Damian Manville: Vocals/Guitar
Chris Precious: Drums
Sean Howarth: Bass/Vocals
Paul Yates: Guitar/Vocals

Syndicate* were signed to the Sticky Label in 1995 and recorded their debut single, Cinemascope, at the Pink Museum in Liverpool, with Tony Griffiths of the Real People helping out on vocals.

Released in March 1995, the single created a buzz of excitement around the college radio, club and fanzine circuit, and achieved substantial regional airplay, on XFM in London, as well as picking up plays on Radio 1. Support gigs with Cast and Telefone - the latter enthusiastically witnessed by Oasis's Liam Gallagher - and dates with the Real People, led to an invitation to support the whole of their summer tour. Having previously supported the Manic Street Preachers, and also an unlikely but successful European tour with Eek-a-Mouse, Syndicate know that their star shines brightest on stage. The thirty date tour gained the band new fans everywhere, swelling their already extensive mailing list. Their sweaty, no nonsense performances saw them sell out of records and shirts before the end of the tour, and earned them a string of enthusiastic press reviews.

After the tour, the band went into Parr Street studios in Liverpool with producer John Robb. Further sessions took them to Rockfield in Wales, and Konk, the Kinks' London studio, where they met Ray Davies, who let them know he was impressed. In March 1996, Syndicate* release `Taxi', their second single for the Sticky Label. Produced by John Robb, the single gained enthusiastic reviews and substantial airplay throughout the UK. A nine country European tour with Marion quickly followed. October 1996 saw the release of 'Invisible Me', their third single, and a host of selected live dates throughout the country. The previous enthusiasm of regional press and radio translated quickly to a national level, and the band were interviewed by National TV, eulogised in the Daily Star, of all places, and the single reached the Indie Chart Top Twenty Syndicate* had arrived.

Their highly anticipated fourth single, the uplifting and positive `Free Me', is released in March 1997 and is sure to confirm the Melody Maker's assertion that Syndicate* "have the balls to be different", and that their rise is "beyond fashion or chance" `Free Me' will be supported by an extensive UK tour, where the band's reputation for dynamic and passionate performances is certain to be cemented further. An accompanying video, portraying the initial fear and eventual enlightenment of `Free Me', will coincide with the single.

The eagerly awaited debut Syndicate* album, `The Smile Says It All', follows in April, and marks a further progression for a band who refuse to bow to fashion or trends. Their songs are the culmination of four minds sharing similar hopes and fears as the rest of us, expressed with a rare passion, vigour and sensitivity. Their strength, as always, is their truth.