Alberta’s prairie air was filled with rabid fans’ “hell yeahs” as the smalls returned to the stage together for the first time in 12 years.
Calgary’s XFest on Saturday, and Edmonton’s Sonic Boom on Sunday, Aug. 31, was exactly the glorious punk rock reunion that everyone had been waiting for to break out their tattered smalls T-shirts. From Edmonton Oilers’ captain, Andrew Ference, walking on stage Sunday and introducing the band, by way of saying “Hi I’m Johnny Cash, and this is the smalls,” to the blistering hour-long set of timeless anthems, the smalls captured the hearts of the audiences in Calgary and Edmonton, and rode off into the sunset, promising to return this fall.
“We were blown away by the feedback and support we got after playing the two Alberta festivals over the weekend,” Corb Lund commented. “The shows felt great, just like old times. The reception was warm and the audiences were amazing. Wanna say thanks to everyone. Can’t wait for our tour this fall, I think it’s gonna be off the hook.”
With two reunion shows on sale already (Toronto – October 18 and Vancouver – November 7), the smalls are announcing a slew of shows across the west, including a second Vancouver show (November 7 is sold out.). The new shows include stops in Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Nelson, Kelowna, Kamloops and Victoria. All shows go on sale this Friday, September 5 at 10 am local time. See below for ticket information links.
“I am happy to have played these fests, it was a great opportunity and certainly a lot of fun,” said Dug Bevans. “The upcoming fall tour we will be playing primarily clubs and as most of our fans will attest, it is in the dingy bar up close and personal, that we thrive – it’s going to be great.”
It was hard to walk down the streets of Edmonton, Calgary or any number prairie towns in the early ’90s and not see someone wearing the iconic smalls T-shirt. Formed in 1989, the smalls were to Alberta what Nirvana was to Seattle. They sold over 40,000 albums independently and built a voracious fan base that has mourned their break up ever since they played their last show together in Edmonton on October 20, 2001.
Evidenced by overflowing shows at legendary clubs across the west (including a riot in Kamloops that the RCMP were called in for and subsequently made the CBC evening news), the smalls were extremely prominent in the underground scene in Western Canada and have cropped up in countless other bands’ bios as an influence and driving force in the evolution of the prairie music scene.
Their self-produced debut eponymous album was released in 1990.
To Each A Zone, their sophomore album, was released in 1992. Produced by Vancouver punk rock producer, Cecil English (NoMeansNo and DOA).
Their third album, Waste And Tragedy, was produced by Joel van Dyke, and distributed through Cargo Records.
Their fourth and final album, My Dear Little Angle, produced by Glenn Robinson, was released through Outside Music in 1998. Have a listen to their music – here.
the smalls – Tour Dates:
October 18 – Toronto, ON – The Horseshoe – TICKETS
October 23 – Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre – TICKETS
October 24 – Regina, SK – University of Regina – The Lazy Owl – TICKETS
October 25 – Saskatoon, SK – University of Saskatchewan – Louis’ Pub – TICKETS
October 31 – Calgary, AB – Flames Central – TICKETS
November 4 – Nelson, BC – The Hume Hotel – Spiritbar – TICKETS
November 5 – Kelowna, BC – Flashbacks – TICKETS
November 6 – Kamloops, BC – Cactus Jack’s Saloon – TICKETS
November 7 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom – SOLD OUT.
November 8 – Victoria, BC – Sugar Nightclub – TICKETS
November 9 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom – TICKETS
November 14 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room – TICKETS
November 15 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room – TICKETS
November 16 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room – TICKETS
WATCH The Smalls are Back video.
“They picked up as if 13 years hadn’t passed…Welcome back, friends. It was worth all the endless rumours and waiting” – Edmonton Journal
“…the reunion bringing rock back to modern rock could be just what the scene needs. Fist raised in the air, it was a triumphant return of their fusion of metal, punk, jazz and whatever weirdness their creativity called to mind.” – Edmonton Sun
