WA rock band Great Gable are no strangers to traversing the globe. However, their new record, Small Fry, is a distinctly home state affair. Recording for the first time since 2018 back home in Perth and working with Dave Parkin at Blackbird Studio for the first time, lead singer Alex Whiteman, guitarist Matt Preen, bassist Christopher Bye and drummer Madi Hanley, have produced a record that shows the rest of the world what makes their home so special. Alex says, “A lot of the album reflects on my experiences growing up down south in WA, and those memories play a big part in the music. It’s a mix of emotions, a bit of nostalgia and sentimentality. I think that authenticity is what makes the album special for me.”
It’s that authenticity that shines through when listening to Small Fry, from the opening notes of ‘Best Friend’ through to the last seconds of closing track ‘Asleep’. Following on from the 2023 EP Read The Room, Alex found himself writing the majority of Small Fry at home alone. He then took the demos he’d created to the rest of the band, as well as Dave, and the resulting album captures the spirit of those initial recordings. Alex says, “[Dave] was really good at keeping the original vibes of the demos I had, while enhancing the overall sound quality.”
Recording at home gave Alex the space to look inward, reaching deeper into his past and present to find the songs that would eventually make up Small Fry. Reflecting on the atmosphere of Small Fry, he says, “We wanted to create an authentic record that sounds like four people in a room playing their instruments. We didn’t want to go over the top with any weird sounds or anything like that. We just focused on the writing and the songs themselves. The overall feeling of Small Fry is probably a bit happier than our past records, which might be a sign that we’re happier people at the moment.”
This happiness is infectious: it’s not hard to break out in a smile when listening to Small Fry. ‘Best Friend’ is an ode to that special person in one’s life, while ‘Hometown’ is a celebration of growing up, and captures Alex’s experiences living in Bunbury. He reflects, “It’s pretty much me remembering what it was like to grow up down there, thinking back and drawing on things like the little house on the corner of the street, which was a house I lived in.” Even the title of ‘Muck About’ is uplifting, while the song itself is ripe for a singalong around a roaring campfire. Nostalgic while sounding distinctly fresh, Small Fry is a celebration of the best days gone by, and the perfect days still to come.
Small Fry saw a new band member introduced into the mix, with drummer Madi joining the band following Callum Guy’s departure. It’s given the band a different edge, which Alex speaks about with excitement. He explains, “It’s been cool to hear Madi play the songs [from the album], adding her unique touch to them. She plays them slightly differently, which is cool. Even the older songs have a new vibe when she plays them, and it’s exciting to experience that. It’s awesome having her in the band.”
While Small Fry is the perfect accompaniment to priceless memories, there are also small touches that’ll reward repeat, focused listens. ‘I Would Rather Be Happy Than Right’ was recorded at Alex’s home on his tape deck, and the instrumental track is instantly charming (especially for those that are believers in the harmonica revival). Elsewhere, the slide guitar on ‘Asleep’, one of the album’s slower moments, and one of its standouts – adds to the sense of warmth that powers the record.
These more laidback moments are peppered throughout the record, and the transition between the frenetic and the mellow moments keep listeners on their toes. ‘Wouldn’t Be So Mean’ is another slow-burner, rippling and pulsating with every note, with a rip-roaring guitar solo set to give both old and new Great Gable fans goosebumps. Following track ‘She Said’, meanwhile, is every bit as anthemic as any song in the band’s discography, featuring a supernova chorus that’ll stop the listener in their tracks. Small Fry is simultaneously a salve for many tender souls, while also being wholly appropriate as the backdrop to a rowdy pub session with loved ones. It’s Great Gable’s ability to write music for every occasion that has made them such a crowd favourite, and their range is explored like never before on this album.
The band’s schedule for 2024 has kept them booked and busy. They’ve already got a couple of UK/Europe tours under their belt, while there’s a tour supporting Lime Cordiale on the horizon. They’ve been busy testing songs from the new record throughout 2024’s live dates, with the new tracks proving to be highlights of their shows. Alex says, “The new tracks have a good beat, and people really bounce along to them, which adds a great energy to our performances. It feels like the songs are resonating well, and that makes playing them live even more special.”
Following the release of Small Fry on October 18, it’s Australia’s turn to bask in the energy of a Great Gable live show. They’ll be heading on an Australian + New Zealand headline tour to celebrate the record, hitting stages around the country and beyond. While their heart might still lie at home in South-West Western Australia, it’s clear that audiences near and far have fallen in love with the sun-soaked sound of Great Gable. Don’t be fooled by the name: Small Fry is their biggest record yet.
