Killer Dwarfs
Encyclopedia
Killer Dwarfs were a heavy metal
band who formed in late 1981 in Oshawa, Ontario
. Though they were known for their off beat sense of humor (all band members adopted the surname "Dwarf"), they were nominated for two Juno Awards.
The original members of Killer Dwarfs were Russ Graham (Russ Dwarf) lead vocals, Bryce Trewin (Bryce Dwarf) on guitar, Ange Fodero (Ange Dwarf) on bass, and Darrell Millar (Darrell Dwarf) on drums. Trewin and Fodero left the band a year after its self-titled debut album was released in 1983 because they thought the band was stuck in neutral; they were replaced by Mike Hall (Mike Dwarf) on guitar and Ronald Mayer (Ronald "Bad Ronbo" Dwarf) on bass, respectively. They released 1986's Stand Tall (on indie label Maze/A&M
in Canada and Grudge Records in the USA) with this lineup. The album received good reviews and achieved modest success. It sold 80,000 units with no small help from the videos for "Keep the Spirit Alive", which was the most requested video on MTV by spring 1987, and the title track, "Stand Tall". With the addition of touring the U.S. coast to coast, the exposure got the band noticed, which eventually led them to signing a record deal with major label Epic Records
. In 1988 the band released its first album on the Epic label titled Big Deal
, which featured their major U.S. metal radio hit We Stand Alone. In 1988 They were the opening act for Iron Maiden
on their Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour in England. In 1990 they released Dirty Weapons. These two albums are their only releases to make the Billboard charts
. Mike Hall left prior to 1992's Method to the Madness, and was replaced by Gerry Finn (Gerry Dwarf). With their most successful days behind them, they were dropped by Epic. That, in addition to Graham's family crisis, was enough to put the Killer Dwarfs on hold in 1995. The Stand Tall lineup reunited in 2001 for a tour, and a live album, Reunion of Scribes: Live 2001, was released in 2002. Bassist Ron left the band in 2003 and was replaced by Sass Jordan
bassist Stan Miczek. Stan was nicknamed Smokin' Stan Dwarf. Mike Hall also played in the band Balls Deep, with former Harem Scarem
drummer Darren Smith, Stan Miczek on bass, as well as playing guitar on Smith's recent solo release. As of 2008, the band is inactive, with Russ Graham having joined Canadian rock institution Moxy
.
Mike Hall has also been a member of London, Ontario
's Helix
, playing alongside his Balls Deep bandmate Darren Smith. Gerry Finn has also played alongside Hall in Helix. Millar has gone on to start his own record label, Unkledunk Records, and is now a frontman for rock band Automan.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band who formed in late 1981 in Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
. Though they were known for their off beat sense of humor (all band members adopted the surname "Dwarf"), they were nominated for two Juno Awards.
The original members of Killer Dwarfs were Russ Graham (Russ Dwarf) lead vocals, Bryce Trewin (Bryce Dwarf) on guitar, Ange Fodero (Ange Dwarf) on bass, and Darrell Millar (Darrell Dwarf) on drums. Trewin and Fodero left the band a year after its self-titled debut album was released in 1983 because they thought the band was stuck in neutral; they were replaced by Mike Hall (Mike Dwarf) on guitar and Ronald Mayer (Ronald "Bad Ronbo" Dwarf) on bass, respectively. They released 1986's Stand Tall (on indie label Maze/A&M
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
in Canada and Grudge Records in the USA) with this lineup. The album received good reviews and achieved modest success. It sold 80,000 units with no small help from the videos for "Keep the Spirit Alive", which was the most requested video on MTV by spring 1987, and the title track, "Stand Tall". With the addition of touring the U.S. coast to coast, the exposure got the band noticed, which eventually led them to signing a record deal with major label Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
. In 1988 the band released its first album on the Epic label titled Big Deal
Big Deal
Big Deal or The Big Deal may refer to:* Big Deal , a 1986 Broadway musical* Big Deal , a 1996 series on FOX* Big Deal , a British comedy drama...
, which featured their major U.S. metal radio hit We Stand Alone. In 1988 They were the opening act for Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
on their Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour in England. In 1990 they released Dirty Weapons. These two albums are their only releases to make the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
. Mike Hall left prior to 1992's Method to the Madness, and was replaced by Gerry Finn (Gerry Dwarf). With their most successful days behind them, they were dropped by Epic. That, in addition to Graham's family crisis, was enough to put the Killer Dwarfs on hold in 1995. The Stand Tall lineup reunited in 2001 for a tour, and a live album, Reunion of Scribes: Live 2001, was released in 2002. Bassist Ron left the band in 2003 and was replaced by Sass Jordan
Sass Jordan
Sarah "Sass" Jordan is a Canadian, Juno Award winning, rock singer/songwriter who grew up in Montreal.- Biography :...
bassist Stan Miczek. Stan was nicknamed Smokin' Stan Dwarf. Mike Hall also played in the band Balls Deep, with former Harem Scarem
Harem Scarem
Harem Scarem were a Canadian melodic rock band from Toronto, ON. Harem Scarem achieved popularity in Japan and their native Canada in the early 1990s. Harem Scarem were active from 1987 to 2008...
drummer Darren Smith, Stan Miczek on bass, as well as playing guitar on Smith's recent solo release. As of 2008, the band is inactive, with Russ Graham having joined Canadian rock institution Moxy
Moxy (band)
Moxy was a Canadian hard rock and heavy metal band, formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1974, from previous members of the rock group, Leigh Ashford — which included singer Douglas "Buzz" Shearman Earl Johnson , Bill Wade Moxy was a Canadian hard rock and heavy metal band, formed in Toronto, Ontario in...
.
Mike Hall has also been a member of London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
's Helix
Helix (band)
Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
, playing alongside his Balls Deep bandmate Darren Smith. Gerry Finn has also played alongside Hall in Helix. Millar has gone on to start his own record label, Unkledunk Records, and is now a frontman for rock band Automan.
Studio albums
- Killer Dwarfs, 1983, re-release 2002
- Stand Tall, 1986, re-release 2003
- Big Deal, 1988, re-release 2000
- Dirty Weapons, 1990, re-release 2000
- Method to the Madness, 1992
See also
- Canadian rockCanadian rockCanadian rock describes a wide and diverse variety of music produced by Canadians, beginning with American style rock 'n' roll in the mid-20th century. Since then Canada has had a considerable impact on the development of the modern popular music called rock...
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- :Category:Canadian rock music groups
- List of Canadian musicians
- List of bands from Canada
- Timeline of hard rock/heavy metal