Wry Toast

It’s a hot night at Bernie’s Hillside Lounge, the best roadhouse in Northwest Jersey. Even though it’s one-thirty in the morning, the rambunctious full house is still screaming for another song. Hillside owner, Bernie Wallace, just smiles and nods as Wry Toast fires up another song to the delight of the audience.
Wry Toast plays high energy, country-rock music the way it used to be played. Catchy, melodic songs built to last, soaring three and four part harmony vocals, (all seven members sing) blazing fiddle, smokin’ mandolin, duel lead electric guitars all backed by thumping bass and thunderous drumming. In an over produced, watered down music world, the basics never fail. If you strip away the bells and whistles, it always comes down to the song and the musicians.
Wry Toast is a diverse musical concoction informed by the best elements of the country-rock genre. First blend country, rock, rockabilly, bluegrass, western-swing, folk-pop, then, stir in healthy doses of musical influences such as the Eagles, Poco, New Riders, the Band, the Beatles, Bill Monroe, the Allman Brothers, James Taylor and Asleep at the Wheel and then turn the mixer on high and let the good times roll.
The band members have, in previous musical settings, shared the stage with Ricky Skaggs, Poco, John David Souther, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Mason, Patti Smith and Christopher Cross. Fiddle/guitar/banjo/vocalist Gary Oleyar has toured with Loggins and Messina and Bob Seger. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian McArdle has played such venues as the PNC Art Center, the Waldorf Astoria in NYC, the Bluebird Café in Nashville and has had his original songs cut by artists in the US, Europe and Australia. Bass player/vocalist Walt Super and drummer/vocalist Birt McKenzie were part of the seminal North Jersey country-rock band, Hange Range, a band that was scouted and recorded by Cashman and West. Guitarist/mandolin player/pedal steel guitarist/vocalist Tom Delaney has been the fluid instrumental force for a number of Jersey’s top country-rock and southern rock bands. Nanette Beatty-McArdle has added her pristine, sweet voice to the highest reaches of many three-part harmony vocals. Last, and arguably the star of the show, Kate McArdle, has a voice that is pure magic. From tender ballads to foot stompin’ rockabilly, Kate’s power and presence light up the stage.
So … if you have searched the musical landscape for a country-rockin’ good time, your search has ended. Wry Toast generates enough energy to power a small country with their high voltage country-rock music.
For more information, CD’s, psychic readings and advice to the love-lorn, please contact Brian at www.brianmcardle.net Some limitations may apply, batteries not included.