Label: Umbrello Records
Cat No: UMBCD0016
Artist: The Syn
Title: Big Sky
Format: CD and MP3 Album
Release: April 2009
Genre: Art Rock

US Release: Order
UK Release:
EUR Release:



THE SYN are a band that operate intently in the modern day world. Their focus is on pushing the
envelope of modern progressive rock and moving it in new directions. The Big Sky lineup of
Steve Nardelli, Francis Dunnery and Tom Brislin may have only been a musical machine since
2008, but this is a band with a long and storied history of constantly exploring new musical
soundscapes. While THE SYN have their eyes firmly focused on the future of progressive rock,
their roots go back to the 1960 s.

In 1965, in the days of the groovy British modster beat scene, 17-year-old Chris Squire (Yes
bassist) and Stephen Nardelli (SYN songwriter/vocalist) met at a local battle of the bands,
competing against each other. That meeting was to be the start of THE SYN. Their freak beat-genre
songs "Grounded" and "14 Hour Technicolor Dream" were the unforgettable trippy love-generation
companions of "Flowerman" and "Created by Clive." By 1966, THE SYN held a permanent
booking at the infamous Marquee Club in London. THE SYN's support slots at the Marquee read
like a "who's who" of the day -- The Who, Pink Floyd, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, etc. Everyone who
was anyone in the British music scene eventually performed at the Marquee Club.

In 2004 Nardelli and Chris Squire brought THE SYN back together and they not only released a 2-
CD edition of the highly acclaimed archival recording, Original Syn, but also put together a new
studio recording entitled, " Syndestructible." Both discs received critical acclaim and a tour for
Syndestructible thrilled fans. The tour was filmed and a live DVD released. But, while Steve
Nardelli is proud of the musical legacy of THE SYN, he has a dedication to looking forward
musically rather than focusing on the glorious past. That dedication is reflected in 2009 with a new
lineup and a new sound based on the considerable SYN legacy, but reaching towards the future.
Big Sky is the newest SYN CD and it showcases both their belief in the concept of the Progressive
Modernist Movement "Mod Prog for Prog Mods," but also their new lineup. The core of the band is
now Nardelli (songwriter, vocalist and guitarist) along with Francis Dunnery (guitar and vocals) and
Tom Brislin (keyboards and vocals). This lineup is augmented live by Brett Kull (guitar) and Paul
Ramsey (drums and percussion).

This is a band who are rightly proud of their roots and history, but not content to live on the strength
of that legacy. Big Sky proves that they are continuing to push the envelope of musical expression
and create new sounds and themes. This is a group with ties to the 1960 s but an artistic vision that
is firmly set in the 21st Century.

Armistice Day

Original Syn

Syndestructible

Cathedral Of Love CD Single

Syndestructible Tour 2006 DVD

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Twenty years before "Owner of a Lonely Heart" became the No. 1 hit for progressive-rock giants Yes, there was THE SYN.

In 1965, in the days of the groovy British modster beat scene, 17-year-old Chris Squire (Yes bassist) and Stephen Nardelli (Syn songwriter/vocalist) met at a local battle of the bands, competing against each other. From that experience, they forged a friendship that has endured for 40 years. The musical partnership that was born that day is now fueling a true renaissance in the Progressive Modernist Movement.

Phil Collins, a solo artist in his own right and drummer for Genesis, reminisced about seeing The Syn at the Marquee Club: "There were many a great band in the mid to late '60s to play the Marquee Club in Wardour Street. The Syn seemed to be always on, supporting someone or headlining on their own night. They were a very musical band, great musicianship and arrangements. They also concentrated on harmonies, which must have been quite tricky. I remember them as being a great live band."

The Syn have reunited and discovered that their friendships and interpersonal chemistry are as strong and positive as they ever were. The reunion of Chris Squire and Stephen Nardelli has resulted in phenomenal new musical creations.

In 2004, Syn Music Ltd. released an internet-exclusive 2-CD edition of the highly acclaimed archival recording, Original Syn, which features 12 historic tracks from the 1960s, and the brilliant 2004 recording of the never-before-released Syn epic, "Illusion." The retail version of Original Syn, which is titled Original Syn 1965-2004, has also been released, and features two additional tracks recorded in 2004, "Grounded 2004" and an extended version of the Yes song, "Time and a Word."

Syndestructible followed, recorded at Strangeways Studios in London and released in October, 2005. Syndestructible celebrates, explores, and builds upon the fantastic reunion of Squire and Nardelli. All of the tracks have been arranged by the two men, and the epic "Cathedral of Love" is already considered a spectacular achievement by all who have heard it. Syndestructible is being heralded as "a masterpiece!" Chris Squire has stated that the album is the best music he has recorded in the last 20 years! Critics are saying, "The Syn are leading the renaissance in progressive music."

The band then toured the US East Coast, playing to sold out houses of wildly enthusiastic fans. The shows promoted the Syndestructible CD, and revisited some original material from the 1960s. The tour produced the Syn's first DVD offering, "Syndestructible Tour 2006", recorded live at Somerville Theatre in Boston. This DVD captures the stellar new line-up featuring Yes drummer Alan White, and guitarist Shane Theriot. DVD extras include extensive band interviews and backstage footage.