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
Circles Arcs and Swirls
The Cynics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the souls of boys and girls
Will it all take shape
Or fall dead on the floor
We all accept the curse
For battered or for worse
And the ones who love you most
One for all
All for one
All I′ve done
For you
Circles, arcs, and swirls
On the souls of boys and girls
Will it all take shape
Or fall dead on the floor
We all make the call
We're all dysfunctional
And the ones who love you most
Hurt worst of all
One for all
All for one
All I′ve done
For you
Take the best
Leave the fair
Love is here
For you
The lyrics of The Cynics's song "Circles Arcs and Swirls" provide some insight into the struggle of making sense of life and love. The first two lines reference the idea that every person has unique experiences, represented by the "circles, arcs, and swirls" on their souls. The question then becomes whether these experiences will come together in a meaningful way or fade away without purpose. The second verse acknowledges that life is unpredictable and challenging, and even those who love us can cause us pain. The idea of an "acceptance of the curse" implies that we can't control what happens to us but must find a way to navigate it regardless.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of sticking together and supporting one another. The phrase "one for all, all for one" speaks to the idea of unity in the face of adversity. The line "all I've done for you" hints at the sacrifices one might make for someone they care about. The final verse encourages the listener to embrace love, even if it's not always easy. The idea of "taking the best" implies that there is good to be found, even if it's not perfect.
Line by Line Meaning
Circles, arcs, and swirls
The complicated and unpredictable patterns that mark the essence of human souls
On the souls of boys and girls
Present on the souls of both males and females, a common thread that unites us all
Will it all take shape
Will these patterns become clear, or remain a jumbled mess?
Or fall dead on the floor
Or will they never fully develop, remaining incomplete and forgotten?
We all accept the curse
Everyone is cursed with the burden of living through the unpredictable twists and turns of life
For battered or for worse
Regardless of the hardships we face or the damage we suffer
And the ones who love you most
Those closest to us, who care about us the most
Hurt worst of all
Are the ones who feel the most pain when we suffer or make mistakes
One for all
We are all in this together
All for one
And we must support each other through thick and thin
All I've done
Every decision and action I've taken
For you
Has been with you in mind
We all make the call
We are all responsible for the choices we make
We're all dysfunctional
None of us are perfect, and we all struggle in our own ways
Take the best
Choose the most positive and uplifting aspects of life
Leave the fair
Leave behind the negative or neutral aspects of life
Love is here
Love is present and available to us all
For you
Don't forget that love is meant for you, and you deserve it.
Writer(s): Gregg Kostelich, Michael Kastelic
Contributed by Jordyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.