- Tall Dwarfs
Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Tall Dwarfs
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Background = group_or_band
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin =New Zealand
Instrument =
Genre = Rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 1981-
Label =
Associated_acts = Toy Love
URL =
Current_members =Chris Knox Alec Bathgate
Past_membersTall Dwarfs are a
New Zealand rock band formed in 1981 byChris Knox andAlec Bathgate who, through their do-it-yourself ethic, helped pioneer thelo-fi style of rock music. The duo formed out of the ashes ofToy Love .The band lacked a drummer but would use household objects and handclaps to act as
percussion . Either member can playguitar ; with 12 strings andbass guitar often heard on their records. Both can play organ as well, which has been utilised on some of their songs.Their debut was the EP
Three Songs (1981), and for many years they released EPs only. The albumWeeville (1990) was their first full-length album. They did, however, release a number of full-length compilations of their EPs, likeThe Short And Sick Of It ,Hello Cruel World and Fork Songs/Dogma.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." 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."Bands who have claimed to be influenced by the Tall Dwarfs include
Elf Power ,Neutral Milk Hotel andOlivia Tremor Control . In 2005 they did a small number of concerts in the USA, playing with the Olivia Tremor Control.Discography
Featured appearances
Music by the Tall Dwarfs has appeared on many compilations by Flying Nun Records in both
New Zealand andAustralia . The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by the Tall Dwarfs.* 1987 - "Tuatara" - "The Brain That Wouldn't Die"
* 1991 - "Getting Older " - "Crush"
* 1995 - "Abbasalutely " - "On And On And On " (ABBA cover)
* 2002 - "Under the Influence - 21 Years of Flying Nun Records " - "If I Were You"
* 2003 - "It's Bigger Than Both of Us " - "Nothing's Gonna Happen"
* 2006 - "Flying Nun 25th Anniversary Boxset " - "Crush"And on other labels than Flying Nun:
* 1988 - "" - "Ride a White Swan" (label Tzadik)
External links
* [http://www.latham.dropbear.id.au/stasis/ Stasis] - Tall Dwarfs, Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate fansite
* [http://www.flyingnun.co.nz/ Flying Nun] - Flying Nun Records official website
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