ROX-TV gets an exclusive interview from Roadside Ghost. We talk music, Juggalo Weekend, history and more.
We’d like to thank Roadside Ghost for stopping by the ROX-TV website for an interview. We have a lot to talk about but before we get into it, can you let the readers at ROX-TV know where you guys are from and representing?
What’s up Mike! We are from Southern California. Repping the Inland Empire and Orange/LA County.
I always like to get the back story on artists and groups we interview. I think it adds perspective and is something that the readers enjoy, especially if they are just getting turned onto the Roadside Ghost and your music. If you could talk a little bit about how the band formed up and what that process looked like?
We have been making music (and memories) for some time now. It started with Gary Green and Erick Holter, and two acoustic guitars. They laid out the foundation for the band and went on to seek out a rhythm section. In came Jon (Jonny Beats) Young, and Dino Andino.
I enjoy history and getting it down for future generations of music fans. For me, the first demo is just as important as a major release down the road. I believe you guys made a four track demo in May of 2011 over the course of a couple days. In June of that same year, Roadside Ghost played a couple of nights and sold the shit out of that recording at the shows. Can you talk a little bit about that first demo, perhaps what type of feel or vibe those songs had? With such a great response from a crowd who might not know a lot about you guys, did that early success help fuel your guy’s desires to keep pushing?
Wow! That demo was called “two buck chuck”, and as you might guess, was sold for two bucks. During the early days of Roadside Ghost we had primarily an acoustic vibe with some groovy rock tunes in the works. The acoustic sound dominated in the beginning because it was hard to crank up the amps living in a dorm room in Sterling, Kansas. A little river, big starry nights and acoustic guitars around a bonfire was all we had out there.
It was definitely an encouraging experience getting such a warm response from the crowd. Those shows at the local junior college went on to be our first couple shows as Roadside Ghost. Selling out of our demos at our first show was certainly an indicator that we might be onto something!
Before we move onto to some of the other things the Roadside Ghost have been working on, I’d like to pause for a moment and dip back into the past. I’m a fan of music, perhaps it could be described as my religion. I have great reverence for the sounds, culture of music, and the impact that it has on people around the world. I believe that music is the universal language of the planet and the universe. With that being said, I’m particularly intrigued by artists and what started their journeys into the world of music. I’d like to know at what age you guys were (individually or collectively) when music first started to take on importance in your lives? Was there a certain song or band that really struck a chord with you guys?
Jon: Man, no doubt for me, it was 1997/1998.
I was about 12 years old when I started wanting to listen to music all the time. And believe it or not… right around that time, my buddy, Matt, introduced me to “The Neden Game” and I was hooked. I became an instant ICP fan and proceeded to buy all the albums. Haha. I also listened to a lot of metal and punk and some alternative too. Bands like Pantera, Misfits, Metallica, Nirvana, RATM, and of course P.O.D. 😉
Gary: I first started playing music at the age of 5 but never really appreciated it until one particular moment. I was riding in my aunt’s car, which was a fucking mess! It was a sunny day and I happened to notice the glare of a CD flipped on its back, half buried in the rubble which covered her interior floor. I unearthed the shimmering compact disk, like a beacon from the gods to find the legendary “Black Album” From Metallica. Before this moment I was mostly forced to hear christian music and pop hits on my mom’s stereo during our daily commutes. I never became a fan of music until I popped in that album. I would have never picked up a guitar if it wasn’t for James Hetfield.
Once you became aware of music, how long did it take to evolve to a point where you guys went from being fans of music, to wanting to create your own music as artists? What did that early fire look like for you guys?
Jon: Not long at all for me, I think I started when I was about 12. My buddy Matt, (same guy who introduced me to ICP) and I, started a band. I played guitar and he played drums. Quickly we realized I needed to be behind the kit. Haha. And I fell in love with drums, very quickly. They’re my happy place.
Gary: I first became aware of music when I was pretty young, but I never appreciated it until I discovered rock! I was about 8 years old when I found that Metallica CD and 12 years old when I first picked up a guitar. So, in about 4 years I was ready to start down the path of rockin’.
Jumping back to the present, where can readers at the website find your music or merch for sale? Can you talk a bit about your current releases that are available for purchase?
