Legendary Tri-City grunge/punk band Small reuniting for Kennewick show
Back in the early ‘90s, Nirvana and Pearl Jam were rising to prominence on the national scene.
But in the Tri-Cities, one of the biggest bands around was Small.
The punk/grunge outfit had a rabid local fan base and was making waves beyond the Tri-Cities, touring nationally and even commanding a promo on MTV.
“We were traveling in a band together playing music and writing music,” lead singer Jon Boetes has said. “I look back at it as a really great time. We were best friends and we were just having fun.”
This weekend, the guys will look to recapture that magic.
The band is playing reunion shows in Seattle and Kennewick to mark the 25th anniversary of its seminal album, Finished One, and to celebrate a vinyl and digital reissue.
Fans footed the bill for the reissue through an online fund-raising campaign. Boetes said the shows are for them.
“They really came through,” he told the Herald this week. “It’s made us excited to play for them.”
We were traveling in a band together playing music and writing music. I look back at it as a really great time. We were best friends and we were just having fun.
Jon Boetes
lead singerThe Seattle show is Friday at El Corazon.
The Kennewick show is Saturday at Clover Island Inn. Doors open at 5 p.m., with Gale Forces, Savage Henrys and Volcanoes on the Sun also taking the stage.
The show is all ages. Cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Finished One came out in August 1992 on the local Mysophobic Records. It sold thousands of copies, particularly resonating with youth.
One of those young fans was Peter Greenberg, who caught Small live in the Tri-Cities as a teen and was taken with the band’s energy, presence and sound.
He led the effort to reissue Finished One, telling the Herald last year that, “(the) record did so much for the scene that it deserves acknowledgment. A place in history.”
Small didn’t have a dramatic breakup. The guys remained friends, and several went onto play in another band together, The Ladybird Unition.
Boetes said he wasn’t sure what to think when Greenberg reached out about the possibility of reissuing Finished One.
But it’s been a meaningful experience, he said. And the guys are excited about playing together again.
“It’s been really fun. Just seeing everybody and being together has been great,” Boetes said.
Boetes now lives in the Seattle area, along with drummer Jim Acquavella and guitarist Kris Boisoneau. Small’s other two members, guitarist Craig Woodall and bass player Bill Hughes, live in the Tri-Cities.
The guys will play songs from Finished One, along with later recordings. They’ll also have records and other merch available for sale.
Along with sharing the stage with his bandmates, Boetes is looking forward to seeing fans who rocked out with them all those years ago.
“I’m really excited to see familiar faces that I know were there 25 years ago. And also to maybe see the faces of their kids,” he said. “I know for some fans, it was an important time. It will be nice to (reunite).”
Boetes also is playing also is playing Sunday at Emerald of Siam in Richland with Old Friendly, a group that includes members of Small, Ladybird Unition, Spydial, Housebroken and more.
Chris Baugh also will take the stage. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $8.
Sara Schilling: 509-582-1529, @SaraTCHerald
This story was originally published August 3, 2017 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Legendary Tri-City grunge/punk band Small reuniting for Kennewick show."