It might be easy to just put The Fossil Creek Band in a box marked “bluegrass”, but despite sonic similarities, they insist they’ve moved into a territory that defies genre. If anything, upright bassist Gil Evans describes their sound as Americana, pulling styles and plucking strings from country, folk and gospel, as well as bluegrass. Guitarist Dave Borkowski notes that when the band plays bluegrass standards, they never sound exactly like traditionalists would expect them to.
“Even if we do bluegrass it comes off as Fossil Creek,” he says. “But, that’s not a bad thing. I think that’s the cool thing about the band. We can play a standard like Foggy Mountain Breakdown, and anyone who knows, knows it’s a different feel.”
Evans attributes this unique sound in part to Borkowski. Before joining, he had extensive experience playing in heavy rock bands, including Toledo band Uncle Knucklefunk. Though he’d listened to bluegrass, Borkowski had never played it himself. He joined by “accident” years ago after jamming with some of the band members at a party. Their guitarist at the time quit the band at the party, and Borkowski was offered a spot.
The origins of Fossil Creek
The band first started playing in 2006, but didn’t get around to recording its first album until 2012. Their name came from a play on the country group, Nickel Creek’s, name.
“(My daughter) saw a picture of (the band) playing on the street corner,” said Tom Galbraith, lead vocalist and mandolin player. “She joked, ‘Look at the old people trying to be Nickel Creek. Must be Fossil Creek.’”
Fossil Creek has changed several members since its inception, with fiddler Darrell Wagner as the newest addition. As it stands now, the band is made up of Wagner on fiddle, Evans on bass, Galbraith on lead vocals and mandolin, Borkowski on guitar and Jan Hudson on banjo.
What they’re working on now
Much of the band hails from the Toledo area and northern Michigan, but they play extensively throughout Ohio. They have upcoming dates dotting Ohio, including nearby Perrysburg and Grand Rapids. Fossil Creek does have fans in other states such as Florida and Tennessee, which they occasionally visit. There’s also a following in Europe, but the band doubts they’ll have a chance to tour there.
Fossil Creek currently has two albums released, and has started writing new songs for their next album. During the wait, Hudson said they will most likely release a couple singles.
Upcoming shows
The Fossil Creek Band will begin a tour throughout Ohio this month, which will end in their stomping grounds of Lambertville, Michigan. Dates and locations can be found below:
2pm Saturday, June 18: Hogs ‘n Hooves Fest in Swanton, Ohio.
8:30pm Wednesday, June 29: MARC 2016 National Meet at Owens Community College, 335 Oregon Rd., in Perrysburg.
12:15pm Wednesday, July 13: Brown Bag Summer Concert Series at the Lucas County Public Library on 325 Michigan St. in Toledo.
5pm Saturday, July 16: Majestic Oak Winery and Neon Groundhog Brewery, 13554 Mohler Rd., Grand Rapids, Ohio.
3pm Saturday, Aug. 13: Athens County Fair in Athens, Ohio.
7pm Saturday, Aug. 20: Ottawa Metropark Amphitheater, 2632 Ada Rd., Lima.
7pm Saturday, Sept. 10: Whiteford Community and Antique Power Days at Stoneco Park in Lambertville, Michigan.
For more information, visit their facebook page, or go to their website at fossilcreekbluegrass.com.