Members
Gregg Kostelich - Guitar (1983–1994; 2002–present)
Michael Kastelic - Lead vocals, percussion (1985–1994; 2002–present)
Pablo González "Pibli" - Drums (2008–present)
Angel Kaplan - Bass guitar (2008–present)
Past members
Mark Keresmann - Lead vocals (1983-1985)
Becky Smith - Keyboard (1986–1988)
Bill von Hagen - Drums (1983–1987, 1988)
Mike Kolesar - Drums (1987–1988, 1988–1989)
Mike Quinlan - Drums (1988, 1991)
Amy Mathesius - Bass (1985–1986)
Max Terasauro - Drums (1993–1994)
Pam Reyner - Bass (1983–1984)
Steve Magee - Bass (1986–1990)
Kris Kasperowski - Bass (1990–1992)
Mike Michalski - Bass (1992–1994)
Dave Vucenich - Bass, backing vocals (1993–1994) (November 13, 1966 - February 5, 2017)
Richard Schnapp - Guitar (1985)
Smith Hutchings - Bass (2002)
Thomas Hohn - Drums (1989–1991; 2002)
Jack "JACKIE ROBIN" Schmitt- Drums (1991 European tour) (2004-2005)
Discography
Albums
Blue Train Station (1987)
Twelve Flights Up (1988) - reissue as Sixteen Flights Up (2000)
Rock 'n' Roll (1989)
Learn to Lose (1993)
Get Our Way (1994)
Living is the Best Revenge (2002)
Here We Are (2007)
Spinning Wheel Motel (2011)
Singles
Painted My Heart/Sweet Young Thing (1984)
No Place to Hide/Hard Times (1985)
Lying All The Time/Summer's Gone (1986)
'69/Friday Night (1986 - Fan Club)
No Way/Dancing On The Walls (1987)
I'm In Pittsburgh and It's Raining/Smoke Rings (1988 - Fan Club)
I Don't Need You/Girl, You're On My Mind (1990)
Buick Mackane/Born to Lose (1991)
Right Here With You/Learn to Lose (1992)
I Live Alone/Hand In Hand (1993)
Live[edit]
No Siesta Tonight (Live in Madrid) (1994)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania guitarist/producer/record company head Gregg Kostelich is the frenetic force behind THE CYNICS. He managed to keep the band afloat in the wake of constant personnel changes, he recorded some of the finest garage tracks ever, and also launched one of the best independent record labels of the 1980s. THE CYNICS’ style has been clear since their 1983 inception: fuzzed ultra-distorted guitar, screaming, moaning vocals, with a straight-ahead no frills rhythm section. The influences are extreme ‘60s Punk, R&B, and other loud, frantic trash. Gregg has occasionally steered the band into flirtations with folk-rock and little pop, but it’s the grunged-out punkers that have created THE CYNICS’ reputation. Their first two 45s were released by the Californian Dionysus label, but soon after Gregg had established his own Pittsburgh-based GET HIP RECORDS. This new indy label would release all of THE CYNICS subsequent discs, as well as those by several dozen other cool groups around the globe.
Though Gregg’s guitar is the backbone of the band, vocalist Michael Kastelic’s contribution to THE CYNICS sound cannot be underestimated. In concert (and on record) he screeches, wails, and moans with great abandon, while his frail, thin body shakes throughout the room. Michael is a truly possessed frontman. On and off bassist Steve Magee should also be noted for his fine artwork for both THE CYNICS and many of the GET HIP releases. The initial line-up featured the talents and 60’s looks of keyboard player Becky Smith. After she left the band in the late 80’s they stayed with the simple but strong guitar/singer/bass/drums that they currently display.
Each and every CYNICS release is a passage into the depths of simple, heartfelt punk rock. It should be noted that their live perfomances can be just as effective as their vinyl. A bit “harder rock” sound began to creep into band’s style as the ‘90s dawned. But with their last album “Get Our Way” they proved they haven’t forgotten any of their influences and once again you hear incursions into Garage, Punk, Folk-Rock and even Psych (with surprising farfisa and theremin parts in a couple songs).
In an interview on March 21, 1986, Gregg Kostelich said “I was maybe 4 or 5 when I started collecting Garage records, and I’ve been listening to that type of music ever since. And I was lucky enough to see a couple of shows I was a little kid…my parents would bring to see bands like THE SONICS and THE BLUE MAGOOS and THE WHO, when I was about 7 or 8! I didn’t know what was going on really, but it was really exciting. I was kinda embarrassed in a way because I was with my parents.” When I mentioned that this early exposure to garage music explained THE CYNICS style, Gregg responded “Yeah, maybe I got brain damage from all the noise!”
