The Headstones

Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
edited December 2013 in Other Music
EDIT August 31/12: since I first started this thread, as many of you know, the band has reformed and are recording a new album as we speak. Can't wait to hear it and see them live again!!


The Headstones were one of the most successful Canadian bands of the 90's, along with I Mother Earth, Our Lady Peace, and the Tea Party to mention a few. They caught the attention of mainstream rock radio for their rendition of Tweeter and the Monkeyman (on their first album, and a crowd favourite at live shows).

The Headstones live shows were stuff of legend. Ridiculously high energy (with lead singer Hugh Dillon often spitting into the audience or thowing lit cigarettes into the crowd). They broke up after 5 albums (plus one greatest hits album) back in 2003. Hugh Dillon since started a new band, called the Hugh Dillon Redemption Choir, and is now the star of two programs, Flashpoint (Ed Lane) and Durham County, has starred in numerous films, including Hard Core Logo, Trailer Park Boys the Movie, and Dance Me Outside. He was even considered for the lead role (John Travolta's) in Pulp Fiction. His second album with HDRC is coming out in October. It's a bit mellower than Headstones, but still worth a listen.

But I urge you to check out the Headstones stuff. It's good, hard rockin' punk-style awesomeness. My band is actually somewhat of an homage to them (not a cover band, but heavily influenced). I won't mention the name, as I don't want this to seem like it's a shameless plug for my band.

Check out an article on the band's career:

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclope ... tones.html
Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 2014
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • tinz.tinz. Posts: 2,686
    Tweeter and the monkey man were hard up for cash, stayed up all night sellin cocaine and hash!
    EV~Toronto Night 2 - 2008
    Toronto - 2009
    NYC Night 2 - 2010
    Toronto Night 2 - 2011
    Music Midtown, Atlanta - 2012
    London,ON - 2013
    Wrigley Field, Chicago - 2013
    Buffalo - 2013
    Charlottesville - 2013
    Charlotte - 2013
    Detroit - 2014
    Ottawa - 2016
    Toronto Night 1&2 - 2016
    Wrigley Field 1, Chicago - 2016
    EV~Dana Point CA - 2016
    Wrigley Field 1, Chicago - 2018
  • Hugh Dillon's new album, Works Well With Others, comes out in Canada October 13th, and in the US it's being sold exclusively through iTunes the same day.

    Check it out!
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • bump. just to let you all know that Hugh Dillon's new album came out last Tuesday. Check it out!
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • I'm listening to Headstones all day today. My old band did several of their tunes, especially their cover of Tweeter. Best band live. Ever.

    You really need to check their music out.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Yellow LedbellyYellow Ledbelly Posts: 3,749
    I'm listening now...loving it. Kinda hard to believe they're Canadian :D
    Thanks for the tip
    All I have to do is revel in the everyday....then do it again tomorrow

    They say every sin is deadly but I believe they may be wrong...I'm guilty of all seven and I don't feel too bad at all
  • Lone Drawn MeteorLone Drawn Meteor Vancouver, BC, Canada, Northern Hemishpere, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,230
    I wasn't expecting to see this thread pop up!

    I put together a flip-book of Hugh for a friend of mine, made from a bar scene from Hard Core Logo, where he makes a face at a reporter. For some reason, this always cracked my friend up, and she made us keep it cued to this scene in the VCR for any time we were smoking pot. (watch from 4:30 to 4:50 of this clip to see it.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xG9G8RTM4&feature=related
    I took it to a live Headstones meet in Winnipeg, where Hugh autographed it for her, "Thanks for making me look like a retard! Love, Hugh". As we were leaving, a woman approached me from their entourage, and asked me to forward a copy of it to them, as they wanted to talk about marketing ideas for the movie. She gave me her card, etc. but I was young and dumb, lost the card and never followed up. I thought I felt stupid, until a few years ago when Quinten Tarentino picked up the rights to distribute HCL in the US. NOW I feel stupid. Ahh, youth. If I could go back and punch myself in the face for one thing, this would be it.

