The Cynics are an American garage rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. … Read Full Bio ↴The Cynics are an American garage rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band, consisting of guitarist Gregg Kostelich, drummer Bill Von Hagen, vocalist Michael Kastelic, bass player Steve Magee, and keyboardist Becky Smith (later founder of New York City's Bellwether gallery), who debuted with their first album, Blue Train Station in 1986. Becky Smith wrote one of the four extra tracks included on the expanded reissue of Twelve Flights Up, entitled Sixteen Flights Up. (The other three tracks are cover songs.) They underwent a number of lineup changes culminating in 1990s Rock and Roll album. Get Hip Records is their independent record label.

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

All About You
The Cynics Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I cannot see the rain
For it falls so far below
Been alone so very long
For reasons I don't care to know

But I won't write about a rainstorm
We all see it; we all live it
Our desires so very uniform

The struggle to survive and how
How we make it

Torrential thoughts abroad
Make themselves at home tonight
Whatever you may have saw in me, is locked
Away inside

No longer alone but in a dance
In the endless wind of an empty night
No longer alone but you're here at last

But of my past
I won't lose sight

Overall Meaning

In the first verse, the singer expresses their inability to see or acknowledge the rain that is falling below them. This can be interpreted metaphorically as the difficulties or troubles in life that they have grown accustomed to and have become desensitized to. The line "Been alone so very long, for reasons I don't care to know" suggests that the singer has been isolated for a significant amount of time, possibly due to personal circumstances or a lack of connection with others. The lyrics imply a sense of detachment or apathy towards understanding the reasons behind their loneliness.

The second verse emphasizes a decision not to focus on or write about the rainstorm, as it is a common experience shared by all. It highlights the universal nature of human desires and struggles to survive. The lyrics suggest that everyone goes through similar challenges and obstacles in life, thereby making it a collective experience. The phrase "our desires so very uniform" signifies the similar aspirations and needs people have, regardless of individual differences. The struggle to survive is acknowledged, indicating that the singer is aware of the difficulties faced by everyone.

The third verse portrays a shift in perspective and emotional state. The singer acknowledges that their thoughts, which were once overwhelmed or "torrential," have found a place to rest and feel comfortable. This could indicate a newfound sense of peace or acceptance in their mind. The line "Whatever you may have saw in me, is locked away inside" suggests that the singer has guarded their innermost thoughts and emotions, possibly due to past experiences or a fear of vulnerability. There is an acknowledgement of being in a dance within the endless wind of an empty night, which could represent a feeling of being part of a larger, impersonal world.

The final verse reflects a change in the singer's loneliness. They state that they are no longer alone but are now with someone, perhaps expressing a connection or relationship with another person. However, even in the presence of this person, the singer affirms that they will not lose sight of their past. This could imply a sense of self-preservation and a commitment to remain true to their own experiences and struggles. Despite finding companionship, they prioritize maintaining their personal history, suggesting a need for individual growth and introspection.

Overall, "All About You" by The Cynics explores themes of isolation, universal struggles, personal introspection, and the importance of preserving one's own identity. It delves into the emotions and thoughts of a person who has been alone for a long time, acknowledging the challenges faced by everyone in their own unique ways. It highlights the necessity of self-reflection and the power of individual experiences, even in the presence of companionship.

Line by Line Meaning

I cannot see the rain
I am blind to the ordinary hardships of life

For it falls so far below
Because it seems insignificant in comparison

Been alone so very long
I have kept my distance from others for a significant period of time

For reasons I don't care to know
Without any interest in understanding why

But I won't write about a rainstorm
I refuse to focus on the common struggles we all experience

We all see it; we all live it
It is a shared experience that we are all aware of

Our desires so very uniform
Our wants and needs are remarkably similar

The struggle to survive and how
The battle for existence and the methods we employ to endure

How we make it
The way we overcome and persevere

Torrential thoughts abroad
Overwhelming and tumultuous thoughts scattered

Make themselves at home tonight
Settling in comfortably within me right now