Streetlight - Lamp
Manifesto - Decree
Streetlight + Manifesto = Pure Unadulturated Musical Joy
Late August 2003 saw the emergence of this third-wave ska band. Streetlight combines many different music styles, including, jazz, reggae, punk, acoustic, and rock all to produce a style of music which has the potential to make people respect - yes, i said respect - the much-looked-down-upon genre of Ska.
The band itself is formed from the best of two other ska groups, old Catch 22 and One Cool Guy. From Catch 22 there is Josh Ansley (bass), Jamie Egan (trumpet) and Tomas Kalnoky (guitar, vocals & songwriting). From One Cool Guy there is Chris Thather (drums), Jim Conti (tenor sax), Dan Ross (bari sax), and Mike Saprano (trombone.)
Kalnoky is truly the heart of the band. His guitar playing is not necessarily anything special in itself, though it is still good. His vocals, however, are where he shines the most, having refined his voice and brought it to new more angry and energetic heights since "Keasby Knights." His song writing is extremely origonal and diverse. Songs do not follow cliched patterns of verse-chorus-verse. You never know what to expect. Also, Kalnoky's lyrics are absolutely incredible - a good friend of mine made the observation that they were almost as good as radiohead's (that's pretty good). The other sections of the band are equally amazing. Thather on drums is easily one of the most talented contemporary drummers and goes from style to style as he plays. John Ansley is also a terrific bassist with some of the most ingenuitive lines i have ever heard. And finally, the horn section is what gives streetlight their power. Unlike other ska bands nowadays, the horn section does not have "corny" horn lines or only come out with occasional bursts here and there. Streetlight features very complex horn parts which define the sound of the band, and the horns very often have terrific solos. All that having been said this makes for a truly terrific band.
Their first cd was known as "Everything Goes Numb." Truly top notch stuff. It is diverse and a perfect combination of wonderful songs which produce a cohesive album. Key tracks include, "Everything Went Numb," "Point/Counterpoint" and "A Moment of Silence." In fact, every song on this cd is a hit, and I could not claim to dislike anyone of them. I highly reccommend that you buy this cd, even if Ska's not your thing. You'll be glad you did.
Manifesto - Decree
Streetlight + Manifesto = Pure Unadulturated Musical Joy
Late August 2003 saw the emergence of this third-wave ska band. Streetlight combines many different music styles, including, jazz, reggae, punk, acoustic, and rock all to produce a style of music which has the potential to make people respect - yes, i said respect - the much-looked-down-upon genre of Ska.
The band itself is formed from the best of two other ska groups, old Catch 22 and One Cool Guy. From Catch 22 there is Josh Ansley (bass), Jamie Egan (trumpet) and Tomas Kalnoky (guitar, vocals & songwriting). From One Cool Guy there is Chris Thather (drums), Jim Conti (tenor sax), Dan Ross (bari sax), and Mike Saprano (trombone.)
Kalnoky is truly the heart of the band. His guitar playing is not necessarily anything special in itself, though it is still good. His vocals, however, are where he shines the most, having refined his voice and brought it to new more angry and energetic heights since "Keasby Knights." His song writing is extremely origonal and diverse. Songs do not follow cliched patterns of verse-chorus-verse. You never know what to expect. Also, Kalnoky's lyrics are absolutely incredible - a good friend of mine made the observation that they were almost as good as radiohead's (that's pretty good). The other sections of the band are equally amazing. Thather on drums is easily one of the most talented contemporary drummers and goes from style to style as he plays. John Ansley is also a terrific bassist with some of the most ingenuitive lines i have ever heard. And finally, the horn section is what gives streetlight their power. Unlike other ska bands nowadays, the horn section does not have "corny" horn lines or only come out with occasional bursts here and there. Streetlight features very complex horn parts which define the sound of the band, and the horns very often have terrific solos. All that having been said this makes for a truly terrific band.
Their first cd was known as "Everything Goes Numb." Truly top notch stuff. It is diverse and a perfect combination of wonderful songs which produce a cohesive album. Key tracks include, "Everything Went Numb," "Point/Counterpoint" and "A Moment of Silence." In fact, every song on this cd is a hit, and I could not claim to dislike anyone of them. I highly reccommend that you buy this cd, even if Ska's not your thing. You'll be glad you did.
by soontobepresjoe March 9, 2005
Definately one of the undisputed favorites in third wave ska today. Dispite the band's supposed issues with Catch 22, Tomas Kalnoky writes most of their songs, many seeming very similar to that of Catch 22's "Keasby Nights". Everything they have released to date has seen rave reviews by critics well versed in the genre and even some that aren't. As of right now they have two albums released, a complete cover of "Keasby Nights" being one of them. "Everything Went Numb" was the first album released and wasted no time at all placing the band on the top of today's ska genre. I personally recommend anything with the name on it...
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk with a gun in my hand wearing a bulletproof vest singing my my my how the time does fly when you know you're gonna die by the end of night say hey!"-Streetlight Manifesto
by MorganCaptaintheFirst April 13, 2006
One of the best ska bands to emerge in the past 5 years. Lead by Thomas Kalnoky and comprised of former members of Catch 22 and One Cool Guy, they have made one of the best albums and put on some of the best live shows that anyone could ever bare witness to.
by Ska FarHead September 6, 2004
by josh September 25, 2003
the biggest disgrace to music ever created . total bullshit . sounds like mexican music trying to be punk . its a complete and utter failure on the parts of poser band members, Thomas Kalnokey , Josh Ansley , and a few others who don't even deserve to be named . this band does NOT and NEVER will be able to claim the title of 'decent punk band' . the entire ska genre is total SHIT .
oh my gosh , streetlight manifesto is so freaking awful . the members of that band are a threat to society . they should be institutionilized . then cut 1000000 times with a razor blade . then dipped in a mixture of orange juice and salt . then have their fingers burned off , so they can never play again . then have their penises turned inside out , like some poorly executed sex change . suck on that bitches .
by taytaytheterminator January 2, 2011
The best Ska band ever. Every song (Or at least 90% of them) are enjoyable, which is very hard to find in a band. It was formed by former members of Catch-22. Most members are also members of Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution.
Tomas Kalnoky is the lead singer and songwriter of the band.
To date, they have made four albums (Though I don't really recommend buying the first, which is just early versions of later released songs).
Streetlight Manifesto demo.
Keasbey Nights, which was originally written for Catch-22.
Everything Goes Numb.
Somewhere in the Between. I could see this one offending religious people.
Tomas Kalnoky is the lead singer and songwriter of the band.
To date, they have made four albums (Though I don't really recommend buying the first, which is just early versions of later released songs).
Streetlight Manifesto demo.
Keasbey Nights, which was originally written for Catch-22.
Everything Goes Numb.
Somewhere in the Between. I could see this one offending religious people.
by Jesus Christ!! July 16, 2008
One of the best if not best fucking ska bands to ever come together. many of the members are in Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution.
by Kevin Thompson January 11, 2004