New Songs Taking Shape at Rehearsals

By Oscar Flood

After nearly a year of inactivity, Hepcat Dilemma has finally been able to rehearse on a regular schedule ever since the renovations have been completed at their legendary practice space, The Farm. Some weeks it has been a full band rehearsal and some weeks it has just been E and Bob manning the helm but nearly every weekend has found the band playing in some form or other.

The band has been preparing to return to the studio to complete their long gestating follow up to the acclaimed “Art Imitates Life” album. Several songs slated to be recorded were woodshedded when they were rehearsing at Club Fiasco. “All the Beautiful Ships” and “Theme from Max and Scratch” were first attempted there and “Miss Jane Takes a Trip” was even given a live debut at last summer’s Deutschtown Festival.

Since returning to The Farm, the band has started playing two new songs penned by guitarist Bob Loiselle which they intend to add to the roster of songs slated for the new album. One is a homage to a Pittsburgh iconic character from the 70’s called “Lansberry’s Mail”. Bassist Chris Colpo says, “Lansberry? Oh man, that shit is fun. Snarky and historical and crunchy. A little math, a little historical anger…good times.”

The second new piece has the working title of “The Other New Song” and still needs lyrics. It is a sprawling piece that takes the listener for a journey and at over four-and-a-half minutes is one of the band’s most ambitious pieces.

When asked about the new songs drummer E Hood just said, “The elevator is going up!”