I first saw Cynics supporting Against Me! in the Peel a couple of years. I'd never heard of him at that point but there were about five people at the very front singing along every word. It was a very cool experience, it was like they were in the band, because the already-drunken voices added so much to the show (as it happens, a similar thing happened the first time I saw Sam Russo). I went home, listened to this 7" on Bandcamp and eventually bought a copy (also in my Specialist Subject haul). I still don't know all the words, but have seen Cynics (or Great Cynics, or Giles) countless times since and always had a good time. The Great Cynics show at Fest was probably the best because everyone went mad for them, and every time since I've hoped people would be as much into it.
Anyway, this 7" is really good. Parts of the songs made it into songs on their excellent album Don't Need Much (it's nice to see how songs evolve like that). Catchy acoustic punk rock is one of my favourite genres so I knew I'd like it. The Paint It Black cover is particularly fun.
Format: 7", insert
Tracks: 4
Cost: £2.30 new
Bought: Specialist Subject Records
When: 31/08/11
Colour: Black
Etching: no
mp3s: download
