Smaller were an English
alternative rock,
Britpop band from
Liverpool, active during the 1990s. They had hits with "Wasted" and "Is" in 1996 and 1997.
History
The band was formed in the early 1990s by former
Cook da Books guitarist/singer
Peter "Digsy" Deary, his brother Steven (drums), Jason Riley (guitar/vocals), and Paul Cavanagh (bass guitar).
[Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Indie & New Wave'', Virgin Books, , p. 391] The band's debut release was the single "God I Hate This Town" in 1995.
[Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, 1-84195-335-0, p. 978] They recorded a session for
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey (DJ) and radio presenter. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly fr ...
's
BBC Radio 1 show in November that year. A second single failed to chart, but they broke into the
UK top 75
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
with "Wasted" in September 1996.
[Smaller]
, Chart Stats, retrieved 2011-02-20 Their next single, "Is", which featured
Noel Gallagher on guitar, gave them their biggest hit, reaching number 55 in the UK in March 1997.
[Smaller Featuring Noel Gallagher]
, Chart Stats, retrieved 2011-02-20 The band's debut album, ''Badly Badly'', was released in April 1997, featuring further contributions from Gallagher. A second album was recorded, featuring a guest appearance from
Richard Hawley, but it remained unreleased, various members of the band left and were replaced by friends of the Smallers - Lee Watson on guitar and Chris Mullin on bass joined 1999, drummers Bren Moore & Chris Campbell came along later and the transition from Smaller to The Sums happened in 2005.
The band's lyrical themes included relationships, financial problems, and Digsy's experiences with drugs.
Digsy went on to front The Sums.
Northern Empire, Carling Academy, tonight
, '' Liverpool Echo'', 4 October 2008, retrieved 2011-02-20
Discography
Albums
*''Badly Badly'' (1997) No. 86
Singles
*"God I Hate This Town" (1995) No. 141
*"Stray Dogs and Bin Bags" (1996) No. 160
*"Wasted" (1996) No. 72
*"Is" (1997) No. 55
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smaller
Musical groups from Liverpool
English alternative rock groups
Britpop groups
