Tall Dwarfs
| Tall Dwarfs | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Genres | lo-fi music, indie rock, experimental rock |
| Years active | 1981– |
| Associated acts | Toy Love |
| Members |
Chris Knox Alec Bathgate |
Tall Dwarfs are a New Zealand rock band formed in 1981 by Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate who, through their do-it-yourself ethic, helped pioneer the lo-fi style of rock music.[1] The duo formed out of the ashes of Toy Love.[1]
The band lacked a drummer but would use household objects and handclaps to act as percussion.[2] Either member can play guitar; with 12 strings and bass guitar often heard on their records. Both can play organ as well, which has been utilised on some of their songs. The Casiotone is used frequently too, especially in live concerts.
Their debut was the EP Three Songs (1981), and for many years they released EPs only. The album Weeville (1990) was their first full-length album.[1] They did, however, release a number of full-length compilations of their EPs, like Hello Cruel World and The Short and Sick of It.
In the liner notes to their album 3 EPs (1994) (released as a single CD, or as three vinyl EPs collected in one box) they asked for listeners' rhythm tracks: "Send us your idea of a great T.D. throb."[3][4] The responses came from many different countries and were used for the next album, Stumpy (1997). This album was therefore officially credited to "International Tall Dwarfs."[5]
Bands who have claimed to be influenced by the Tall Dwarfs include Elf Power, Neutral Milk Hotel and Olivia Tremor Control. In 2005 they did a small number of concerts in the USA, playing with the Olivia Tremor Control.
Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Label | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPs | ||||||
| 1981 | Three Songs | Furtive Records | ||||
| 1982 | Louis Likes His Daily Dip | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1983 | Canned Music | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1984 | Slugbucket Hairybreath Monster | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1985 | That's the Short and Long of It | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1986 | Throw a Sickie | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1987 | Dogma | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1998 | Gluey, Gluey and The Ear Friend | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| Albums | ||||||
| 1990 | Weeville | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1991 | Fork Songs | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1994 | 3 EPs | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1996 | Stumpy (as the International Tall Dwarfs) | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1998 | Fifty Flavours of Glue | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 2002 | The Sky Above the Mud Below | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| Compilation Albums | ||||||
| 1988 | Hello Cruel World | Flying Nun Records | ||||
| 1992 | The Short and Sick of It | Flying Nun Records | ||||
Featured appearances
The following is a list of compilation albums that have featured tracks by the Tall Dwarfs.
- 1987 – Tuatara (Flying Nun Records) – "The Brain That Wouldn't Die"
- 1988 – Great Jewish Music: Marc Bolan (Tzadik) – "Ride a White Swan"
- 1988 – It's Bigger Than Both of Us (Propeller Records) – "Nothing's Gonna Happen"
- 1988 – Human Music (Homestead Records) – "Gravity" (previously unreleased)
- 1991 – Getting Older (Flying Nun Records) – "Crush"
- 1995 – Abbasalutely (Flying Nun Records) – "On And On And On" (previously unreleased cover of the ABBA song)
- 2002 – Under the Influence - 21 Years of Flying Nun Records (Flying Nun Records) – "If I Were You"
- 2006 – Flying Nun 25th Anniversary Boxset (Flying Nun Records) – "Crush"
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ankeny, Jason (1997-02-11). "Tall Dwarfs – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
- ↑ "Tall Dwarfs". thebigcity. 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
- ↑ Album notes for 3 EPs (1994). Flying Nun Records.
- ↑ "International Tall Dwarfs* – Stumpy (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
- ↑ Album notes for Stumpy (1997). Flying Nun Records.
External links
- Audioculture profile
- Flying Nun – Flying Nun Records official website
- Tall Dwarfs on Myspace
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