THE SMALL FAKERS

Interview with Matt Bond (Steve Marriott). The Small Fakers are: Matt Bond (vox/ guitar), Neil Runalis (bass/vox), Jon Gray (organ/piano/vox), Dan Taylor (drums). You’re billed as the UK’s ‘only tribute’ to the Small Faces. Why does such a huge band attract so few replicas? I’d like to think it’s ’cause no one else can pull it off. But to be honest, I’ve seen very few try. The Small Fakers aren’t the only tribute band you’re involved with, though. Who else, if you excuse the expression, ‘do you do’? We do a thing called The Faces Experience too with our ‘Rod’ playing the best of The Faces and early Rod Stewart. I turn into Ronnie Wood and while I’ve got the guitar licks down, I still haven’t mastered that nose. I’m not that good a liar. Few tribute acts get to perform with the original band, yet you’ve played with the Small Faces’ Kenney Jones (drummer) and Jimmy Winston (original keyboardist). A mind-blowing, if slightly daunting experience, I’d imagine? Yeah, we’ve played with Kenney a few times and had the original SF kit on stage with us at a gig last year. It was strictly for display purposes until temptation got the better of him and he sat at it and bashed out All or Nothing alongside Dan (our Kenney) on his kit. It still had the original drum skins on it that were last used to record with the Small Faces. Jimmy has played with us twice, once at his parents’ old pub, The Ruskin Arms, where Small Faces used to rehearse. They say never meet your heroes, but these two are real gents. Have you seen the Small Faces ‘Mod musical’, All or Nothing? If so, how do you think the show’s look and sound-a-like band shaped-up? We were involved with the early promotion of the show and played before the cast did a short version of the final show on Brighton beach. This was before it hit the theatres and I’ve still not got around to seeing it. We’re always gigging when they are local. Were you disappointed not to get the call? After all, few are better-qualified to play Marriott and co than the UK’s only Small Faces tribute? If I had a pound for every time someone asked me that… No, my acting skills would have made for a very wooden performance after the live music had stopped. Do the Small Faces get the respect they deserve compared to other 60s influencers such as the Beatles, the Who, the Kinks, etc? I think they do now, maybe just, but then I’m surrounded by people who want to come to listen to their music. There was a time when I would have said no. I think the Britpop bands kick-started the interest and it’s grown from there. Steve Marriott was a little bloke with a huge voice. How do you regularly replicate his vocal range and intensity while maintaining a rip-free larynx? I never have any major problems with my voice; in fact I think a few pints and the odd ciggy help. I use my voice every day. Other than a sore throat after the occasional lengthy party, it’s always there. Are you at all concerned about the possibility of your Small Fakers bandmates forming a Faces tribute and dispensing with your services for a Rod Stewart sound-a-like? Ha, ha. I’ve already secured the role of Ronnie Wood – see above question about other tributes we may do. Cunning, eh? It’d be within your gift to start a Humble Pie tribute if they did. Are you a fan of Marriott’s post 60s output – Packet of Three, et al? I’m a huge Humble Pie fan, particularly. We’ve done a few slots as Humble Lie. If my hair recedes anytime soon, then I’ll get some dungarees. Although I can’t think of a good play on words for the already brilliantly witty name, Packet of Three. What’s the best compliment you’ve received as a Small Faces tribute band? I don’t know. My crushed velvet trousers get the most compliments. I think it would have to be the words of Kenney Jones to us the first time he saw us play in 2007: ‘Really great. Absolutely spot-on.’ Visit: www.smallfakers.co.uk