Streetlight Manifesto

Streetlight Manifesto

Streetlight Manifesto is a ska punk band from New Brunswick, United States, active since 2002. The group is led creatively by singer and guitarist Tomas Kalnoky. Its sound sits within punk and ska punk, and it is associated with the broader ska punk and skacore scene.

Formation and background

The band forms in 2002 with several members already known in the New Jersey ska community through earlier groups. Among those earlier connections are Tomas Kalnoky, James Egan, Mike Soprano and Josh Ansley from Catch 22, and Stuart Karmatz, Pete Sibilia, Dan Ross and Chris Paszik from One Cool Guy.

Albums and releases

Streetlight Manifesto releases four full-length albums. Its debut album, Everything Goes Numb, appears in 2003 and is distributed by Victory Records. The second album is Keasbey Nights, a reworking of the Catch 22 album of the same name, released in 2006. The third album, Somewhere in the Between, follows in 2007. The band also releases 99 Songs of Revolution: Volume One in 2010, a record of cover versions including songs by The Postal Service, Radiohead and NOFX.

Live activity and reputation

The band headlines its first show at Rutgers University in December 2003 to a sold-out audience. It also draws large crowds at early shows such as those at Rutgers and The Stone Pony, with attendees travelling from as far as Minnesota and Canada. Although it does not have major mainstream commercial success, it receives attention in alternative music circles and regularly sells out live performances.

Current line-up

The group’s line-up includes Tomas Kalnoky on guitar and lead vocals, Mike Brown on alto and baritone saxophone, Jim Conti on alto and tenor saxophone, Matt Stewart on trumpet, Pete McCullough on bass guitar, Chris Thatcher on drums, and Nadav Nirenberg. Josh Ansley is also listed among the members.