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The Review - MUSIC - grooves with ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 25 September 2008

The Small Fakers played at the convention

Familiar faces turn out for a big tribute

REVIEW: SMALL FACES CONVENTION
Islington Academy

IT was anything but a lazy Sunday for more than 600 music fans at the Islington Academy for the 12th annual Small Faces Convention.
Along with The Who and The Kinks, the Small Faces were one of the bands that epitomised 1960s London. Decked out in Carnaby Street’s finest, frontman Steve Marriott and bassist Ronnie Lane wrote some of the most evocative songs of the period, including Itchycoo Park and All or Nothing. They were a huge influence on Paul Weller, who turned up at the Jazz Café in Camden in July for a gig by former Small Faces keyboardist, Ian McLagan.
The other surviving member, drummer Kenney Jones, unveiled a Green Plaque for the band in Carnaby Street last year.
This year’s event drew fans from as far afield as New Zealand. Among the eight bands performing Small Faces covers were mod revivalists Secret Affair. Guitarist Dave Cairns, who lives in Islington, said he saw Steve Marriott with Humble Pie at Charlton FC in 1975.
For those who weren’t around to see the originals, inevitably the Small Faces have inspired a tribute band. Unlike most counterfeit acts, however, the Small Fakers have perfected their look and sound, including screaming girls in the front row. Steve Marriott’s nephew joined them on guitar for the band’s first single, Whatcha Gonna Do About It.
Eddie Piller, who runs record label Acid Jazz, was at the event. His mum was the secretary of the Small Faces fanclub and a four-year-old Eddie appeared in photos for the Itchycoo Park single.
Other highlights included best-named band of the night, the Petty Hoodlums. Four decades on, it seems that the Small Faces are bigger than ever.
CLAUDIA ELLIOTT

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