Syren (band)
Encyclopedia
Syren is a three piece, all female, original, Alternative/Rock band formed in The United States by singer/songwriter, Erin Bennett and ex RockBitch
/MT-TV musicians, Amanda (bass) and Jo (drums).
The trio formed in 2006 playing shows in small coffee houses as well as large rock venues from Cleveland, Ohio to Detroit, MI. They quickly rose to popularity within the Ohio independent music scene with the release of their Debut album, 'Dehumanized' which has received much praise in the indie music press.
It was the 'Dehumanized' album that secured the band endorsements with Hartke
, RainSong
, Sonor Drums
and Elixir Strings
and caught the attention of world renowned Psychedelic rock
band, Hawkwind
.
Since their formation the group have toured England, Scotland, Belgium, The Netherlands and The United States with an extensive Dutch and American following.
Amanda Smith-Skinner (Fretless Bass, Electric Upright)
Jo Heeley (Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals)
and MT-TV musicians, Amanda and Jo. The group met when MT-TV came to the United States on tour in 2005. After a coincidental meeting in a restaurant the three became immediate friends and Erin was offered a job as a stage tech for the touring MT-TV band.
After a year of working for MT-TV, Erin and Amanda began 'jamming' for fun soon to be joined by Jo on drums. Within days the group had their first show at Brewed Awakenings in Toledo, Ohio. For the first month the band played over 10 shows without a name. It wasn't until their first mini-tour of the southern states (Alabama, Georgia and Florida) that the band decided on the name, 'Syren.'
'We were trying really hard to come up with something unique and artistic. Also, we wanted something that was relevant to three women playing good music. In our deliberation, someone said, 'It's a pity the name Muse is taken,' and with that it just hit me. SIREN
, based on the Greek Myths of three women playing music to lure passing ships to crash on the rocks of their island. The decision to change the 'I' to a 'Y' came simply during the process of booking 'syrenband.com'."-Erin Bennett in an interview with WKMX Radio
, Dothan, Alabama.
John Brandt, studio owner and engineer at a show in Detroit. A deal was made between John and Syren that they could record a full length album at his 'Song Garden Studios' under a song-per-song agreement. (For every song recorded on their debut album, they would contribute their talents to other musicians who were in need of session players.) This gave the girls opportunity to play for various artists from around the world including the likes of Michael Quatro
, brother of renowned bass player/singer, Susie.
After the completion of the album, Syren were quickly offered hundreds of shows across the mid-west and southern, US to promote its release.
During this time, Syren were approached by Dr. Lisa Apramian, writer and director of 'Not Bad for A Girl
' a rockumentary co-produced by Courtney Love
. She interviewed Syren for inclusion in her companion book with the re-release of the 'Not Bad For A Girl' documentary due out in 2010.
In May 2008, Syren played their last US dates and moved to the UK where they based themselves for a year. During the remainder of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, Syren played countless venues around the UK including Nottingham Rock City and Manchester Academy
supporting 60s rock band Hawkwind.
"We were invited to play Hawkwind's Hawkfest in 2008 after one of the band members happened upon our myspace. It was a really great experience as we were billed right before Hawkwind on the main stage. I just remember looking up to see some of the Hawkwind members bopping along to 'Dehumanized' at the side of the stage."- Erin in a Myspace Blog
The band's first tour of The Netherlands came in the summer of 2008 where they were booked to play over 13 shows across Holland. Here many Rockbitch
fans were quick to come out and see the ex-heavy metal muso's in their new line up. With this instant fan base Syren received much press throughout the Netherlands all of which praised Syren saying, 'The balance between these three and the grand ensemble that results from it, and again interspersed with the right dose of spontaneity, provides an extraordinary musical spectacle that keeps surprising.-RTV Rijnmond
Throughout 2009 the band were offered hundreds of shows performing in all regions of the Netherlands, supporting some big Dutch and American acts (The Madd, Tony Spinner
) and playing large venues such as Dordrecht's Bibelot, Acedemica Big River's Festival '09, Waerdse Tempel and the Noordzee Zomer Festival in Katwijk aan Zee. Syren were described by RTV Rijnmond's Ronald Van Oudheusden as being '3 Hard Rock Chickies' after their performance on Live Uit Lloyd and were featured in a 3 page article in Holland's Gitaar Plus Magazine.
With Syren's growing popularity and attention in the press by 2010 Syren had relocated to The Netherlands where they based themselves and reached out to nearby territories such as Germany and Belgium.
.
"...this album is about desperation and heartbreak, but at the same time it's about euphoria and serenity. It describes the oscillating moods of someone desiring love from another but also desperately wanting to be free from the emotions."- Erin Bennett in a Facebook Post
The title track, 'Something Has To Separate' is one of many tracks on the album featuring a new electric guitar sound by Erin Bennett which takes Syren in a new direction from their debut album which featured only acoustic guitars.
Due to be released in 2011, Syren are planning an album release tour (to start in the Netherlands) soon after.
Rockbitch
Rockbitch was an expat, British, mostly female, Celtic punk/metal/goth band, best known for performing nude and incorporating sexual acts and Pagan rituals into their performances.-History:...
/MT-TV musicians, Amanda (bass) and Jo (drums).
The trio formed in 2006 playing shows in small coffee houses as well as large rock venues from Cleveland, Ohio to Detroit, MI. They quickly rose to popularity within the Ohio independent music scene with the release of their Debut album, 'Dehumanized' which has received much praise in the indie music press.
It was the 'Dehumanized' album that secured the band endorsements with Hartke
Hartke
Hartke is a brand of electronics best known for their bass guitar amplifiers and speaker cabinets. They also produce amplifiers and speakers for keyboard and acoustic guitar, as well as effects pedals, strings and other accessories.- History :...
, RainSong
Rainsong
RainSong is an acoustic guitar manufacturer currently based in Woodinville, Washington, and originally based in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. The company makes high-end carbon fiber bodied acoustics and acoustic electrics, with past models including nylon string guitars, 12-string guitars, and a jazz...
, Sonor Drums
SONOR
Sonor is a German percussion manufacturer. Founded in 1875 as a percussion manufacturer, Sonor drum sets and hardware are historically known for being constructed in a very durable, and therefore, unusually heavy manner...
and Elixir Strings
Elixir Strings
Elixir Strings, manufactured by W. L. Gore & Associates, are strings for electric, acoustic, and bass guitars as well as banjo and mandolin. Elixir strings are noted for their patented coating that extends the strings' life and tone by blocking damage from elements like skin oil; however, they are...
and caught the attention of world renowned Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band, Hawkwind
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
.
Since their formation the group have toured England, Scotland, Belgium, The Netherlands and The United States with an extensive Dutch and American following.
Band Members
Erin Bennett (Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Lead Vocals, Songwriter)Amanda Smith-Skinner (Fretless Bass, Electric Upright)
Jo Heeley (Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals)
Formation
Syren were formed in 2006 by singer/songwriter Erin Bennett and ex-RockBitchRockbitch
Rockbitch was an expat, British, mostly female, Celtic punk/metal/goth band, best known for performing nude and incorporating sexual acts and Pagan rituals into their performances.-History:...
and MT-TV musicians, Amanda and Jo. The group met when MT-TV came to the United States on tour in 2005. After a coincidental meeting in a restaurant the three became immediate friends and Erin was offered a job as a stage tech for the touring MT-TV band.
After a year of working for MT-TV, Erin and Amanda began 'jamming' for fun soon to be joined by Jo on drums. Within days the group had their first show at Brewed Awakenings in Toledo, Ohio. For the first month the band played over 10 shows without a name. It wasn't until their first mini-tour of the southern states (Alabama, Georgia and Florida) that the band decided on the name, 'Syren.'
'We were trying really hard to come up with something unique and artistic. Also, we wanted something that was relevant to three women playing good music. In our deliberation, someone said, 'It's a pity the name Muse is taken,' and with that it just hit me. SIREN
Siren
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous mermaid like creatures, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Roman poets placed them on an island called Sirenum scopuli...
, based on the Greek Myths of three women playing music to lure passing ships to crash on the rocks of their island. The decision to change the 'I' to a 'Y' came simply during the process of booking 'syrenband.com'."-Erin Bennett in an interview with WKMX Radio
WKMX
WKMX is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to Enterprise, Alabama, USA, the station serves the Dothan, Alabama, metropolitan area...
, Dothan, Alabama.
'Dehumanized' Album
After having been together for 2 years, the band had played over 200 shows across the United States, mainly focused in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. At this time they began developing a following independent of MT-TV. This rising popularity called for some recordings to be made in order to promote upcoming shows. Syren pulled together their best 13 original songs out of a catalog of over 100 and began searching for a studio where they could at least cut demos of their singles, 'Dehumanized' and 'Seasons'. It was by chance that they ran intoJohn Brandt, studio owner and engineer at a show in Detroit. A deal was made between John and Syren that they could record a full length album at his 'Song Garden Studios' under a song-per-song agreement. (For every song recorded on their debut album, they would contribute their talents to other musicians who were in need of session players.) This gave the girls opportunity to play for various artists from around the world including the likes of Michael Quatro
Mike Quatro
Mike Quatro is a singer and songwriter who released several albums in the 1970s. These albums became especially popular in Detroit, Michigan, where Quatro was popular on the club scene. He also received some airplay on FM radio...
