Bullett feat. David Forrest Small
Bullett, for the most part, came out of Missouri and landed in Boulder, by way of Gainesville, FL, and Colorado Springs. They were a popular and regular fixture in Boulder during the Boulder music boom of the mid 70s to early 80s. They had 65 original rock songs in their complete set list when frontman Dave Small and their then manager, Robert Wolff, relocated to LA for one last shot at 'The Deal'. Enjoy their original blend of different rock styles influenced by the 'Colorado Sound' so prevalent in Boulder. It is definitely a piece of Boulder history reflecting the 70s boom time.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
By the time David Forrest Small had graduated High School, he had written over one thousand songs. By the time Bullett came together, he was approaching fifteen hundred. To say he was (and is) prolific is an understatement! By the time the band broke up, they had a live set list of sixty five original tunes. All except two were Dave's. He has continued that tradition today, as reflected in his solo album series, SmallSongs.
This is a retrospective of 12 of the most popular Bullett songs that were recorded during the 70s and early 80s, some by the core group that was together for many years, and some by Dave Small, Richie Michalik (lead guitar), and L.A. or Boulder session players. They want this CD to be a reflection of Dave's vision, their experiences and relationships, as well as the guitar-based rock album that ran up against disco and punk. In fact, several of the songs were cut for record companies. Right place, wrong time, wrong deal. Almost 30 years later, it is the right time and the internet is the right place. This will be a valuable CD in Dave Small's fans' collections, as it shows his roots and the origin of the evolution of his current writing and recording.
You will find Dave's usual collection of varied songs, from hard rock to ballads to country rock, and Richie's wonderful instrumental.
This source material was, in some cases, over 30 years old and not the best; in some cases, cassettes. The sound quality will vary, but we are very pleased with the results, and a good song is a good song, regardless. Heart and Soul is the oldest and the most damaged, but turned out very well. Even if we could have found, restored, and remixed the original 24-track tapes, we kind of like that this is how they were mixed then and originally sounded, reflecting the times and technology.
Bullett also opened for or played with Canned Heat, Kenny Rankin, JJ Cale, and Goose Greek Symphony.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
The band disbanded in the early 80s and Dave went to LA with his manager to push for a record deal. They had a set list of 65 original songs when they broke up and could captivate an audience with them. I remember one night, when they played to about 1,000 people, and the outdoor venue was completely electric. Magic night!
Your musical influences
The Beatles, Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Eagles, Queen, The Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, Dan Fogelberg, The Guess Who, Sam Cooke, Roy Orbison, Irving Berlin, Harry Nilsson, James Taylor, Harry Chapin, Johnny Mathis, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Nat King Cole, and others too numerous to mention... why singer/songwriters, of course!
Anything else?
The former members of Bullett have gone on to play with Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Warren Zevon, Axe, 2nd Firefall lineup, Roger McGuinn, McGuinn/Clark/Hillman, Kathy Mattea, Don Williams, Nicolette Larson, Lee Roy Parnell, Delbert McClinton (on Conan O'Brien's TV show), and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra.
