Skizz Cyzyk began playing in bands around Baltimore in 1980 at the age of 14. His first live gig was interrupted by Yoko Ono’s requested international moment of silence in honor of John Lennon, who was killed the week before. Along with his older brother, Mark Cyzyk, and Baltimore County neighborhood friend, Jim Weiprecht, Skizz finished out the ‘70s and began the ‘80s in bands like The Moon Hyenas, Rebel, and The Sage, playing parties and teen dances at the Towson Moose Lodge. Since then, Skizz was rarely without an active band (or two, or six), usually playing drums, but occasionally playing guitar or electric ukulele as well. See entries for Berserk, Blister Freak Circus, Burried Droog, Dirty Sanchez, Fallen Angel, Garage Sale, Gill, Gneebnazix, Jag, The Jennifers, The Kicksouls, MegaFry, Reptile House, Sandwich, Shadowmen, Slug Log 3, Toxic Love Dolls, Trud, and The Vita-Men. Other bands include Braille Party, Suck, Bionic Fonzie, Confuscious Necktie, The Paw Squared, The Awkward Sounds of Scott & Skizz (aka ASSS), The Go Pills, and a solo act.
From 1984 to 1991 Skizz was a disc jockey on WCVT where, as host of The Local Band Show and as music director, he worked to expose local music on the same level as national music. Over the years he booked bands at Toad’s Basement and The Mansion Theater, produced albums by local bands, directed music videos for local bands, written about local music in various local and national zines, and hosted his own Local Band Night at Max’s on Broadway. The City Paper named Skizz Baltimore’s Best FM Disc Jockey in their 1989 Best of Baltimore issue, a Most Valuable Player in their 1998 Decibel music supplement, and an Unsung Hero in their 1998 Salute to a Few Good Baltimoreans.
