The Wayward Angels are a Toronto-based band with one foot in Cape Breton Island and the other somewhere in the American South. That might sound like an uncomfortable stretch, but it actually makes sense. After all, the rich musical traditions of both places can be traced back to their Irish and Scottish roots, and the same goes for Michael Brennan, whose songs reflect those roots as well as his upbringing in smalltown Inverness, Nova Scotia, and his natural affinity for country and rock n’ roll.

Brennan’s first band was The Lone Stars, who had some success with the single, Dying Town, released on Nova Scotia Compilation Out of The Fog. He moved to Toronto and formed The Wayward Angels, who put out a 10-song cassette, Michael Brennan and The Wayward Angels,in 1991 and began playing Toronto Clubs as well as the CanadianMusic Week and North By Northeast festivals.

The current Angels line-up Brennan on vocals and guitar, Dave Tufford (Mary DeKeyzer and Melody Ranch) on guitar, Dean Naccarato on Drums and Frank Randazzo (The Leslie Spit Treeo) on bass has been perfecting its roots-rock sound for four years now, and now there’s a fine, debut,self-titled CD to show for it. They’re influenced by giants like Hank Williams and the Ramones,and Brennan’s rich, intense voice has been called, one of the more genuine and intriguing to come along on the Canadian scene in some time you hear the touches of Neil Young, Waylon Jennings, Tony Joe White and Steve Earle it’s quite a mix, and quite enjoyable. These songs, described as having an emotional punch, that elevate them above the banal platitudes of current country music, are strong originals about love, frustration, loneliness and joblessness, with a twist of wry humour to balance the despair.

The band plays regularly in Toronto and have opened for Canadian Music Star, Julian Austin and North Carolina country rockers Blue Mountain. They recently backed up Alejandro Escovedo for a couple of songs at Toronto’s infamous after hours club, The Matador, and also have the claim to fame of being one of the few bands bumped from a gig by the Rolling Stones. Recently the Wayward Angels have appeared on the Open Mike show with Mike Bullard and have been profiled on the CBC Evening News.

Described as Canada’s best kept roots/rock secret, the Wayward Angel’s new CD and single, You’ve Been On My Mind,has received radio playacross Canada, crackingthe Canadian Country top 50. Comstock Records out of Arizona, U.S. released Rockabilly Ray in the U.S. and Europe. It has been added to playlists from Italy and France through to the Netherlands. Belgium and the United Kingdom, making the top 10 in Denmark and Sweden. And in the U.S., the CD is getting airplayon stations across the country. Don’t miss out on one of the best Canadian country rock albums of 1999.

For further information about The Wayward Angels, contact: Red Rows Music, 67 Riverdale Ave, Toronto, Ontario-Tel: 416-466-7805

MICHAEL BRENNAN'S new CD, entitled, CAUTIOUS MAN,released April, 2006