Dial M

Dial M was an American new wave/synthpop duo behind a 1983 self-titled album on D&D Records. Multi-instrumentalist Mark Maierhoffer aided the recent modernized output by the Village People and Cher. Keyboardist/singer Mike Kapitan subsequently worked with Thomas Dolby.

Members: Mike Kapitan (Lead Vocals, Synths, Linndrum), Mark Maierhoffer (Backing Vocals, Guitar, Bass)

Background

Dial M formed in 1982 in Los Angeles when singer-keyboardist Mike Kapitan teamed with guitarist-bassist Mark Maierhoffer. Kapitan played Hammond organ in blues settings by 1969 and appeared on the 1976 Columbia jazz-rock album Flight Never Ending by percussionist Mingo Lewis.

Maierhoffer was born on June 1, 1955, in Orange, California. His father played tuba in street bands and favored classical music and film soundtracks, while his mother listened to blues and swing. After childhood piano and flute lessons, Maierhoffer took up guitar and pursued music studies in college. He entered the Los Angeles studio circuit through producer Robert Margouleff.

In 1981, Maierhoffer played guitar and co-wrote material for Renaissance, the RCA album by Village People. He worked alongside singer Dennis Frederiksen, bassist Howie Epstein, drummer Jimmy Hunter, and keyboardist Dan Schmidt. The musicians also collaborated on the 1981 Arrival album David London, a solo vehicle for Frederiksen under that alias. Maierhoffer co-wrote “Rudy” for the 1982 Columbia release I Paralyze by Cher.

In 1982, Monterey Recording Studio head Jackson Schwartz introduced Dial M to former RCA executive Ed DeJoy and industry veteran Bud Dain. The two established D&D Records in partnership with Japanese label Canyon, which financed the enterprise and arranged Japanese distribution. Dial M became the inaugural act on the new label. In early 1983, Kapitan and Maierhoffer co-produced their ten-song debut with Schwartz at Monterey Recording Studios in Glendale, California.

Discography:

• Dial M (1983)

References and notes

• Mark Christian interview — Riveting Riffs, July 17, 2015. Firsthand account of childhood instruments, family background, college studies, Los Angeles session work, and Robert Margouleff. (Interview)
• Mark Christian Maierhoffer — obituary, 2026. Confirms birthplace, birth date, early professional name, Village People credits, and Cher co-write. (Biography)
• JazzRockSoul — Mingo Lewis, Flight Never Ending. Confirms the 1976 Columbia release and Kapitan keyboard credits. (Album credits)
• Mike Kapitan — official website. Documents the 1969 Hammond organ activity and subsequent music career. (Musician website)
• Village People — Renaissance, 1981. Instrumental and songwriting credits for Maierhoffer and the Frederiksen–Epstein–Hunter–Schmidt personnel. (Album credits)
• David London — David London, 1981. Arrival album personnel and Maierhoffer songwriting credits. (Discography)
• Music Connection — March 31–April 13, 1983, p. 8. Ben Brooks reports the 1982 introduction by Jackson Schwartz, the Dain–DeJoy partnership with Canyon, and the first Dial M release. (Contemporary industry report)
• Billboard — March 5, 1983. Studio column places Dial M with Schwartz at Monterey Recording Studios during the debut sessions. (Studio report)
• Billboard — April 2, 1983. Details D&D financing, US independent distribution, Canyon partnership, and the planned April launch. (Label history)