Homecoming Harmony as Killer Dwarfs Embrace Their Roots in a Heartfelt Oshawa Concert
- jaybroderick
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
By: Michael Drukarsh
Oshawa, Ontario - Coming home is always a special feeling and that was certainly evident at the Killer Dwarfs show at The Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa on November 8th, 2025. Surrounded by a jam-packed house filled with friends, family and fans, the Killer Dwarfs were home, along with two more home grown bands, Darren James Smith Band and Oshawa’s My Own Addiction.
My Own Addition
Getting the party started, My Own Addiction took the stage first with front woman Alexandra Augustine grabbing the reins and never letting go for an energy filled set of down and dirty rock and roll. The band, formed in 2022 and consisting of lead vocalist Augustine along with Andrew Losier on guitar, Todd Burrows on drums, Tim Reesor on bass, tore through a set with non stop infectious energy and fun that had the crowd jumping along with every song. The band was tight and Augustine’s vocals were powerful and her presence electric especially during the finale, where she encouraged the audience to run along with her as she escaped the Reaper.
Darren James Smith Band
When the Darren James Smith Band took the stage next, I had no idea who they were, which as it turns out was not entirely true. Lead singer and band namesake Darren James Smith has had a long and very impressive career with bands such as Harem Scarem and Red Dragon Cartel alongside Jake E. Lee. Of course, being a headbanger from the 80s I was familiar with both bands, just not with Smith. That changed of course as he and the rest of DJS shared a set consisting of a great mix of Smith’s solo songs along with some classic Harem Scarem and Red Dragon Cartel tunes. Thrown in for good measure a sped up version of Nazareth classic "Love Hurts", Audioslave's "Cochise" and Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song".
The first thing I, and several people around me notice was Smith being very static on stage and very obviously reading the lyrics from a device placed in one of the monitors. After a few songs Smith actually addressed this stating he needs to read lyrics as he’s had a very long career and basically shit happens as you approach 60. Despite losing some of the visual energy often associated with a frontman, Smith’s vocals were great and the rest of the band brought enough energy to keep the crowd rocking through the set.
Killer Dwarfs
This truly was a homecoming for the band who formed in 1981 and are celebrating 44 years of keeping the spirit alive. About halfway through headliner Killer Dwarf’s set, lead singer Russ “Dwarf” Graham pointed out beyond the crowd and talked about how the first phone call to try and get signed as a band happened just outside the doors of the Biltmore Theater on King Street. As always, the energy brought by Graham, along with fellow founding member Darrell Millar, bassists Johnny Fenton and guitarist Gerry Finn was incredible, much like the other shows I saw recently. The difference I felt with this was that truly special connection the band has with the hometown crowd. Between songs and during a few technical difficulties, Russ was visibly touched to be performing at the Biltmore as he shared stories of the band’s beginnings. Coming Out from behind the kit a couple of times, Millar also spoke to the crowd and took a minute to hand out a couple of sticks.
Helping to create the sound that brought the band the recognition it deserved on the breakout album Stand Tall, which is celebrating it’s 39th anniversary having been released November 9th 1986, bassist Bad Ronbo Mayer joined his old band members on stage for a little reunion kicking into the title track after first being berated by Graham for riding his tricycle.
This was an incredible show, highlighted by the awesomely energetic opening band My Own Addiction as well as the warm and fuzzy feeling brought on by the Dwarfs who, despite making it big and touring the world, never forgot their roots and delivered an incredible set to the crowd who wholeheartedly welcomed them home to the streets of Oshawa.
Concert Photo Gallery (all photos by Michael Drukarsh)
Killer Dwarfs Online
Show Date: November 8, 2025