Headstones Are Getting It Right. And By "It", I Mean "Everything".

When Headstones announced they were finally getting together for a new record (a decade since they'd released one, as the band drifted apart and Hugh Dillon's acting career began to pay dividends), they did so by letting their fans get in on the ground floor.

Headstones got self-promotion right.

They started accepting pledges toward the funding of the new record on October 19th at their official Pledge Music site, with pledge items ranging from $10 (digital download of album) and $5,000 (a private Headstones unplugged show for you and your friends). Within a day, they'd reached 90% of their goal; as of this writing, they sit at 283% reached.

Headstones got funding right.

With a planned release date of March 26 looming, something happened. They messed around and got a record deal after a subsidiary of Universal Music (who had originally signed the band back in '92) loved what they heard, and wanted to release it worldwide. The logistics of these things tend to delay plans somewhat. Now, they couldn't just put it out, they had to work it. A single had to be chosen, serviced to radio; anticipation had to build. Reluctantly, the release date got pushed back to May 14. But, for those of us who have pledged toward the album's completion, a simple email containing a link to an update that (if you're signed in to the Pledge Music site) houses Love & Fury streaming in its entirety.

Headstones got apologies right.

So, having pre-ordered my CD a couple of months back, I got to give it a spin. Longwaytoneverland (unsure if we're actually supposed to be titling as such, or they're just temporary file names) gets released to radio this week. It rocks like you remember them, but with a slight tinge of country twang (emphasis on slight). It'll sound great on the radio, as will a few others (if Farawayfromhere isn't next down the pipeline, this album isn't being given a fair shake); however, the overwhelming sense while listening to Love & Fury is its commitment to raw, hard rocking, honest music. Not "songs" constructed using computer programs and studio trickery, but music created by the hands of capable men; sweat, blood and spit guide their creation. Closer in spirit to the iconic Hard Core Logo soundtrack than any of the band's 90's releases, Love & Fury is exactly as advertised: no bullshit, real motherfucking rock and roll.

Headstones got the new album right.

I can't wait to share more news (and a sample or two) with you as we get closer to its release; if you really can't wait, here's a friendly reminder that all it takes is a $10 pledge to unlock the mystery, so to speak. They clearly worked hard on this one, it's going to kick your ass, and it deserves to be rewarded in the name of honest rock and roll.

To tide you over, here's a video they did about a year ago for Binthiswayforyears, which made the cut for the new album:


Love & Fury comes out May 14 on Frostbyte/Universal.