If you ask front-man Michael Shane Borden what his definition of Country Music is, he'll sum it up like this, "Country Music is about man's fall from grace; drinking, substance-abuse, jealousy, wanderlust, depression, and crimes of passion. It neither condones nor condemns the behavior. It just tells the story." Maybe that's why so many people can relate to it.
The Diesel Kings were formed by a chance encounter between Borden and producer Mark Younger-Smith. The two met at a party, where a discussion of music naturally ensued. Younger-Smith, former guitarist/producer for Billy Idol, mentioned that he was interested in learning some Country guitar chops. Coincidentally, Michael Shane, a former Western Swing artist, was looking for a new direction for his music - Country produced by a Rock producer. Two months later, the Diesel Kings were born, along with a cutting-edge studio CD.
Drummer Chad Heilman, fresh from a tour with Jackson Taylor, liked what he heard and soon was a permanent member of the Kings. Having previously been a Heavy Metal drummer with Kevin Fowler, Heilman’s style was the perfect fit for the group. Using a sit-in bassist, the band began touring and promoting the record.
The following summer, they accepted an offer to open for a local band at a big show outside of Austin. “We were supposed to play this gig,” Borden explains, “it was kind of a last minute thing and we couldn’t find a bass player who was available. Then Dave Dilling, the bassist for the headliner, offered to fill-in. We gave him a CD the day before the show. I really didn’t think he’d even listen to it. When he showed up the next night, he knew every song backwards and forwards.”
A week later, Dilling called Michael Shane and expressed an interest in joining the band permanently. “At first I told him there was no way. It wouldn’t be cool to steal a band member from another band, especially the band who asked us to open for them and even loaned us their bassist,” he explains. Dilling, undeterred, quit his band and then called back. He played the next gig as the newest member.
Since then, the band has had a number one single in Europe, opened for Hall of Famer Hank Thompson, and sold thousands of CDs. The Diesel Kings are currently recording a new CD and continuing to garner attention among Country and Rock fans alike. This ain’t your typical yee-haw kinda Country Music. It’s witty, original, and a helluva lot of fun to listen to. So, how does the band describe their sound? “Chicken-fried Alternative Texas Music, fortified with nine essential vitamins and iron.” I’ll second that.
- Chris Chaney