Hugh Dillon - lead vocals Trent Carr - lead guitar, backing vocals Tim White - bass, backing vocals Dale Harrison - drums, percussion
"The gods they must be smilin' 'Cause I got out just in time"
- 'And It Goes', The Oracle of Hi-Fi
Headstones have never been recognized for their grace and finesse at playing nicely in the sandbox. They've kept to themselves, content to build a loyal legion of fans instead of stroking the egos of fellow musicians or industry. Hard-hitting lyrics, ear-twinging music, feverishly infectious and charismatic stage presence, this band raised its collective back leg - marking its territory as the most irreverent rock band in Canada. They're a band that means business, whether you see them on stage, hear them on the radio or run into them in a back alley - there's never any question… It's the Headstones.
A dozen years together will do that to a band. From nights spent playing at the Blue Moon Saloon on Bloor St. in Toronto, to filling stadiums across Western Canada, this band has vehemently held it together. Through break-ups, bus trashings, drug problems, jailings, institutionalizations, social banishment and pretty much every other band-threatening scenario (including a notable acting career by one Mr. Hugh Dillon), Headstones have honed a particular sound that has carved them a place in the annals of CanRock history that's as pungent and honorably heartfelt as spray-painted testimonials on a bathroom stall.
Picture of Health (1993), Teeth & Tissue (1995), Smile & Wave (1997), Nickels For Your Nightmares (2000) and The Greatest Fits (2001), spawning radio headlocks 'When Something Stands For Nothing', 'Cemetery', 'Unsound', 'Hearts, Love and Honour' 'Cubically Contained', 'Smile & Wave', 'Settle' and 'Blowtorch', have applied a constant and gnawing pressure on the spinal cord of the Canadian subconscious. One has but to experience the fist pumping, collective mob mentality exhibited when Dillon launches the band into Dylan-inspired 'Tweeter & The Monkeyman' to recognize the faith, loyalty and all out god-worship showered upon the Headstones by their fans.
With no sleight on the past, The Oracle of Hi-Fi is the first true Headstones album. Artistically driven by the band itself, fellow respected musicians / producers Colin Cripps and Brad 'merlin' Nelson were brought in to steer these 11 musical musings through the recording process. From the opening Stray Cats / Rolling Stones inflected 'Whatchagonnado' to the 'smacks you on the ass and gets you started in the morning' guitars of the first single 'Reframed', The Oracle of Hi-Fi ponders and answers those deep dark questions you've had hanging in the cranial cobwebs.
"I think we all had a lot more tolerance on this album. It's a true collaboration of four guys that spend more time together now than ever. It feels vibrant and reflective of an uncompromising record that we've always wanted to make" - Hugh Dillon
It was a veritable carnival turnstile at the studio's door with guest musicians dropping by to add their two cents worth. Colin Cripps supplied additional guitars, and hand claps on a smattering of songs. Band idol Gord Lewis of Teenage Head stopped by to play a guitar solo on 'Tiny Teddy', with Andy Maize -Skydiggers lead singer & MapleMusic executive - lending his lips to the trumpet. Rounding out the gala session was Big Wreck's Ian Thornley, doing a heavy hitting solo in the guitar driven song 'Nothing Changes'.
The Oracle of Hi-Fi introduces a new side to the Headstones - one that's been yearning to jump out from around the corner and scare the shit out of you (in a good way that only rock music can do) for a very long time. Throwing caution to the wind and dirt in the eyes of any disbelievers - this is the Headstones.
