Small Mercies

Small Mercies were established in 1997 in Brisbane by Steve Blaik (a.k.a. Steve Martin) on lead vocals (later on guitar), Marty O'Brien on drums, and Danny Procopis on lead guitar – all attended local secondary schools, St. Laurence's College (Blaik) and Padua College (O'Brien and Procopis).{{cite news | url = http://catholicleader.com.au/youth/road-to-fame_37249 | title = Road to Fame | work = The Catholic Leader | publisher = Archdiocese of Brisbane | date = 21 January 2001 | access-date = 27 August 2015 }}{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110524091449/http://www.sonymusic.com.au/artist/artistBiography.do?artistId=17345 |url = http://www.sonymusic.com.au/artist/artistBiography.do?artistId=17345 | title = Biography – Small Mercies | publisher = Sony BMG | archive-date = 24 May 2011 | access-date = 27 August 2015 }} The trio were initially named Psybin Trip before changing to Blaik (styled as blaik).{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070920193042/http://amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=2675 | url = http://amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=2675 | title = Artists :: Blaik | publisher = Australian Music Online | archive-date = 20 September 2007 | access-date = 30 August 2015 }} By 1999 the band were renamed Seventh Avenue and also included Simon O'Connor on rhythm guitar and Shaun Spooner on bass guitar and backing vocals – both also from Padua College and both were ex-Nobenn, another Brisbane group.{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040720140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23625/20040721-0000/www.brispop.com/artists/indexa2b0.html?action=dsp_bio&artistID=293 | url = http://www.brispop.com/index.cfm?action=dsp_bio&artistID=293 | title = Blaik | publisher = Brispop.com | archive-date = 20 July 2004 | access-date = 27 August 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

During 2001 Seventh Avenue were finalists for the Brisbane Rock Award, which earned them the right to play at Queen Street Mall Basement. This performance attracted Shawthing Entertainment's Greg Shaw, who became their manager. The band worked with Stuart Stuart (The Veronicas), Dave Nicholas (INXS, Sting), Trey Bruce (Faith Hill) and Randy Staub (Nickelback, Metallica) on song writing or recordings.{{cite web | url = http://www.amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=3789 | title = Small Mercies Biography | publisher = Australian Music Online | access-date = 5 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070906111019/http://amo.org.au/artist.asp?id=3789 | archive-date = 6 September 2007 }} They met John Woodruff (Savage Garden, Evermore), after he had heard their early demos, who became their next manager in 2001. He recommended them to Sony BMG.{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/small-mercies-mn0001546320/biography | title = Small Mercies | Biography | author = Collar, Matt | publisher = All Media Guide | work = AllMusic | access-date = 28 August 2015 }}{{cite web | url = http://www.moshtix.com.au/record.asp?lEventID=13096&caller=RSS_my247 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230133721/http://www.moshtix.com.au/record.asp?lEventID=13096&caller=RSS_my247 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | title = Small Mercies Innocent Tour | publisher = Moshtix | date = 20 July 2007 | access-date = 4 November 2007 }}

In 2002 the band's name returned to Blaik, they released material on their official website, such as a four-track, Blaik Sampler (December 2002), which includes an early version of "Innocent".{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031223114640/http://blaik.com/ | url = http://blaik.com/ | title = black Music | publisher = Blaik Official Website | archive-date = 23 December 2003 | access-date = 30 August 2015 }} In June 2003 they recorded with Bruce producing at Rockinghorse Studios, Byron Bay.{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031223114640/http://blaik.com/ | url = http://blaik.com/ | title = black | publisher = Blaik Official Website | archive-date = 23 December 2003 | year = 2003| access-date = 30 August 2015 }} Blaik released a five-track EP, Is This Life?, in November that year.{{cite web | url = http://www.freedb.org/freedb_search.php | title = Database Search | publisher = freedb | access-date = 31 August 2015 }} Note: user may have to supply information, e.g. at "Words:" blaik