    HCL is one of the best movies I have ever seen & the Headstones are one of Canada's best bands, fronted by the craziest muther to shit-kick fans from inside the mosh-pit!
    4844764732_74bc6ec01e_b.jpg
    "If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit." - Mitch Hedberg
  • The Headstones have reunited. Writing new songs, playing some gigs.

    Check www.headstonesband.com for updates.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Smile & Wave and It's All Over live in Toronto.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHJh3Yh0V9w&feature=related
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Lone Drawn MeteorLone Drawn Meteor Vancouver, BC, Canada, Northern Hemishpere, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,230
    holyshit! Thanks for the heads up.
    "If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit." - Mitch Hedberg
  • Hugh mentioned through the Headstones facebook page that they want 2000 "likes" and they will release a teaser of a new song. It's up to close to 1900. Go like it!

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/HeadstonesBand
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • HOLY CRAP. I just found a song I had never heard before! Streets of Laredo! It's awesome!
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    Hugh mentioned through the Headstones facebook page that they want 2000 "likes" and they will release a teaser of a new song. It's up to close to 1900. Go like it!

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/HeadstonesBand

    Does this mean a new album and possibly a full on cross-Canada tour is in the works?? If so, then this is excellent news! When they did those reunion shows in Ontario not too long ago, I ended up re-visiting all my Headstones CDs as a result. Such a great band. I can't wait to hear the new material!
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • direwolf74 wrote:
    Hugh mentioned through the Headstones facebook page that they want 2000 "likes" and they will release a teaser of a new song. It's up to close to 1900. Go like it!

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/HeadstonesBand

    Does this mean a new album and possibly a full on cross-Canada tour is in the works??

    I believe so!
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • from the facebook page:

    Headstones
    start recording our new song binthiswayforyears tonight - @ 2000 likes we will release the first Headstones song in 9 years


    still need 82 more likes to get this song released.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    New website (designed by the Hip's webmaster, not surprisingly)

    http://www.headstonesband.com/

    "Making bad life choices since 1989."

    I love it! New song being released tomorrow. I never thought this day would come. And now here we are, just a few hours away. I hope they don't stop at just this one song. I need a full album by these guys, and I really need to see them live again. Sadly there are only a small handful of bands out there still fighting the good fight when it comes to real honest-to-god, kick-you-in-the-nuts rock n' roll. We need these guys back!
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • Dead Man WalkingDead Man Walking Toronto-ish Posts: 2,761
    I went up to China Town here in Toronto last week and they were shooting an episode of Flash Point. We pulled up to a red light and standing right beside me was Hugh in full S.W.A.T. gear eating a sandwich. I looked at him, he looked at me and gave me a head nod, I didn't know what to do so I just said "Headstones fucking rock, dude". He smiled and said "thanks". The light went green and we left. It was very surreal.
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    Posted on the new Headstones site:

    "February 6, 2011
    We have a lot of respect and admiration for those of you who embrace music/life so passionately – particularly diehard Headstones fans who seem to have an incredible amount of fucking heart- empathy and humour -we like you as people – a unique clan who are not big on authority AND have more than a passing interest in rebellion and defiance – we relate -we get it -we know that no matter how tough it gets we will always get back up – just a matter of time – no bullshit no excuses -u rock – THANK YOU ALL -it would of sucked without you.

    August 15, 2011
    The above was written only hours after our last show at the sound academy. Make no mistake you’ve kickstarted the machine. The next record is a direct result of that wave of interaction.
    You made us remember what the fuck it is we do."

    That makes it official, folks. New Headstones album coming soon! Holy crap!!

