# Tomas Kalnoky

Tomas Kalnoky (born December 24, 1980) is the lead singer and songwriter of the ska band Streetlight Manifesto. He is also a member of the Bandits Of The Acoustic Revolution, another music collective. He has also been involved with Catch 22 and Gimp.

## Sourced

* So you're tired of living Feel like you might give in Well don't. It's not your time
** "A Better Place, A Better Time," from Everything Goes Numb (2003)
* So tell me: how long do you think you can go before you lose it all? Before they call you bluff and watch you fall? I don't know, but I'd like to think I had control At some point, but I let it go and lost my soul
** "A Moment of Silence," from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* Last two soldiers on the battlefield survivors of the war they aim at one another while their mothers beg the lord "if you're listening, I'm missing him so somehow bring him home" how did it come to this? so the soldiers lift their rifles and they're aiming at the head they think of their first love before they take a final breath and somewhere in the distance they hear something someone said how did it come to this?
** "The Big Sleep," from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* Years go by, the time it does fly And every single second is a moment in time That passes oh so quick, and it seems like nothing But when you're looking back well it amounts to everything
** "1234, 1234," from "Keasbey Nights" (2003)
* I got no cash I got no girl but I got the world in the palm of my hand and I don't care if you care or if you understand because I'm a little kid and I've got little problems and I don't give a shit if you don't, you don't understand because: I got me. That's all I need. And I live comfortably. And I sleep peacefully.
** "Giving Up, Giving In," from Keasbey Nights (2006)
* Right and wrong
    There's not a lot of difference when you're singing that poor man's song
    And that song it goes just a little like this:
   * "Everything Went Numb" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* I take that back I won't stop singing when I'm dead
    I'll sing from the great beyond, I will echo in your head
    And if you think taking your life will set your free
    You've got something to learn, it's called humility
    You've got something to learn, it's called humility
   * "That'll Be The Day" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* I'd like to sing a song (please swear you won't be long)
    I'll try not to be long but I don't want to get this story wrong
    There was a kid who never cared about the little things
    Don't even bother because I'm tired and I'm sick of it
    And everything she makes a point I'll make a counterpoint
    She said it's easy but in the end you'll have no choice
    And you know that's only just the way that it goes
    (You said it right man, that is just the way that it goes)
    I've got a gun in my hand but that gun won't cock
    My finger's on the trigger but that trigger seems locked
    And I can't stop staring at the tick tock clock
    And even if I could I would never give up
    With a vest on my chest and a bullet in my lung
    I can't believe I'm dying with my song unsung
    So if and when I die won't you bury me alone?
    Because I'll never get to heaven if I'm singing this song:
    Oh, you don't know where I've been
    Oh, you don't know what I've seen
   * "Point/Counterpoint" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* Don't you come to me with all your color-coded quotes
    Everybody's laughing but they never ever get my jokes
    Fool, you're a tool, a sheep
    And it's obvious to everyone but company you keep
    And don't you squint and me because your childhood was the pits
    Every single one of us have trodden through our shit
    Oh, and I know you're shrewd
    Because I smell it on your clothes
    It's in everything you do
    Falling, fallen, we all fall down
    It only really matters how we stand our ground
    And if and when we rise to our feet again
    We'll be on our own
   * "If And When We Rise Again" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* It hurts too much to stand by
    You've got to stop and draw a line
    And everyone here has to choose a side tonight
    The moment of truth is haunting you
    Don't forget your family
    Regardless of what you choose to do
    You can't decide
    And they're all screaming “Why won't you?”
    I'll start the engine but I can't take this ride for you
    I'll draw the bath and I'll load your gun
    But I hope so hard that you bathe and hunt
   * "A Better Place, A Better Time" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* And now I know it's hard when you don't know what to think
    And every single smile is a foil and you're waking up
    You might try but you won't get by until you're crucified for all the things you try to do
    Well I don't care if you sink or swim
    And I don't care how you hold it in
    As long as you don't bother me with all the things I don't bother you with
    And 9 times out of 10 you might be right
    But what about that time you know you're wrong?
    You sing that same song
    And everybody smiles but they'll never get along
   * "We Are The Few" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* You say you've got the cure
    But I don't have a disease
    And you say you've got the answers
    But I've made no inquiries
    Well you say you're life's a bore
    And I can't quite disagree
    If you judge your life by the pieces of shit that inhabit your TV
    Because they stand so proud, and they talk so loud
    And every other word is a lie
    I've found that everyone who is anyone is a waste of time
   * "Failing, Flailing" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* Hey there Salinger, what did you do?
    Just when the world was looking to you
    To write anything that meant anything
    You told us you were through
    And it's been years since you passed away
    But I see no plaque, and I see no grave
    And I can't help believing that you wanted it that way
    And Vincent Van Gogh, why do you weep?
