The Thorn (EP)

The Thorn is an EP released by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1984, in between the albums Hyæna and Tinderbox. The release contains four tracks recorded with orchestral instrumentation. "Overground" originally appeared on the Banshees' debut album The Scream and "Placebo Effect" is a track on their second album Join Hands. "Voices" and "Red Over White" were previously released as B-sides of "Hong Kong Garden" and "Israel", respectively.

The purpose of the EP was three-fold: Siouxsie stated that she wanted to induct John Valentine Carruthers into the Banshees, to try out some string arrangements, and to simply re-record tracks that had evolved on tour.

The songs from the EP are currently available on the fourth disc of Downside Up, a collection of the band's B-sides.

EP Personnel

 * Siouxsie Sioux - vocals
 * Steven Severin - bass
 * John Valentine Carruthers - guitar
 * Budgie - drums
 * The Chandos Players - orchestral strings
 * Conducted by Sam Artiss
 * Strings on "Red Over White" -Ginny Ball & Anne Stephenson
 * String arrangements by Martin McCarrick, Bill McGee, Ginny Ball & Anne Stephenson