SMALLER Badly Badly 1996
Artist Biography
Led by the inimitable Peter ‘Digsy’ Deary (vocals,
guitar), Liverpool, Merseyside, England group Smaller have origins in a
three-piece band who were financially supported by the DHSS on the
condition that they play morning and afternoon shows for the elderly in
state nursing homes. One of those playing subdued versions of ‘It’s A
Long, Long Way To Tipperary’ was the pre- Boo Radleys Martin Carr. His
piano-playing accomplice was Deary, who enjoyed a brief moment in the
spotlight when Merseyside pop group Cook Da Books achieved some glowing
reviews in the early 80s. He is also the cousin of members of the Real
People, while his grandmother played banjo in George Formby’s backing
band. However, to the 90s generation, Deary is best known for his
name-check on the Oasis song ‘Digsy’s Dinner’, and the line ‘Come around
for tea, and we’ll have lasagne’. Though he knew Noel Gallagher in the
late 80s, Deary refuses to accept he would ever have made the
now-superstar any such meal. Smaller had already been formed by this
juncture, with his brother Stephen on drums, Jason on bass and Paul on
guitar. The group’s debut album, Badly Badly, reflected on his numerous
misfortunes since those halcyon days in the company of ‘old age
pensioners’. The subjects tackled included the absence of girlfriends,
money, opportunities, etc., as well as the several years Deary spent
ingesting large quantities of drugs. However, he was keen to distance
himself from the boasting that usually accompanies every band from the
Merseyside region: ‘We’re not the best band in the world... We’re not
even the best band in fucking Liverpool’, he told the New Musical
Express. Considered by some to be ‘the anti- Dodgy’, there is little
jocularity in Deary’s songs, but he retains an ear for a good tune and
many are attracted to the mocking self-appraisal of his narratives.
Tracklist
| 1 |
Small Time |
2:40
|
| 2 |
The Biscuit Tin |
3:32
|
| 3 |
Is |
2:50
|
| 4 |
Whenever Love Lies |
3:48
|
| 5 |
Wasted |
2:55
|
| 6 |
On Your Own |
4:19
|
| 7 |
God I Hate This Town |
2:32
|
| 8 |
Ticket To Hell |
3:47
|
| 9 |
Just As Bad |
3:44
|
| 10 |
Giz A Life |
4:25
|
| 11 |
In My Livable Hole |
4:33 |
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