The Cynics: Noise In The Garage

 

The Cynics are an American garage rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band, at the time

consisting of guitarist Gregg Kostelich, drummer Bill Von Hagen, vocalist Michael Kastelic who joined in 1985, bass player Steve Magee, and keyboardist Becky Smith (later founder of New York City's Bellwether gallery), debuted with their first album, Blue Train Station in 1986. Many of their songs "carry the torch" for other favorite bands as cover songs or tributes.
               

The Cynics themselves roared out of the gate in 1986 with "Blue Train Station," went “Twelve Flights

Up” in 1988 and then unleashed one of the best rock albums out of Pittsburgh with 1989’s “Rock 'n' Roll.” After two more albums, the Cynics played what seemed to be their final show on New Year's Eve 1995. They formed their own independent record label called Get Hip Records in 1986.
             

“It was getting to the point where it was becoming a grind, the same thing every night, people expecting me to jump and fall down and do this and that,” Kastelic said in 2002. “Sometimes, I just didn't feel like

it. And if I didn't feel like it, how can I expect other people to enjoy it?" Within months, the Cynics were on the comeback trail, playing one of their best markets: Spain. The band marked the reunion by releasing “Living is the Best Revenge” in 2002 and then came back out of the garage in 2007 with the made-in-Spain "Here We Are," praised by USA Today as "one of the best neo-garage-rock albums in years."
             

They suffered an eight-year break up after the release of Get Our Way but returned in 2002 with the release of Living Is the Best Revenge. The release of their 2007 album Here We Are was accompanied

with a European tour. Scott Mervis of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said "Here We Are might be best of the Cynics' seven records, and USA Today has already called it "one of the best neo-garage-rock albums in years." Entertainment Weekly called them "gnarly, sweaty, raucous, and brimming with snotty attitude". In reference to the band's first two albums, Blue Train Station and Twelve Flights Up, Trouser Press said they were packed with "surefooted atmosphere and excitement".
               

1. THE CYNICS - BLUE TRAIN STATION 1987

             

For a debut release, Blue Train Station sounds very mature in its accurate display of classic rhythm and blues tinged with portions of folk-rock, psychedelia, and Hammond organ garage stomp. More than mere camp '60s revivalism, The Cynics hit upon a style of timeless, melodic rock with momentous pop melodies.
                

The Cynics – Blue Train Station
Label: Get Hip Recordings – GH-1000CD
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 1994
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

            

01. Blue Train Station    2:24
02. On The Run    3:16
03. Waste Of Time    2:13
04. No Friend Of Mine    2:26
05. Soul Searchin'    2:30
06. Love Me Then Go Away    3:42
07. No Way    1:48
08. Hold Me Right    2:08
09. Why You Left Me    2:24
10. I Can't Get Away From You    2:24
11. I Want Love    2:07
12. Road Block    6:55

LINE - UP

Bass – Steve Magee
Drums – Bill Von Hagen
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Organ, Backing Vocals – Beki Smith (Rebecca Smith)
Vocals, Harmonica, Tambourine, Maracas – Michael Kastelic

Take It Flac HERE

2. THE CYNICS - BLUE TRAIN SESSIONS 1989

              

The album Blue Train Sessions was later remixed and re-released as Blue Train Sessions including previously unreleased material.
            

The Cynics – Blue Train Sessions
Label: Get Hip Recordings – Naked 2cd, Skyclad Records – Naked 2cd
Format: CD, Compilation, Remastered
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

                    

01. Blue Train Station   2:26
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
02. On The Run   3:15
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
03. Waste Of Time/No Friend Of Mine   4:39
Written-by [No Friend Of Mine] – Turnbow, Parks
Written-by [Waste Of Time] – Kostelich, Kastelic
04. Get Away Girl   2:53
Written-By – Hocko, Nicholson, Newton
05. Lying All The Time   3:40
Written-By – Splinter, Tax
06. No Way   1:50
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
07. Love Me Then Go Away   3:54
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
08. Blues In D   5:47
Piano – Chuck Guzelli
Written-By – Von Hagen, Guzelli, Kostelich, Kastelic, Magee
09. Dancing On The Wall   3:04
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
10. Hold Me Right   2:12
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
11. Soul Searchin'   2:31
Written-By – Warren Kendrick
12. Why You Left Me   2:23
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
13. I Got Nightmares   2:26
Written-By – Baar, Roelofs, Yink, Bieler
14. I Can't Get Away From You   2:29
Written-By – Vern Miller, Jr.
15. I Want Love   2:09
Written-By – Lindsay Bjerre
16. Road Block   7:04
Written-By – Rosbotham, Armstrong, Demick, Catling, Tinslay