Under the name, Small Mercies, in May 2004 they signed with Modern Music. They released a five-track EP, Off the Record,{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20050902140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/30338/20050903-0000/www.theprogram.net.au/reviewsPrint62c0.html | url = http://www.theprogram.net.au/reviewsPrint62c0.html | title = Reviews :: Music :: Small Mercies – Off the Record | last = Curtis | first = Jacqui | work = The Program | publisher = Australia Council | archive-date = 2 September 2005 | access-date = 27 August 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} on 10 September 2004 on Sony BMG and Modern Music.{{cite web | date = 13 September 2004 | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20041019140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20041020-0000/ISSUE759.pdf | title = The ARIA Report| publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue = 759 | page = 28 | url = http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue759.pdf | archive-date = 19 October 2004 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Their producer was Dave Nicholas.{{cite web | url = http://www.mediasearch.com.au/music/cdreviews/smallmercies1.html | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090303143000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/63544/20090304-0130/www.mediasearch.com.au/music/cdreviews/smallmercies1.html | url-status = dead | title = Small Mercies – Off the Record | author = Mutsaers, Mike | publisher = Carmine Pascuzzi | work = Mediasearch | archive-date = 3 March 2009 | year = 2009 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} "Pellet Gun", a track from the EP, was issued as a single,{{cite web|url=http://www.modernmusic.com.au/2006/studionews.php?page=4|title=Studio News|publisher=Modern Music|access-date= 29 November 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070911211619/http://www.modernmusic.com.au/2006/studionews.php?page=4 |archive-date = 11 September 2007}} it was co-written by Blaik, O'Brien, O'Connor, Procopis and Spooner.{{cite web | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | title = 'Pellet Gun' at APRA search engine | url = https://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt?action=workSearch#axd?q=Pellet%20Gun | access-date = 27 August 2015 }} Note: User may have to click 'Search again' and provide details at 'Enter a title:' e.g Pellet Gun; or at 'Performer:' Small Mercies It was added to the Triple J play list and in October 2007 it appeared on Power On – Rock Hits 2007, a various artists' compilation album.{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071101014855/http://www.sonymusic.com.au/cd/releaseDetails.do?catalogueNo=88697177922 | url = http://www.sonymusic.com.au/cd/releaseDetails.do?catalogueNo=88697177922| title = Power On – Rock Hits 2007 | publisher = Sony BMG | archive-date = 1 November 2007 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }} By 2005 the band's line-up was Blaik, Procopis, O'Brien, and Jeff Reeves on bass guitar.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070621044326/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21901783-2902,00.html |url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21901783-2902,00.html | title = Big start for Small Mercies | publisher = News Corp Australia | work = The Herald Sun | last = Borensztajn | first =Jordana | archive-date = 21 June 2007 | date=14 June 2007 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }}

Small Mercies contacted their next producer, Matt Wallace, after he left a message on their MySpace website: "Hey guys, love this stuff. Are you still looking for a producer?" Wallace was at the top of their "wish list" of possible producers. The group recorded their debut album, Beautiful Hum (May 2008), over an eight-week span in late 2006 in Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley, working at The Pass and Sound City Studios.{{cite web | url = http://www.apra.com.au/publications/APRAP_Au/2008/July08.pdf | title = Going Global | author = Grant, Kathy | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association | work = APRAp | page = 14 | date = July–August 2008 | access-date = 28 August 2015 | url-status = bot: unknown | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080811141300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/21044/20080812-0013/www.apra.com.au/publications/APRAP_Au/2008/July08.pdf | archive-date = 11 August 2008}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The recording was mixed by Tim Palmer, who had worked with Pearl Jam and U2.{{cite web | url = http://www.melodic.net/newsOne.asp?newsId=8550 | title = Small Mercies, new great modern rock from Australia, prod by Matt Wallace | publisher = Melodic | first = Johan | last = Wippsson | date = 3 August 2007 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }} The album was released on 24 May 2008, which reached the top 60 of the ARIA Albums Chart.

The first single from the album, "Innocent", was released on 28 May 2007, which reached the ARIA Singles Chart top 40. The track was co-written by Blaik, Procopis and Stuart.{{cite web | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | title = 'Innocent' at APRA search engine | url = https://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt?action=workSearch#axd?q=Innocent | access-date = 27 August 2015 }} Note: User may have to click 'Search again' and provide details at 'Enter a title:' e.g Innocent; or at 'Performer:' Small Mercies At the ARIA Music Awards of 2007 "Innocent" was nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Single.{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071118143950/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2007 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2007 | title = Winners by Year 2007 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | archive-date = 18 November 2007 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }} It also appeared on the ARIA End of Year Charts: Top 50 Australian Artist Singles 2007.{{cite web | url = http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-australian-singles-2007.htm | title = ARIA Top 50 Australian Artists Singles 2007 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association | access-date = 30 August 2015 }} "Innocent" was used on the TV promo ad for United States series, Prison Break.{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080907183256/http://www.take40.com/artists/1869/small-mercies/bio | url = http://www.take40.com/artists/1869/small-mercies/bio | title = Small Mercies Biography | publisher = Take 40. MCM Entertainment | archive-date = 7 September 2008 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }}

