Several of Streetlight's members were already well known among the New Jersey ska community for their roles in past ska bands from that area, most notably Catch 22's Tomas Kalnoky, James Egan, Mike Soprano, and Josh Ansley, as well as One Cool Guy's Stuart Karmatz, Pete Sibilia, Dan Ross, and Chris Paszik.
The band's first album, Everything Goes Numb, was released on August 26, 2003, and was distributed by Victory Records. They headlined their first ever show at Rutgers University on December 9, 2003 in front of a sold out audience.
The line-up has gone through several changes since the band's conception and currently consists of Matt Stewart on trumpet, Mike Brown on alto and baritone saxophone, Jim Conti on alto and tenor saxophone, Tomas Kalnoky on guitar and lead vocals, Pete McCullaugh on bass guitar, Karl Lyden on trombone, and Chris Thatcher on drums.
Though the band has enjoyed little mainstream commercial success, they have received acclaim in alternative music circles, and their debut album is currently in Interpunk.com's top 100 items, over 2 years after its release. In addition, they regularly sell out their live shows, and their first few shows at Rutgers and The Stone Pony not only sold out, but had people coming from as far as Minnesota and Canada. Their second album, a reworking of Catch 22's Keasbey Nights was released on March 7, 2006.
Streetlight Manifesto's third album, entitled Somewhere in the Between came out on November 13, 2007. Rumors also have it that the band is currently working on a series of 8 albums entitled "The 99 Songs of Revolution" in co-operation with Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, a side-project of singer Tomas Kalnoky slated for release in early 2009.
On November 17, 2009, the band's website announced that "99 Songs of Revolution: Volume One" has been ready for release for quite some time but "some record labels are just plain horrendous." They are also in the process of arranging a tour for 2010 but will spend some time in the studio until they have "a few records to release."
The first album of 99 Songs of Revolution was released on March 16, 2010. On this CD, the band covered songs by artists such as The Postal Service, Radiohead, and NOFX.
Band Members:
Mike Brown - Baritone Sax
Karl Lyden - Trombone
Jim Conti - Tenor Sax
Matt Stewart - Trumpet
Chris Thatcher - Drums
Tomas Kalnoky - Guitar, Vocals
Pete McCullaugh - Bass
www.streetlightmanifesto.com
As The Footsteps Die Out Forever
Streetlight Manifesto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The kids were almost home,
The kids were on their way back home from school,
Lying face down in the gutter
Of unaccomplished dreams and broken memories of things to come,
"Sorry ma'am, I really am. I had to break the news.
I had to make the phone call to tell you that you're due,
You know where,
And I suggest you start living these next three weeks, the best way that you can."
Every night for three long weeks,
She'd roam the hallways half asleep
And as the footsteps fade away
In my mind, I could swear, I could swear, I heard her say:
"Don't wait for me,
I've got a lot to do
I've got a lot to be
And in the end maybe I'll see you there."
Lost her strength on a saturday.
Spent the day in bed.
Yeah, I'm fine, it's just the flu she said
With a smile, but when they turned their backs,
The tears would flow.
She knew she only
Had a while to live
To breathe
To see
To be
To bleed
To stand on her own two weakened feet
"and so I pray everyday: don't take my mother away"
and in the end maybe I'll see you there.
You know I'll see you there
And in the end I'll see you there.
The lyrics describe a heart-wrenching story of a woman who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and is given only three weeks to live. The news is devastating not only for the woman but also for her children who are on their way back home from school when they find out. The lyrics convey a sense of despair as the woman grapples with the reality of her situation and tries to come to terms with her imminent death. The phrase "lying face down in the gutter of unaccomplished dreams and broken memories of things to come" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that her hopes and dreams for the future have been shattered by the news.
