Since Streetlight's inception, BOTAR has been on hiatus. Kalnoky has promised to release new music for both of his projects in 2006. Streetlight have often played the song "They Provide the Paint for the Picture-Perfect Masterpiece That You Will Paint On The Inside Of Your Eyelids" at their New Jersey shows.
From The Botar Website-
"BOTAR is about to start recording its first full length. The plan is to release it around the same time or slightly after Streetlight gets its record done. But we're dealing with you-know-who here so expect it sometime before the end of our current decade"
BOTAR's next album came out on 9/9/08 via the Streetlight Manifesto myspace:A few years ago, when BOTAR (Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution) released it's first (and so far only) record, there was a mention in the liner notes of a large project called "99 Songs of Revolution". This is a collection of 99 cover songs, spanning all kinds of genres, all kinds of artists. Now, a few years later, it's all going down. And here are the details. Some of them, at least.
The 99 Songs of Revolution Project will consist of 8 full length records. Two from SM, two from BOTAR, and two each from two other SM related groups. Yes, this is indeed the record that Victory mistakingly posted as coming out in Oct of 08. Not sure how they got that date, but it was never even a possibility. The first SM record for 99SOR will be out in early 2009, simultaneously with another of the 8 CDs (no, not the BOTAR one). Victory will be putting out the CDs and mp3s and Pentimento will be releasing and distributing the vinyl. We are aware of our reputation to take forever to release records and miss our self imposed deadlines, so we are not giving anyone solid dates, not even our labels. Early 09 release, that's it. We are, though, working hard on it. The demos are all but done and we head into the studio to begin tracking in October. Our upcoming tour schedule, as you know, is borderline impossible/insane, so cut us some slack.
This will be a nice way for us to get into the studio and put out some "new" music as well as tide you guys over until our next full length. It's been a project that's been on the back burner for too long, and it's time to do something about it. Stay tuned to this site as well as the Pentimento site for more info over the coming weeks. Also make sure to keep peeking in on our other sites, as we're in the middle of working on a few projects that have been dormant for way too long.
Here's to Life
Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Were they right?
When he died was it really his time?
Or was it suicide?
And Holden Caulfield is a friend of mine.
We go drinking from time to time and I find it gets harder every time.
Three went down (But only two of them come up again)
The minimal is criminal but less is a sin
Though three went down (But only two of them come up again)
I'm not going to play if there ain't no way I'll win
Hemingway never seemed to mind the banality of a normal life and I find it gets harder every time. So he aimed the shotgun into the blue, placed his face in between the two and sighed:
Here's to Life!
Three went down (But only two of them come up again)
The minimal is criminal but less is a sin
Though three went down (But only two of them come up again)
I'm not going to play if there ain't no way I'll win
Hey there Salinger, what did you do?
Just when the world was looking to you to write anything that meant anything,
You told us you were through.
And it's been years since you passed away,
But I see no plaque,
And I see no grave and I can't help believing that you wanted it that way.
And Vincent Van Gogh, why do you weep?
You were on your way to heaven but the road was steep.
And who was there to break your fall?
We're guilty, one and all.
And I don't know much,
But I do know this:
With a golden heart comes a rebel fist and every single soldier wasn't fired,
Some have quit.
And it makes me sick when I think of it:
All my heroes could not live with this and I hope you rest in peace because with us you never did. And KDC you were much too young and you changed my life but I draw the line at suicide,
So here's to life!
The song "Here's to Life" by Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution is a poignant reflection on the futility of life. The song questions the nature of death and the different ways it can conquer us. It begins with the question of whether Albert Camus killed himself or whether it was his time to go. It then references J.D. Salinger, who abandoned writing mid-career, leaving fans craving for more. Another reference is Ernest Hemingway, who found no meaning in life and ultimately took his life. Again, the reference is made to the suicide of Kurt Cobain, in whose case the song's narrator draws the line.
Furthermore, the song reflects on the darker aspects of society, such as the criminality of minimalism and the impact of suicide on those left behind. The song then moves to a point of hope, acknowledging and celebrating the courage of those who were rebellious in their hearts but never succumbed to suicide. The lyrics paint a picture of life as a journey that we never quite understand, but one that we must cherish nonetheless.
Line by Line Meaning
How did Camus really die that night?
Did Camus commit suicide or was it his time to die?
Were they right?
Was it Camus' time to die or did he take his own life?
When he died was it really his time?
Did Camus die due to natural causes?
Or was it suicide?
Did Camus commit suicide?
And Holden Caulfield is a friend of mine.
The speaker is acquainted with Holden Caulfield.
We go drinking from time to time and I find it gets harder every time.
The speaker's outings with Holden Caufield have become more challenging over time.
Three went down (But only two of them come up again)
Three people were involved in a situation, but only two survived.
The minimal is criminal but less is a sin
It's wrong to do the bare minimum; it's not enough to do a little bit (less) than that.
Though three went down (But only two of them come up again)
Only two people survived the event involving three people.
I'm not going to play if there ain't no way I'll win
The speaker is unwilling to engage in a situation that they know they cannot win.
Hemingway never seemed to mind the banality of a normal life and I find it gets harder every time.
Hemingway was content with ordinary life but the speaker finds it difficult to continue living a mundane life.
So he aimed the shotgun into the blue, placed his face in between the two and sighed: Here's to Life!
Hemingway committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, with a commentary on the fleetingness of life.
Hey there Salinger, what did you do?
The speaker questions Salinger's actions.
Just when the world was looking to you to write anything that meant anything, You told us you were through.
When the world was awaiting Salinger's work, he revealed he had stopped writing.
And it's been years since you passed away, But I see no plaque, And I see no grave and I can't help believing that you wanted it that way.
There is no indication of Salinger's burial or commemoration, raising the possibility that he intended his death to be private.
And Vincent Van Gogh, why do you weep?
The speaker wonders why Vincent Van Gogh was unhappy.
You were on your way to heaven but the road was steep.
Although Van Gogh was potentially headed towards a good afterlife, his time on earth was difficult.
And who was there to break your fall? We're guilty, one and all.
Everyone is to blame for Van Gogh's unfortunate life and death.
And I don't know much, But I do know this: With a golden heart comes a rebel fist and every single soldier wasn't fired, Some have quit.
Those with strong morals are often the most rebellious, and some people leave behind their destructive habits.
And it makes me sick when I think of it: All my heroes could not live with this and I hope you rest in peace because with us you never did.
The speaker finds it sad that their role models could not cope with the world they lived in, and hopes that they have found peace outside of it.
And KDC you were much too young and you changed my life but I draw the line at suicide, So here's to life!
The speaker mourns KDC's loss and finds solace in living life without resorting to suicide.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TOMAS KALNOKY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind