There was quite a big garage band scene in the 80s from all over the world. These bands stuck close to their ancestors so to speak but with a little more punch in the modern recording. They avoided the dated sound unlike some of their more popular peers.
The Cynics were from Pittsburgh and along with the Chesterfield Kings, the Milkshakes, and the Fuzztones were early founders of the 1980s garage rock revival movement. The picked up from where the garage bands from the 60’s garage bands.
This band is not limited to garage rock. I’ve heard everything from power pop to folk from them in songs.
Gregg Kostelich started the Cynics in 1983. The other members were drummer Bill Von Hagen, vocalist Michael Kastelic who joined in 1985, bass player Steve Magee, and keyboardist Becky Smith who debuted with their first album, Blue Train Station in 1986.
Baby What’s Wrong was on their Rock and Roll album released in 1990.
Their first two 45s were released by the Californian Dionysus label, but soon after Gregg had established his own Pittsburgh-based Get Hip Recordings who would release all of The Cynics albums and singles. The label also releases records by fellow garage bands, power pop, and punk bands around the world.
The band is still togehter with members Gregg Kostelich, Michael Kastelic, Pablo González “Pibli”, and Angel Kaplan.
The band released 8 albums between 1986 to 2011 with the Spinning Wheel Motel album.
Gregg Kostelich: “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.” “Yeah, maybe I got brain damage from all the noise!”
I got a lot of info off of their record company’s website…check them out and their music.
Baby What’s Wrong
You didn’t hear me when I tried to tell you
You didn’t see me when I looked so lonely
You didn’t answer when I said, “Where you going?”
You didn’t see the way you drive me crazy
Baby what’s wrong with me
I can’t seem to turn your head
Baby what’s wrong with me
I’m always going home to an empty bed
You got my number, you never use it
You got my choice, but you never choose it
You got those brown eyes, they’re hiding something
If I could open up, I’d let you in
Baby what’s wrong with me
I can’t seem to turn your head
Baby what’s wrong with me
I’m always going home to an empty bed
Maybe some day, there will be a full moon
We’ll be together, in the same room
Open our eyes, see what we’re missing
My hard time is maybe they’re dissing
Baby what’s wrong with me
I can’t seem to turn your head
Baby what’s wrong with me
I’m always going home
Baby what’s wrong with me
I can’t seem to turn your head
Baby what’s wrong with me
I’m always going home
Baby what’s wrong
…
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I hear some Sloan in that chorus Max. Good stuff. Where do u find this stuff?
This one from a compilation album listing…about garage bands from the 80s.
Some fun stuff out there that I didn’t know about. Thanks Deke
Really nice music.
I like the sound of this. It’s soulful without being too much in your face.
Thanks for listening Lisa!
My pleasure, Max 🙂 update on TZS2: the copies they libraries have of it they aren’t lending out, and I’m not sure why. I am not giving up!
Ok…I’m thinking of other ways also…I’m not either!
Cool song, Max. I don’t know it. Thanks for turning me on to it. Let’s see…I hear the Troggs in there…I hear The Barbarians and some early Stones and The Animals…I hear REM also. I’m going to check out more Cynics.
Thanks for giving it a try Pam. I love posting these off the wall songs…so many bands that I missed in the 80s.
Pam if I may suggest one… “I Need More”…it was off of their 2011 album. It’s really good.
Thanks, Max. I’ll give it a listen.
Yet another one I’ve never heard of. Garage sound for sure, and I like it.
They have some really good songs…again just surprised that some of these didn’t get played.
I found out about them while browsing on Spotify. They’re very much a band that I was shocked to find wasn’t actually “classic rock”.
Well these guys I’ve heard of at least, but didn’t know a thing about them. Very garage-y 80s sound…there was a lot of that in the mid-’80s but not much broke through and got noticed, it seems.
Yea not many were noticed because they were fish out of the 80s water in sound…I would have flipped over them at the time.
That’s a brutal guitar sound – almost sounds like a Steve Albini production or something.
That is what drew me in…that guitar sound. Interesting band…they would expand their sound more than some garage type bands.
Another nice garage rocker, Max. For some reason, it’s a genre I haven’t much explored, even though I evidently like it. Baby, what’s wrong with me? 🙂
This morning, I had a few minutes and started listening to a few other tracks on the “Rock & Roll” album. I like what I’ve heard thus far, especially this one – love the combination of guitar and organ!
LOL…
I love the organ! Check out their 2011 song “I Need More” …I think you will like it
Thanks, Max, love it. And, yes, I need more, so perfect title!
I’m definitely planning to further check out The Cynics.
Thanks for listening Christian!
OMG this is so good! Love that guitar! A d I Need More fantastic too. Like you said where were these songs on the radio when we needed them in the 80s ?
Exactly…I would have loved to heard it then…Paul whenever you have time…check out “I Need More”…it’s one of their newer ones.
I had the time – right now! Another great tune!! That guitar riff is like an instant ticket back to the 60s!
thanks Paul!
I like this stuff Max. Just listening to cut Christian posted.
Glad you liked it CB
It took me a couple of seconds to figure out what that opening guitar riff reminds me of…What Is My Life, George Harrison. What makes the guitar sound like that? It sounds like a buzz saw.
Either VERY loud or a certain distortion box…I love it….sounds like the guitar of death.
I think it’s great.
It’s right down my alley….it is NOT processed…that is why I like it.