The Cynz are a full-throttle rock band formed around the songwriting talents of Cyndi Dawson (vocals) and Henry Seiz (guitar/vox). The band has been called “the closest thing to the 1970s CBGB’s you will get from a band that formed in 2011.” Their songs are hard-rocking tales of pain, heartbreak, survival, determination, redemption, and sometimes unbridled joy, at break-neck speed!
Cyndi Dawson is described on their site as an on-stage visual tsunami. She leads the band through shamanic rock and roll rites of passage. Her raw, emotional stage presence along with the band’s edgy, powerful vibe is truly an experience. The Cynz’s influences derive from the late ’70s Lower East Side NYC chainsaw music of the Ramones and the tough, gritty vibe of The MC5, Alice Cooper and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. The Cynz have opened for legendary acts such as the newly-reformed Blues Magoos, The Split Squad, Martha Davis & The Motels, Ivan Julian, Sonny Vincent, The Vibrators, Billy Rath’s Street Pirates, Warrior Soul, Walter Lure & The Waldo’s, and The Zero’s.
The Cynz have two CDs to their credit. The first, entitled The Original Cynz, and the second, Five Mortal Cynz (CD Baby, Amazon, and iTunes), are guitar-driven, in-your-face dance fests. Their second CD contains a rocking track co-written with Gary Hefferen, lead vocalist of the legendary San Diego-based band, The Penetraters, entitled “Blame It On The Kiss.” More recently, The Cynz have completed a tour of Sweden and have released several singles produced by Peppy Castro of The Blues Magoos.
You cannot easily define The Cynz. Their tracks are the alchemy of punk, rock, poetry, song and the various backgrounds and experience of five individuals. Trying to categorize them is almost futile. They write and play their influences into a style all their own, and often that is a blend of classic punk/rock/pop sounds.
Poet Cyndi has been compared to Patti Smith, Kim Gordon and even Jim Carroll. But her style is all her own. Henry, Matt, Bob and Patrick bring years of old-school jazz, pop rock, swing and punk to the table. The combination of all these influences is The Cynz. Poet Cyndi Dawson and long-time musician friend Henry Seiz joined forces and put together what is being talked about as “the closest thing to the sound of 1977 CBGB’s since 1977.”
When it comes to influences, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Sonic Youth, Dandy Warhol’s, Iggy, NY Junk, Garbage, Detroit Cobras, Transvision Vamp, and old-school European bands come front and center. Cyndi cites her personal influences as Jim Carroll, Patti Smith, The Distillers, The Runaways, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Their new record is called Superfan and is being released on Bongo Boy Records. Featuring 13 rock and roll compositions, Superfan is a veritable smorgasbord of punk-driven rock goodness.
The first song that caught my ear was “Evolution.” Powered with a blitzkrieg of pop-rock crunch, Cyndi lights the fuse on this fiery record with style. Done as a countdown, Dawson lays down her tale of living experience. “Ten: The number of times I let myself go. Nine: Movies I play like reels in recesses of gray matter. Eight: The year childhood was fucked for good.” Guitarist Henry Seiz tears things up in the great style of Steve Jones. Manning great big salvoes of chord magic, he sets the tone for the tune. His lead break is raw and terrifyingly awesome. His setup is the perfect vehicle for Dawson, who rides the rhythmic thunder with perfect melodic understanding.
“Learn To Feel Alive” is up next and roars with all the understanding of The Runaways and Suzy Quatro at their very best. Dawson’s lyrical understanding is at the top of the class as she sings, “Would it be a crime, having something I could call just mine? In time, in time, in time I’d learn to feel alive.” Seiz fleshes out a solid acoustic nylon-string lead break in the middle-eight. Think of Earl Slick during his Bowie days and you’d be right on track. Rhythm comes courtesy of Anne Husick (Band Of Susans) and Robert Stockl from the Mad Daddies.
Bouncing around the disc, “Quick Fix Man” hits the sensibilities like a chainsaw going through ice. Dawson mans the helm with her lyrical magic. “Got a fever so fix my heat, the service you give is hard to beat. You always mend with handy hands, when I need hands; you’re my quick fix man.” The guitar work of Seiz is pure rock and roll joy here. Done in the vein of Elliot Easton, Seiz takes the front and center with his six-string work. Bass and drum work comes courtesy of Patrick Schoultz and Robert Stockl.
“Weight Of The World” is up next and it doesn’t disappoint. Dawson’s lyrical magic is back as she sings, “Fifteen years you’re still standing in line. Waiting for a ticket to your own prime time. It’s not a day too soon, a day too late; every little slight makes you irate.” The rhythmic thunder of Patrick Schoultz on bass and Robert Stockl on drums nails this rocker to the proverbial floor as Seiz tears it up old-school style.
“Leave Me Alone” is another hot-blooded rocker worth mentioning. Dawson tears it up and lays down some great lyrical messaging. “You ain’t really all that good for me. You made me a woman I don’t want to be. I ain’t gonna take this no more. I’m walking out, I’m walking out the door.” Seiz is back with another high-powered blast of rock solid lead guitar in the vein of Cheetah Chrome.
“Blame It On The Kiss” is up next. If you dig the Vibrators, you’re gonna love “Blame It On The Kiss.” Dawson’s powerful vocals are tuned and toned, blaring out cutting-edge lyrical commands such as, “Winter’s coming and it’s coming quick. Bend down low and give me a kiss. A kiss goodbye cause I’m a wreck. A sloppy kiss to twist my neck.” Seiz is back with a bouncy, tight groove of overdriven guitar work. If you dig Wayne Kramer from MC5, you’re going to love the six-string work of Seiz. Once again, the rhythm work of Patrick Schoultz and Robert Stockl keep the perspective on the straight and narrow.
The last song on the disc is called “Something To Steal.” Reminding me of early Blondie, “Something To Steal” is a raw and ripping rock and roll gem. Dawson laments of the friendship loss as she says, “Ripped my heart from my gut (left me so lonely). Though I know you got stuck (why did you go back) it’s such a tangled rut, but it’s me that got hurt, and it sucked in the end, what I lost was my friend.” Anne Husick is back on bass with Robert Stockl.
Cyndi Dawson is a star fast in the making. Her teaming with guitarist Henry Seiz is both agreeable and sonically intriguing. The rhythm section of Anne Husick and Robert Stockl are also smart additions to a tremendous rock and roll record. Special notice also goes out to Peppy Castro from The Blue Magoos who also plays bass on the disc.
The new Cynz album is making its way to Hong Kong with Bongo Boy Records’ partner in China. This digital release will be available in Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and other Asian countries.
Bongo Boy is super excited to present this band to you, the fan, and welcome The Cynz to Bongo Boy Records’ roster!
The Cynz will be taking over the Brighton Bar on Oct. 9. Joining The Cynz will be Graveyard School and NY Junk. See one of the area’s best real deal rock bands for yourself. For more information, head over to the band’s Facebook page or check them out at reverbnation.com/thecynz.