The album's second single, "Sorry" (November 2007), made the top 60. In November they appeared at the Bourbon Fest in Sydney, alongside Spiderbait and After the Fall.{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090217131800/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/10761/20090218-0018/www.themusic.com.au/imm_displayf5d8.html | url = http://www.themusic.com.au/imm_displayf5d8.html | title = Festivals #7: The Bourbon Fest Announces Acts | author = Eleizer, Christie | publisher = In Music & Media | work = Music Business News | archive-date = 17 February 2009 | date = 30 October 2007 | access-date = 31 August 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Small Mercies supported tours by headlining bands, Hinder (October 2007),{{cite web | url = http://cms02.nudgee.com/public/news/cultural/small-mercies-speak-nudgee-enrichment-expo | title = Small Mercies to speak at Nudgee Enrichment Expo | publisher = St Joseph's College, Nudgee | date = 5 November 2007 | access-date = 30 August 2015 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195713/http://cms02.nudgee.com/public/news/cultural/small-mercies-speak-nudgee-enrichment-expo | url-status = dead }} Nickelback and Daughtry (May 2008).{{cite web | url = http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/events/tribeca/2008/bios/mercies.aspx | title = Small Mercies (APRA) | publisher = American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) | access-date = 29 August 2015 }} In April 2008 they travelled to the US to perform at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, Musexpo in Los Angeles and backing Goo Goo Dolls at the Rose Bowl.{{cite web | url = http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/small-mercies-qld/17880 | title = Small Mercies | publisher = Moshtix | date = 19 April 2008 | access-date = 31 August 2015 }} Through the rest of 2008 they toured Australia to promote the album.{{cite web | url = http://www.timeoff.com.au/html/indexbfad.pdf | title = Lowdown: Grant Them | publisher = Street Press Australia | work = Time Off| pages = 3–4 | date = February 2009 | access-date = 28 August 2015 | url-status = bot: unknown | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090228140800/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/22409/20090301-0108/www.timeoff.com.au/html/indexbfad.pdf | archive-date = 28 February 2009}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} By December 2010 Small Mercies had disbanded. In June 2014 Blaik performed as a solo artist after having been in a duo, the Associates, with Stuart McLean.{{cite web | url = http://www.storybridgehotel.com.au/whats-on/events/595/steve-blaik | title = Steve Blaik | publisher = Story Bridge Hotel | date = 27 June 2014 | access-date = 29 August 2015 }}

Small Mercies and their antecedents' music was influenced by numerous artists. In January 2001 Blaik described 7th Avenue's connections, "bands like Live, Counting Crows and Pearl Jam so it's not too heavy... We mainly play covers at gigs but we add our own flavour as well. It's a change that keeps us interested and our influence comes through in the music." He identified his favourite albums: August and Everything After by Counting Crows, Live's Throwing Copper, and The Joshua Tree by U2. Blaik summarised that he "loves great storytellers". As blaik, the band, in June 2003 their website wrote that their sound was "emotional folk pop".

Blaik, the vocalist, described recording Off the Record as "five guys in a room playing rock music... hoping that the music strikes a chord with those who listen to it."{{cite web | url = http://www.amo.org.au/qa_interview.asp?id=529 | title = Steve Blaik Interview | publisher = Australian Music Online | access-date = 28 August 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070910200302/http://amo.org.au/qa_interview.asp?id=529 | archive-date = 10 September 2007 }} It showed the influences of U2, Counting Crows, Aerosmith and Pearl Jam.{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080727195109/http://www.sonymusic.com.au/cd/releaseDetails.do?catalogueNo=MM0020 | url = http://www.sonymusic.com.au/cd/releaseDetails.do?catalogueNo=MM0020 | title = Australia :: CD Releases :: Small Mercies – Off the Record | publisher = Sony BMG | archive-date = 27 July 2008 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }} Jacqui Curtis of The Program felt the EP "offers listeners yet another melodic rock band with ever-so-catchy tunes to add to their rotation of summer jams... [which] delivers five delectable rock tracks." Curtis described how "Pellet Gun", the lead single "couples hard-hitting lyrics and memorable guitar riff... and attacks every listener's past loves with an attitude and vindictiveness that the heartbroken, dumped and hard-done-by deserve. Picture yourself burning your ex's clothes and you'll find the essence of 'Pellet Gun'."

In an interview on Australian Music Online Blaik listed his favourite Australian artists, and specified some of their attributes or albums: INXS and their lead singer Michael Hutchence's ability "to create so much power and emotion"; Powderfinger's dedication and uniqueness, and Odyssey Number Five which had "everything that I love about Powderfinger"; Crowded House especially Neil Finn's song writing capabilities; Silverchair's Diorama which was "a journey from beginning to end"; The Cruel Sea's live performances; and End of Fashion's self-titled debut album, which he opined "represent to us a place that we would want to be in the near future." He also acknowledged AC/DC, especially their Back in Black album, as being highly influential, claiming "I don't think I know a single musician who doesn't have this record and this band in their record collection", and asking "How can you not be inspired by this band?"

