CONCERT REVIEW
Light shines on Streetlight Manifesto

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12/5/06
By CHRIS JORDAN
STAFF WRITER

From afar, there might have been doubts that the legions of kids, teens and 20somethings who assembled at Starland Balloon in Sayreville Sunday night did not catch on that it was the third show of the annual Light of Day Parkinson's disease benefit.

Those doubts were convincingly dispelled when Light of Day founder Bob Benjamin of Highland Park took the stage during headliner Streetlight Manifesto's set.

"Bob! Bob! Bob!" came the chant from the enthusiastic crowd of more than 1,000.

Benjamin's mic was malfunctioning for part of his address, but the warmth emanating from the crowd was unmistakable.

The audience was fired up over Streetlight Manifesto's set, as well. The East Brunswick band merges third-wave ska with a world music vibe, and the result is a glorious and unifying experience. Lead singer Tomas Kalnoky's lyrics are dark and foreboding on the surface, but overall they resonate with a hard-won hope. "Point/Counterpoint," performed on Sunday, is a good example of the Kalnoky style. He begins the narrative with the speaker holding a gun in his hand, contemplating suicide, then decides against it — choosing instead to save another potential suicide victim.

Musically, the seven-piece band explodes with rapid-fire riddims, bone-jarring tempo changes and oi! music sing-alongs.

The group, a favorite of the Springsteen household, was asked by Starland co-owner Tony Pallagrosi to participate in the Light of Day.

"We canceled a few dates to be here and we just came up from Florida yesterday," said Kalnoky backstage before his band's performance. "I think we represent a new generation of bands who are coming to the Light of Day cause."

Instead of the tried and true Jersey Shore rocker types who usually populate Light of Day lineups, Sunday's bill was filled with pop-punk, ska and post-hardcore bands. The audience was much younger than the previous two nights.

Younger, but apparently just as informed about the Light of Day's mission.

"This is amazing," said Josh Lowe, 16, of Toms River. "There's so much energy here, and it's really getting the word out."

Lowe, by the way, was dressed as a pepper for no other reason than he chose to be dressed as a pepper.

As for the "word" of the Light of Day, Benjamin, a Parkinson's sufferer, has assembled everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Michael J. Fox, also a victim of Parkinson's, since 2000 in the effort to raise funds and awareness about the disease. Shows took place Friday through Sunday at Starland Ballroom and featured more than 40 acts. More L.O.D. shows are scheduled for later this month in England, Italy and Spain.

As Springsteen's appearance was the highlight of Saturday's show, Streetlight shone on Sunday, clearly the passion of its own adoring audience.

"Find something you're passionate about," said Benjamin in an inspirational mood to the audience, "and get involved."