Rachel Jensen
From left to right are: guitarist Jaymz Dence, drummer Phillip "Dusty" Fletcher and bassist Steve Farr.
Moscow-based rock band Solid Ghost — specializaing in instrumentals in an amalgam of psychedelia, rock, blues and metal — plays Moscow’s Hemp Fest on Saturday.
The band, which hits the stage for a 6-7 p.m. set during the 27th annual event at East City Park, 900 E. Third St., puts me in mind of Joe Satriani, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Steve Vai.
Solid Ghost was formed in 2016 by guitarist and songwriter Jaymz Dence and features Phillip “Dusty” Fletcher on drums and Steve Farr on bass. The group’s debut recording, “Ghost Boogie,” came out in 2020, and its second offering, “Livin’ It Up,” was released in November.
I interviewed Dence to familiarize you fantastic Inland 360 readers with the band before you see them at Hemp Fest:
Marvin Lee: How did you get into playing guitar?
Jaymz Dence: As far back as I can remember I have always wanted to play the guitar. I just thought guitars sounded cool, especially electric guitar. I thought everyone that played the guitar was awesome.
When I got my guitar at 15, my favorite band was Metallica. I was hoping to be able to play some of their songs.
ML: How did you come to meet drummer Phillip Fletcher and bassist Steve Farr?
JD: I met Steve in 2015 when I was teaching guitar lessons at the old Keeney Bros. Music store in Moscow. He was playing bass in my guitar student’s band. We all hung out and had a nice jam one evening, and he was picking right up on my musical ideas. We hit it right off and kept playing together.
We started Solid Ghost with original drummer James Harwood in 2016. Around that same time, “Dusty” Phil (Fletcher) used to come into the store all the time and play and critique the various drum sets they had on the showroom floor. I could tell he was super good, and it wasn’t long before I got him to hang out and jam. He joined the band in early 2019, following Harwood’s departure.
ML: Where did you come up with the name Solid Ghost and what does it mean?
JD: We all sat around chatting about various words we liked to put together. Somehow we arrived at the words Solid Ghost and agreed that it was intriguing. It has a great contrast. One possible “meaning” that I imagine is Solid Ghost could be talking about all of us people. Maybe we are a ghost, that is solid? Haha!
ML: What are the influences for the music the band puts out into the world?
JD: Collectively we are big fans of rock, metal, grunge, shred, blues and funk. Some big group favorites are, in no order: Pantera, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice in Chains, Steve Vai, Dream Theatre, Soundgarden, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, Freddy King, Buddy Guy, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, ZZ Top and Frank Zappa.
ML: What is the most memorable show Solid Ghost has played?
JD: We have played so many great and memorable shows it is hard to make an order for them. A few off the top of my head here: Latah County Fair in 2022, Rendezvous in the Park 2019, Three Forks Arts Festival and Music on Main in Pullman, Latah Recovery Center Recovery Festival, Moscow Hempfest and so many fun nights at John’s Alley in Moscow, plus so many more.
ML: Would you mind explaining your creative process?
JD: I usually start with an idea of a feeling or a concept for the music to express. I get a guitar riff or series of riffs going and then morph and dial them in just how I am imagining until I have a rough framework of a new song. I bring it all into our band practice and show the other guys. Steve and Dusty come up with their parts, and we all play the new song while dialing in the overall arrangement.
ML: Is there anywhere online a person can go to listen to Solid Ghost’s music?
JD: You can listen to and support our music at: solidghost.bandcamp.com/music and solidghostband.com.
ML: Besides Moscow Hemp Fest, does Solid Ghost have any other shows coming up in the future?
JD: We’re playing Art Under The Elms from 2:30-4 p.m April 21 on the Lewis-Clark State College campus in Lewiston. And we’re booking some nice shows for the summer and fall right now, so please stay tuned to our website, solidghostband.com, and our Facebook and Instagram pages @solidghostband for all the details on our upcoming performances.
ML: One last, riveting question. Which do you prefer: Cats or dogs?
JD: I always used to be a cat person and have had some nice kitty cats, but I think I am turning into a dog person because our dog Roland is so stinking cute and great. !
Lee is a self-professed music nerd and part-time artist. He can be reached at marvin.lee@live.com.
