Loaded Dice ~ Mam’Selle
Here’s a lost power pop gem from 1979. Loaded Dice where a hard working rock power pop band from band Perth that I would go see from time to time. They were touted as being the next big thing from the West and got signed to a major label, but like the “Boys” listed below, big things never happened. They had good songs and were very good at making the crowd rock in there home town but when they moved to Sydney it was hard to get the local crowds interested and it wasn’t long until they disbanded and returned home. They released a couple of singles and great album called “No Sweat” which had a lot of energy just like their live shows but poor sales pushed this album into the sale bins. I’m not sure if Mam’Selle is the first single or the second becasue I have never seen a copy of the other one. I remember seeing them on T.V. once playing the song “Telephone” which could mean that this one was the second.
Mam’Selle is rocking power pop track with lot’s of harmonies and hooks and a chorus sung in French no less. They should have toured France beacause this would have been a hit over there. Great stuff.
City: Perth
Year: 1979
Label: WEA
Format: 7″
Song: Loaded Dice – Mam’Selle
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Great. My favourite French language subject record after Marseille’s ‘The French Way.’ Fantastic glammy pub rock sounds.
Collin - August 26, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Mamselle was the first single followed by Telephone which reached No.13 on the charts in Tasmania
marty - June 26, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Used to see these guys at the Goon every week.Fun band.
Raffles - August 27, 2008 at 6:31 am
used to see Loaded Dice in Perth around 1977 saw them at civic hotel one night the place was full it was easily one of the most memorable nights perfomances of a pub band that i can remember
jack - June 9, 2009 at 12:40 am
They had a house in Melbourne for a while (my girlfriend and I used to feed their cat when they were interstate on tour!)
A high energy pub rock band that filled the dance floor. Best Melbourne gigs were at the Sarah Sands Hotel in Brunswick – before it became a strip club and then a yuppy pub!!
They played a mix of fantastic originals plus a lot of great 60s covers. I have an autographed copy of No Sweat – anyone know what happened to the guys after the band broke up? They were really nice guys, friendly and very down to earth.
Paisley - June 30, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Glad you liked them back in the day. The re-issue is almost done and has 21 tracks on it.. demos and rare tracks also. the guys went to perth and played through the 80’s but primarily as a cover band. One is a Taxi driver in Perth, the drummer plays in a 60 cover band, One has an IT company in Sydney and one is a solo muso in Brisbane. I hope that helps but you can read the full story in the CD booklet when it’s released
powerpop - July 1, 2009 at 1:44 am
I used to go see Dice with my parents in the early 80s at the Shents Sunday session…I met Phil the lead guitarist there when I was 10 or so and got the album autographed..My brother and I were terrified of Dick when he sand Sweet Transvestite.
I met Phil again many years later at the Floreat Hotel when the band were playing under the name The Opshoppers..we now have a talented 17 year old son who plays guitar in his own band BIRTH OF A HERO, soon to play their first gig at the Hyde Park!
holly - July 2, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Stumbled on the site when looking for Loaded Dice – as I’ve just uploaded a clip of Mam’selle to YouTube
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woS_Aupe3sg
Recorded in Adelaide in 1979. Unfortunately, the picture quality leaves a lot to be desired but you can only use what you have!
Just thought I’d share.
MichaelH - July 8, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I’ve been searching for someone who may have taped this for a couple of years now. I can’t thank you enough for uploading it. The boys will be pleased to see it also. Just awesome and so rare.
powerpop - July 9, 2009 at 2:51 am
I do believe you have a countdown clip of Telephone. Can you upload it to utube also. Thanx
Marty - July 30, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Thanks to the reminder – here’s Loaded Dice doing Telephone on Countdown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgDw78tjERc Much better quality than the Mam’selle clip.
Of possible interest too, Adelaide band Vertical Hold with their 1981 #1 local hit My Imagination : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmi1X7RW4q4 Power pop with cello! I couldn’t see an entry for them on the site, so figured mentioning it here was OK.
MichaelH - July 31, 2009 at 5:35 pm
My brother and I and mates used to see these guys at the Brighton over here in Sydney. They were one of our favouites. I still have No Sweat in my vinyl collection. Awesome power pop. A real shame they didn’t go further.
Phil - August 18, 2009 at 9:44 pm
This is awesome! I saw them in Sydney several times; twice in one day on one occasion. Arvo gig at the Brighton Hotel and night gig at the Bondi Lifesaver. They were brilliant!
Noel - August 18, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Glad to see so many people remember us. Thanx. Marty
Marty - August 19, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Very pleasing indeed that so many people remember us.
Marty - August 19, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I played in a band called The Clones in Sydney 78 to 80 and we played many times on the same bill as Loaded Dice. Loved to watch them play, 4 singers and did songs that no other band would attempt: This Boy, Good Vibrations etc… Fantastic. How Dick played his bass that rested on his Adams Apple I will never know…. Somewhere I have a tape of them playing at Selina’s which was simulcast on I think 2JJ as it was then. I think Marty rehearsed with The Clones for a time after I left the band. Favourite original was ‘She’s my Mother’ which I am sure Marty sang. Energy, sweat, harmonies, quirky and nice guys is how I remember them.
John Clone - August 19, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Cool, I really the Clones single also. Would love to hear that tape
powerpop - August 21, 2009 at 1:24 am
i used to see them every friday at brighton hotel &the civic in sydney yeah they were great fun some of them played in a band called the tulips after they broke up in sydney just doing covers
tony - September 7, 2009 at 3:30 pm