    You were on your way to heaven but the road was steep
    And who was there to break your fall?
    We're guilty, one and all
    And I don't know much, but I do know this: With a golden heart comes a rebel fist
    And I can't help agreeing with those that would not quit
    And it makes me sick when I think of it
    All my heroes could not live with this
    And I hope you rest in peace because with us you never did
    And K.D.C. you were much too young
    And you changed my life
    But I draw the line at suicide
    So here's to life!
   * "Here's to Life (Reprise)" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* A moment of silence please for those that never get the chance
    They show up to the party but they're never asked to dance
    The losers the liars the bastards the thieves
    The cynicists, the pessimists and those that don't believe in nothing
    I never met a loser that I didn't see eye to eye with, I declare
    I stare into your eyes
    But you look right past me into the air
    What's it like to stand in your shoes?
    To have never felt the belt of somebody's abuse?
    I take the bottle and I tip it to all my heroes that have passed
    Alas, your have left us but your stories they will last
    Uninspired by the recruiting call
    Independent we stand
    Independent we fall
    So tell me: How long do you think you can go before you lose it all?
    Before they call your bluff and watch you fall?
    I don't know but I'd like to think I had control
    At some point but I let it go and lost my soul
    Sit tight but the revolution's years away
    I'm losing faith and I'm running low on things to say
    So I guess I have no choice but to regurgitate
    The tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite
    Oh! To have died that night I realised it wouldn't last!
    Our days were numbered and the reaper tipped the hourglass
    The final mayday of our sinking ship had come and passed
    Oh! To the west, you don't know what it is you're running from
    And everybody's laughing loud
    Your last chance to make your mother and your father proud
   * "A Moment of Silence" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* It doesn't really matter if you lead or follow
    Everybody's laughing like there's no tomorrow and even if there was, would you still go following your friends?
    I don't know where we went wrong, we're still singing those same sad songs
    “It's my life, not your life, I'll end it when I want”
    And now I'm off to save the world once again
    But I don't know how I'll pull it off this time
    I think I'm going to drown
    Now he's off to save the world once again
    But he don't know how he'll pull it off this time
    I just know I'm going to drown
   * "The Saddest Song" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* Why do you cry when you know how the story ends?
    How can you laugh when you know that it hurts your friends?
    We've all been there once but you never left
    This is me coming back to get you out
    To say goodbye to make amends
    I'm not leaving this place
    Unless I'm leaving with you
    'Cos you're the only person with a half decent heart here
    And I know you will put it to use
    Me and Mr. Dylan on the ride home
    We had a heart to heart about life
    But neither him or me could decide for ourselves if we wanted to outlive that night
    Like two children on the playground of the unconfessed souls
    Abandoned by our mothers and our lovers and our foes
    If only we were brave enough to live the lives we stole
    What a wonderful world this could be!
    So how many more examples until we break?
    So how many sacrifices must we make?
    Because we've all been there once before
    And it looks like we've returned once more
    So is this the beginning or the end?
   * "The Big Sleep" from "Everything Goes Numb" (2003)
* We'll not be victims there'll be no victims of to speak
    And only then will we be free
    And up will rise the meek
    And when we fall we will fall together
    No one will catch us so we'll catch ourselves
    And where we roam, we will roam forever
    No one will understand what we meant
    The beaten and the bruised, forsaken, the abused
    Oh what a glorious day we'll have rising up and claiming all our dues
    The day will come as sure as the ever-setting sun
    All of those that self-impose will find themselves so indisposed
    Now, with the line drawn in the wet sand
    You need to tell us where you stand
    Sitting waiting watching rotting everything they warned us of is true
    Now tell me what we're all supposed to do
    They're coming after all of us with everything they've got
    With the fury of a soldier who will answer to his God
    So how will we fight? All we have is logic and love on our side
   * "We Will Fall Together" from "Somewhere In the Between" (2007)
* If I were you, I would take this as a sign
    Believe it's true, we were never meant to fly
    And I owe you, I know you more than anyone alive
    And I will not let go
    They will not remember this song
    No matter what we do we'll be wrong
    They will not remember this song
    No matter what we do we'll be wrong
    I can't seem to see the seal we're breaking
    I can't seem to see the seal we broke
    I refuse to recognise your views
    Someone shouted "Everything's for nothing"
    Somebody shouted, "All is lost"
    But I can't buy that nonsense too
    Way back when the prophecies began
    Do you think they really had a master plan?
    Or were they merely writing fables, stories?
    I don't know but it has occurred to me
    The punishment that they threaten constantly
    It's only real if they could just convince me
    So fuck the flocks of sheep that keep amassing masses
    Asses being led so far astray
    And I won't claim to believe the things I read
    Black books or agenda magazines
    I'd rather see in shades of gray
    If I were you, I would take this as a sign
    Believe it's true, we were never meant to fly
    And I knew you when you were you
    Before they twisted all your views
