Syren were an alternative rock trio formed in the United States by singer-songwriter Erin Bennett and ex-Rockbitch rhythm section Amanda Smith-Skinner (bass) and Jo Heeley (drums). The band released their debut album, Dehumanized which was followed by successful US, UK and European tours and gained much praise in the music press. A second, unreleased album Something Has To Separate was shelved due to Heeley's death in 2012 and the subsequent retirement of Smith-Skinner soon after. Bennett reformed the band with an all new line-up for a handful of one-off shows supporting space rock band Hawkwind and performed a final 'farewell' show as Syren on January 16, 2014. She continues to create music as Erin Bennett & the EB band, and was awarded a Scottish New Music award in 2012.
Members
Original members
Erin Bennett (Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Lead Vocals, Songwriter) Amanda Smith-Skinner (Fretless Bass, Electric Upright) Jo Heeley (Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals) (2 November 1972 - 11 January 2012)
2013–2014 touring members
Erin Bennett (Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Lead Vocals, Songwriter) Dog (Bass) Suna Dasi (Backing Vocals & Spoken Word) Nikki Fay (Keyboards) Anna Fraser (Drums)
2014–present (as EBB)
Additional member
Kitty Biscuits (Backing Vocals & Spoken Word)
Formation and Dehumanized album
Syren was formed in 2006 by singer/songwriter Erin Bennett and British rhythm duo Amanda Smith-Skinner and Jo Heeley. In the first two years of being together the band had played over 200 shows across the United States, mainly focused in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Syren's rising popularity in the U.S. underground music scene and the demand for copies of their singles, "Dehumanized" and "Seasons" called for them to record their debut album at Song Garden Studios in Detroit, Michigan. It was at Song Garden Studios that the trio had the opportunity to sit in as session players for various artists from around the world including Mike Quatro, brother of renowned bass player/singer, Suzi. After the completion of the album, Syren were quickly booked up and toured across the mid-west and southern, US to promote its release.
UK and European tour
After performing throughout the United States promoting the release of their debut album, Dehumanized, Syren were 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 supporting space rock band Hawkwind.
The band's first tour of the Netherlands came in the summer of 2008 where they were booked to play over 13 shows across the country. Syren received //much press throughout the Netherlands all of which praised the group 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 played hundreds of shows 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 three-page article in the Netherlands' 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.
Second studio album, Something Has To Separate
After moving to The Netherlands in 2010, Syren set to work on their second studio album at Nemesis Studios in Den Helder. The new album, titled Something Has To Separate included 10 original songs written and produced by Syren and took listeners on a journey through the pendulous emotions of love unrequited.
The title track, "Something Has To Separate" is one of many songs on the album featuring a new electric guitar sound by Bennett which takes Syren in a new direction from their debut album which featured only acoustic guitars.