Cynergist

On the surface, the fivesome seems like your average Kokomo metalcore band, trading verbal punches like any other group of buddies. "He stole my girlfriend's shirt earlier," says drummer Jimmy Ashbaugh, nodding to guitarist Tony Winters.
"They don't makes clothes sized for me," said the super-skinny Winters with a grin.
"Yeah, Baby Gap isn't around here," said Jimmy.
And that, right there, is one side of Cynergist, a group of 20-somethings who dig music, play in their studio space above a health food store and have known each other since grade school. But for as much as the band is fueled by the lighthearted friendships of a bunch of music fanatics, it is equally as fired by the serious drive of a group of hardworking young men who just want to make music a stable career.
"We don't want to be Guns 'N' Roses," said Ashbaugh. "That's not what we are looking for. It'd be nice to have a million dollars, to win the lottery, to fly. It'd be nice for a lot of things," Ashbaugh said with a laugh. "At the end of the day, we just want to be able to play."
With influences from 311 and Clutch to The Police, Stevie Wonder, and Otis Redding, it's safe to say that for the five members of Cynergist, their music is a collaborative effort. Some members are self-taught. Some can read music. Others studied Opera.
"There are so many factors that have taken shape to make up what we are," said lead singer Nick Ramey, sitting in a coffee shop with Ashbaugh and Winters on a recent Wednesday. Rounded out by bassist Mike McDonald and guitarist Blaine Gaiser, Cynergist has taken a long road to get where it is. Key pieces of Kokomo's tight-knit metalcore scene, most of the band members have played together in previous groups. Winters, Ashbaugh, and McDonald all started out in the now-defunct band Still Searching and knew Ramey through his efforts in SubFiction.
"The first SubFiction show I saw, I was like "Whoa, he had them by the throat," said Tony. The guys invited Ramey to jam with them one night, and the rest was history. When Nick joined the band, something sparked, Ashbaugh said. There was a synergy between the members, and they all now agree that Nick was the catalyst that spurred them onto something new.
Synergy. Catalyst.
Cynergist was born.
Trained in opera, gospel, blues and more, Ramey brings a lightness to Cynergist's sound that members say was needed. There was something that gelled when Ramey joined the band, and even their song writing feels it. It's typical for the band to improve a whole song, with Ramey laying down spur-of-the-moment lyrics on top.
"I've never seen someone who could come up with something off the top of his head like that," Jimmy said.
"The result of the collaboration is evident on "Weight" a 15-track disc the band released in February. To call them a metal band wouldn't be fair, but calling them a rock group wouldn't be accurate. Rich, sometimes poignant lyrics layer over the band's aggressive metal sound and combine with a bit of groove rock and thrash metal. With topics such as love, loss and heartache, it would be easy to write the lyrics off with a "been-there-done-that" attitude. But a closer listen to songs like "Letter of Letters," which was written during Ramey's tour of Iraq [Army] and speaks of a man who has made peace with death, reveals a surprising maturity.
A solid first effort, "Weight" served as a way to get all of Cynergist's new material onto one disc so the band could grow and evolve on its next effort, which members hope will take shape this summer.
"I think as we go we keep learning things," Ashbaugh said. "The five of us all bring our elements to the table." And this weekend, the band will bring a few more elements to the table, namely three other bands from the Kokomo scene, which will all play at Tail-Gators Bar & Grill on Saturday.
"Yeah, we designed this show as our buddy show." Ashbaugh said with a laugh. The members of Fighter Down!, Rotovox, and Zero Hour have enough history that putting on a show together could feel like a reunion for a bunch of friends. They play in each others' sets and lend each other equipment ("Last time George from Fighter Down! borrowed my cymbals, I got 'em back cracked, beaten and covered in blood," said Jimmy) and they are all in it for a night of music with energy, aggression and a whole lot of guitars.
The next project for the group will likely be an outdoor show at an all-ages venue in Kokomo, before they head back into the studio to lay down more tracks for the next album.
- Erin Shultz, [friday] Editor, Kokomo Tribune - Kokomo, IN 3/28/2008