    Before you came unglued
   * "Down, Down, Down to Mephisto's Cafe" from "Somewhere in the Between" (2007)
* Would you be impressed if I said that the dead would help us counting
    Every single moment that we waste our time?
    All the time we're spending vaccinating this disease
    I just get dizzy when I think of all the ways we try to hide our maladies
    We wine (We wine!), we dine (We dine!), and everything is fine
    Because it's not my fault
    Now you're upset because you finally got the notion
    That everything you had is spinning down the drain
    Oh! Do you mean it when you beg and pray and plead?
    Your "Giveittomegiveittomegiveittomegiveittome all those things we need"
    And what, pray tell, will you whimper when your number will be called
    You'll say "It's not my fault"
    I had a dream last night where everyone was trying
    Subconsciously I knew it was a lie
    And when I woke I knew that it was time to pray
    To make amends before the end, before my judgement day
    I looked around, I stood alone, I knew what I had to say
    I said "It's all my fault"
   * "Would You Be Impressed?" from "Somewhere in the Between" (2007)
* Little miss dismissed can't miss like a detuned radio
    I cannot believe you when you tell me what you know
    And nothing will be broken if your house is made of stone
    But you know as I do it will never be a home
    We want it, they got it
    They claim we'll die without it
    But something tells me they are wrong
    So what will you do when they call your name and you're not ready to go?
    Everyone will stare at you and tell you what you know
    That you're in too deep and you can't quite keep your secrets, one and all
    We might just make it after all, on our own
    We might just make it after all
    But we had one foot on the gas and one foot in the grave
    Everyone was laughing when we said we had it made
   * "One Foot on the Gas, One Foot in the Grave" from "Somewhere in the Between" (2007)
* So mercy, mercy, mercy me
    Praying for the death of a man I'll never meet
    Though everyone will know the truth they'll still just make believe
    Mercy mercy me
    That's all they came for, that's all they took
    That's all we had to offer, only dirty looks
    And when they realized we'd given all we could, that's when they finally understood
    Mercy mercy mercy me
    Haunted by the memories of things we'll never see
    Guilty for the statements that we'll never get to speak
    Mercy mercy me
    "We can't quite blame it on our mothers
    Claim everything they did was always wrong"
    And there ain't no turning back when our train is off its track
    And there's nothing we can do but watch it crash
    And there ain't no right and wrong when we know it won't be long
    And there's nothing we can do but watch it crash
   * "Watch It Crash" from "Somewhere in the Between" (2007)
* Maybe the times we had, they weren't that bad
    And everything else was part of the plan
    We sang: "I don't know where we go from here"
    This is the alpha, omega, beginning and the end
    And we all just idolize the dead
    So you were born (So you were born!), and that was a good day
    Someday you'll die (Someday you'll die!), and that is a shame
    But somewhere in the between was a life of which we all dream
    And nothing and no one will ever take that away
    You had a love and that love had you
    And nothing mattered, you were fine
    And some will complain, they're just bitter, what a shame
    They know that loving and losing is better than nothing at all
    Maybe the times we had, they weren't that bad
    And everything else was part of our path
    We sang: "I don't know where we go from here"
    This is the anthem, the slogan, the summary of events
    And we all just idealize the past
   * "Somewhere In The Between" from "Somewhere in the Between" (2007)
* The blonde lead the blind, but now I being to see
    All the things you missed when you were dismissed
    Because learning always ended at three
    And time after time, you pass along liability
    And all the things you say, they only give you away
    Because you're on the same level that you were that day
    Oh! Friend! You look too deep at the cover of the magazine
    But the words inside they come across deprived
    And they force feed shit, but you still subscribe
    And you watch, but you don't see
    You touch, but you don't feel
    And you'll rue the day they'll try to take it away
    But they know you'll never fight it if they keep it the same
    Did you loose faith?
    Yes, I lost faith in the powers that be
    But in doing so I came across the will to disagree
    And I gave up, yes I gave up and then I gave in
    But I take responsibility for every single sin
   * "The Blonde Lead the Blind" from "Somewhere in the Between" (2007)
* So Marigold, my love, you've had too much to drink
    And I need not remind you, our discount tickets for this sinking ship
    Take-backs and sweet regrets, that's all that we have left
    No one is looking out for anyone but number one
    One to one, two to dance, we all get our sweet romance
    Though sour grapes will turn to wine it's all just vinegar with time
   * "The Receiving End of it All" from "Somewhere in the Between" (2007)
* 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
    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
   * "What A Wicked Gang Are We" from "Somewhere in the Between" (2007)
* Please excuse my enemies
    I think they do not know
    That I will gladly self-destruct
    if they leave me alone.
* "This is the start, the beginning The prologue to the yarn that you're spinning A million synonyms will never get close to describe the feeling"
** If Only for Memories from "The Hands That Thieve" (2013)

## External links

* http://risc.perix.co.uk/
* http://www.streetlightmanifesto.com/
* http://www.theriscgroup.com/
* http://www.pentimentomusic.com/
* http://www.acousticbandits.com/
* http://www.tohkaydesign.com/
* http://www.njcatch22.com/
* http://www.victoryrecords.com/index_ad.php
* The Work of Tomas Kalnoky