariably diversifying into many interesting musical styles, never being afraid to even venture back to the beat music of their teenage years.

With the release of the second Jerusalem album, Escalator (2009), some 37 years after the release of their first, Jerusalem (1972), and with no knowledge of anything else, a reporter asked Bob what he'd been doing in the intervening years. Bob replied with a John Lennonism, saying he'd been 'sitting watching the the wheels go round', when in actual fact years of slogging around gigging, writing, recording and 'never giving up' had been happening. Looking back on those times Lynden and Bob discovered that they'd sent 32 release quality recordings to record companies during those 'in-between years'. A few of the submitted recordings were of just a single song, whilst many were of between 4 to 9 songs, along with several completed albums.

As those recordings were mostly sent out with just a band name, along with song titles written on cassette inserts, or on a slip of card slotted into a CD case, Bob and Lynden decided to add these historic recordings to the Discography Section of this website. They came up with some fun cover images and amusing titles, some named after specific songs, to show what could have been.

The band names used during this musical interlude were, The Page Of Swords, Lynden's Green Hippo, The Ghost Band, Stirling,The Britz, Footprints In The Snow, The Men Of The Doomsbury Lifeboat, OXOXOX, The Faith Healers, Via Dolorosa, The Mummies, Turn Left At Pluto, The Spotty Dogs and The Hubble Bubbles.
(As you can see The Spotty Dogs have escaped from their kennels again.)

Jerusalem's other guitarist, Bill Hinde, recorded with The Page Of Swords and played a gig with them at Strathclyde University, along with the bands, Skid Row and The Parlour Band. Stirling played Dagenham Roundhouse with Chapman-Whitney Streetwalkers. Jerusalem drummer, Ray Sparrow, played a Spotty Dogs gig, which featured a three piece line up completed by Bob and Lynden, who played bass guitar.

Very sadly two of the band's past comrades, Bob Cooke and Bill Hinde, who were both founding members of its very first incarnation, Jerusalem, have died. But the memories of their enormous musical talents will undoubtedly live on forever deep within our hearts, our minds and our dreams, where both will invariably reappear for many an encore after dazzling encore. Their boundless smiles, laughter & friendship were the foundations of this band, and they'll always be remembered with much love and gratitude.

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, former artist in residence at Deckchair Palace, has obviously pinched it!

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

Lynden Williams
'I'm Not A Beast'

(Singsong Music: Singsong 243)

Digital Album
Released - 6th June 2025

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Martin Orford
Dave Meros & Nick D'Virgilio

The Spotty Dogs
'Broom Riders'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - April 2025

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Geoff Downes, Dave Meros, Ollie Hannifan
Nick D'Virgilio, Rob Aubrey, Martin Orford
Rachael Hawnt & Sue Lord

The Spotty Dogs
'Full Scream Ahead'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 50 CDs)

Manufactured - April 2025

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

The Spotty Dogs
'Blazing Kennels'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 50 CDs)

Manufactured - February 2025

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Martin Orford,
Dave Meros & Nick D’Virgilio

Zorbonauts
'Pointer'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 50 CDs)

Manufactured - May 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'Overcast With Occasional Flowers'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - April 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'Electric Humbug'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - April 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'No Turkeys Here'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - March 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'The Chronicles Of Barmier'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - March 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'Splendid Licks Guaranteed'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - March 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'Leaning Tower Of Allsorts'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - February 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'Scarlett's Dad Plays Gooseberry'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - January 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'Let's Go Swedish'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - January 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'The Smartypants Variations'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 25 CDs)

Manufactured - January 2024

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

Zorbonauts
'Pink Curlers'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 50 CDs)

Manufactured - September 2023

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

Zorbonauts
'Ringo Ate My Flying Saucer'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 50 CDs)

Manufactured - December 2022

Featuring:
Lynden Williams, Ollie Hannifan, Geoff Downes, Nick D'Virgilio,
Dave Meros, Rachael Hawnt, Will Wilde.
Rachel Hall & Rob Aubrey

Zorbonauts
'One Flew Outta The Cuckoo's Nest'

(Limited Edition - Private Print of 50 CDs)

Manufactured - November 2022

Reprint of 25 CDs - Manufactured December 2023

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

Zorbonauts
'Cannibals On A Health Kick Only Eat Vegetarians'

(Limited Edition - Private Print Of 50 CDs)

Manufactured - September 2022

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

Zebras Don't Smoke
'Inflatable Noise'

(Singsong Music: Singsong 172)

Digital Album
Released - 18th March 2022

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

Samples

Zebras Don't Smoke
'Inflatable Noise'

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

Manufactured - February 2022

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

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

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

Sample

Deckchair Poets
'Be My Pillow'

(Limited Tinned 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

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 & Rob Aubrey

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

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

Samples