On the surface, the fivesome seems like your average Kokomo metalcore band, trading verbal punches like any other group of buddies. "He stole my girlfriend's shirt earlier," says drummer Jimmy Ashbaugh, nodding to guitarist Tony Winters.
"They don't makes clothes sized for me," said the super-skinny Winters with a grin.
"Yeah, Baby Gap isn't around here," said Jimmy.
And that, right there, is one side of Cynergist, a group of 20-somethings who dig music, play in their studio space above a health food store and have known each other since grade school. But for as much as the band is fueled by the lighthearted friendships of a bunch of music fanatics, it is equally as fired by the serious drive of a group of hardworking young men who just want to make music a stable career.
"We don't want to be Guns 'N' Roses," said Ashbaugh. "That's not what we are looking for. It'd be nice to have a million dollars, to win the lottery, to fly. It'd be nice for a lot of things," Ashbaugh said with a laugh. "At the end of the day, we just want to be able to play."
With influences from 311 and Clutch to The Police, Stevie Wonder, and Otis Redding, it's safe to say that for the five members of Cynergist, their music is a collaborative effort. Some members are self-taught. Some can read music. Others studied Opera.
"There are so many factors that have taken shape to make up what we are," said lead singer Nick Ramey, sitting in a coffee shop with Ashbaugh and Winters on a recent Wednesday. Rounded out by bassist Mike McDonald and guitarist Blaine Gaiser, Cynergist has taken a long road to get where it is. Key pieces of Kokomo's tight-knit metalcore scene, most of the band members have played together in previous groups. Winters, Ashbaugh, and McDonald all started out in the now-defunct band Still Searching and knew Ramey through his efforts in SubFiction.
"The first SubFiction show I saw, I was like "Whoa, he had them by the throat," said Tony. The guys invited Ramey to jam with them one night, and the rest was history. When Nick joined the band, something sparked, Ashbaugh said. There was a synergy between the members, and they all now agree that Nick was the catalyst that spurred them onto something new.
Synergy. Catalyst.
Cynergist was born.
Trained in opera, gospel, blues and more, Ramey brings a lightness to Cynergist's sound that members say was needed. There was something that gelled when Ramey joined the band, and even their song writing feels it. It's typical for the band to improve a whole song, with Ramey laying down spur-of-the-moment lyrics on top.
"I've never seen someone who could come up with something off the top of his head like that," Jimmy said.
"The result of the collaboration is evident on "Weight" a 15-track disc the band released in February. To call them a metal band wouldn't be fair, but calling them a rock group wouldn't be accurate. Rich, sometimes poignant lyrics layer over the band's aggressive metal sound and combine with a bit of groove rock and thrash metal. With topics such as love, loss and heartache, it would be easy to write the lyrics off with a "been-there-done-that" attitude. But a closer listen to songs like "Letter of Letters," which was written during Ramey's tour of Iraq [Army] and speaks of a man who has made peace with death, reveals a surprising maturity.
A solid first effort, "Weight" served as a way to get all of Cynergist's new material onto one disc so the band could grow and evolve on its next effort, which members hope will take shape this summer.
"I think as we go we keep learning things," Ashbaugh said. "The five of us all bring our elements to the table." And this weekend, the band will bring a few more elements to the table, namely three other bands from the Kokomo scene, which will all play at Tail-Gators Bar & Grill on Saturday.
"Yeah, we designed this show as our buddy show." Ashbaugh said with a laugh. The members of Fighter Down!, Rotovox, and Zero Hour have enough history that putting on a show together could feel like a reunion for a bunch of friends. They play in each others' sets and lend each other equipment ("Last time George from Fighter Down! borrowed my cymbals, I got 'em back cracked, beaten and covered in blood," said Jimmy) and they are all in it for a night of music with energy, aggression and a whole lot of guitars.
The next project for the group will likely be an outdoor show at an all-ages venue in Kokomo, before they head back into the studio to lay down more tracks for the next album.
- Erin Shultz, [friday] Editor, Kokomo Tribune - Kokomo, IN 3/28/2008

"I love the Battle of the Bands. I get to discover so many new acts. Cynergist is one of those. I'd never seen them booked on a single show, but I'm betting soon they will become a Hard Rock main stay. They rock pretty hard, but they keep one foot firmly in the mainstream. You can tell they are still a little new because they don't have that comfort level with their audience yet. Musically, they are on the money. The vocals have a mainstream radio edge, from the X-103 School of Rock. Their instrumental work is a lot more edgy. They prove they have that metal "cred". Add it all up and you have the makings of a hot new band. Will Cynergist take Indy by storm? It's too early to tell, but their standout performance at the battle was a happy surprise to say the least."

We would like to thank Wayne for this great review. - Nuvo Magazine, Indianapolis

"Hey! Roger Rockit here with a video review of this past weekend's "Hard & Heavy Showcase" at Jerilees's Pub. This show featured three heavy bands with Cynergist, Rotovox, and, Seed. Kicking off the night was Cynergist. This five-piece band hails from the Kokomo area and they bring a high energy show! They call their style "Heavy Soul Rock" and it fits perfectly! These guys don't mess around! They had the groove, they had killer leads, and they have a great front man in Nicholas Ramey! Check out these highlights from Cynergist!" [Cuts to video] - Lafayette Music League and Midwest Nights 6/28/2008

"Cynergist is one band that you can tell puts their heart and soul into each song that they write. Vocals come across the strongest in this band.

I was amazed by the empowering lyrics that are written by this band. The lyrics touch subjects as positive anger, war, strength to overcome anything and personal improvement.

It is refreshing to find positive lyrics like this in their type of progressive music. Each member of the band has different styles, but that does not effect the outcome of the music.

The guitars flow relentlessly through each song with a strong precision. The whole band provides the necessary backup to the standout vocals.

The first cd, "Weight", encompasses everything great about this band. Their live show has been described as powerful and very entertaining. That is not hard to believe with a listen to their music. Cynergist have a style all their own and its a great thing to sit back and enjoy. Check them out!"

We thank Metal Mark and Target Audience Magazine (TargetAudienceMagazine.com) for their time and great review! We in the Cynergist camp are grinning ear-to-ear!
- Target Audience Magazine (TargetAudienceMagazine.com)

"This band is one of the best bands that I have seen or heard in quite a long time. When you combine all of the amazing
talent this band possesses, along with great music, strong lead vocals, and lyrics that reach out and grab you, along with a fantastic and entertaining show, you get CYNERGIST!!!" - Mike Hacha, Cosmic Music Promotions 5/10/2008

"This band is one of the best bands that I have seen or heard in quite a long time. When you combine all of the amazing
talent this band possesses, along with great music, strong lead vocals, and lyrics that reach out and grab you, along with a fantastic and entertaining show, you get CYNERGIST!!!" - Mike Hacha, Cosmic Music Promotions 5/10/2008