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
I Need More
The Cynics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope this letter finds you well
There's not too much for me to tell
I mailed it from another highway and I don't know
What I'm looking for
I don't know who I am so I'm taking it
I try to understand but I just can't
Take it no more
It doesn't matter what you play
People only pay to hear you say
I mailed it from another highway and I don't know
What I'm looking for
I don't know who I am so I'm taking it
Door to door
I try to understand but I just can't
Take it no more
I've had as much as I can take
Why does everybody have to break
(Hey what's the score...
You're such a bore.
And I need more...)
The lyrics of The Cynics song "I Need More" convey a sense of aimlessness and frustration with life. The singer writes a letter to someone, but admits there's not much to tell. They feel lost and unsure of their identity, taking it "door to door" to try and understand themselves better. However, their efforts are in vain, and they reach a breaking point where they can't take it anymore. They realize that no matter what they play, people only care about what they say. The song ends with a sarcastic interjection ("Hey what's the score...You're such a bore. And I need more...") that adds to the overall feeling of disillusionment.
The repetition of the phrase "I don't know what I'm looking for" emphasizes the singer's confusion and lack of direction in life. The use of transportation imagery ("mailed it from another highway" and "taking it door to door") further emphasizes the sense of aimlessness. The line "Why does everybody have to break" suggests a feeling of isolation and disappointment with others.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope this letter finds you well
Opening line of a letter sent to someone, expressing a wish for their well-being
There's not too much for me to tell
Writer has nothing significant to share or say in the letter
I mailed it from another highway and I don't know What I'm looking for
Writer is lost and unsure of their purpose or destination
I don't know who I am so I'm taking it Door to door
Writer is searching for their identity by trying different things
I try to understand but I just can't Take it no more
Writer is frustrated with their lack of comprehension or progress
It doesn't matter what you play People only pay to hear you say
People value words over music and are willing to pay for it
I've had as much as I can take
Writer has reached their limit and can't tolerate more of something
Why does everybody have to break
Writer is feeling disappointed about people constantly letting him down
(Hey what's the score... You're such a bore. And I need more...)
Chorus: The writer is bored with life and wants something more exciting
Writer(s): Gregg Kostelich, Michael Kastelic
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.