Hugh Dillon

The Exclaim! Questionnaire

BY None NonePublished Nov 1, 2002

Hugh Dillon is the lead singer of Toronto rock band the Headstones. They are currently on tour supporting their new album, The Oracle of Hi-Fi, on Maple Music Recordings.

Current fixations: The Salton Sea with Vincent D'Onofrio and Val Kilmer.

Mind-altering work of art: David Hockney — Mind Blowing.

Most memorable or inspirational gig and why? In Kingston, the first gig in front of 10,000 people in my hometown, opening for the Hip. I had left Kingston with two black eyes and was told never to come back — I came back and owned Kingston for the whole night.

What has been your career high and low? High: Leaving a real job to sign a recording contract and make music for a living.
Low: Being dope sick in Regina, SK, when we played with Fastball.

What should everyone shut up about? Freedom of speech bullshit.

I would drop everything to play a benefit for: Hurricane Carter.

What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself? Like: My generosity.
Dislike: Being judgmental.

What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you? Disloyalty, and no.

When I think of Canada I think: Tommy Hunter and Anne Murray fucking, with Lloyd Robertson drunk doing the commentary.

What is your vital daily ritual? 20 minutes on the yankathon followed by four espressos.

How do you spoil yourself? Pecan pie and ice cream at Dimitris on the Danforth.

What was your most memorable day job? Being an orderly at the Hospital for Sick Children.

If I wasn't playing music I would be: Dead.

What is your greatest fear? Heroin.

If you had a superpower, what would it be? Time travel.

What makes you want to take it off and get it on? "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones.

Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why? Stupidest question I ever heard.

Strangest brush with celebrity: Living in London, England, walking through Soho hammered. Charleton Heston was in the play The Caine Mutiny Trials — he was at the stage door signing autographs. I told him I loved him in P1anet of the Apes and asked, "Can I please have your autograph?" He immediately brought me to the front of the crowd, thanked me for saying please and spent 20 minutes talking to me.

Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them? Sydney Poitier. I would serve him an appetizer of Katharine Hepburn, followed by a main course of Spencer Tracy.

What does your mom wish you were doing instead? More films.

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