| George Rice | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth Name | George Rice |
| Born | 1970 |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Genres | Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Metalcore |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, Guitar |
| Years active | 1989 - Present |
| Labels | Relapse Records, Century Media |
| Associated acts | Dear Deceased, High on Fire, Sioux Nation, Watch Them Die, Moses |
George Rice is a bassist based out of California. Initially starting out with various locals in the Oakland scene, he is best known as a founding member of the heavy metal band High on Fire, performing on the band's first two albums.
Biography[]
Prior to joining High on Fire, Rice had been involved with several local and independent bands in the Oakland music scene from 1989 - 1995, namely Dear Deceased, Broomcruisers and Sioux Nation.
High on Fire began in 1998, roughly six months after Sleep had broken up. Matt Pike began the band with Des Kensel, who at the time were working together for an office supply delivery company in the bay area[1], eventually recruiting bassist George Rice (Who auditioned with the band with the intents of being the singer).
The band's first show was 23 November 1998 at the Covered Wagon Saloon in San Francisco alongside Bimbo Toolshed and Speedealer.[2] Their second show was alongside Neurosis at the Justice League in San Francisco. [3] Eventually the band would play more shows around the California area and release their self-titled EP in 1999 on 12th Records. Not long after the band would sign a deal with Man's Ruin Records, recruit Sleep producer Billy Anderson and release their debut full-length The Art of Self Defense. Touring would follow throughout the United States and Europe in 2000. A new website would follow as well.[4]
In September 2001, High on Fire would sign a deal with Relapse Records.[5] Recording in January with Billy Anderson,[6] on 28 May 2002 the band would release Surrounded By Thieves. A music video for Hung, Drawn & Quartered with the video showing on MTV2's Headbangers Ball along with more and more touring eventually would widen their listening audience.[7] They would also play the Relapse Contamination Festival which would be recorded for a live album (Released in 2005). Tee Pee Records would also reissue The Art of Self Defense with bonus tracks.
High on Fire would tour heavily in support of the recent album but also have new songs in the works such as "Cometh Down Hessian" and "Devilution".[8] However, George Rice would quit the band in the summer of 2004. Joe Preston would serve as his replacement leading up to the new album being recorded. The earliest known show with Preston on bass was on 18 November 2004 at Crazy Goat in Salt Lake City, Utah (With Big Business)[9].
At the time of his departure from the band, Rice was homeless and living in a van outside of drummer Des Kensel's house.[10] Following his departure from High on Fire, Rice would join the metalcore band Watch Them Die in 2006 and remain active with them until 2008, when he would relocate to Hawaii. Notably, his sole recording with the band would be a cover of "Breeding Death" by Bloodbath, for the Century Media compilation 20 Years of Extremes.[11] Little is known of Rice's activity since leaving Watch Them Die, though he would contribute to the Decibel Hall of Fame entry on Surrounded By Thieves in 2013.[12]
Bands[]
- Dear Deceased - Bass (1989 - 1993)
- Broomcruisers - Bass (1990s)
- Sioux Nation - Bass (1995)
- High on Fire - Bass (1998 - 2004)
- Watch Them Die - Bass (2006 - 2008)
- Moses - Bass (2013 - Present?)
Discography[]
- Broomcruisers - Winter Brings (7" Single) (1991, Sesha Press)
- Dear Deceased - Dear Deceased (Demo) (1992, Self-Released)
- High on Fire - High on Fire (EP) (1999, 12th Records)
- High on Fire - The Art of Self Defense (Studio Album) (2000, Man's Ruin Records)
- High on Fire - Surrounded By Thieves (Studio Album) (2002, Relapse)
- High on Fire - High Volume - The Stoner Rock Collection (Compilation; contributing "To Cross The Bridge") (2005, High Times)
- High on Fire - Live From The Relapse Contamination Festival (Live Album) (2005, Relapse)
- Watch Them Die - Covering 20 Years of Extremes (Compilation; contributing "Breeding Death) (2008, Century Media)
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ [Decibel Magazine Issue 66, pg. 63]
- ↑ Codeword SFAccessed 16 January 2017
- ↑ [Decibel Magazine Issue 66, pg. 64]
- ↑ Stonerrock.com via Wayback MachineAccessed 1st August 2016.
- ↑ High on Fire Official via Wayback Machine
- ↑ High on Fire Official via Wayback Machine
- ↑ Stonerrock.com via Wayback MachineAccessed 1st August 2016
- ↑ YouTube High on Fire - 05/01/04 @ Sabala's, accessed 1st August 2016.
- ↑ highonfire.net via Wayback MachineAccessed 1st August 2016
- ↑ Metalsucks
- ↑ Discogs
- ↑ Metalsucks
| V·T·E High on Fire | |
|---|---|
| Current Members | Matt Pike • Jeff Matz • Coady Willis |
| Past Members | George Rice • Joe Preston • Des Kensel • Nick Parks • Christopher Maggio |
| Studio Albums | The Art of Self Defense • Surrounded By Thieves • Blessed Black Wings • Death Is This Communion • Snakes For The Divine • De Vermis Mysteriis • Luminiferous • Electric Messiah |
| Extended Plays | High on Fire • Speak In Tongues • Bat Salad |
| Live Albums | Live From The Relapse Contamination Festival • Spitting Fire |
| Associated Bands, Artists, Etc. | Sleep • Kalas • Dear Deceased • Earth • Melvins • Harvey Milk • Zeke • Mutoid Man |