Formed in 1997 by James Taylor and Des Leahy The McBrides boasts an impressive musical pedigree. "A blend of traditional Celtic songs and material that owes more to the primal energy of rock" wrote Alex Erasmi of View Magazine. Since their beginning in Toronto The McBrides have been playing steadily in pubs, nightclubs, and on festival stages appealing to a wide spectrum of music fans. Their first release "Turn Your Head..." received solid radio support and their recording of Polkas From Hell was used in a national campaign for New Brunswick Tourism.

The McBrides are set to release their sophomore music CD Hell or Connaught. Written by principal songwriter James Taylor. The collection of songs  are edgier and tougher in sound than the bands debut says producer/engineer Alexander "Sascha"Tukatsch, who also played drums and percussion on the project. The core of The McBrides is a power trio featuring Des Leahy on guitars (acoustic, electric and guitar-synth) and background vocals with James Taylor performing lead vocals, bass and Mandolin. Guest performances include Ed Bernard on violin. Alex McMaster plays cello on the tender ballad "So Far Away", while Braxton Hicks excels on tenor saxophone on the psychedelic reggae tinged "Molly s Kitchen", released to radio nationally Jan. 2011.

The rhythm tracks for Hell or Connaught were captured at Alex Lifeson's Lerxst Studio. The band then went to producer A.S.T's home studio in Toronto to finish the recording process before returning to Lerxst Studio to have the project mixed by world renowned mix engineer Rich Chycki (Mick Jagger, Aerosmith, Rush, A Simple Plan). The final stage of mastering was performed by Phil Demetro (Hawksley Workman, Danko Jones, Broken Social Scene, Shania Twain, Jacksoul, The Trews, Ashley MacIsaac at The Lacquer Channel in Toronto.