The Headstones are a punk influenced Canadian rock band that originate from Kingston. When they first formed back in 1989, they consisted of vocalist Hugh Dillon, lead guitarist Trent Carr, bassist Tim White and drummer Mark Gibson, who left the band shortly after Picture of Health toured.
They signed to MCA Records and on 1st June 1993 released their début album Picture of Health. To quote Dillon himself, “this album inspired loyal die hard fans, built on our life experience.”
It was hungry, raw and darkly edgy covering seriously off-limits subjects such as suicide, drug addition and even necrophilia, but Dillon’s creatively hard-hitting smart lyrics, powerfully rebellious guitar riffs and a fierce thumping baseline all contributed to the songs’ authenticity, add to that Dillon’s unmistakably distinguishable, gravelly voice, which helped this fledgling album soon become recognized, game changing and inspiring. This year, the album celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Over the course of 2 years, 5 tracks were released off this album, the first being “When Something Stands for Nothing” which was certified platinum by the CRIA, Dillon wrote “Its All Over” when he was living in London, England.
He then heard “Tweeter and the Monkey Man” and played it for Carr. They wanted to make it their own, so they had to legally acquire it from its original songwriters Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty & Jeff Lynn of the Travelling Wilbury’s.
They changed certain aspects of the song to fit in with their own history, and it soon became a firm fan favourite, along with “Cemetery,” which is considered the band’s anthem, (who would have thought a song about digging up your dead girlfriend looking for love would be so popular). “Three Angles” is also a favourite and although it’s a little softer, it doesn’t shy away from the struggles of drug addition and death.
To celebrate this major mile stone, the band has announced that they are to re-issue the album via Cadence Recordings on October 26th. This remastered edition will include the original demo for “Cemetery,” “Something Stands For Nothing” and a track called “Sweet Pea.” There will also be a re-recording of a song called “Skin Me Alive” which was going to be on the original album back when it was first released.
In addition to this, fans will also get the chance to see original never-before-seen photos and footage via the band’s social media platforms over the coming weeks.
And if that wasn’t enough, the band has also announced today that they will play this album live front-to-back on a cross country Canadian tour starting November 1st in Hamilton and travelling out west as far as Victoria and finishing in Toronto on December 22nd.
There is a full list of dates and venues below. You can also add a full VIP experience to your ticket should you wish too.
The Picture of Health Tour
Nov 01 – Hamilton, ON – FirstOntario Concert Hall
Nov 02 – Thorold, ON – Moose and Goose
Nov 03 – Oshawa, ON – The Music Hall Concert Theatre
Nov 08 – Winnipeg, MB – Club Regent Casino
Nov 09 – Winnipeg, MB – Club Regent Casino
Nov 10 – Brandon, MB – Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium
Nov 12 – Medicine Hat, AB – Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
Nov 13 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina
Nov 15 – Grand Prairie, AB – Better Than Fred’s
Nov 21 – Victoria, BC – Capital Ballroom
Nov 22 – Nanaimo, BC – The Port Theatre
Nov 24 – Vancouver, BC – The Commodore Ballroom
Nov 25 – Vancouver, BC – The Commodore Ballroom
Nov 28 – North Battleford, SK – Gold Eagle Casino
Dec 04 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwell’s Concerts & Events
Dec 06 – London, ON – London Music Hall
Dec 08 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
Dec 14 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
Dec 22 – Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall