The group was originally formed in the mid 1980s as a street-busking operation in downtown Toronto.  The line-up consisted of guitarist/ song-writer Charlie Angus, vocalist Michelle Rumball and fiddler/accordionist Peter Jellard.

In 1987, stand-up bassist Tim Hadley joined the band, followed by drummer Peter Duffin. This marked the move of the Angels to Toronto bars like the Cabana Room and the Horseshoe. In 1988, a series of demos were put together as the independent release Toute la Gang.