Hillman played
bass guitar in his first band the Masochists, from the
Auckland suburb of
Avondale. They were alternatively known as The Metal Masochists, MM, Vandals, and The Avondale Spiders. In late 1979, Hillman joined the New Zealand band
the Swingers with
Phil Judd (ex-
Split Enz) and
Mark Hough (a.k.a. Buster Stiggs, ex-Suburban Reptiles). Their single "
Counting the Beat" was a trans-Tasman number one hit before the band disintegrated in 1983. He appeared in the 1982 film
Starstruck, as one of the Swingers. He was credited as Dwayne Hillman. In 2009, Hillman recorded albums for
Anne McCue (
Broken Promise Land) and
Elizabeth Cook (
Welder, produced by
Don Was). In 2014, Hillman reunited with Midnight Oil producer
Warne Livesey to record songs for his new musical project the Graysmiths. The following year, Hillman recorded and toured with
Matthew Good. In 2017, Hillman participated in a Midnight Oil reunion and tour. ==Death==