LINE - UP

Bass – Steve Magee
Drums, Liner Notes – Bill Von Hagen
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Organ, Backing Vocals – Beki Smith (Rebecca Smith)
Vocals, Harmonica – Michael Kastelic

NOTES

All the sessions for the "Blue Train Station" album, remixed and remastered, including previously unreleased material.
Originally recorded at Aircraft Studios, July '86
Remixed & Remastered at Audiomation, July '89

Take It Flac HERE

3. THE CYNICS - SIXTEEN FLIGHTS UP 1990

                 

The Cynics shifted their direction slightly for the second LP, Twelve Flights Up 1988, from R&B homage to a more poppy, psychedelic folk-rock sound. The results are often excellent, as on the ballad "Took Her Hand," which oozes with sentimentality and overpowering melody. Twelve Flights Up was also later remixed and re-released as Sixteen Flights Up with four bonus tracks.
            

The Cynics – Sixteen Flights Üp
Label: Get Hip Recordings – GH 1010CD
Format:    CD, Compilation 1994
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

        

01. Creepin'    2:50
02. Yeah!    3:10
03. I Know    2:18
04. Took Her Hand    2:40
05. I Never Loved Her    2:55
06. Erica    4:50
07. A Basket Of Flowers    2:07
08. Abba    3:09
09. Nothin'    3:00
10. Useless    2:10
11. Gloria's Dream    2:30
12. I'm In Pittsburgh And It's Raining    2:07
13. Smoke Rings    2:30
14. Little Girl    3:22
15. Cat And Mouse    2:04
16. But Now I Find    2:25

LINE - UP

Organ, Backing Vocals – Beki Smith (Rebecca Smith)
Drums - Bill Von Hagen
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Vocals, Harmonica – Michael Kastelic
Bass – Steve Magee

NOTES

All of the tracks from the sessions for the second Cynics album, "Twelve Flights Up," including four tracks that weren't on the album. Recorded at TRS (The Recording Studio), Pittsburgh, PA June-July, 1987
Remixed at Audiomation, July, 1989.
Remix – Gregg Kostelich.

Take It Flac HERE

4. THE CYNICS - VPRO RADIO BROADCAST 1991

          

Recorded at VPRO Radio in the Netherlands during The Cynics' European tour for Rock 'N' Roll, this EP has better sound production than the other two Cynics live albums available, Stranded In Madrid and No Siesta Tonight, but lacks the energy level and general drunkenness heard on those. The true bonus of this record is a three-minute interview between guitarist Kostelich and a Netherlands radio jock.
               

The Cynics – VPRO Radio Broadcast
Label: Get Hip Recordings – GH-1002
Format: Vinyl, LP, 45 RPM, Album, 150 gram
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

SIDE A.

      

A1. Interview    2:48
A2. Took Her Hand    2:46
A3. Close To Me    3:29
A4. On The Run    3:13

SIDE B.

              

B1. Baby What's Wrong?    2:29
B2. No Way    1:43
B3. Love Me Then Go Away    4:11

LINE - UP

Bass – Kris Kasperowski
Drums – Tom Hohn
Guitar – Gregg Kostelich
Vocals – Michael Kastelic
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic, Magee (tracks: B1)

NOTES

Recorded live on the NOZEMS-A-GOGO Show, Wednesday afternoon, April 4, 1990 on VPRO RADIO, The Netherlands

Take It M4A HERE

5. THE CYNICS - STRANDED IN MADRID LIVE AT THE YA'STA 1991

                

Stranded In Madrid, import from Spain, contains some songs from the American version of the same concert, No Siesta Tonite, and others left off that project. In its entirety, this record is more effective than the American version and is worth its import price. Though left off the domestic version, Cynics standards like "Get My Way," "Waste of Time," and "Ain't No Friend of Mine" set better examples of the band's power. Stranded In Madrid packs more punch than VPRO Radio Broadcast and is less scattered than No Siesta Tonite.
                  

The Cynics – Stranded In Madrid Live At The Ya'sta
Label: Imposible Records – CD-017
Format: CD, Album
Country: Spain
Released: 1991
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

     

01. Girl, You're On My Mind   2:50
02. Get My Way   2:56
03. Different Worlds   2:04
04. Nothing   2:43
05. Yeah!   2:57
06. Blue Train Station   2:10
07. Waste Of Time   2:10  
08. Ain't No Friend Of Mine   2:17
09. I Want Love    2:06
10. Why You Left Me   2:00
11. Bussiness As Usual   1:42
12. Born To Lose   2:42
13. No Place To Hide   3:40

LINE - UP

Bass – Kris Kasperowski
Drums, Vocals – Tom Hohn
Guitar, Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Lead Vocals, Harmonica – Michael Kastelic

NOTES

Concert recorded Thursday May, 3, 1990.

"Nothing" originally performed by The Ugly Ducklings.
"Ain't No Friend Of Mine" originally performed by The Sparkles.
"I Want Love" originally performed by The Sunsets.
"Born To Lose" originally performed by The Heartbreakers.

Take It Flac HERE

6. THE CYNICS - CYNISM 1991 (COMPILATION)

         

This Japanese greatest hits CD collects the best songs from The Cynics' first three records, plus a cover of "I Got You Babe" done for a Sonny Bono tribute. "I Got You Babe" is surprisingly touching, as the camp value of the song is played down and it's turned into a serious love ballad. Of course, The Cynics' greatest hits are a worthwhile purchase.
        

The Cynics – Cynicism
Label: 1 + 2 Records – 1+2CD 015
Format: CD, Album, Compilation
Country: Japan
Released: 1991
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

            

01. You Got The Love   2:46
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
02. Close To Me   3:27
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
03. Yeah!   3:10
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
04. Took Her Hand   2:40
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
05. Waste Of Time   2:13
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
06. No Friend Of Mine   2:26
Written-By – Turnbow, Parks
07. Now I'm Alone   2:42
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
08. Blue Train Station   2:24
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
09. On The Run   2:42
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
10. Business As Usual   1:40
Written By – Speica/Written-By – Kastelic
11. Brother The Man   1:51
Written-By – Talton, Proctor
12. Baby, What's Wrong?   2:42
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic, Magee
13. Way It's Gonna Be   2:45
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
14. Get My Way   3:04
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
15. Girl, You're On My Mind   2:09
Written-By – Bernard Kugel
16. Creepin'   2:50
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
17. Erica   4:50
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
18. Blues In D   5:44
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
19. I Got You Babe   3:36
Written-By – Sonny Bono
20. What You Get   2:07
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
21. Get Away Girl   2:52
Written-By – Hocko, Nicholson, Newton
22. No Way   1:48
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
23. Love Me Then Go Away   3:42
Written-By – Kostelich, Kastelic
24. Cry, Cry, Cry   3:05
Written-By – Stults, Mack

LINE - UP

Bass – Steve Magee
Drums – Bill Von Hagen (tracks: 3 to 6, 8, 9, 13, 16 to 18, 21 to 23), Mike Kolesar (tracks: 11)
Drums, Vocals – Tom Horn (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 10, 12 to 15, 19, 20, 24)
Guitar, Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Organ – Beki Smith (tracks: 3 to 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 16 to 18, 21 to 23)
Vocals, Harmonica – Michael Kastelic

Take It Flac HERE

7. THE CYNICS - LEARN TO LOSE 1993

         

Learn to Lose was a Cynics marketing tack, more straightforward rock songs, fewer covers, more riffs than chords, and more vocal harmonies.
            

The Cynics – Learn To Lose
Label: Get Hip Recordings – GH 1008CD
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1993
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

        

01. Never Again
02. When You'd Go
03. How Could I
04. Right Here With You
05. Someone Like Me
06. You Must Be A Witch
Written-By – Fred Cole
07. Learn To Lose
08. Haunted
09. I Want It All
10. One Day You'll Come
11. Pressure
12. I Want You
Written-By – Frechter, Page

LINE - UP

Bass – Mike Michalski
Drums, Vocals – Tom Hohn
Guitar, Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Organ – Joe West (tracks: 2)
Piano – Joe West (tracks: 10)
Vocals, Harmonica – Michael Kastelic
Written-By – Kugel (tracks: 8), Kostelich (tracks: 1-5, 7-11), Kastelic (tracks: 1-5, 7-11), Michalski (tracks: 11)

Take It Flac HERE

8. THE CYNICS - GET OUR WAY 1994

           

The Cynics regrouped and hired another rhythm section before releasing their best work to date, Get Our Way. The group's folk-rock influences are more exposed on this album, as the heavier guitar riffs present on Learn to Lose give way to excellent pop craftmanship and more emphasized and impassioned vocals from Michael Kastelic. Witness the melancholy chills induced on "Hand In Hand" or "Time Alone" and the subtlety of the surging instrumentation on the power ballad "I'll Wait." Though a couple of psychedelic pieces stick out, The Cynics have struck a balance on Get Our Way. Every song is imbued with a tight focus that marks rock and pop at its best.
            

The Cynics – Get Our Way
Label: Get Hip Recordings – GH 1030CD
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1994
Genre :Rock
Style: Garage Rock, Psychedelic Rock

TRAXS

            

01. No Reason
02. Private Suicide
03. Hand In Hand
04. I'll Wait
05. Lose Your Mind
Written-By – R. Evans, V. Pike
06. That's How I Feel
07. 13 O'Clock Daylight Savings Time
08. Don't Shoot Me Down
Written-By – Whittington, Rodrigues, Cole, Elmore, Campbell
09. And She Said Yeah
Written-By – William Hay
10. I Live Alone
11. Dave V's Car
12. Love Me Now
13. All These Streets
14. Time Alone
15. Dirty Trick
16. Two Rooms
17. Beyond The Calico Wall / STP-00117

LINE - UP

Backing Vocals, Theremin, Organ, Other [Spiritual Guidance] – Erik Lindgren
Bass, Backing Vocals – Dave Vucenich
Drums – Max Terasauro
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Lead Vocals, Harmonica – Michael Kastelic

Take It Flac HERE

9. THE CYNICS - NO SIESTA TONITE 1994

           

The American version of Spain's Impossible Records' Stranded In Madrid, No Siesta Tonite includes several tracks not available on the Spanish import, in addition to a wretched, hopefully tongue-in-cheek cover of "Angel of the Morning." Some of the better tracks from that 1990 concert are left off this version, however, including a great cover of Johnny Thunders' "Born To Lose." Although this remixed CD version has a better sound quality than Stranded In Madrid, the mix is rough, as the bass overpowers the guitar tracks in almost every song. No Siesta Tonite is for fans only.
             

The Cynics – No Siesta Tonite
Label: Get Hip Recordings – GH-1014 CD
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1994
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

             

01. Intro
02. Baby What's Wrong?
03. Girl You're On My Mind
04. You Got The Love
05. Close To Me
06. Now I'm Alone
07. Yeah!
08. I Never Loved Her
09. Angel Of The Morning
10. No Way
11. Love Me Then Go Away
12. Blue Train Station
13. I Want Love
14. Shot Down
15. Erica
16. Took Her Hand

LINE - UP

Bass – Kris Kasperowski
Drums, Vocals – Tom Hohn
Guitar, Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Lead Vocals, Harmonica – Michael Kastelic

NOTES

Concert recorded Thursday May, 3, 1990.

Take It Flac HERE

10. THE CYNICS - LIVING IS THE BEST REVENGE 2002

              

 

The Cynics – Living Is The Best Revenge
Label:Get Hip Recordings – GH-1050CD
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 2002
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock

TRAXS

           

01. Turn Me Loose    3:09
02. Making Deals - Written-By The Satans   2:37
03. Marianne    2:46
04. The Tone    1:50
05. Ballad Of J.C. Holmes    3:02
06. She Lives (In A Time Of Her Own) - Written-By – Erickson, Hall   4:22
07. Revenge    2:26
08. I Got Time    2:43
09. Let Me Know    3:13
10. You've Never Had It Better   2:04
Written By – P. Sangster, R. Schwarts/Written-By – S. Poncher
11. Last Day    2:36
12. Shine    5:52

LINE - UP

          

Vocals, Harmonica [Harp], Maracas – Michael Kastelic
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gregg Kostelich
Guitar, Vocals [Yells] – Tim Kerr
Organ [Hammond] – Patches
Bass – Smith Harper Hutchings
Drums, Backing Vocals – Thomas Hohn

NOTES

Recorded at Sweatbox Studios (Austin, TX) May 5 2002

Take It Flac HERE

The Cynics - Rock' N' Roll 1990 HERE