Check out RoadsideGhost.com for videos/merch/links!! Also check us out on Spotify and Apple Music etc…
I just caught the Roadside Ghost at the Juggalo Weekend 2022 event that went down at the Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona. For people just learning about your music or finding out about you for the first time, can you talk a little bit about the performance? I was in the crowd and your set was amazing. Your music has this wonderful driving force type sound, which in the past has been referenced as a taste of the 1960’s, mixed up with some 1980’s and 1990’s influence, which produces a powerful sound likened to Nirvana, or even one of Michigan’s finest Bob Seger. After hearing your music live, I can agree with that type of comparison or analogy. It’s like you melded the best aspects of three generations to form your own unique sound. Arizona showed your band a lot of love, as well as the Juggalos and Juggalettes. I have to ask even though I already know…. but for the benefit of first-time readers, are the Roadside Ghost members down with the Clowns?
Man, it was an excellent experience for us. We drove from SoCal, all morning. It was our first time on the road with our new trailer. As soon as we got to The Rialto Theatre, Jon, our drummer started soundcheck with ICP. He performed with them, as the drummer of “The Bitchin’ Wild Bucks”!! As a band, we were so stoked to be performing and opening up for the mighty Insane Clown Posse. And we felt so much love from the Juggalos all weekend.
Jon, our drummer is a looong time ICP fan. They were his favorite all through school.
I understand that Roadside Ghost worked on a track from Insane Clown Posse’s latest release “Yum Yum Bedlam” which was released on October 31st at the annual Hallowicked Show in Detroit, 2021. Can you talk about the work you guys did for that track?
Violent J reached out to Jon and asked him if he knew of a singer that would fit the style he was going for, for the track, “Ain’t No Time”, and Gary Green was the obvious choice. Roadside Ghost went to work on adding instrumental elements to an already dope beat, by Devereux. Gary went to work on writing a hook, and Erick worked on harmonies and guitar/bass. We sent the mix to Violent J, and he loved it! We tweaked a few things and ICP added their special sauce, and “Ain’t No Time” was complete!
What does Roadside Ghost have on the stove at the moment? Can we expect any new releases or shows in the near future?
We are currently working on our next single, getting ready to do a final mix and master. It will be accompanied by a music video. We can’t wait to let people hear what we’ve been working on!
The music business is a massive machine with lots of obstacles to navigate in order to achieve success. If you could draw on some of your own experiences in the industry…what is one piece of advice you guys would have for someone thinking about getting into the business as an artist (or any other role)? Certain things to steer clear of? Any tips to increase the success rate? Maybe a tip on the best way to get the message out?
Do what you love and be good at what you love. Really search for that thing that drives you. Try lots of things but find the one that you love most. Whether it’s playing and instrument, singing, doing sound or lights, managing, selling stuff.. There’s so many roles and jobs in the industry, but the only way you’ll survive, is if you love what you’re doing. And if you can figure out a way to do that thing for the rest of your life, and make a few bucks along the way, you’re winning!
I know we talked about the immediate future but perhaps looking with the long view in mind, is there something that you guys would like to do or accomplish in your career as musicians?
We are looking forward to touring. We have a few offers on the table, and are hoping this summer, we’ll have a run booked!
I know most the questions so far have been on more of a formal platform, but from time to time I also like to throw in a few wild pitches for good measure. So, from jump street, lets fire off a few randoms.
The Shining or Friday the 13th (Part 1 or 2)?
The Shining
George Clinton and Parliament or Curtis Mayfield?
George Clinton. P Funk. MAN!!
New Jack City or Blood In Blood Out?
Blood In, Blood Out. Hey Spider!!!
Frozen Pizza or a box of Mac and Cheese?
Frozen Pizza!
Detroit’s finest Faygo or Vernors?
Faygo!
Well, that is about all the time we have for this interview. I really appreciate the time and opportunity to interview you guys for the ROX-TV website. Your always welcome any time to stop back by and fill us in on new happenings. As a last parting tradition, I’d like to give Roadside Ghost a chance to drop some shout outs. You can shout out anyone or anything. Who is Roadside Ghost shouting out tonight?
We want to shout out the homies, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope for inviting us to make music together! We also want to shout out our tour manager/guitar tech/stage manager, Timmy H! And of course, we also want to shout out Rox-TV and Cruisin the Barrio! Big love to Carlito and Rude Boy!
Signing Off,
Mike Shepard
ROX-TV Head Writer
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