Cynic Guru is a progressive rock band fronted by classically trained violinist Roland Hartwell. Band history Early Years: 1991-1996 Cynic Guru started in Los Angeles as 3-piece known as "Where Is My Hair". This featured Roland Hartwell (guitar, vocals), Stefan Örn (bass), and Steef Van Oosterhout (drums). In 1993, another phase of the band, SkotLaPop, was born. This incarnation of the band had Roland Hartwell (guitar, vocals, violin) and new members Marc Thomas (lead guitar), Chris Sampson (vocals, guitars), and Matt Matson (drums). In 1996, the SkotLaPop became "Cynic Guru". Chris Sampson left the band and was replaced by Mike Constantini (guitars, vocals) and Vince Varquez (bass). Mid-life: 1996-2000 Hartwell, a classically trained violin player, got offered a job touring with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra on the East Coast of the US sometime in the late 1990s. They liked him so much, that they eventually offered him a full-time position within the group. After enough commuting back and forth from Iceland, Hartwell decided to accept the offer, leaving Cynic Guru with him. Iceland: 2001–present It wasn't until long that Roland Hartwell decided re-form Cynic Guru in Reykjavik, Iceland. He did this adding members Ricky Korn (bass), Einar Jóhannsson (lead guitar and backing vocs), Óli Hólm (drums), and John Mono (backing vocals and keyboards). About 3–4 years later, Cynic Guru was signed to SENA, the largest record label/entertainment group in Iceland. This paved the way for "Iceland"- Cynic Guru's debut album. Although many of the songs on Iceland had already been included in past EPs, most were either re-arranged or simply re-recorded. After nearly a year in production, "Iceland", was released on September 26, 2005. The first single from "Iceland", "Drugs", made it to the number one spot on X-FM 97.7 in Reykjavík, beating out Queens of the Stone Age, Papa Roach, Green Day, Audioslave, The Transplants, Used/My Chemical Romance, and Nine Inch Nails. "Iceland" also has had two other singles that hit radio; "Catastrophe", written about 9/11, and "Digging The Holes." Videos were made for "Drugs" and "Catastrophe", which were directed by Icelandic artist Bardi Johannsson, of Bang Gang. 2005 started off with a bit of a jolt. Cynic Guru was picked up by a British label, Fat Northerner Records, and a Japanese label, Westwood Records, for distribution. Sadly, however, John Mono decided to part ways with the band. Cynic Guru had their first UK tour in June 2006. "Drugs"