Artist description WITH AN EYE for intelligent, vivid lyrics and a musical style that embraces rock, R&B, country, and more, Boston-based roots rocker Dennis Brennan (vocals, songwriting, guitar, harmonica) has already created a remarkable body of work with his first two solo albums, Jack-in-the-Pulpit (1995 / Upstart Records) and Iodine in the Wine (1997 / Upstart Records). RULE NO. 1, his new release on ESCA Records, achieves its potency through a singularly simpatico mesh of lyrics and music.

Music Style AAA, Alt-roots

Musical Influences Rolling Stone, Bobby Bland, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Barry & the Remains, Muddy Waters

Similar Artists Graham Parker, Elvis Costello, Gravel Pit, Merrie Amsterburg, Richard Thompson, Duke Levine, Morphine

Artist History Dennis Brennan attended schools in Berlin, Massachusetts, but a pivotal part of his education took place outside the classroom: at home, listening to the radio, absorbing the pop, rock 'n' roll, country, soul, and blues songs that shared the airwaves; at the ice cream parlor where his sister worked, pushing coins into the jukebox to satisfy his musical appetite; and in the bars and fraternities where his teenage bands performed three sets a night."That's the only way we could get hired, recalls Brennan. "And we couldn't do the same song over and over again, so we had to learn all these different styles. It was great training." Those experiences in what he calls, "the minor leagues for pop musicians," helped shape Brennan into the well-rounded musician he's become. So did later years in Boston playing R&B with the Martells and pop/rock with Push Push. And so did his wide-open musical tastes; the few covers that he interprets at gigs these days span songs associated with Frank Sinatra, Irma Thomas, and Buck Owens.His first two solo releases, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and Iodine in the Wine, merged insightful musings about dealing with obstacles and heartaches with music that balanced somber and punchy, smooth and gritty, tender and tough."Jack-in-the-Pulpit'...was the year's [1995] best blue-collar-rock album... Iodine in theWine...reaffirmed the notion that he's one of the most underrated roots-rockersaround" (Washington Post). His songs have been featured in films such as Copland, Lovelife, and Clock-watchers.

Group Members Brennan's character-laden, experience-filled voice, concise songwriting, diverse musicality, and fiery performances continue to draw many of Boston's best musicians into his work. On Rule No. 1, he's joined by vocalists Merrie Amsterberg and Barrence Whitfield; guitarists Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter), Kevin Barry (Mighty Sam McClain), and Ian Kennedy (Reverse); drummers Jay Bellerose (Paula Cole), Jerome Deupree (Morphine), John Sands (Aimee Mann), and Bill MacGillvray (Rust Farm); bassist Richard Gates (Patty Larkin) and bassist/keyboardist/co-producer Paul Bryan (Carol Noonan); the band the Gravel Pit, and more.

Albums Jack-In-the -Pulpit (Upstart), Iodine in the Wine (Upstart), Rule No. 1 (Esca)

Press Reviews "Dennis Brennan, Rule No. 1 (Esca Records): Just one more gripping collection of story songs from Massachusetts' best-kept secret. Brennan mixes Graham Parker's spit with Utah Phillips' sense of history and a cast of misfit characters who sound like they dropped out of an ambush video audition. Plus, 'This Kind of Love' is the best love/hate song Richard Thompson never wrote."--Jim Walsh/St. Paul Pioneer Press"comes on strong and packs a punch...Rule No.1 makes good on the flashes of brilliance on his two previous efforts, Jack -In -The -Pulpit and Iodine in the Wine (Upstart/Rounder)."--Brett Milano/Boston Phoenix"...Brennan has just released a sterling set of tunes, Rule No. 1 (Esca), on which all of his strengths as a singer-songwriter come into full focus. When he sings of broken promises or words left unspoken, you feel the heartbreak and you sympathize...The truth is never in black and white but always in the shadows...music is melodic and nuanced...seducing you with understated grace."--Ken Capobianco/CNC News Group"... a rootsy, hard-edged rocker with the barroom soul of the pre-Woodstock Graham Parker and the unsparing insight of a working class poet."--Chicago Sun-Times "writes and performs exceptional, roots-aware rock songs...with a personal fervor."--Paul Robicheau/Boston Globe

Location Somerville, MA - USA

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