All-girl British hip-pop band Sirens formed in Newcastle in the late '90s and featured the vocal talents of Karina Brians, Kat Haslam, and Michelle Heaton, who left the group to be replaced by Lea Cummings. By 2001 the group had developed a strong club following around Newcastle and began making inroads into the London music scene. Subsequently, the group caught the ear of label owner Keith Armstrong, who signed Sirens to his Kitchenware Records label in 2002. In 2003, the group released its debut single, the Pharrell Williams-penned "Things Are Gettin' Better." Their debut album, Control Freaks, followed soon after and found the girls drawing favorable comparisons to such contemporary artists as Gwen Stefani and the Beastie Boys. Sirens' sophomore effort, La La Land, is set for release in 2007. ~ Matt Collar