| Location |
| 210 W. 6th St. |
| Across from Smyth Tire |
| Publication dates |
| Weekly — new every Monday |
| Phone |
| (530) 899-7708 |
| Fax |
| ? |
| Use their contact form |
| Website |
| http://www.synthesis.net |
| Circulation |
| Free copies can be found at many local businesses |
| Established |
| 1994 |
The Synthesis, owned by Bill Fishkin ("Minister of Propaganda"), is Chico's first and foremost music scene tabloid. Bill Fishkin started it with just a Visa card in his apartment when he was 221. It covers old and new bands of Chico while occasionally interviewing prominent musicians that visit Chico. It also contains a 2 page spread of events and specials at many of the city's bars, cafes, restaurants, and even a market. It's also a great resource to see who's playing in Chico and where. In addition to covering music, The Synthesis also has blog-style columns, letters and Public Service Announcements, and movie reviews. If you're drunk in a bar and you happen to run into a Synthesis intern with a camera, you will probably find a photograph of you and your friends featured in the "On The Town" section.
In June of 2005, the tabloid began a new journey by unleashing a short lived national magazine. Soon after they launched a blog and the free Internet accessible PDF magazine — the first ever to be distributed on iTunes. The Synthesis has put a special emphasis on MySpace, which is appropriate considering the website's popularity with independent bands.
With the opening of Chico's renovated City Plaza in 2007, The Synthesis, along with the support of local businesses, began offering free live music during the Summer on Saturday nights. At Saturday in the Plaza, local bands are invited to come rock it out with a dozen or so Chicoans from 6:30 to 9:30pm. The event does take a break during Shakespeare in the Park. It lasts from May to the end of October.
