Small Fakers/The Veras

Small Fakers/ The Veras

The Musician  6th October 2023

Another big night at The Musician Pub with the return of one of the best tribute bands anywhere... the Small Fakers.

Opening the show were The Veras (actually 75% of the Small Fakers - no keyboards!). The band bounced on looking full of confidence and joy and cracked into a really first class set of rock music.

The band is a basic "power trio" of bass, drums and guitar playing rock music... but these guys can play and rock with the best of them... The vocalist/guitarist is always full of energy and always has a twinkle in his eye, and even with the Veras has the unmistakable mannerisms of Steve Marriott and happily bounces around while delivering the music.

This is a damn good band... the songs are great, punchy and driving rock with a "poppy" edge... no copy of the Small Faces here though, the Vera are clearly their own band delivering a set of their own brand of rock music. A quality band, delivering a high class set of rock music with real assurance and joy... terrific opening set by a great band

So After a break, they were back, suitably dressed and with the keyboard player... as the Small Fakers - Small Faces Tribute...

No pretensions or messing... brief preparation and check tunings and then crash into the regular openers, "Watchas gonna Do" and "Sha la la la Lee" which got the packed audience bouncing and singing.. a couple more tracks in and up came the Small Faces no1... "All or nNothing" which again had the audience in full voice.

The band's first set concentrates on the "mod" singles and album tracks through to 1966 and romps along with huge spirit and joy taking the audience along the whole way...

a short break and they were back in 1967 mode... and after an opening track the opening notes of "Itchycoo Park" had the crowd roaring and singing along... it really was "All too beautiful" as the band cranked into a series of songs from the glorious Ogdens Nut Gone Flake album, ending with a superb version of "Little Tin Soldier"...

There was no way the band were not going to be back, and with the crowd cheering announced "Lazy Sunday"... obviously they were not going to end without playing this one... and in thetime honoured wat the band left the crowd to sing the first verse... which they did in fine style... before joining in with the chorus and the rest of the song... one more song and that was it... they were finally finished the best part of a couple of hours later...

So This was a party night... the Small Faces were about having fun, partying and rocking and this band had that nailed down to perfectionn... the whole band were the embodiment of the originals and played their roles to perfection. The leader is absolutely the reincarnation of Steve Marrioot... plating the hippie Artful Dodger to perfection...

The whole set was a joy... the band were rock solid , musically excellent and a full of fun... I love to see a band having a ball on stage.. these guys dont just go through the motions... they are clearly having a ball on stage and it is echoed by the party atmosphere in the room as the audience danced, sang along and cheered.

Absolutely great gig...

Put the date Friday October 4th 2024 in your diaries... the band are back to thrill again... (good work Paul... thank you!!)

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