Siren & Kevin Coyne - Rabbits (Reissue) (1969-70/1994)

Mastered from the original tapes recorded in 1969/70, Rabbits features the two SIREN singles Stride and Mandy Lee together with 18 previously unreleased tracks which show the range and power of Kevin Coyne at the beginning of his career. We hope you enjoy its bluesy style and Kevin's fine singing.

The history of SIREN for those who were not around in 1969 is as follows: the band was formed early in 1969 by Dave Clague (working as a session musician after a spell with the notorious Bonzo Dog Band), Nick Cudworth (ex -Chelsea Art College and pounding the piano wherever he found it) and Kevin Coyne (working in a mental hospital in Lancashire).

Kevin and his family moved to London after a series of jams, rehearsals and demo sessions proved that it would work, and SIREN started gigs, writing and recording. Apearances included sessions for John Peel's radio show, Top Gear, and regular spots at the Oval House, Kennington, The Round House, Chalk Farm, colleges & clubs.

The first album Siren was released on the Dandelion label later in 1969 and was ecstatically received by Rolling Stone and International Times. So, with encouragement from John Peel, Jac Holzman (who released the album on the Elektra label in the USA) and John Tobler of ZigZag magazine, they released a second album Strange Locomotion on the Dandelion label early in 1971.

Guest musicians on Rabbits include Mick Sweeney (guitar) and Colin Wood (piano), now established musicians in their own right.