Loaded Dice: Rolling for You Loaded Dice is one of Strathroy’s most recent cover bands to hit the local music scene, and they come loaded with a love for music, energy, and years of experience. They’re also rolling with a deep sense of loyalty to each other that makes them more family than bandmates. The four-musician ensemble consists of three self-taught musi- cians dedicated to developing their craft from their early teens: Steve Moniz on guitar, Alper (Al) Tabakcilar on bass, and Ivan Catojo keeping everyone in line on drums. The fourth member, Chris Soares, focuses solely on vocals and has also honed his singing voice without formal training. Everyone but Al grew up in Strathroy and still lives there. Al moved to Canada from Türkiye three and a half years ago and lives in London. While the current iteration of Loaded Dice celebrates its first anniversary this June, the band and its iconic name originated when Steve was fifteen. Steve says the story starts with a mis - take his dad made. “I wanted to play bass. My dad came home one day and handed me a guitar. He didn’t know the difference,” Steve laughs. “He wasn’t taking it back, so here I am.” With over a dozen guitars displayed lovingly in his basement, it’s clear Steve took the guitar and never looked back. “I was so excited when I learned my first song ‘Heaven’s on Fire’ by KISS, I ran to my friend’s house. We created a band and named it Loaded Dice because he always rolled dice he claimed were loaded. The name stuck with me.” Al’s love of bass and guitar started when he was fourteen and heard Metallica’s “Fade to Black” on the radio for the first time. At two years old, Ivan’s parents knew they had a drummer on their hands. He went from banging on pots to a kid’s drum kit from the Sears catalogue to a real drum set by the time he turned seven. “I was stoked,” says Ivan. “I played by ear and didn’t stop until I got it right.”
(L to R) Al, Ivan, Steve, Chris
Steve and Al have played in bands on and off over the years. Ivan took a 20-plus-year hiatus from drumming until 2017 when he picked it up again. Chris came from a family of singers, but he channeled his voice talent into radio rather than music. “Unless you consider Wednesday Karaoke back in the day,” laughs Chris. What brought this band of brothers together, however, was a chance meeting a few years ago when Steve met Al while play- ing in a different band. Steve was ready for something different and started today’s Loaded Dice with Al and Ivan. They had a good run playing local gigs, including the Strathroy Hometown Festival in 2024. By that time, the lead singer had left, and they needed a new frontman. Steve approached his long-time buddy, Chris. “I had played with Chris before and knew he was good.” Today’s Loaded Dice plays covers from CCR to Bon Jovi to Billy Joel. They also have a deep love for Mötley Crüe. “We don't have any Metallica yet, but I'm sure that’s coming,” says Chris. What keeps Loaded Dice rolling, besides their depth of musical talent, is their energy and the fun they have performing together. “It's about chemistry, and ours is very good,” adds Al. Loaded Dice performs at the 2025 Morgan Make-A-Wish Foun- dation Ride on June 28, Grand Bend on Canada Day, and Strathroy Ribfest on July 5. For other dates and locations where Loaded Dice will be "Rollin’ for you," find them on Facebook at @loadeddice2024. Photos courtesy of Patti Moniz
Loaded Dice doing what they love
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc June 2025
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