So, what would it sound like if Johnny Cash or, say, Merle Haggard, arrived on the scene today? What if they had been influenced by Ait-Country, Cowpunk, and Classic Rock in addition to Hank and Letty? It would probably sound something like the Michael Shane Borden & the Diesel Kings. This Austin, Texas based group might be the best band you've never heard; the music like the soundtrack to flying down the highway, top down, redhead on your arm, and cops in hot pursuit.
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 guitaristlproducer 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 ~ngs were born, along with a cutting-edge studio CD.
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Since then, the band has had a number one single on the HotDisc charts, opened for Hall of Famer Hank Thompson, and sold thousands of CDs. Michael Shane and the 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 witt Y , 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." l'II second that.