Interview with Darrell ”Dwarf” Millar of Automan (ex-Killer Dwarfs)

KILLER DWARFS Formed in late 1981 by Russ and Darrell Dwarf, the Killer Dwarfs released their self-titled debut album in 1983. The award-winning band established a solid following in Canada, while achieving modest worldwide sales. The break through in the United States came when San Antonio based radio personality Joe Anthony started spinning their album on a regular basis, much to the delight of hard rocking Texans. This planted the seeds for what would result in Killer Dwarfs receiving a lot of attention South of Canada's border. Released in 1986 by Maze/A&M in Canada and Grudge in the USA, "Stand Tall" was embraced by American Rock radio. The first single, "Keep the Spirit Alive," was an anthem of the times. The accompanying video was added to regular rotation on MTV and the newly born Much Music. By spring of 1987, the video became the most requested video on MTV, setting a record that would take years to overcome. A second video for the title track was greeted with nearly equal accolades. This wide exposure allowed the group to tour coast to coast in the US and Canada with such acts as Saxon and Accept, selling unprecedented 80,000 copies of Stand Tall. It also led to serious interest from a number of American record labels. Along with Rush and Helix, they were one of the few Canadian hard rock acts to achieve international success. AUTOMAN Automan was formed in 2002 by writing partners Darrell "Dwarf" Millar (vocals) and Carleton Lockheart (guitar) and is a genuinely pure 70's/80's influenced kick-ass "rawk" band in the essence of Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC and others. Their distinctive, upbeat brand of modern classic rock can best be described as coming straight out of a music time capsule, yet it's altogether fresh, current and timeless. Darrell-a lifelong professional musician is internationally reknown as the former drummer for the multi-million selling hard rock act "Killer Dwarfs", as well as for the Nikki Sixx produced southern rock act "Laidlaw". As one of the most high-profile and well-travelled drummers of the 80's-90's hard rock era, he's shared concert stages worldwide with the likes of Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, ZZ Top, Pantera, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. In formulating Automan, he vacated the drums for frontman duties and it's his high-energy persona that fuels Automan's performances, both live and on record. Carleton-a master guitarist capable of playing all styles of rock and jazz, has been mesmerizing musicians and fans alike for years on the independant circuit with his unique style of playing pick-less, left-handed and upside-down. Those who witness his stellar performances are astounded at his jaw-dropping techniques. Undoubtedly, Carleton's incomparable approach to guitar is a key ingredient of the Automan sound. In 2004, Automan was rounded out with the additions of bassist John Fenton and drummer Adrian Cavan. Touring extensively throughout Southern Ontario has polished the band into a tight, highly entertaining professional act. Their recently released full-length CD, titled "Pocket Change" was produced by Darrell and co-produced by Greg Looper (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers/Mudcrutch) and is fuelled by their first single titled "Back In The Sun", which is now available for radio. Going "old school" with just 8 tracks of "all killer/no filler" Automan's easy on the senses, aurally-appealing sound will surely attract and connect to, a wide-ranging audience fan base. If your desire is for blues-based rock in it's truest form, yet with it's own distinctive up-to-date qualities, then spare some time to check out Automan's "Pocket Change"!! Visit Automan Here: Automan Website: www.automan.ca Automan on Myspace: www.myspace.com/automanca