NEW BIOG, UPDATED JUNE 2008.
The Dilemmas came to be, brought about, in London, 1987. They began as a three-piece, Andy Maidment, Kieran McAleer (A.K.A. Croxley Green), and Phil Clark, before engaging the services of ex-"The Truth" keyboardist, Chris Skornia, for their first studio session. Immediately prior to recording, the Dils recruited keyboardist and Hammond-player Alex Gordon, and The Dilemmas' first permanent line-up was complete. Chris Skornia moved to production duties, and in his Uxbridge studio, The Dilemmas recorded the first of the songs which were to become the A-side of their first album, "And On The Conveyor Belt Tonight". The Dilemmas caught the eye of later-to-be, "Acid Jazz" supremo, Eddie Piller, and he immediately gave them support slots with the recently-formed, "James Taylor Quartet" (newly-borne from the ashes of Medway Punk-Modsters, "The Prisoners"). The Dils were extremely well-received, and continued to be so, on the London gig-circuit, plying their guitar/ Hammond organ-based, quintissentially English pop-tunes, to crowds all over the capital. Piller offered The Dilemmas one track on his up-coming, "5-4-3-2-1 Countdown" compilation LP on his Stiff Records subsidiary label, "Countdown", but the band decided to go with an offer they'd had from a rival label, for an album deal. With some of the tracks from the Skornia session in '87, re-mixed, and with a second batch from a later session in '88, making up the first side of the album, The Dilemmas de-camped from London to Warwickshire, to complete side two. "And On The Conveyor Belt Tonight" was released in the summer of 1989, on the Unicorn Records label, (Cat. No. PHZA-34), Its' title is taken from a slot on Bruce Forsyth's 1970's Saturday tea-time tv classic, "The Generation Game", where contestants are asked to remember random items from a moving conveyor belt, which they then take home. The Dils felt that the title reflected the way that bands were treated by promoters on the London gig circuit at the time. The band even managed to persuade their idol, Frankie Howerd to appear in a band photo-session, to accompany the album's release. This was a good two years prior to Mr. Howerd's cult resurgence, and prompted music-paper, "Sounds" to write, "...London's cheeky pop scamps The Dilemmas, have had the affrontery to have their picture taken with the legendary Frankie Howerd! Our flabbers have never been more gasted..."The Dilemmas followed the album's release by winning Gary Crowley's "Demo Clash" on his GLR radio show, no-less than THREE times, being listed in Sounds as one of the bands to watch that year, and by blowing away, "The Charlatans" at one of their early gigs.Sadly, the usual record company wranglings had their effect on the four original members, and The Dilemmas parted company soon after, despite huge interest. Despite the bands' parting, the album sold very well in The UK and Europe, and demand even required a second-pressing. It has become a cult-classic amongst record collectors worldwide.Phil later joined Hammond organ faves, The Gene Drayton Unit, and Alex bought a houseboat and hung up his Hammond forever. Andy and Croxley toyed with various musical projects, before recruiting Sean Kelly on bass, and Parsley on organ, and toured France as "The Helium Divers" in the early 90's. This was essentially The Dilemmas in all but name.The Dilemmas did re-form sporadically, towards the tail-end of the 1990's on several occasions, and with various different line-ups. They released a number of singles on the "Butterfly" label, and the track, "Catastrophe Theory" on the "Detour Records" compilation album, "Takin' A Detour". Despite the bands' absence for several years, both the singles, and the album sold out, and are now extremely sought-after.With both Butterfly and Detour keen to release new Dilemmas material, the chaps are, once again, back in action. The line-up, in case you didn't see it elsewhere on the page is, in no particular order, Andy Maidment, Sean Kelly (Secret Affair, Fay Hallam Trinity), Parsley (The Solar Flares), and Kieran McAleer (a.k.a. Croxley Green). Rehearsals are sounding great, and there is a live date in the diary (see blog or upcoming shows), with more, both in the U.K. and Europe to be confirmed. There are also plans to plans afoot to record a single or two, and if that goes well, who knows, maybe even the long-awaited second-album!!To anyone we played to, (or with) at The Sausage Machine, The Falcon, The Moonlight Club, The Bull & Gate, or any of the countless other places, (some of which still survive!), in those heady days back in the late 80's, ta for the times, and hope you had a titter along the way, and we hope to see you, and all our new Dilemmas friends, at some, or all, of the new dates!Hope you enjoy the tunes from the Dils archive here, and the selection of photos showing various Dils line-ups over the years, which were unearthed recently. There will be brand-new new tunes and pics of the shiny, fresh 2008 Dils line-up here very soon!"I love you all"!!!Frankie Dilemma, London 2008.P.S. If you like The Dilemmas, check out the man who wrote it all's myspace page...http://www.myspace.com/andymaidmenthitsville
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[BUT-07] "Buffalo Bates" is the second single by The Dilemmas to be released by the Barcelona's Butterfly Records. File it under "Instant Pop Classic", because that's what it is for sure. In a parallel universe, such a catchy, summery, brightly-colored production would be a Top 20 hit: as it is, this limited-edition release of 500 copies on glorious yellow vinyl will be a record which in future will be sought-after by collectors when "digging for gold"."Buffalo Bates" was recorded in London, England in late 2000. The Dilemmas on that occasion contained the following ingredients, in varying amounts: Andy Maidment: guitar & vocals, Andy Spam: keyboards, Phil Clark: Fender bass and Lady Croxington Green: drums & backing vocals.Two tracks from the band's considerable archive make up the B-side: "Fahrenheit", from 1996, and the jokey instrumental "Sure To Fail" recorded way back in September 1988. Some of these Dilemmas play on those tunes as well. These boys have got longevity, ya dig.THE DILEMMAS, "PLAY FOR TODAY" SINGLE REVIEW.......
Released on Butterfly RecordsThis hi - powered rockin' hammond grooveathon would've given The Prisoners a run for their money, sound for sound! Definitely one to buy. It's hard to choose a favourite song from this EP, though the A side is the strongest.....all three songs are very good, though. More organ than a horny hippo on honeymoon!
Reviewed by Chalky & LauraIf you like The Dilemmas, check out the man who wrote it all's myspace page...http://www.myspace.com/andymaidmenthitsville
