Killer Dwarfs

Killer Dwarfs
Origin Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Genres Heavy metal, hard rock, pop metal
Years active 1981 – present
Members Russ Graham
Darrell Millar
Gerry Finn
Johnny Fenton
Past members Ange Fodero
Bryce Trewin
Mike Hall
Bad Ronbo Mayer

Killer Dwarfs (stylized as KiLLeR DWaRfS) are a Canadian heavy metal band who formed in late 1981 in Oshawa, Ontario, and who enjoyed moderate success in their native Canada in the 1980s. Known for their offbeat sense of humor (all band members adopted the surname "Dwarf"), they were nominated for two Juno Awards during their career. Though not British, they were sometimes compared to NWOBHM acts such as Iron Maiden and Saxon.[1]

Overview

The KiLLeR DWaRFs were formed in the fall of 1981 from the ashes of vocalist Russ “Dwarf” Graham and drummer Darrell “Dwarf” Millar’s club bands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The band was rounded out by Bryce “Dwarf” Trewin (guitar) and Ange “Dwarf” Fodero (bass).

The KiLLeR DWaRFs quickly gained international success, first in Canada with the Juno nominated self-titled KiLLeR DWaRFs debut album in 1983 with Attic Records produced by Doug Hill. Their break-through in the United States came when San Antonio based radio personality Joe Anthony started spinning their album on a regular basis. This came much to the delight of hard rocking Texans. This planted the seeds for what would result in KiLLeR DWaRFs receiving a lot of attention south of Canada's border.

It would be three years before the follow-up was released; due in part to Bryce and Ange leaving the band. They both left the band in 1984 to be replaced by Mike “Dwarf” Hall and Bad Ronbo “Dwarf” Mayer. The band soon cut the iconic and now highly sought-after album STAND TALL in '86 on Maze/A&M Records in Canada, and Grudge Records stateside. The KiLLeR DWaRFs toured relentlessly in support of it. The first single, "Keep the Spirit Alive," was an anthem of the times. Much Music’s new Pepsi Power Hour provided substantial airplay for their hits "Stand Tall " and “Keep The Spirit Alive” in Canada, while MTV provided great American exposure for the band. MTV soon put the band's videos for "Keep The Spirit Alive" and "Stand Tall" on a 13-week rotation allowing the album to sell an unprecedented 80,000 copies during that time. (It has now surpassed the 100000 units sold and has sold on EBay for as much as $500!) By the spring of 1987, the video became the most requested video on MTV, setting a record that would take years to overcome. It still holds the record for MTV's most-requested independent video of all time. A second video Stand Tall was greeted with similar accolades. The exposure led to Russ hosting the MTV "Head banger’s Ball" with Rob Halford of Judas Priest in 1987.

With the addition of national tours of the United States and Canada the exposure got the KiLLeR DWaRFs noticed and brought Sony/Epic Records to their door offering a multimillion-dollar worldwide recording contract. The KiLLeR DWaRFs first album with Sony/Epic was BIG DEAL. It was recorded again in Toronto and produced by Simon Halhart, whose previous credits included the likes of Saxon and Marillion, Big Deal continued on the road the band had paved for itself with hits like "Starting To Shine", "Power" and the anthem like "Desperados" assisted the single "We Stand Alone" in showing the world the KiLLeR DWaRFs were a world-class metal outfit. That year they went on tour to support Iron Maiden across Europe on a sold out tour and appearing at several outdoor rock festivals here and overseas.

The next year the band moved operations from Toronto to Los Angeles to record "Dirty Weapons" with award-winning and much sought-after producer Andy Johns (Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi and Cinderella). Released in 1990, the resulting album sported 'Doesn't Matter' – The Killer Dwarfs first radio hit in the USA. The song went to #1 in thirteen cities, including two major stations in Los Angeles. The title track, 'Dirty Weapons,' also became a smash hit and a standard on MTV's Headbanger's Ball program In 1991 The KiLLeR DWaRFs were nominated for a Juno award for Best Hard Rock Group but lost out to Rush. In 1992 the band released the album Method to the Madness also with Andy Johns in the producer’s chair. Mike Hall was replaced by Gerry Finn to take over the guitar duties. This album was touted to be one of the best hard rock albums Canada ever produced, including the title track, "Hard Luck Town" and "Cowboys and Conmen " along with the chart topping "Driftin Back" power ballad. After a few years of touring in support of Method to the Madness, the band parted ways with Sony/Epic.

The KiLLeR DWaRFs decided to have a “Reunion” in 2001 to tie up some lose ends from the past. They recorded a Live CD/DVD in their hometown of Toronto, Ontario, which was simulcast live across to locations in US and Canada. This allowed the band almost 4 years of dates in North America. Reunion of Scribes became a much sought-after release and has recently been re-released in 2013 to the fans delight. The KiLLeR DWaRFs have played some of the largest venues around the world including Wembley Arena, Hammersmith Odeon, as well as Toronto's historic CNE Grandstand, Ricoh Coliseum. They have performed on many of the largest festival stages and amphitheatres in the US and Canada. They have also toured and shared the stage with such world-renowned artists such as Iron Maiden, Ronnie James Dio, Joe Perry Project, Michael Schenker, Saxon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Queensryche, Accept, Anvil, Goddo, Warrant, Y&T, Fear Factory, Skid Row, Pantera, Firehouse, and the legendary Nazareth. The band also appeared on “The Mike Bullard Show" and also on TSN performing "The Hockey Song" in '2003.

Darrell Dwarf Millar went on to tour with the Nikki Sixx produced Laidlaw opening for ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Scorpions and Mötley Crüe in USA. And fronted Automan.ca after that opening for Iron Maiden. Vocalist Russ Graham joined Canadian band Moxy from 2008 to 2013. Russ Dwarf has also released a CD of acoustic renditions of his favorite Killer Dwarf songs called Wireless. The CD is released worldwide on March 18, 2013. He is currently touring in support of it and is performing on the 2013 Monsters of Rock Cruise (www.monstersofrock.com) He also launched a new web site www.RussDwarf.com and is currently filming an auto biographical film entitled "Tall Tales".

In 2013 The KiLLeR DWaRFs are also set to release a “lost” never before released KiLLeR DWaRFs album entitled Start @ One in 2013. It was recorded back in 1993 with the same line up as Method to the Madness. The Album will also include two brand new tracks that are currently being written. The band announced in May 2013 that they are reuniting that line up to support the release and will be embarking on a worldwide tour which will commence in the United States in August 2013. Plans are also underway for another Live CD/DVD which will again be filmed in their home town of Toronto with clips and footage 2013 “Start @ One” world tour. The band has now sold close to two million records as it enters this new and exciting chapter in their career. September 2013 They are currently on tour. On March 29 the full band will perform on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise 2014. in 2014 They are also set to appear at Rocklahoma, 80's in the Park, and Skullfest The band has also launched new website. (www.killerdwarfsband.com)

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Killer Dwarfs: Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved June 18, 2013.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.