Canadian smalls -- The Smalls Forum

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Subject: Canadian smalls

Author:
Russ Hamlin

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Date Posted: 18:23:35 09/21/02 Sat

Hi guys,
I was just sitting here listening to The smalls (Canadian) and I thought I'd check out some smalls sites. To be honest, this is the first time I have ever stumbled across this site, and it's my first time hearing of The Smalls (USA). I'm not going to slag you guys, since you obviously chose your name long before hearing of your Canadian namesakes, and, as I'm sure you are aware, the Canadian smalls are sadly broken up. To me this is a great tradegy, as The smalls (Canada) are my all-time favorite band. I feel compelled to offer an intelligent, mature account of The smalls impact on Canadian music.
First off, in case no one else has said it already: in Canada, The smalls are gods. After 10 years of relentless touring(sometimes 11 months out of the year) and 5 groundbreaking (albeit commercially unsuccessful) albums, they established themselves as the kings of Canadian underground music. Their eclectic blend of jazzy-punk & bluegrass-metal is always a little past the cutting edge, leaving them continuously 5 years ahead of their time. As a musician I find their music endlessly fascinating, ever challenging, and unlike any other band I've ever heard.
I write this to you in sincere hopes that you've had a chance to hear and appreciate The smalls (Canada) without prejudice, amid this shower of negativity from the North. You see, we Canadian smalls fans tend to be extremely passionate about The smalls, for their impact on our lives has been extreme. They are gone, but they will not be forgotten. This will obviously make touring in Canada near-impossible for you guys, or at least very awkward, but I'm sure that will not slow you down much. I should add that The smalls (Canada) have a huge following in Texas, for some reason... The band actually lived there for awhile, and as usual, became local heroes.
Anyway, I hope I've shed some light on the Northern perspective to this little dispute, and I welcome any feedback you might have.

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[> Subject:

Re: Canadian smalls

Author:
No name
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Date Posted: 13:34:07 09/22/02 Sun

Russ,
On behalf of the band, I would like to thank you for the first objective, intelligent correspondence we have received from anyone in Canada to date.
As you stated, I, personally thought of the name without any knowledge that it was being used.
I would really like to hear some music from The Smalls as I am a fan of all good music. Up until now, no one that has contacted us has ever offered to let us know where we can purchase The Smalls music or was willing to send any MP3 files. Perhaps a sensible person like you would be willing to do so.
Just to give you and idea of the scope of our influence, we are merely a cover band that operates in and around the Chicagoland area. As cover music is very popular in bars and clubs in this area, we are able to make a tidy sum on a yearly basis playing music that we enjoy. I'm quite sure that what we do down here will in no way tarnish the reputation of the Smalls.We are just a few guys having some fun and earning some cash.
Having told you what we do, I would also like to let you know that each of us is also involved in original projects that I'm sure you would appreciate the quality of. Our drummer Dan writes,plays guitar and fronts his own band called The Dog and Everything. You can visit his site at www.thedogandeverything.com and check his music out. It is quite good.
James is currently a published songwriter that has two cuts on an upcoming release by a very hot new Japanese female artist on Sony. He and I both play in an original project that is influenced by great acts like Squeeze and Crowded House. I would be happy to provide MP3's to anyone that is interested in listening.
Again, thank you for a polite, eloquently worded correspondence. Please contact us anytime........

Best regards,
Randy Riley, co-founder, The Smalls

[> [> Subject: Re: Canadian smalls

Author:
Russ Hamlin
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Date Posted: 15:04:18 09/22/02 Sun

Hi Randy & The Smalls,
I'm glad that my post was able to generate some intelligent dialogue on this subject, and I would be happy to help hook you guys up with some Canadian smalls tunes. There are a few choice cuts which can be found at:
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/18/the_smalls.html
and of course their CD's are available through HMV.com. I have been unsuccessful in trying to locate their old website, as it has been no doubt shut down following the dissolution of the band.:( If you use MSN Messenger I'd be happy to send you some stuff personally, just use the address above. I have their entire catalogue in MP3 format.
As a side-note I would like to mention that I don't actually know the boys from The smalls (Canada), although I have done the post-show handshake/autograph thing, so I don't actually speak on the bands behalf. I'm merely a fan. Anyway, I'm off to check out Dan's website. Feel free to contact me if you feel so inclined.

Russ