The debut Killer Dwarfs LP would set this Canadian band up over the next decade and beyond, but this is where it started.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Killer Dwarfs
ALBUM: Killer Dwarfs
LABEL: Attic
SERIAL: LAT 1178
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Russ Dwarf – vocals * Bryce Dwarf – guitars * Ange Dwarf – bass * Darrell ‘Darnell’ Dwarf – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Are You Ready * 02 Can’t Lose * 03 Drifter * 04 Prisoner * 05 Heavy Metal Breakdown * 06 Read Between The Lines * 07 Gotta Lose To Win * 08 Outlaw Of A Modern Man * 09 Time To Move On * 10 Fire In Your Eyes
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
This album was one of my import vinyl purchases from Shades Records back in 1983. The debut Killer Dwarfs LP would set this Canadian band up over the next decade and beyond, but this is where it started.
The band came together in late 1981 leading into 1982, and originated from the lakeside community of Oshawa, just northeast of Toronto. Known for their senses of humour, Russ Graham, Darrell Millar, Bryce Trewin and Ange Fodero all adopted the ‘Dwarf’ surname, and on the back of local performances, eventually signed to Attic Records.
The Songs
It’s been mentioned previously, that the vocals from Russ sound similar to Jack Russell from Great White mixed in with a bit of Geddy Lee (Rush). Admittedly, it’s a bit of an acquired taste, as he does tend to warble with the helium throughout the album.
The solid riffs from Bryce Trewin is the glue that holds these songs together mostly, as you can hear on the opening pair of ‘Are You Ready’ and the rather excellent ‘Can’t Lose’, where the Dwarfs sound similar to fellow Canucks Reckless.
‘Drifter’ sounds like a mid 70’s Rush track, while the riffs are laid on thick and juicy for ‘Heavy Mental Breakdown’, while the other highlight for me comes toward the end of the album: ‘Time To Move On’.
In Summary
The Killer Dwarfs were nominated for a Juno Award, and eventually fell of the map for a few years, reappearing in 1986. The band by this stage had lost Trewin and Fodero, replaced by Mike Hall and Ron Meyer.
The second album ‘Stand Tall’ was released by Maze Records, who also had fellow Canucks Saga and Frank Marino on their books, and so began the Dwarfs most successful run through the latter part of the 80’s, when signed to Epic Records.
Killer Dwarfs on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
