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
What A Wicked Gang Are We Below
Streetlight Manifesto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you looked sad, that's when I said I'd write you a song
Everybody's got their reasons; everybody's got their ghosts to fear
When I look back, all I see is I've done something wrong
Wrong, wrong, wrong, all I see is I've done something wrong
Wrong, wrong, wrong, all I see is I've done something wrong
Oh! My Dear! My tis of thee! What a tangled web we weave!
Everyone is the one until the one falls down
Then we're all just "please please please"
The painted rust will only fool the fools for just so long
Eventually, that's when they'll see everything was wrong
Wrong, wrong, wrong, that's when they'll see everything was wrong
Wrong, wrong, wrong, that's when they'll see everything was wrong
So here's to the boys who fight all the wars you will never fight for yourself
And you can ignore who-ever you want to, but in the end
Oh! The Shame! Humility! What a wicked gang are we!
Like a liar looking down on a thief looking down on a killer looking down on a creep
Oh! This sinking ship will only hold its course for just so long
Eventually, that's when they'll see everything is wrong
Wrong, wrong, wrong that's when they'll see everything is wrong
Wrong, wrong, wrong that's when they'll see everything is wrong
The lyrics of this song convey a sense of reflection and regret about past actions. The first verse talks about the realization that something was wrong in the past and the desire to make amends, illustrated by the promise to write a song for a sad friend. The second verse expands on this concept, acknowledging that everyone has their own reasons and struggles, and that sometimes it's hard to see the truth through the painted rust of deception. The chorus references the tangled web of lies and deceit that people can get caught up in, and how it ultimately leads to shame and a sense of being part of a twisted "gang". The bridge then takes on a more political tone, with a nod to the soldiers who fight for their country and the idea that we can all be complicit in the wrongs of society.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the human condition - how we all make mistakes and can get swept up in societal problems, but ultimately have the power to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look back, that's when I see everything was wrong
Reflecting on past actions shows that everything was problematic
And you looked sad, that's when I said I'd write you a song
Noticing someone's sadness prompts the creation of a musical gesture
Everybody's got their reasons; everybody's got their ghosts to fear
Everyone has their own motivations and fears that drive their behavior
Wrong, wrong, wrong, all I see is I've done something wrong
Feeling a heavy sense of guilt and responsibility for past mistakes
Oh! My Dear! My tis of thee! What a tangled web we weave!
Expressing a sense of ironic detachment and amused disbelief about the complexity of human interactions
Everyone is the one until the one falls down
The group dynamic shifts when one individual experiences hardship or failure
Then we're all just "please please please"
In the wake of an unexpected crisis, everyone is begging for help or mercy
The painted rust will only fool the fools for just so long
False facades and illusions can only deceive people for a temporary period of time
Eventually, that's when they'll see everything was wrong
Eventually, the truth will be revealed and people will realize that things were not as they seemed
So here's to the boys who fight all the wars you will never fight for yourself
Acknowledging the bravery and sacrifices of people who are willing to protect and serve others
And you can ignore who-ever you want to, but in the end
Ignoring certain people or problems does not make them disappear or go away
Oh! The Shame! Humility! What a wicked gang are we!
Commenting on the absurdity and darkness of human interactions and behavior
Like a liar looking down on a thief looking down on a killer looking down on a creep
No one is completely innocent or without fault, and everyone is capable of judging or looking down on others
Oh! This sinking ship will only hold its course for just so long
Drawing a metaphor to suggest that things are falling apart and cannot be sustained indefinitely
Wrong, wrong, wrong that's when they'll see everything is wrong
Coming to the realization that the situation is entirely flawed and misguided
Wrong, wrong, wrong that's when they'll see everything is wrong
Continuing to emphasize the depth of disappointment and regret about the past
Contributed by Charlotte H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.