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
Everything Went Numb
Streetlight Manifesto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And every time he'd think it out: "there's nothing to worry about
Get in the van, don't deviate from the plan
If everything goes smooth then you'll walk away a rich man"
So it begins, everybody walks in
Could this be the way or the day that the underdog wins?
I think not, so I bet on the feds because the black hat men never win in the end
Sawed off (check)
Guilty conscience, fear of death (check check check)
Everything went numb when he stumbled upon what he thought
Was going to be another means to the end
The silence
The sirens
It all went down like his nightmare the night before
I don't want to hear
I don't want to be near
I do what I got to do just to keep my nose clean
The story doesn't end here
Don't fear for our hero ain't near the end
My friend
Let's take it back to how it all began: with a proposition
And proposition starts with a capital p
"Or at least for me" is what he said to himself
But himself ain't a lot when he's got nothing left
Of what was once a man, loved and loving
He took that trip that turns something to nothing
Right and wrong
There's not a lot a difference when you're singing that poor man's song
And that song it goes just a little like this:
Na na na
Ski mask (check)
Sawed off (check)
Guilty conscience, fear of death (check check check)
Everything went numb when he stumbled upon what he thought
Was going to be another means to the end
The silence
The sirens
It all went down like his nightmare the night before
I don't want to hear
I don't want to be near
I do what I got to do just to keep my nose clean
Streetlight Manifesto's song "Everything Went Numb" tells the story of a man who gets involved in a criminal plan for money and guns but ends up facing the consequences of his actions. The lyrics describe how the man's conscience becomes numb as he tries to rationalize his actions by sticking to the plan and thinking about the profit he hopes to gain. However, despite his careful preparation, the heist doesn't go as planned and the man is caught by the police, leading to a nightmarish scenario of sirens and fear of death.
The song's upbeat melody contrasts with the dark lyrics, conveying the man's troubled emotions and spiraling situation. The catchy "na na na" chorus adds to the bitter irony of the story as the man sings about the poor man's song that blurs the lines between right and wrong. The use of a ski mask and a sawed-off gun emphasizes the desperation and danger of the man's actions, while the reference to the black hat myth suggests that he knows he's the villain of the story.
The lyrics also suggest that the man's downfall is not only due to his criminal actions but also to his personal struggles and sense of worthlessness. The line "himself ain't a lot when he's got nothing left" hints at his past failures or disappointments that pushed him to take the risky job. The last verse implies that the story is not over yet and that the man still has a chance to redeem himself or fall even deeper.
Interesting facts about the song:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
And the story goes like this: everything went numb for the money and the guns
The story is that he became numb to everything for the sake of gaining money and power through violence.
And every time he'd think it out: "there's nothing to worry about
He tried to convince himself that everything would go smoothly and there was no need to worry.
Get in the van, don't deviate from the plan
He followed orders and did not question the plan.
If everything goes smooth then you'll walk away a rich man"
He was promised a reward for his participation in the plan.
So it begins, everybody walks in
The plan is set in motion and everyone involved enters the scene.
Could this be the way or the day that the underdog wins?
He wonders if this violence will lead to victory for the oppressed.
I think not, so I bet on the feds because the black hat men never win in the end
He believes that the government will win and chooses to side with them instead of the so-called "black hat men".
Ski mask (check)
Sawed off (check)
Guilty conscience, fear of death (check check check)
Everything went numb when he stumbled upon what he thought
Was going to be another means to the end
He is mentally and physically prepared for the violent act that he thought would lead to his desired end.
The silence
The sirens
It all went down like his nightmare the night before
I don't want to hear
I don't want to be near
I do what I got to do just to keep my nose clean
The violent act is carried out, resulting in chaos and fear. He distances himself from others and only does what he needs to in order to avoid getting caught.
The story doesn't end here
Don't fear for our hero ain't near the end
My friend
Let's take it back to how it all began: with a proposition
The story is not over and the artist is not defeated. The story begins with an offer or proposal.
And proposition starts with a capital p
"Or at least for me" is what he said to himself
But himself ain't a lot when he's got nothing left
Of what was once a man, loved and loving
He took that trip that turns something to nothing
He reflects on the power of words and how they can lead to one's downfall. He remembers who he used to be and how he has lost everything due to his actions.
Right and wrong
There's not a lot a difference when you're singing that poor man's song
And that song it goes just a little like this:
Na na na
He recognizes that the line between right and wrong becomes blurred when someone is desperate and struggling, and that these struggles can create a cycle of violence.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pavlo Samarets
"A Better Place, A Better Time " hits hard every time I listen to it
midas de saedeleir
went to live in a strange country, half way across the world. Didn't really know anyone there. Saw that these guys were playing. went to the gig, without tickets. i was used to getting tickets at the venue. Met some pretty drunk guys who heard my accent and asked me where i was from. i'm from belgium. so they kept calling me 'Belgium' all night long. they said they were gonna come back for me to get tickets. 20mins later, as i was just giving up on getting in, they ran out 'Belgium, we got you a ticket'. They picked me up, and just ran in with me. Got really drunk, never learned their names. my shirt got ripped and i think i might've puked on it. So i had to buy a new shirt, it was one with this album cover on it. Went for waffles and weed after the show. I still have the shirt 8 years later.
Hope these guys are alright!
xSYDNEYxRUIDOSx
what a sick ass story
Nicholas Bourgeois
god, that's fucking beautiful. every streetlight show I've gone to was amazing but that story right there, man..
Rob Erik
was the show in new jersey? my buds and I often got hammered and helped people just for shits and giggles at streetlight and catch22 concerts. But i mean REALLY hammered so I probably wouldn't remember you.
StellaBaebums
@Rob Erikomg... Fuckin THANK you for reminding me about Whole Wheat Bread
Chacha Gh
I can't find the numb part about this. It's so energetic and full of life.
FarkasTheWild
The lyrics buddy, but I get what you mean. (Sorry for the 3 years late response lol)
Malice Sutton
Came for the choker necklace stayed for the saxophone
Martian Trinkets
For me it’s the bob