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
Gehenna
The Cynics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Depths of Gehenna
Steps to the Throne
He travels fastest
Who travels alone
He moves faster than the water
He was wiser than I am I'm
Too old to die young
Time will tell us
Tell us why
Some will prosper
While some will die
Take a fish out of the water
Send it to the moon
I stay longer than I ought'a
But you left too soon
He moves faster than the water
Shadow on the sun
He was wiser than I am I'm
Too old to die young
The Cynics's song Gehenna is a cryptic exploration of loneliness, mortality, and the inexorable passing of time. The lyrics, while enigmatic, suggest a sense of foreboding and existential dread, as the singer contemplates the depths of the underworld, the steps to the throne (perhaps representing divine judgment or enlightenment), and the fleeting nature of human life. The first verse sets a menacing tone, as the singer declares that he who travels alone is the fastest, suggesting that the journey to Gehenna (an allusion to the biblical hell) is a solitary one. The second verse continues to evoke a sense of unease, as the singer compares the speed of his travels to that of water, which is both fast and fluid, and notes that he is too old to die young, implying that death is imminent, but that he has lived too long to pretend that he is invincible.
The chorus of the song is even more enigmatic, as it poses an existential question about the nature of existence: why do some people prosper while others die? The imagery of a fish being taken out of water and sent to the moon is surreal and nonsensical, but it suggests a sense of dislocation and disorientation, as if the singer doesn't belong in the world he inhabits. The final verse is the most poignant, as the singer laments the departure of a lover or friend, noting that he stays longer than he ought to, but that the other person has left too soon. The line about the shadow on the sun is especially striking, as it suggests an eclipse or an apocalyptic event, as if the very fabric of reality is being torn apart. Overall, the song suggests a sense of mortality and the impermanence of life, but it also hints at the possibility of transcendence and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
Depths of Gehenna
We are diving into the depths of hell or a place of extreme suffering.
Steps to the Throne
The path to success is never easy and requires a lot of effort and dedication.
He travels fastest
A person who is alone and independent makes quicker progress than one who is dependent on others.
Who travels alone
Individuals who are self-sufficient move quickly as they do not need to wait for anyone else.
He moves faster than the water
He is making rapid progress in his journey and moving much faster than the natural element of water.
Shadow on the sun
He is casting a contrasting effect on what is considered normal or ordinary.
He was wiser than I am I'm
The singer acknowledges that the other person is more knowledgeable and experienced than himself.
Too old to die young
The artist feels that he has lived long enough and is not interested in any more adventures that could prove fatal.
Time will tell us
The future holds the key to what we seek and unfold the truth behind every enigma.
Tell us why
We want to know the reason behind every occurrence that takes place around us.
Some will prosper
Not everyone has an equal chance of success. Some individuals are privileged and have better opportunities than others.
While some will die
Death is inevitable, and it can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of their social status or privilege.
Take a fish out of the water
Taking someone out of their natural habitat or comfort zone can have severe consequences for them.
Send it to the moon
Expecting someone to perform an act that is beyond their capacity and ability is pointless.
I stay longer than I ought'a
The singer is holding onto something for longer than necessary, possibly due to attachment or fear of change.
But you left too soon
Someone who was important to the artist has left or passed away abruptly, causing them sorrow and regret.
Contributed by Chase T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@godspunchingbag
What a great track!!
@2minstral
Great tune! Added to the World United Music playlists and website.
@steveododo
the Byrds are not far from here ;)