The Wrenfields

The Dearborn, MI, group the Wrenfields, which formed in 2000, plays a brand of rousing alternative country that draws consistent comparisons to predecessors such as the Jayhawks, early Wilco, and Lucinda Williams. The group's members -- Noreen Novrocki (lead vocals), John Pyro (drums and lead vocals), Tom Morgan (lead guitar and vocals), Frank Budd (bass, harmonica and vocals), Dave Berriman (keyboards and vocals), and Matt O'Bryan (rhythm guitar and vocals) -- came from such Detroit-area bands as Miracleberries and Killer Flamingos. The Wrenfield's experienced members have also shared the stage with such performers as Chuck Berry, Mitch Ryder, Spencer Davis, Sponge, and Tony Orlando. Once dubbed Detroit's "favorite alt-country group" by that city's Metro Times, the Wrenfields recorded their debut album, 21st Century Pioneer, at their own Compound Studios in Dearborn, releasing it in August 2001. Tyler Brown (Mark Olson, Victoria Williams) produced the effort. ~ Erik Hage