Russ Dwarf of the Killer Dwarfs Connects with Michael Brandvold Marketing for Digital Strategy on Upcoming Release Wireless
Michael Brandvold Marketing is excited to announce their newest client, former KiLLeR DWaRFs lead vocalist, Russ “Dwarf” Graham. Michael Brandvold Marketing will be helping guide Russ’ digital strategy for his new acoustic CD release, “Wireless”, his documentary movie TaLL TaLeS, a KiLLeR DWaRFs unreleased album STaRT @ ONE, his appearance on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, and a brand new RuSS DWaRF Solo Rock Album.
Speaking about Russ, Michael said, “I first was introduced to Russ when he was a guest on my web series the Dropping The Needle podcast (www.DroppingTheNeedle.com), well truthfully I remember playing “Keep The Spirit Alive” by the KiLLeR DWaRFs when I was doing a metal radio show. A classic song that still sounds great today.” Russ commented, “With the release of my new acoustic CD, “Wireless”, I knew I needed to bring someone onboard my team who could help with a digital strategy and help steer me in the new music business. Michael immediately came to mind as the person I wanted.”
A two time Canadian Juno Award nominee Russ“Dwarf” Graham has also sold close to two million records worldwide and has had a career spanning more than 30 years. Russ was the co-founder of the KiLLeR DWaRFs in 1981. He and 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 which was produced by Doug Hill. Using his own money, the band cut the iconic and now highly sought after album STAND TALL in ’86 on Maze/A&M Records in Canada, and Grudge Records stateside. Russ and the band 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 the his hits “Stand Tall ” and “Keep The Spirit Alive” in Canada, while MTV provided great American exposure for Russ and 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. 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. With the addition of national tours of the United States and Canada the exposure got Russ and the band noticed and brought Sony/Epic Recordsto their door offering a multimillion dollar worldwide recording contract. Russ 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. 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, Russ and 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’ – Russ’ 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 Russ and The Killer Dwarfs were nominated for a Juno for Best Hard Rock Group. The following year saw the release of METHOD TO THE MADNESS also with Andy Johns in the producer’s chair. 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, Russ and his band parted ways with Sony/Epic.
Currently Russ has a new solo album is in the works again with Legendary producer/engineer Andy Johns who is set to produce it. The album has attracted the attention of many prolific artists in the metal world who will either guest on the project or assist with song-writing including present/past members of GUNS N’ ROSES, WHITESNAKE, ALICE COOPER and MOTLEY CRUE AND RATT. Russ is also set to release and Acoustic CD (“Wireless”) of some of his greatest hits from the KiLLeR DWaRFs era as well as a “lost” never before released KiLLeR DWaRFs album entitled Start @ One.
Work is also currently under way on a documentary movie on Russ’ life and career tentatively titled “Tall Tales” which should be released in 2013/2014 as well as a book version to follow.
Visit http://www.Facebook.com/RussDwarf for more information on Russ “Dwarf” Graham and http://www.MichaelBrandvold.com for more information on Michael Brandvold Marketing.
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