It is confirmed that the band have sold over a million singles in the UK alone.

A mini album is currently being planned and is to feature two new songs, the theme to the Japanese cartoon series 'Gigantor', and 'Bedrock Barney', plus six tracks recorded live at the Agoura, Cleveland.

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Things are not rosy in the Dickies camp. After a conflict over who was to be Dawn's producer (the band did not want Hewlett to produce again), tensions have been building between the band and their manager. They plan to sack Hewlett, but are told by A & M that have to stay with him or the record deal is off. Hewlett is dismissed anyway and the band are dismissed from A & M.

Chuck has started to become uncomfortable in the band, he threatens to leave on numerous occasions but is always persuaded to stay. He is uncomfortable with the fact that a punk band can have a hit single, but a 'serious' artist seemingly can not. His solo single, 'Rock 'n' Roll Won't Go Away' was released last year but went largely unnoticed due to the lack of promotion given to it by A & M.

The possibility of a greatest hits EP is rumoured. Tracks are set to be 'Gigantor', 'You Drive Me Ape', 'Sounds of Silence', and 'Doggie Do'.

The late summer is spent touring with the Weirdos.

New songs are recorded for the band's next album, they include 'Outta Sight Outta Mind', 'Stukas Over Disneyland', 'Ayatollah You So', 'Shy Guy', 'Animal Eater', and 'Dummy Up'.

Neil Diamond is asked, via producer Ron Hitchcock, to write a love song for the band. Surprisingly nothing materialises!

There are plans for the Dickies to feature in their first movie, 'Shit Man - The Movie'. The film, which is basically a road movie starring the band's roadie Kent Smythe, has a trailer which features Leonard and a blow up doll lip-synching to the Knack's 'My Sharona' whilst the rest of the band 'pop up' for the choruses.

The next single is rumoured to be 'Stukas Over Disneyland'.

A search is on to find the band another record deal. Possibilities are A & M UK, and IRS in the states. Possible tracks for the new album are: 'Stukas over Disneyland', 'She's a Hunchback', Led Zeppelin's 'Communication Breakdown', 'Rosemary', 'Gigantor', 'Banana Splits' and new songs, 'If Stewart Could Talk', 'Pretty Please Me' (a cover of the Quick song), and 'Jim Bowie'.

Chuck finally quits the band. He hooks up with John Hewlett and ex-sparks members, Dinky Diamond and Trevor White, to work on a project under the guise of 'The Four Squares'. Some 30-plus tracks were recorded for a possible album. Just as the finishing touches are being made Chuck receives a call from the Dickies asking him to help them out with a few local shows. Assured that he will not be required in the studio, he agrees.

The band, obviously stunned by the tragedy, put everything on hold whilst they decided what to do next.

'Rosemary' is earmarked as a 12" vinyl release. The band plan to re-record the track and shoot a promotional video to accompany its release.

The album will be subsequently released as a 3-sided double album on Danceteria records, and two CD's through Roir. The first CD utilises the same artwork as the Danceteria release whilst the second features new packaging and more comprehensive liner notes.

Also contained on the EP is the track 'Eep Opp Ork Uhuh' culled from the Hanna Barbera cartoon series, the Jetsons.

The promotional video for the album's title track is the band's most entertaining to date.

The line up has changed yet again, and now features Leonard, Stan, Laurie, Cliff and new guitarist Enoch Hain. Jerry Angel is also credited on the album.

This year also sees the A & M retrospective release 'Great Dictations'. Essentially a greatest hits album, it features tracks off both A & M albums as well as singles and b-sides.