“My grandfather Bob Adkison was a real character: a cowboy, a gambler, and a man who kept his word and expected the same. Ever since he first heard me play guitar, probably when I was 10, he insisted that I learn and play ‘Streets of Laredo’ at his funeral; a request he morbidly reminded me of till the day he died. For years I did my best to never learn or even hear the song, fearing it would somehow herald the end for poor Grandpa Fud. Well, the prophecy was fulfilled and I was obligated to perform it as his burial rights. That was pretty heavy and made me reexamine what I was doing with my music career. I decided to start singing and master the slide guitar.”
Michael Borden’s brief recount conjures a satisfied spectral grandpappy Fud, leaning back in a rocker, smugly smiling at his grandson’s acquiescence while knowing the musical path it laid before him. These images could possibly provide the cinematic platform for a captivating cowboy Western; instead they pave the way to Torrance, California, and the Grit Dogs.
Borden is the multi-instrumentalist and lead singer of the Torrance born n’ raised band Grit Dogs. In line with that cowboy depiction, the name actually means cigarettes – taken from a slang term Borden and his friend began using around construction sites they worked. The band primarily employs traditional folk instruments, applying a surprising range in their approach to creating one of the more unique sounds from a local band.
They are Michael Borden (vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, bass, etc.), Christian Sims (steel guitar, guitar, bass, vocals), Miles Eastham (keyboards, drums, vocals), Dave Gillen (bass), Robin Bailey (drums). Borden, Sims, and Eastham graduated South Torrance High School between 1992-93, and still reside in what is in some circles affectionately referred to as T-Town. Bailey found a homestead in Redondo Beach; Gillen’s posted up in Marina del Rey.
“Though Miles [Eastham], Christian [Sims], and I were all friends in high school, we didn’t actually start playing together until about six years ago,” says Borden. “Miles, Christian and I started out cutting our teeth on Johnny Cash and Hank Williams covers, working on our sound – which was raw and aggressive for Bluegrass and Country-blues tunes, and we just kept getting bigger, faster, louder.”
Borden continues. “Christian started out playing (electric) bass and had an unconventional style… propping his bass on the bar stool and playing it like an upright bass, which inspired me to build the electric washtub bass.”
The whasha wha?
“I took all the parts from an electric bass and built them into the washtub,” explains Borden.
In an attempt to build Sims an upright bass Borden, being an artist, painter, and sculpture, decided to create a unique instrument, as well as something functional but fun.
“It’s always a fun conversation piece…” he continues, “but it’s not an easy instrument to play. Christian is the only who can really play it, though Dave Gillen plays it too, but prefers regular bass. That unruly instrument still makes an appearance now and then under Dave’s experienced hands, while Christian now plays mostly steel guitar.”
Drawing on a mix of musical heroes, from Tom Waits to UB40, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams to Bob Marley and The Clash… Borden claims their influences are as varied as the music they play.
“I have a tough time describing what kind of music Grit Dogs is,” he says. “I think we play a few different styles actually. Some songs are Rockabilly, some are Reggae or Roots music, some are more Blues or Folk songs… We like a wide range of music and that is reflected in our sound. I really like using traditional folk instruments in unlikely or unusual ways. Like using a banjo on a reggae rhythm track, or using a ukulele for a lead on a bluegrass tune. I don’t know of any band I could compare us to. I would like to say the Black Keys, because I feel we have been moving in a similar direction, but our sound is still evolving even now. The last song I wrote is a reggae tune with a ‘50s Rock and Roll vibe.”
Grit Dogs are still in their recording infancy, with just a few finished tracks from their catalogue of unrecorded songs. Their music is available for free download on Myspace, but they like to give away copies at shows with the purchase of a t-shirt. If you prefer the more exciting and less lazy route, you’ll have your chance this Saturday; they’ll be performing at South Bay Customs in El Segundo for the official Hot Rod Magazine Cruise after party.
“We like playing in the South Bay, but try not to play the average bar gig anymore,” says Borden. “Opting for events at places like the El Segundo Driving Museum or South Bay Customs motorcycles. We also enjoy the friends we make doing our music, like the guys from Hang Dog Expression [El Segundo] and the Goodfellas [Hermosa Beach], who sometimes fill in as honorary Grit Dogs at our combined shows.”
Grit Dogs perform at the official Hot Rod Magazine Cruise after party this Saturday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m., presented and hosted by South Bay Customs American Motorcycles (and art gallery), located at 115 Penn Street in El Segundo. As always with South Bay Customs, the show is free. For more information, you can contact the establishment at 310-982-1300.
Robin took over on drums when my first child was born. It was to be a temporary-ish thing.i think the thought was we would either add more percussive qualities and/or I would move to a tonal instrument. When I can back I think Robin may have lost some creative control. Though that wasn’t the purpose. Robin focused on many of his musical endeavors, teaching, a drum store (Robin’s Drum works, and many musical projects that forget to give credit. But the picture is me and this interview was done shortly after Robin joined and Dave had not been there long. Michael was definitely 75 percent of the grit dogs. Great efforts have been done to erase the Grit Dogs from history. What a disaster of a break up! But when I find that master hard drive everything will go back up. Grit Dogs started with Michael Borden and myself at Texas Loosey’s restaurant in Torrance California, when Michael asked me to play some drums for him. I quickly learned to play very quietly. But it clicked. We started playing under the Grit Dogs. We did that for at least 2 years. Then chris came in. It was 90 positive.. it worked. Then Dave came in to fill bass as Michael started to get out of his talent zone… still brilliant.. but half of it never really worked. I think given more time it could have.Many things kept it from completely back together. And a few things ripped it from this earth. I didn’t realize something could be wiped from history so easily. Another one of mikes amazing feats. So I write this here in one of the few places that holds the memory of one of the biggest parts of my life.