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

Baby What's Wrong
The Cynics Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You didn't hear me when I tried to tell you
You didn't see me when I looked so lonely
You didn't answer when I said, "Where you going?"

You didn't see the way you drive me crazy

Baby what's wrong with me
I can't seem to turn your head

Baby what's wrong with me
I'm always going home to an empty bed

You got my number, you never use it
You got my choice, but you never choose it
You got those brown eyes, they're hiding something
If I could open up, I'd let you in

Baby what's wrong with me
I can't seem to turn your head
Baby what's wrong with me
I'm always going home to an empty bed

Maybe some day, there will be a full moon
We'll be together, in the same room
Open our eyes, see what we're missing
My hard time is maybe they're dissing

Baby what's wrong with me
I can't seem to turn your head
Baby what's wrong with me
I'm always going home

Baby what's wrong with me
I can't seem to turn your head
Baby what's wrong with me
I'm always going home

Baby what's wrong

Overall Meaning

with me is a song that speaks to the frustration of unrequited love. The lyrics express the singer's feelings of being ignored, of not being seen or heard by the person they're in love with. The singer tries to get the attention of the person they're interested in, but they don't seem to be interested. The singer is constantly asking themselves what's wrong with them that they can't seem to turn the head of the person they love. The lyrics also suggest that the object of their affection is hiding something and that the singer is afraid to open up and let them in.

The chorus repeats the same question, Baby what's wrong with me, emphasizing the singer's insecurity and self-doubt. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels rejected and alone, always going home to an empty bed. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the song, as the final verse suggests that maybe someday they will be together, if they both open their eyes and see what they're missing.

Overall, Baby what's wrong with me is a poignant and relatable song that captures the confusion and heartache of unrequited love. It speaks to the vulnerability and self-doubt that can come with trying to win someone's affection.

Line by Line Meaning

You didn't hear me when I tried to tell you
My voice fell on deaf ears when I tried to communicate with you

You didn't see me when I looked so lonely
Despite my visible state of isolation and sadness, you failed to acknowledge my emotional state

You didn't answer when I said, "Where you going?"
You ignored my inquiry and didn't offer any explanation for your departure

You didn't see the way you drive me crazy
Your actions and behavior towards me continue to deeply affect and emotionally disturb me

Baby what's wrong with me
I'm struggling to understand and identify why I can't seem to capture your attention or affection

I can't seem to turn your head
Despite my efforts, I am unable to capture your attention or gain your interest

I'm always going home to an empty bed
My romantic life is unfulfilling and lonely, leaving me feeling isolated and unsupported

You got my number, you never use it
You have access to my contact information, but have never reached out or made an effort to connect

You got my choice, but you never choose it
Despite having the opportunity to engage in a relationship with me, you have never acted on it

You got those brown eyes, they're hiding something
I can sense that there is something you're not sharing or revealing with me, and it is causing me to feel confused and uncertain

If I could open up, I'd let you in
If I was able to trust you and feel secure in our relationship, I would be willing to be vulnerable and share more of myself with you

Maybe someday, there will be a full moon
Perhaps in the future, circumstances may align in a way that will allow us to connect and come together

We'll be together, in the same room
If our relationship can progress, we may one day find ourselves in physical proximity and closer to a fulfilling connection

Open our eyes, see what we're missing
We must prioritize awareness and recognize the potential value of our bond in order to overcome our current challenges

My hard time is maybe they're dissing
Perhaps the reason for my struggle to connect with you is due to external factors or interference from others

Writer(s): kastelic - kostelich - magee

Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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