Sol Spectre

Fusion/Experimental/Rock/Jazz SOL SPECTRE formed in late 2005 after guitarist Aaron Bjerke's group Heywood parted earlier that year in October. The original lineup included Matt Hallinan on rhythm guitar, Ben Weber on bass and synths, and Ryan Severson filling in the drum throne until a permanent member could be found. When they set up the first session, sparks flew and they realized each member possessed his own unique and eclectic writing style, creating endless possibilities for both writing and improvising.

SOL SPECTRE formed in late 2005 after guitarist Aaron Bjerke's group Heywood parted earlier that year in October. The original lineup included Matt Hallinan on rhythm guitar, Ben Weber on bass and synths, and Ryan Severson filling in the drum throne until a permanent member could be found.
When they set up the first session, sparks flew and they realized each member possessed his own unique and eclectic writing style, creating endless possibilities for both writing and improvising.
When Ben Weber left a few months later to pursue his own musical adventures (myspace.com/oceansinspace), low-frequency lover Andy Schuster came to give his pennies with his upright and electric bass tag-team combo, and once again things clicked instantly. After a few attempts at finding a permanent skin beater, Jay Augspurger came along and laid down his stellar, blazing style of fusion/funk/breakbeat. It was clear from the first meeting that he had a deep understanding of the nature of rhythm and how to apply it to the writings of Sol Spectre. It took until May 2006, but the Shoe/Purg rhythm section was finally locked and loaded. Matt Hallinan decided to pursue other endeavors, and left for his native New Jersey.
SS continued gigging as a trio from October 2006 to January 2007.

In late December 2006, ivory wizard Kevin Gastonguay came back home to Minneapolis from Las Vegas. The stars (and schedules) aligned so he could sit in for a couple of weeks in January before he moved to New York to embark on another musical journey. Merely 5 days later the four them won a band battle to earn a spot at the renowned Wakarusa Music Festival, establishing the enormous potential of the new quartet. Kevin decided to stay with Sol Spectre and the sound has been carried to places none of us imagined. Every rehearsal and every show has brought the band into new, uncharted sonic territory, and having a lot of fun exploring these crazy environments. They hope to take you along for the ride.