I’m a fairly predictable guy.



Faced with covering the Syrens this week — an all-girl, very young punk band from the depths of Puyallup and Spanaway — readers who’ve followed my work are probably expecting me to go one of two ways. If history is an indicator, I’ll either lead with a witty anecdote or two about my youth in Puyallup, or offer some lowbrow wisdom on why chicks that rock are, like, super hot.



That’s what people have likely come to expect, because typically, that’s what I’ve given them in situations like these.



But as the Syrens get set to play Embellish Multispace Salon tonight and McCabe’s “Nothing But Rock” series Thursday, Sept. 27, with Mayday Mile, Avenue Rose, and Mom’s Rocket, for a couple of reasons I suddenly feel the urge to diversify.



This week I won’t include any tales from my glory days of underage drinking and sexual conquests in Puyallup. To be honest, I’m already a little embarrassed I’ve beat that horse as many times as I have. Who am I, Al Bundy? From this article forth I’m promising to never mention high school again. If I do, somebody please slap me.



Furthermore, I’m also going to deny the impulse to go the “girls who rock are hot” angle. Of course, I haven’t stopped believing this to be true — quite the contrary. But my new status as a married adult and father makes the idea seem a bit pathetic. As I close in on 30, is it appropriate for me to be ogling in print over girls who are 19? Would my wife appreciate it? Probably not.



The only option left appears to be focusing on the music. What a novel idea.



The Syrens, as I’ve stated, are young. Kandis Bray (guitar) and Tiffany Harms (bass) are 19. Kelsey Clanton (vocals) is 20, and Graci Hanson (drummer) is the oldest Syren at 21. The core of the Syrens was created in Puyallup where Clanton and Harms attended junior high together, and where they were introduced to Bray during high school. After finding a kindred musical spirit in Hanson, who they hooked up with through a music instructor who knew “some girls starting a band who needed a girl drummer,” according to Hanson, the rest fell into place. The Syrens had four girls, all with the same passion, musical interest and intent.



It was 2004. The Syrens set out to create a punk-edged pop with the ability to get people moving and appeal to both sexes.



“Basically our goal has always been to create music that goes beyond the repeated power chords, verse, chorus, verse structure. Our vision has been to use our talents to build strong foundations and to make more complex music,” explains eldest Syren, Hanson.

“In the beginning, we all shared similar interest in punk rock, but as the years pass, we’ve began to strive for a little more diversity and are looking to branch out into some new sounds.



“In general, Kandis likes old school rockabilly and hip-hop, R&B, and rap. Kelsey likes hardcore. Tiffany likes indie-rock and experimental. And I like metal and old school glam rock. All of this plays a fun role in the consideration and collaboration of everyone’s styles when writing new songs,” she went on to explain.



“I believe we give off a strong feminine vibe, but gender is nothing but a label. We want the boys to love us too,” adds Clanton.



“We all wanted to play rock music and show that it’s not just a style, it’s a passion, and that we can get shows not just because we’re girls, but because we can play just as raw as the boys and still keep a level of class.”



The story of the Syrens hasn’t been without a few bumps and difficulties. With all the Syrens maintaining hectic schedules, and Harms at Wazu this year — five hours away in Pullman of all places, the band has needed to adjust accordingly — meaning less practice time and the possibility of finding a temporary bassist to fill Harms’ shoes for a while.

The setbacks haven’t seemed to deter the Syrens.



“We all love to play for the fun of it, and whether we make it big or just stay local, as long as we get to express our creativity together we’re set,” says Clanton.

“I’m excited with the direction we’re going,” adds Hanson.



“Energy. Whether it’s between the four of us on stage or between us and the crowd. We thrive off the energy of the shows we play. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”



More than chicks who rock and more than products of Puyallup, the Syrens are a young

band on a forward trajectory.



That’s the most exciting angle of all.



[Embellish Multispace Salon, Thursday, Spet. 20, 6-9 p.m., all ages, no cover, 1121 Court D, downtown Tacoma, 253.752.8144]

[McCabe’s American Music Café, with Mayday Mile, Avenue Rose, and Mom’s Rocket, Thursday, Sept. 27, 8 p.m., $5, 2611 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, www.myspace.com/glassceiling musicmyspace]