For Beautiful Hum the band provided about 50 tracks and, according to Wallace, there was "not a clunker in the bunch." He described Beautiful Hum as somewhat of a "best of" album, as there was so much content to choose from. Blaik told Tim Colman of The Sydney Morning Herald that "There are actually some songs on the record that are four or five years old, they've sort of just evolved as the band's evolved. The songs have progressed to a point where they're really representative of where the band is now."{{cite web | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/gig-reviews/small-mercies/2007/07/13/1183833729451.html | title = Small Mercies – Gig Reviews | author = Colman, Tim | publisher = Fairfax Media | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = 13 July 2007 | access-date = 30 August 2015 }} In November 2007 FasterLouder's Melbjuz caught their performance at the Chapel in Melbourne, she felt they provided "Emotionally charged melodies... ringing guitar work from Procopis and Blaik's charismatic stage persona" moving from "a real rock-edged buzz" with "Sorry" to "a slower, evocative track" with "Fools".{{cite web | url = http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/11205/Small-Mercies-Vodafone-Live-At-The-Chapel-Melbourne-05112007 | title = Small Mercies @ Vodafone Live at the Chapel, Melbourne (05/11/2007) | author = Melbjuz | publisher = Sound Alliance | work = FasterLouder | date = 8 November 2007 | access-date = 31 August 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) reported that critics had found that Small Mercies' "sound has elements of Matchbox 20, Maroon 5, Bon Jovi and Nickelback with memorable melodies, along with the heartfelt voice of Steve Blaik and the songs he creates with writing partner, guitarist Danny Procopis." Elisa Scarton of Mediasearch described "how distinctly international their sound is" on the album, where the "sound is fresh, Steve Blaik's vocals are unique and appealing to the ears and the songs fulfill their rock agenda."{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20081103130100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/63544/20081104-0001/www.mediasearch.com.au/music/cdreviews/smallmercies-album.html | url = http://www.mediasearch.com.au/music/cdreviews/smallmercies-album.html | title = Small Mercies – Beautiful Hum | author = Scarton, Elisa | publisher = Carmine Pascuzzi | work = Mediasearch | archive-date = 3 November 2008 | year = 2008 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} TheDwarf.com.au website's MikeOwnsYourFace praised "Innocent" as "an epic rock ballad that beckons for lighters and mobile phones to be raised in salutation" but noticed that for the album's later tracks "The band seems to run out of steam, with most of the songs ending up sounding the same as the last."{{cite web | url = http://www.thedwarf.com.au/album_review/beautiful-hum | title = Beautiful Hum by Small Mercies reviewed | author = MikeOwnsYourFace | work = The Dwarf | date = 11 June 2008 | access-date = 31 August 2015 }}

In an interview in the Cairns community newspaper, Cairns Bulletin, O'Brien described their musical forte: "Rock's such a broad term... we do a lot of harder stuff but we also do softer variations" and that his fellow members know "which buttons to press to make things kick in and when to give space when one needs it."{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718153515/http://www.cairnsnewspapers.com.au/columnist/detail.asp?aid=852&cid=6 | url = http://www.cairnsnewspapers.com.au/columnist/detail.asp?aid=852&cid=6 | title = Small Mercies Coming to Cairns | publisher = Cairns Newspapers | work = Cairns Bulletin | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | access-date = 28 August 2015 }}

• Steve Blaik – lead vocals, guitar (1997–2010)
• Marty O'Brien – drums, percussion (1997–2010)
• Danny Procopis – lead guitar (1997–2010)
• Simon O'Connor – rhythm guitar (1999–2004)
• Shaun Spooner – bass guitar, backing vocals (1999–2004)
• Jeff Reeves – bass guitar, backing vocals (2005–2010)

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.

{{awards table}}

! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

|-

| 2007

| "Innocent"

| Breakthrough Artist - Single

| {{nom}}

| {{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2007 |title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2007: 21st Annual ARIA Awards |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) |access-date=13 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118143950/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2007 |archive-date=18 November 2007 }}

|-

{{end}}

{{Portal|Music|Australia}}

• Music of Australia
• Popular entertainment in Brisbane

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20031223114640/http://blaik.com/ Blaik Official Website]. Archived from [http://blaik.com/ the original] on 23 December 2003. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090627070357/http://www.smallmercies.com.au/ Small Mercies Official Website]. Archived from [http://www.smallmercies.com.au/ the original] on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2015.

{{good article}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Australian pop rock groups

Category:Australian alternative rock groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1997

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2010

Category:Musical groups from Brisbane

Category:People educated at Padua College (Brisbane)