Wes Borland - Biography

Biography

Wes Borland grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, he initially took an interest in becoming a drummer, but because his parents didn't take to the idea of bringing percussive instruments into their household, Borland began taking guitar lessons from a member of his parents' Presbyterian church. Borland's musical interests were at odds with the local music trends which leaned largely toward country music. He recalled, "I would bring in something, and my teacher would go, 'I've never heard of the Damned. Don't you want to play some Merle Haggard?'"

Borland's brother, Scott, took an interest in bass guitar, and the two brothers began playing together. Borland's interest in hip hop music was piqued by the release of Anthrax and Public Enemy's collaboration, a cover of the latter's song "Bring the Noise". Borland moved to Jacksonville, Florida with his parents, where he began attending art school (Douglas Anderson School of the Arts) due to his disinterest in the local music scene. There, he began practicing sculpture making and special effects. Borland continued to take guitar lessons, working with a teacher that specialized in jazz. According to Borland, "My first teacher ingrained playing by ear so much that when my jazz teacher gave me a sheet of music and a tape to go with it, I would learn the tape instantly and go in and play it, but I couldn't make myself learn the music." As his guitar skills improved, Borland began to craft guitar parts. Wes Borland felt confined by being forced to attend church despite his disinterest in organized religion, and moved out when he reached the age of 18.