    Go here to download the new single "Binthiswayforyears"

    http://www.headstonesband.com
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    New tour dates announced:

    December 8th at Cowboys Ranch, London – Tickets – On Sale October 13 @ 10am
    December 16th at Guelph Concert Theatre, Guelph – On Sale October 13 @ 10am
    December 17th at The Rapids Theatre, Niagra Falls, NY – Tickets on sale now
    December 23rd at Sound Academy, Toronto – Tickets – On sale Friday Ooctober 14th @ 10am

    Sadly, nothing out west yet. It's times like this I wish I lived in Ontario. Hopefully a full cross-Canada tour will be unveiled in the new year.
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    Another show announced:

    Dec. 27th- Vancouver @ the Commodore. Tix on sale this Friday.

    http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/110047 ... norcatid=1

    This thread is super quiet. Where did everybody go?
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • quietly waiting for the Winnipeg date to show up. 8-)
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    quietly waiting for the Winnipeg date to show up. 8-)

    I hear ya. I'm still waiting for a Calgary date. I have a feeling Vancouver is likely the first western date, and then they'll head east from there, hitting the usual cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, etc..) Goddammit I miss this band. Can't wait to hear the new album and see 'em live again.
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    And just like that, a Calgary show just popped up on Ticketmaster!

    Century Casino
    Calgary, AB
    Fri, Dec 30, 2011 08:00 PM

    Looks like my touring prediction is coming true. Winnipeg and Edmonton are next. Book it!
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • direwolf74 wrote:
    And just like that, a Calgary show just popped up on Ticketmaster!

    Century Casino
    Calgary, AB
    Fri, Dec 30, 2011 08:00 PM

    Looks like my touring prediction is coming true. Winnipeg and Edmonton are next. Book it!

    frickin' sweet!
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • direwolf74 wrote:

    DAMMIT. I was holding out hope that Winnipeg would score the NYE bash. Oh well, at least I don't have to find a babysitter! I'll just watch Dick Clark's New Year's Droolin' Eve.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • ty9969ty9969 Posts: 48
    direwolf74 wrote:
    Headstones on new year's eve. Just like old times, only now my wife likes Dillon, thanks to flashpoint. Psyched.
  • ty9969 wrote:
    direwolf74 wrote:
    Headstones on new year's eve. Just like old times, only now my wife likes Dillon, thanks to flashpoint. Psyched.

    wow. $200 for a private meet n greet with the band.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • ty9969ty9969 Posts: 48
    ty9969 wrote:
    direwolf74 wrote:
    Headstones on new year's eve. Just like old times, only now my wife likes Dillon, thanks to flashpoint. Psyched.

    wow. $200 for a private meet n greet with the band.
    Yeah, thought about that, but Pearl Jam has taken most of my entertainment dollars lately.
  • direwolf74direwolf74 Posts: 1,622
    Here's a recent interview with Hugh talking about the band's reunion and the possibility of a new album:

    Part 1:
    http://soundcloud.com/bigkristheradiogu ... -kris-part

    Part 2:
    http://soundcloud.com/bigkristheradiogu ... h-big-kris
    "I try my best to chug, stomp, weep, whisper, moan, wheeze, scat, blurt, rage, whine, and seduce. With my voice I can sound like a girl, the boogieman, a Theremin, a cherry bomb, a clown, a doctor, a murderer. I can be tribal. Ironic. Or disturbed. My voice is really my instrument."

    -Tom Waits
  • Thanks for this thread guys. If I hadn't seen it here I wouldn't have known they were touring again. I went to the show in Niagara Falls last night and I can say: The Headstones are back, they are LOUD, and they haven't missed a beat. Great show and a great crowd. Really loud, but not too crazy. The Headstones have played Buffalo a number of times over the years, but somehow I never got the chance to see them before this. So glad to finally get the opportunity. Found this one video from the show:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBM1dAv5n4U
    This was one of the highlights. "Unsound" led into an extended jam which eventually became a cover of "Sympathy for the Devil" to close out the first set. Hope you get a chance to see the band in Toronto or out west.
    10/1/96, 10/14/00, 5/2/03, 6/28/03, 10/1/04, 9/11/05, 9/12/05, 9/13/05, 9/19/05, 5/9/06, 5/10/06, 5/12/06, 5/20/06, 6/23/06, 6/11/08, 6/12/08, 8/12/08 6/8/09 6/9/09(EV), 8/21/09, 10/27-28-30-31/09, 5/10/10
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