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.
The Syn have followed-up the critically acclaimed Syndestructible CD and recent world
tour with Armistice Day, a mix of studio and live acoustic tracks recorded over the past year and
with a central theme of peace and understanding. A modern progressive masterpiece. Poignantly, the
release date coincides with Armistice Day.
This latest offering from The Syn, features Yes bassist Chris Squire, original vocalist
Steve Nardelli, and Yes drummer Alan White, joined by world renowned musicians Shane Theriot and
Gerard Johnson.
Track Listing:
01 Armistice Day
02 Silent Revolution
03 Cathedral Of Love
04 21st Century
05 Golden Age
06 Some Time, Some Way
07 Reach Outro
The Band:
Steve Nardelli: Vocals
Chris Squire: Bass Guitars, Vocals
Alan White: Drums
Gerard Johnson: Keyboards
Shane Theriot: Guitars
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.
