June 11th, 1997

DILLON'S DISCIPLES HOLD MEETING IN REPUBLIK

This unrecognized "religion" packed a Calgary nightclub June 11th to witness the coming of a Gaud - Hugh Dillon.

Dillon and fellow gauds Trent Carr (guitar), Tim White (bass), and Dale Harrison (drums), collectively known as The Headstones, held service in the name of Rock and Roll. The raw, energetic, addictive wave of these deities from Kingston held the packed house in seamless, invisible webs - passing their power of adrenaline and attitude to those in attendance. Followers of old and new (including new member Angie) , swayed, contorted, screamed, and praised the Gaud and his orchestra throughout a sweaty sermon, held in the infinite energy that only those in league with "the Devil" can produce.

Local disciples Kybosh were guest "evangelists", tempting followers with their brand of pop-rock, laden with talent from guitarist Craig McCauly, bassist/vocalist Mike Wall, and drummer Justin Sweet. Playing tunes off their disc Splendordrop, as well as older material, this trio of very talented followers showed the vast crowd that they were indeed worthy of being present. Forget Wide Mouth Mason, who opened for The Headstones in January's campus tour - Kybosh is gonna be the next phenomena of young Canadian talent.

Pandemonium almost broke loose once Gaud and his buds blessed The Republik's stage. Cries of gratitude for this foursome of cemetery dwellers rang out during the opening of "Reno", to "Picture Frame Of Rage" off their newest, and most stellar work, Smile And Wave. Other Psalms and Hymns were "That Thing", "Burning", "Dripping Dime Sized Drops", "Hindsight", "Unsound", "Where Does It Go", "Lei It Ride", crowd fave "Tweeter And The Monkey Man" - which EVERYONE sang along to, and the sweetly addictive 3-minute-turned-into-a-twelve-minute-jam, which ALWAYS is included in the sermon, "Oh My God". This treat has verses from "New Orleans Is Sinking" (The Tragically Hip), "All Along The Watchtower" (Bob Dylan), and three more songs unrecognizable to me (oh the sacrilege!!). Their set ender, their Ode To Home "Cemetery", had the disciples screaming Hallelujah, hoping to shoot up one more time before Gaud broke audience.

The disciples were not disappointed. The drum-beat shuffle of their newest, and most popular single, "Cubically Contained", brought back Gaud and company to show those blessed enough to attend (many disciples were turned away by bureaucracy) that once you are afflicted, you are addicted. In the four song encore, which was comprised of "It's All Over", and "When Something Stands For Nothing", from their debut Picture Of Health , it was clearly evident that The Headstones are immortal - in music, in live shows, and in reputation. More and more followers are evident at each and every show, with more soon to pledge heartfelt allegiance to a Gaud known as Hugh Dillon. Aside from the "preaching" by Mr. Dillon on the rude behavior of some overzealous followers, and the "few drinks and leave" folks, the show, as with all their shows, The Headstones proved that THEY are THE band to take us into the next century - if we care to dare to do so.

As a full fledged Dillon Disciple, I vow to uphold the sacred commandment, the one that can get you through anything - "WE ARE HERE TO DO WHATEVER THE F*#K WE WANT, TO BE ANYTHING WE WANT TO BE, AND DREAM WHATEVER WE WANT TO DREAM - SO F*#K THOSE WHO OPPOSE....WHO ARE THEY ANYWAY????"

Next meeting to be held in September. Location yet to be announced.

Coma