In Service of Tone
There are guitarists who aim to impress. And there are guitarists who aim to move you. Dennis Wever (born in 1982 and based in Meppel, The Netherlands) unmistakably belongs to the latter. His playing is layered, narrative, and melodic — but never flashy. His tone breathes space and emotion. While his style is rooted in the legacy of sonic painters like David Gilmour, Andrew Latimer, and Steve Rothery, it is always and unmistakably his own.
Dennis doesn’t play licks — he tells stories. Not with many words, but with tone, colour, and time. And that’s what makes his playing resonate long after the last note fades.
From Garage Bands to Tone Builder
Dennis began playing guitar in the mid-1990s. After a musical hiatus during his studies, he picked it back up in 2005. He bought a ’70s-style Stratocaster and quickly found his sound: a blend of clarity, warmth, and expression. In 2014, he traded that guitar for what remains his main instrument to this day: a Fender Custom Shop ’60s Stratocaster with a hand-selected alder body, custom-wound single coils, and a vintage-style tremolo system. He later added a 2005 Gibson Les Paul Special Double Cut — now a regular companion both on stage and in the studio.
His amplifiers are loud and honest: tube amps by Marshall, Orange, and Laney, always dialed to the edge of breakup. His pedalboard is built around a consistent recipe: volume pedal, tuner, modulation, overdrive/distortion, and delay. The brands may change, but some favourites remain: the Boss DS-1, Butler Tube Driver, Boss CE-2, Boss DD-3, Dawner Prince Boonar, and the DryBell Vibe Machine. Every pedal serves a single purpose: expressive storytelling.
From Player to Architect
In 2017, Dennis joined progressive rock outfit Octavarium. It was his first serious opportunity to explore long-form dynamics, layered compositions, and melodic soloing. Two years later, he took the next step: founding his own band, Aberration — a new project with a new direction, and Dennis at its core.
In Aberration, his guitar work took centre stage — both in writing and performance. The music breathes the influence of his musical heroes but is always coloured with his own signature. The band sits somewhere between melodic prog rock and introspective soundscapes, with Dennis’s guitar lines as a compass. Nothing in his playing is accidental — every note counts.
Versatility Outside the Spotlight
Dennis has never been one to walk a single path. He was active in multiple bands simultaneously — including the alternative rock outfit Clinch, the Floyd tribute Sysyphus (The Early Years), and the short-lived Camel tribute The Spirit of Camel, which was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. In each of these, Dennis showcased his versatility: interpreting the work of his heroes with respectful precision, always filtered through his own sense of tone and timing.
He was also a regular at jam sessions in the northern Netherlands, playing everything from southern rock to Americana to atmospheric prog — always with feeling, never with ego. Whether navigating an 11/8 riff or a blues in A, Dennis plays from the heart.
Melody in Service of Song
Between 2019 and 2022, Dennis was lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Newland, the live band behind singer-songwriter Alex Nieuwland. It was a period of refinement, where his melodic style was adapted to more compact, lyric-driven songs.
He performed on radio sessions and live shows at venues such as Theater De Bres, pop stage Neushoorn, and the Try-Out Room in Emmeloord. Dennis brought subtle hooks, supportive textures, and expressive solos where the song allowed. His playing coloured the canvas — never overpowering it.
Brief, but Resonant
In 2023, Dennis joined alternative rock band Moonradio. For six months, he co-wrote new material with the band. Although he eventually limited his role to songwriting and live performances during that period, his influence is unmistakably audible on the 2025 EP New Roads.
The collaboration offered a different playing field: shorter, tighter tracks where structure and melody alternated rapidly. For Dennis, it was a new challenge — fewer bars, but just as much expression. And he rose to the occasion with style.
Session Work
In 2024, Dennis expanded his reach as a session guitarist, working with international clients across various genres. His playing received praise such as:
“Very good guitarist. Deep understanding. Professionalism of work.”
“Tasteful, beautiful playing and excellent recording quality.”
“So talented, this man knows how to play guitar.”
From delicate fingerpicking to ambient delays and roaring solos, Dennis always delivered what the song truly needed — no more, no less. With feel. With class.
Gritty Rock with a Warm Heart
Since May 2025, Dennis has been the lead guitarist for SIDR, a characterful rock band based in Meppel. The name comes from a regional Dutch saying — “sloerig in de rakker” — referring to a kind of lazy inertia that you shake off through music. SIDR is made up of seasoned musicians (40+) and creates original music filled with energy, heart, and grit.
With his signature tone, Dennis adds a melodic and expressive layer to the band’s powerful foundation. It’s straight-up rock with an ear for detail. The chemistry is tangible — and audible. SIDR is currently working on new material and preparing for shows in the fall of 2025.
Speaking His Own Language
Alongside his band work, Dennis also composes and records his own music. Tracks like Polly, Lost in the River, and Reach for the Sky (2024) were created in his home studio. His solo work is introspective, atmospheric, and melody-driven. Free from stylistic expectations or band dynamics, he speaks his own musical language — sometimes instrumental, sometimes with vocals, always full of intent.
Tone Over Tricks
What sets Dennis apart isn’t the number of notes — it’s their meaning. His tone is never arbitrary. His playing embraces space. His melodies linger. He is a guitarist who doesn’t aim to impress, but to connect. Not about flash — about feeling.
Whether performing at a festival, laying down guitar lines for an international artist, or shaping a new idea in his home studio — Dennis Wever plays with care. And you can hear it — in every note, every chord, and every breath in between.