Artist description Lately roots bands defying classification are called, insurgent or alt country. If that means a band plugging in and knocking out original material with definate traditional country influences and aggressive energy that's the Wayward Angels. Michael Brennan's maritime roots are never far from the surface with the Angels nor are the influence of his Texas outlaw heros.On CD frontman Brennan's songs run from celebrating the pleasures singing hillbilly songs in the kitchen "Back Home" to a sombre telling of Cape Breton miners plight in the "Heart of The Rows."Live the band peppers their originals with choice covers. If the night, or audience, calls for it The Angels have been known to cover The Clash and The Ramones. Often the band will encore, to the pleasure of a sweaty hard-drinking crowd, with a supercharged take on Viva Las Vegas.

Music Style Americana/alt country/roots rock

Musical Influences Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Lou Reed, Towns Van Zandt, Joe Ely, Waylon Jennings, Jimmie Rogers

Similar Artists We're often compared to Steve Earle with a slight Oribson vocal feel. I was proud to be compared to Waylon's outlaw period.

Artist History The deepest Wayward Angel roots date back to the early '90's in Halifax. As a player in the city's growing Cowpunk scene Brennan was toying with ways to couple his Velvet Underground urges with his respect for country traditionalists like George Jones and Lefty Frizzel.That marriage wasn't truly realized until Brennan moved to Toronto. It was there he found like-minded musicians to realize his dream. With this line-up in place, a debut CD in the can Brennan is anxious to take his Wayward Angels on the road.

Group Members Michael Brennan, vocals, guitar Dino Naccarato, drumsFrank Randazzo, Fender Precision bassDave Tufford, lead guitar

Albums WAYWARD ANGELS CD

Press Reviews FROM LUKE 'ZINE The Wayward Angels ST Red Rows Music The Wayward Angels are a Toronto based rootsy country rock band, led by Nova Scotian Michael Brennan who writes nearly all the material and supplies vocals and guitar. It's a fairly eclectic collection of songs and the band seem happy to move from rockabilly to southern boogie at the bat of an eyelid and then chuck in some outlaw country or a Bruce Springsteenesque tubthumper at the drop of a (cowboy) hat. There are plenty of tracks that standout and because of the variety of styles that they borrow from, they're both difficult to pin down and pull off the neat trick of not reallysounding like anyone else. I like their attitude a lot. Brennan strikes me as an honest writer, telling it like it really is, and the band's no frills approach to the music is unpretentious and easy to get on with. If any ofthis stuff sounds appealing, look out for The Wayward Angels, they might just make your day.

Additional Info Wayward Angels Original cassette, Sober Thinking cassette

Location Toronto, Ontario - Canada

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