PAIRADICE…The Midnight Train Of Sunset Strip !
Interview with Billy D’Vette
1) So, you’ve been known in the Sunset Strip era for your large following. Let me know about the highlights of those days for your band…
We played many wild shows with girls taking there tops off, playing encores with Warrant, Strippers on stage, fights in the audience ECT. I do remember one show we did at the Whiskey where we wanted to do something different so instead of going on stage all decked out in studs and leather. We played the show in nothing but boxer shorts. We found these boxer shorts with dice all over them so we went on with nothing but our boxers on. Girls were pulling down are short through out the show it made for an interesting night at the Whiskey.
2. While building a “cult” following in L.A., you played with many of the biggest bands to come out of that era. Such as; Poison, Warrant, Guns N’ Roses, L.A. Guns, Pretty Boy Floyd, Tuff, and Bang Tango, among others. What was it like playing with them, and which band did you enjoy playing with the most?
At the time I don’t think any of us realized we were part of such a cool music scene we all just wanted to get a deal on a major label and go on tour. Poison had turned the strip upside down and changed the rules as far as stage show, make up, Clothing, and there biggest contribution was the way they promoted. If you were not out passing out your flyers every night, you were plastering every telephone pole in Hollywood. Poison changed the playing field for all of us and after they left the Strip to support “look what the cat dragged in” we were all scrambling to be the next big draw in Hollywood. We had a great relationship with both Tuff and Warrant during that time and did some great shows with them we all hung out together, we dated the same chicks, and those were good times.
3) How did you feel when you toured Japan with Jetboy even if you hadn’t a multinational label contract back then?
That was a great time… everything was so new to us. We had no expectation we just wanted to have a good time. The fans were great to us and still are. I remember one time when we were touring in Japan after a show we jumped into a Van and we were being chased by several cars through the streets of Tokyo by fans. We almost crashed into several parked cars trying to get away. Smashing a Hotel TV getting flashed on stage and having panties thrown at us were all very good memories of that tour.
4) Did you have any interest from record labels back at the 80s, any stories to share with us?
We shopped the band to every label in town and had small label interest but we had Geffen that was interested in us and kept telling us they were going to sign us so we held out for them and they eventually turned us down. Record labels had all the power back then. It was not like it is today.
5) Why did the band disband, what were the main reasons behind this decision?
Paul quit the band shortly after the Japan tour. Paul wanted to have more control of the writing and had ideas of background singers and some other ideas that the rest of us did not want to do. Looking back, we were all starting to get a little frustrated with so many bands that we had been playing with on the strip being played on MTV and landing the big deal. Paul has admitted that perhaps it was a bad move on his part but everyone has there own road to follow and I can respect that.
6) What led you to the band reunion?
Last year I was going through some old pictures and got the idea to start a MySpace page for Pair A Dice. I just wanted to share some of the old memories with the guys. Little did I know that it would snow ball into what it has today… We started getting emails from all kinds of friends and fans. (Old & new) Then we were asked by Retrospect Records if we wanted to join the label and release our old demos. From there we were asked to do a reunion show at Rocklahoma…. And know we are looking at a summer tour in 2009 to support the next record!
7) What was the media & fan feedback at the Rocklahoma event?
The response was overwhelming its kind of crazy that after all these years so many people even care about us to be honest. The media loved us said we were one of the best bands on any of the stages they loved our energy and songs. The fans have been the best.
8) What about you’re first ever released CD, can you tell me more about it?
The CD has six songs that we recorded from 1988-1989. The first Demo was recorded in 1988 and was produced by the band. We had Robin Crosby mix two of the songs for us but he was so wasted at the time we had to scrap it and re mix.The second was recorded at Baby O studio’s in Hollywood in 1989 and was produced by Dave Marshall. It was all done on a very tight budget.
9) Who is involved in music & lyrics of the band?
Paul and I write most of the Lyrics and Dave and me write most of the music. Everyone in the band has contributed to the righting in some sort of fashion we like to believe it’s a group effort.
10) How did you cooperate with Retrospect records, are you satisfied with the production and promotion of the album?
As an artist I don’t think you’re ever really satisfied with the amount of promotion or production. You always want more…. But our relationship with retrospect Records has been great they have lived up to all there promise and more.
11) Is it true that you’re planning a live DVD?
Yes that’s in the works…. Live DVD from Rocklahoma. We are also looking into releasing a DVD of all the old shows from the Sunset Strip days.
12) Lancia was a short lived but great project after the band disbanded, any plans to rerelease that material or reform the band?
I don’t think that is going to happen anytime soon.
13) What’s PAIRADICE’s take on the current rock/metal scene?
I think kids today are tiered of the depressed, dark lonely, I hate my life attitude that the grunge scene made so popular in the 90’s. I think the kids of today are starting to realize that they just want to party and have a good time. The music of the 80’s was all about just rockin out with your cock out and having a kick ass time. Yes we teased our hair and dressed like chicks but everyday was a big party and we had a great time doing it. I think the kids of today just want to let go have fun and get laid. I think it is great that so many young kids today have started listening to 80’s metal and are now starting to put there own twist on it. The 80’s Metal revival has started and it is growing everyday. We are very happy to be part of it in some small way.
Thanks again to all of you who still listen and support all the great bands that came out of the 80’s metal scene…
For more information on Pair-A-Dice visit Myspace. com/pairadice88
MYSPACE PROFILE FOR PAIR A DICE : http://www.myspace.com/pairadice88
