By Amanda Cunningham, London, UK
Rock At Night had the pleasure of interviewing Damn Dice and see the debut of their new album The Great Unknown at The Borderline in London on April 18th. An incredible gig, simply awesome – these boys know their stuff – THE band to watch 2015!
Damn Dice: Alex – vocals, Marco – bass, Fransoa – drums, Wallis – guitars
Discography: Wild & Ready EP (2013) and The Great Unknown (2015)
“What Now?” from The Great Unknown
INTERVIEW WITH DAMN DICE
ROCK AT NIGHT: How long has the band been together and how was the group formed?
Alex: The band was started by Wallis and Fransoa, who are brothers, in 2011. Marco was the first guy they tried out on bass and I was actually the first singer they met, though I didn’t actually join the band till 2012. It’s a long story, but basically I was otherwise committed, and they took on a singer but the band was going in a direction that nobody wanted so in the end after parting ways I became the singer. I was already a friend of the guys, we used to hang out and eveything felt natural and right, and here we are today!
ROCK AT NIGHT: Your music has a definite high energy feel like the 80s rock I listened to growing up like AC/DC and Mötley Crüe . I can listen to your music all day! Is this your musical roots? What bands did you listen to growing up and who are your influences?
Alex: First of all thanks, that’s awesome to hear! I love AC/DC. Hmm, growing up I first really loved Black Sabbath, especially the Tony Martin era, but also the Ozzy period too, though personally I always preferred what Ozzy did post Sabbath. I really liked Nirvana and the whole grunge thing for a while, but mainly I listened to Dio, Judas Priest and that kind of classic Metal. Of course, the other guys bring their own influences so you get a kind of mix of ideas coming out.
ROCK AT NIGHT: Who does the songwriting and how would you describe your music? What message are you trying to get across, if any?
Alex: In terms of writing, it’s generally the same pattern; Wallis and Fransoa work on the music, the guitars and stuff, then we all get together, and think about vocal melodies. Once we’re happy with the music I write the words. This is a very simplistic way of explaining how we work, but the essence of it is this. The message of the music obviously depends on the song, each one has its own meaning, but always a positive message. I’d describe our sound as high energy Rock music.
ROCK AT NIGHT: I understand you have a new album The Great Unknown coming out in May 2015. Any plans to tour abroad?
Alex: Once the album is out playing live will be our main focus, whether that be here in the UK or abroad. So there will be plenty of opportunity to come see DAMN DICE soon!!
ROCK AT NIGHT: Since I play music, I’m always interested in knowing about gear. Do you favor any kind of guitars, amps, or effects?
Alex: I use a Shure SM58 wireless mic, Wallis has a Les Paul and uses Marshall, Marco has a Spector and a Music Man and with a SansAmp preamp, and Fransoa plays a Tama kit and he’s sponsored by TRX cymbals and Vater drumsticks.
ROCK AT NIGHT: Is there anything you would want people out there to know about the band or its music?
Alex: If you like high energy music, high energy live shows, good songs and having a good time, then you should check out DAMN DICE. The debut album is coming out this spring, it’s DAMN DICE, it’s 2015, this is happening now and you can be a part of this crazy journey!
PHOTO GALLERY
DAMN DICE – ‘Take The Fight’ Music Video
Single from debut 6 Track EP “Wild’N’Ready” (2013)
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