, brother of renowned bass player/singer, Susie.
After the completion of the album, Syren were quickly offered hundreds of shows across the mid-west and southern, US to promote its release.
During this time, Syren were approached by Dr. Lisa Apramian, writer and director of 'Not Bad for A Girl
Not Bad for a Girl
Not Bad for a Girl is a rockumentary on women musicians of the 90's from the indie rock music genre grunge and Riot Grrrl and celebrates madness, creativity, and gender play. Tina Silvey was the executive producer. Silvey Co...
' a rockumentary co-produced by Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
. She interviewed Syren for inclusion in her companion book with the re-release of the 'Not Bad For A Girl' documentary due out in 2010.
UK/European Tour
After performing around the United States promoting the release of their debut album, 'Dehumanized,' Syren were quickly offered a tour by various agents in the UK. But it was their many performances booked for The Netherlands which swayed the decision to 'pack up and move' to England.In May 2008, Syren played their last US dates and moved to the UK where they based themselves for a year. During the remainder of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, Syren played countless venues around the UK including Nottingham Rock City and Manchester Academy
Manchester Academy
Manchester Academy is a brand name used by the University of Manchester Students' Union for its four concert venues in Manchester, England, which reside on Oxford Road both within and adjacent to the main Students' Union building....
supporting 60s rock band Hawkwind.
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
"We were invited to play Hawkwind's Hawkfest in 2008 after one of the band members happened upon our myspace. It was a really great experience as we were billed right before Hawkwind on the main stage. I just remember looking up to see some of the Hawkwind members bopping along to 'Dehumanized' at the side of the stage."- Erin in a Myspace Blog
The band's first tour of The Netherlands came in the summer of 2008 where they were booked to play over 13 shows across Holland. Here many Rockbitch
Rockbitch
Rockbitch was an expat, British, mostly female, Celtic punk/metal/goth band, best known for performing nude and incorporating sexual acts and Pagan rituals into their performances.-History:...
fans were quick to come out and see the ex-heavy metal muso's in their new line up. With this instant fan base Syren received much press throughout the Netherlands all of which praised Syren saying, 'The balance between these three and the grand ensemble that results from it, and again interspersed with the right dose of spontaneity, provides an extraordinary musical spectacle that keeps surprising.-RTV Rijnmond
Throughout 2009 the band were offered hundreds of shows performing in all regions of the Netherlands, supporting some big Dutch and American acts (The Madd, Tony Spinner
Tony Spinner
Tony Spinner , is an American rock and blues singer and guitarist who toured with Toto from 1999 until their break-up in 2008. Spinner was personally selected by David Paich as a backup guitarist and backing vocalist and would perform lead vocals on the song "Stop Loving You," originally performed...
) and playing large venues such as Dordrecht's Bibelot, Acedemica Big River's Festival '09, Waerdse Tempel and the Noordzee Zomer Festival in Katwijk aan Zee. Syren were described by RTV Rijnmond's Ronald Van Oudheusden as being '3 Hard Rock Chickies' after their performance on Live Uit Lloyd and were featured in a 3 page article in Holland's Gitaar Plus Magazine.
With Syren's growing popularity and attention in the press by 2010 Syren had relocated to The Netherlands where they based themselves and reached out to nearby territories such as Germany and Belgium.
2nd Studio Album, 'Something Has To Separate'
After relocating to The Netherlands in 2010 Syren set to work on their 2nd studio album in between weekly live shows and radio performances. The new album includes 10 original tracks written and produced by Syren and takes listeners on a journey through the pendulous emotions of love unrequitedUnrequited love
Unrequited love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired. The beloved may or may not be aware of the admirer's deep affections...
.
"...this album is about desperation and heartbreak, but at the same time it's about euphoria and serenity. It describes the oscillating moods of someone desiring love from another but also desperately wanting to be free from the emotions."- Erin Bennett in a Facebook Post
The title track, 'Something Has To Separate' is one of many tracks on the album featuring a new electric guitar sound by Erin Bennett which takes Syren in a new direction from their debut album which featured only acoustic guitars.
Due to be released in 2011, Syren are planning an album release tour (to start in the Netherlands) soon after.