The Dice

Biography

The limited information that is available about the Dice contradicts itself mostly, but it seems the obscure group probably formed in Ontario, Canada, near the end of the '70s. Members on the rock lineup included lead singer/guitarist Gary Lima, guitarist Trevor Russell, and drummer/percussionist Hayden Vialva. The threesome gained both experience and fans by performing at numerous clubs and other night spots around Ontario. After landing a recording contract with CBS, and then a number of other labels, the Dice released a few singles and albums, before falling apart. There was a short resurrection in 1993, and one more before the new millennium was rung in.

In the beginning of its career, the Dice acquired a lot of exposure touring with other, better-known groups. In 1980, the guys took a break and went into the recording studio to cut some demos to shop around. The hard work the band put into its music paid off when some of the tunes caught the attention of a music label representative. That same year the members finished a debut album, Broken Rules. Two years later, working under a new label, the Dice put together a self-titled album that featured a little guitar work by Peter Frampton. That sophomore album was followed by the release of a few singles and a four-song self-titled EP. When the group found itself without a recording contract after those first albums, it was the beginning of the end.

Nearly ten years after the band's untimely death, the members came back together for another try with the independent album, Misbehave, and then again in 1997 with Nightmare. Some of the tracks fans can sample from the recordings of the Dice are "Beyond the Horizon," "Jungle Track," "Calling in the Rain," "Kings and Queens," and "Wild Tigers." ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide