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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