Berfore being signed by CBS Canada and Epic in America for their third album ‘Big Deal’, KILLER DWARFS made a name by themselves tirelessly playing the local circuit since formed in the early ’80s.
“Stand Tall” is the band’s second album released 1986 by small label Maze Music whom also managed to get the LP distributed in the US. KiLLeR DWaRfS got two singles and videos from the album aired on MTV, that led to major label interest.
As requested, here’s the pretty rare “Stand Tall [Canadian reissue remastered]“, only released locally and hard to find – now over $150 for a copy.
“Stand Tall” sports a pretty good production with that mid-Eighties sound style; clean, with tons of reverb, and the songs are plenty of really melodic hooks and tasty guitar riffs / solos. Since first track “Stand Tall (Stick To Your Guns)” all four Dwarfs kick down the walls, the song trucks forward and hey, these guys mean business. The verses, chorus, music — everything is here all rolled into one little kick ass opener.
In “Human Survival” Mike opens with a power riff and for the next four plus minutes, Russ Dwarf tells us all how we will survive. Don’t give up hope peeps say the Dwarfs and by golly, I won’t! Good song with a mid tempo groove. Some creepy eery sounds start “Up To You And Me” and Bad Ronbo Dwarf and his bass do some Gene Simmons like “do, d0, do” and he locks it in with Darrell Dwarf on drums. This is borderline AOR balladry — kinda maybe — not saying but it features some nice acoustic guitar mixed with electric of course and the song ramps up come chorus time.
“Borderline” is about walking the fine line on the borderline. This is a no frills straight rock song and the Dwarfs are making sure that the Winnebago is still gassed up ’cause the wheels aren’t coming off ’til the party ends.
One of the coolest thing about these guys is not only that “Keep The Spirit Alive” is a great song but the video as well! Actually, the two videos — “Stand Tall (Stick To Your Guns”) being the other — are what sold me at the time plus this song is about walking before you run and not giving up. Positive vibes all around here folks. The verse, pre-chorus, chorus, guitar solo, drums, singing and bassing is all here. What a gem of a rockin’ tune. When you’re having a shitty day, play this track.
On “Believe In Me” the chorus is the money shot… super catchy. On “Do Or Die” Darrell Dwarf lays down the drum groove and the great thing is the band is not letting down even this far into their album. “Do Or Die” says Russ and I believe him. Mike throws down a good solo while Bad Ronbo on bass hammers the pedal to the metal.
“Out In The Streets” starts off with a power riff followed by some soloing right off the hop. Russ Dwarf grabs you by the neck and takes us down to the street and tells us how to live. Don’t give up. Kick ass is what he’s saying.
On “Bite The Hand That Feeds” there’s some added texture at the beginning with a live crowd mixed in — like Def Leppard‘s “Rocks Off” from On Through The Night — and Mike & Darrell Dwarf rocket the ship straight to the moon at rapid speed. Slam Bam Thank you Mam. This song rocks fast and Russ keeps up with the vocals while Bad Ronbo nails the door closed with his bass A punchy way to end an album — basically a kick down the door scorcher.
In conclusion, what a great little ball of independent rock in the form of ”Stand Tall”. While following the rules of pop-metal 1986, KiLLeR DWaRfS did it their way on this release and they should be commended for that.
In retrospect, ”Stand Tall” holds up very well today, even more with this remastering. A reminder when rock n’ roll was fun!
Highly Recommended
01 – Stand Tall (Stick To Your Guns)
02 – Human Survival
03 – Up To You And Me
04 – Borderline
05 – Through Animal Eyes
06 – Keep The Spirit Alive
07 – Believe In Me
08 – Do Or Die
09 – Out In The Streets
10 – Bite The Hand That Feeds
Vocals – Russ Dwarf
Guitar, Vocals – Mike Dwarf
Bass, Vocals – “Bad” Ronald Dwarf
Drums, Vocals – Darrell Dwarf