Despite the despair, the lyrics also contain a sense of hope and determination. The woman is encouraged to "start living these next three weeks, the best way that you can," and she is determined to do so. She faces her illness with courage and tries to make the most of the time she has left. The line "Don't wait for me, I've got a lot to do, I've got a lot to be" suggests that she has unfinished business and that she wants to make the most of her remaining time on earth. The lyrics also suggest a belief in an afterlife, with the repeated refrain of "and in the end maybe I'll see you there." Overall, the lyrics to "As the Footsteps Die Out Forever" are a poignant and powerful reflection on mortality, love, and the beauty of life.
Line by Line Meaning
She was diagnosed on a Friday
On a Friday, the woman received a diagnosis from a medical professional.
The kids were almost home
The woman's children were almost home from school at the time of her diagnosis.
The kids were on their way back home from school
The woman's children were returning home from school.
Lying face down in the gutter
The woman is overwhelmed by the realization of all her unfulfilled goals and shattered dreams.
Of unaccomplished dreams and broken memories of things to come
The woman feels defeated by the thought of all the things she will never achieve and opportunities that will never be.
"Sorry ma'am, I really am. I had to break the news. I had to make the phone call to tell you that you're due, You know where, I'll tell you when, And I suggest you start living these next three weeks, the best way that you can."
The doctor apologizes for giving the woman such difficult news but urges her to make the most of her remaining three weeks.
Every night for three long weeks, She'd roam the hallways half asleep And as the footsteps fade away In my mind, I could swear, I could swear, I heard her say: "Don't wait for me, I've got a lot to do, I've got a lot to be And in the end maybe I'll see you there."
During the three weeks leading up to her death, the woman roamed the house every night, half asleep. Afterwards, the singer imagines hearing the woman's voice, telling them not to wait for her and that she has many things to do and achieve.
Lost her strength on a Saturday. Spent the day in bed. Yeah, I'm fine, it's just the flu she said With a smile, but when they turned their backs, The tears would flow.
The woman began to weaken on a Saturday but told her loved ones she was fine, even though the flu was the least of her worries. The artist notes that she only cried when nobody was looking.
She knew she only Had a while to live To breathe To see To be To bleed To stand on her own two weakened feet "and so I pray everyday: don't take my mother away"
The woman is aware that she only has a short amount of time to live, but she hopes to use that time to live, breathe, see, feel, and stand on her own. The artist tells of praying every day for her mother to not be taken away.
and in the end maybe I'll see you there. You know I'll see you there And in the end I'll see you there.
The phrase is repeated at the end and is symbolic of hope that the woman will be reunited with her loved ones in death.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
goddammitgary
My all-time favorite Streetlight Manifesto song. So sad, yet so good. Hopefully my mom lives on. <3 to those who miss their loved ones.
Placebo_Jones
She lives on. No questions asked. <3 for the Mom's who are still looking out.
DrSeanKennedy
This was my all-time favorite Catch 22 song; now its my favorite Streetlight Manifesto song. Never thought that I would live the lyrics. Unfortunately, I don't believe in an afterlife, but my mom lives on in my heart.
Milo Silver
@DrSeanKennedy Streetlight did such a good job covering this album, especially this song.
Uhhhhh
I’m 21 now. My mother OD’d when I was 9. I used to listen to this song on my iPod just walking around the neighborhood and open fields crying and relating. For ever grateful to this band and everyone else who’s been through something similar
heroesandcons09
My mom was diagnosed with cancer a couple years back. I can not be more thankful that the doctors were able to take care of it to this day she's still recovering from surgery. Always be there for your mom I can not stand the idea of losing her after everything she's done. Whenever your mom wants to hang out with you hang out with her life is so unexpected you really never know what the future has in store.
Joel Dixon
I wish I could. Cancer took my mother. I kiss her everyday.
Luis M
My mom just got a bone marrow transfusion and is doing so good. I wish nothing but the best for you and your family! We will get through this! And my condolences Joel Dixon your mom was a warrior!
Kasey Schwab
My mom battled cancer for 8 long years, I would listen to this song often. Last year she passed away and I couldn't listen to this song anymore. It's been almost 6 months and I finally played it. Love your mom, tomorrow is never promised.
Xcessive
First heard this a few weeks after my mother passed away, it has a special place in my heart now.