-Tim Gassen
from www.thecynics.ws
Abba
The Cynics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come to me girl, baby turn on your love light
She said get your hair cut boy, come on and get it out of your eyes
Stop your drinkin', smokin' boys and tellin' all of them lies
Let me hear you say yeah... yeah...
Yeah... yeah let me hear ya' say yeeeeeeah
I saw Abba, late last night
She didn't know just what to say
But I'm gonna love her till the end of my days
She looked at me, I could tell she'd be mi-i-ine
Yeah Abba now you're mi-i-ine
Well baby now you're mi-i-ine
Now let me hear you say yeah... yeah...
Yeah... yeah let me hear ya' say yeeeeeeah
I saw Abba, late last night
Come to me girl, baby turn on your love light
She said get your hair cut up boy, come on and get it out of your eyes
Stop your drinkin', smokin' boys and tellin' all of them lies
Girl let me hear you say yeah... yeah...
Yeah... yeah well let me hear ya' say yeeeeeeah
I saw Abba, late last night
Come to me girl, baby turn on your love light
Baby turn on your love light
Yeah let it shine out on me
(Shine shine shine shine)
Yeah let it shine out on me
Yeah let it shine out on me
(Shine shine shine shine)
Yeah... yeah... yeah... yeah...
I saw Abba, late last night
Come to me girl, baby turn on your love light
Baby turn on your love light
The Cynics's song "Abba" is a classic rock song that tells the story of the singer encountering a girl named Abba. The lyrics speak about the singer's desire for Abba to show him affection by turning on her "love light." Abba suggests that the singer should change his ways, cut his hair, and stop drinking and smoking. However, despite her critical advice, the singer is determined to love her until the end of his days.
The song is a deep reflection of the longing of the human heart for intimacy and the desire to be loved. Abba is seen as representing the ideal of love that the singer seeks. The lyrics are presented in a passionate and expressive manner as the singer pleads with Abba to turn on her love light and shine it on him, revealing her true feelings towards him.
Overall, "Abba" is a classic rock song that speaks to the human desire for love and affection. The lyrics and music come together to create a powerful expression of the intensity of human emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooooh I saw Abba, late last night
The singer saw someone named Abba late at night.
Come to me girl, baby turn on your love light
The singer is asking a girl to come to him and to show her love.
She said get your hair cut boy, come on and get it out of your eyes
Abba, the girl the singer saw, suggested that the singer cut his hair and stop hiding his eyes.
Stop your drinkin', smokin' boys and tellin' all of them lies
Abba also told the artist he needed to stop drinking, smoking, and lying.
Let me hear you say yeah... yeah...
Abba wanted the artist to agree with her advice.
Yeah... yeah let me hear ya' say yeeeeeeah
She wanted the singer to be enthusiastic about his agreement.
She didn't know just what to say
Abba was unsure of what to say at first.
But I'm gonna love her till the end of my days
The artist is expressing his commitment to loving Abba forever.
She looked at me, I could tell she'd be mi-i-ine
The artist could tell Abba was interested in him.
Yeah Abba now you're mi-i-ine
The artist is claiming Abba as his now.
Now let me hear you say yeah... yeah...
The singer wants Abba to continue to show agreement.
I saw Abba, late last night
The artist repeats that he saw Abba late at night.
She said get your hair cut up boy, come on and get it out of your eyes
The singer reiterates that Abba told him to cut his hair.
Stop your drinkin', smokin' boys and tellin' all of them lies
He repeats that Abba wanted him to stop drinking, smoking, and lying.
Girl let me hear you say yeah... yeah...
The singer is again asking Abba for agreement.
Yeah... yeah well let me hear ya' say yeeeeeeah
He wants her enthusiasm again.
Baby turn on your love light
The artist repeats his request for Abba to show her love.
Yeah let it shine out on me (Shine shine shine shine)
The singer wants Abba's love to shine on him.
Yeah... yeah... yeah... yeah...
The singer repeats his enthusiasm.
Baby turn on your love light
The song ends with the artist requesting again for Abba to turn on her love light.
Writer(s): Danny Huntley, John Lee Pace, Charles Henderson
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.