Big Cyc

Big Cyc

Big Cyc is a Polish punk rock group from Łódź, formed in 1988. The band name uses the Polish word “cyc,” meaning “tit.” It comes together around members who meet at the University of Łódź, with Skiba, Jacek Jędrzejak, Roman Lechowicz and Jarosław Lis among the founding line-up. The group remains active and its current membership includes Jacek Jędrzejak, Roman Lechowicz, Jarosław Lis, Skiba, Piotr Sztajdel and Marek Szajda.

Origins and early activity

Before Big Cyc forms, Jędrzejak plays guitar in the student reggae band Rokosz, while Skiba performs in the student theatre Pstrąg and in school cabarets. After Rokosz breaks up in 1988, Jędrzejak wants to create a new rock band, and the group that becomes Big Cyc takes shape from that circle of university musicians. Their first concert takes place in March 1988 at the student club Balbina under the title “Uroczysta akademia na cześć 75-lecia wynalezienia damskiego biustonosza.”

Records and style

Big Cyc releases its first album, Z partyjnym pozdrowieniem, in 1990. The record becomes a hit in Poland and brings the band wider recognition. Over time, the group builds a catalogue that uses sarcasm and irony to comment on Polish politics and everyday life. Its songs often address issues such as youth problems, economic inequality, drug addiction and the absurdity of television advertising.

Notable releases and themes

The band’s seventh album, Z gitarą wśród zwierząt from 1996, includes its best-known song, “Makumba,” which presents a stereotyped story of an African student in Poland. Later albums include Świat według Kiepskich and Zmień z nami płeć, both released in 2000s, though they do not match the popularity of earlier material. Big Cyc then turns more directly to political satire, including the single “Złoty warkocz,” about Polish MP Renata Beger. In late 2005 the band attracts attention in Poland with “Moherowe berety,” a controversial song about an older conservative social group.

Selected members

The group’s line-up includes Jacek Jędrzejak, known as Dżej Dżej; Jarosław Lis, known as Dżery; Roman Lechowicz, known as Piękny Roman; and Krzysztof Skiba, known as Skiba. Other members listed with the band are Piotr Sztajdel and Marek Szajda.

Albums

Big Cyc’s discography includes Z partyjnym pozdrowieniem, Nie wierzcie elektrykom, Miłość, muzyka, mordobicie, Wojna plemników, Frankenstein's Children, Nie zapomnisz nigdy, Golonka, flaki i inne przysmaki, Z gitarą wśród zwierząt, Pierwsza komunia, drugie śniadanie, trzecia Rzeczpospolita, Wszyscy święci, Świat według Kiepskich, Zmień z nami płeć, Bombowe hity: 1988-2004 and Moherowe berety.