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
How Could I
The Cynics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To love without fear and learn without question
How could I regret the meant occasions
I must begin this day again
Freedom and reason shine through
Paddle upon the clouds one's own canoe
Humility take charge of me
Drown me in truth's modest waters
Loosen your grip identity
Free me from an ego's falter
Love too often is only a dream
If I am harsh and unkind to myself
So I share these attitudes with you
Must I try? How could I?
Freedom and reason shine through
Paddle upon the clouds one's own canoe
Love's too often only a dream
If I am harsh and unkind to myself
So I share these attitudes with you
For in this spewing cavern of pride
How could I!
The Cynics's song How Could I is a reflection on the importance of self-love and self-reflection. The opening lines “How could I forget such a revelation / To love without fear and learn without question” highlights the importance of being vulnerable and open to new experiences. Love and learning should not be confined by fear or doubt. This is further emphasized in the line “Love too often is only a dream / If I am harsh and unkind to myself” which suggests that self-love is the foundation of all love. The final line “For in this spewing cavern of pride / How could I!” challenges the listener to let go of their pride and ego which often act as barriers to genuine connections.
The chorus “Freedom and reason shine through / Paddle upon the clouds one's own canoe” encourages self-empowerment and the pursuit of true freedom. We are responsible for our own lives and choices, and we should embrace this autonomy. The second verse emphasizes the importance of humility and truth, “Humility take charge of me / Drown me in truth's modest waters / Loosen your grip identity / Free me from an ego's falter”. Humility is key to personal growth and authenticity. The song then ends with the same questions asked previously, “How could I forget such a revelation / To love without fear and learn without question / How could I regret the meant occasions / I must begin this day again” which suggests that each day is an opportunity to start anew and embrace life's lessons.
Line by Line Meaning
How could I forget such a revelation
How is it possible for me to forget such a profound realization
To love without fear and learn without question
To love wholeheartedly without any apprehensions and to learn without hesitation
How could I regret the meant occasions
How is it possible for me to regret the meaningful moments of my life
I must begin this day again
I have to start over and make a fresh start today
Freedom and reason shine through
The essence of freedom and reason is evident and prevailing
Paddle upon the clouds one's own canoe
Steer your own path towards the limitless potential and opportunities
Humility take charge of me
Let humbleness take over and guide me
Drown me in truth's modest waters
Let me immerse myself in the truthful and grounded essence
Loosen your grip identity
Release your hold on the ego-driven self
Free me from an ego's falter
Liberate me from the faults and limitations imposed by the ego
Love too often is only a dream
Love is frequently an elusive and unattainable concept
If I am harsh and unkind to myself
If I treat myself with cruelty and disrespect
So I share these attitudes with you
I offer these viewpoints to you as well
Must I try? How could I?
Is it necessary for me to attempt this? How is it even feasible for me?
For in this spewing cavern of pride
In this abyss of excessive pride and conceit
How could I!
How would it be possible for me to avoid or overcome such pride?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DARREN MCFARLAND, JASON A. GOBEL, PAUL MASVIDAL, SEAN LANDON REINERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J H
The best part of the story of Alexander and Diogenes was left out.
Alexander was so impressed and amused by Diogenes' wit, that he said:
"Were I not Alexander, I would like to be Diogenes"
To wich Diogenes replied:
"Were I not Diogenes, I would also like to be Diogenes"
Wich is the most epic comeback in all of history...
Sollow
Another great quote from Diogenes was about his funeral.
When asked how he wished to be buried, he left instructions to be thrown outside the city wall so wild animals could feast on his body. When asked if he minded this, he said,“Not at all, as long as you provide me with a stick to chase the creatures away!” When asked how he could use the stick since he would lack awareness, he replied “If I lack awareness, then why should I care what happens to me when I am dead?”
Simoni
Am now diving into the life of Diogenes! He was certainly a genius
S I O M A I
Genius man!
Oisín
What a Chad! He truly mastered the art of free self, To a level where he didn't cared about the methods of the society and was more keen in building his own ways, According to his own needs, I would say toning down his principles would be an insult, cause then you're just not like Diogenes, we simply have to accept we can't become Diogenes
Reilly
My buddy says this 😭😭😭
Virjunior
Honestly was thinking this myself not even two hours ago. A burial is unnecessary
Jasper van Heycop
I like the other Alexander exchange even better. After getting told to get out of Diogenes sunlight, Alexander (supposedly) was so impressed that he said "If I could be any man other than Alexander, I'd wish to be Diogenes". Then Diogenes replied "If I were Alexander, I'd also want to be Diogenes". It's just so savage.
Fighter's Roots
How do you know that??
Charles Bentley
@Fighter's Roots It's just as popular as the original quote, and I believe also from the ancient greek historian Plutarch.
Max the hazelnut
if i were you, id wanna be me too