Tomas Kalnoky is a Czech-born American musician who gained fame as a member of the bands, Streetlight Manifesto and Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution. Also famous as Toh Kay, the music star deviated from the path of engineering that his parents had set for him into becoming a musician. The decision has since paid well for him as it has made him both famous and rich.
The multi-talented artist has remained one of the most private music stars one could come across as he ensures that almost nothing about himself is out to the public. Nonetheless, we have been able to unravel much about him.
Biography of Tomas Kalnoky
Tomas was born on December 24, 1980, in Prague, Czechia. Of Greek descent, he grew up in a not too favourable circumstances in his homeland, and his parents sought out a better life for their family by relocating abroad. The family moved to the United States when he was only five years old.
Even though he has not made any revelation about his parents, it is known that he was brought up alongside an older brother, Achilles.
For his education, he went to Rutgers University, New Jersey, before moving over to the Savannah College of Arts and Design. He was 20 years old at the time. Although he later graduated with a degree, he revealed that the main reason why he stayed in school was that he wanted to get away from everything and so for the entire six to seven years, he did not go for any show.
Tomas formed his music bands when he was in college. He formed his first band Catch 22 when he was at Rutgers University. He formed the Streetlight Manifesto when he was at Savannah College.
Unknown Facts About Tomas Kalnoky
1. What his parents wanted for him and his brother was different from what he did
His parents had planned and hoped that he would become an Engineer and a pianist, while they planned that his brother, Achilles, would be a Doctor and violinist.
Achilles stuck to the program and is now a Doctor, but Tomas dropped out of Engineering School at Rutgers, because he preferred studying Graphic Design instead.
2. His rebellion did not destroy his relationship with his parents
Despite not towing the path his parents wanted for him. He remains a responsible and loving child. Many of his fans have commented about seeing his parents at most of his concerts. His parents must have had a rethink about their decision and decided to support him.
3. The effect of communism forced his family to emigrate
In 1985 when Tomas turned 5, his parents decided they had seen enough of the effects of Communism in Czechoslovakia and wanted a better life for their children, so they devised an elaborate plan and emigrated to the United States of America.
4. He would have served in the Greek military
Although a better part of his life was spent in the United States, there was a time he spent some time in Greece. He fled the country after his revelation because he would have been required to serve in the country’s military by virtue of his citizenship.
5. He was influenced by various music bands
He revealed that The Beatles pop group influenced him to learn to play the guitar. He has also been influenced by groups and individuals like The Drifters, Mason Jennings, Bad Religion, Jaromir Nahavica, The Suicide Machines, etc.
6. Music Career
He launched out into the music scene in 1996 with a band called Gimp – releasing just a cassette with them. He joined the group, Catch 22 after leaving the former, alongside 2 ex-Gimp members. Then he kicked it with Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, releasing an EP in 2001.
A year later he joined Streetlight Manifesto, along with 3 ex-members of Catch 22, releasing a couple of songs till 2013.
7. He had a bicycle accident in 2009
He was involved in a bicycle accident while on Van’s Warped Tour in 2009 and broke his arm, rendering him unable to play the guitar during the band’s live performance, but he did manage to hold the microphone to sing.
8. Tomas is a perfectionist and a bundle of talent
Tomas proclaimed himself a Perfectionist – one not willing to release any single or album till it was perfect in every way. He delayed the release of 2 albums – Somewhere in the Between and Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, for this reason.
Tomas is a very versatile musician. He sings, writes songs and also plays the guitar. The song They provide the paint for the picture-perfect masterpiece that you will paint on the insides of your Eyelids was written by him, and a few others as well.
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9. He also had a solo career
He decided to go solo in 2010 and went by the stage name Toh Kay. He released his first album in 2010 titled You By Me: Vol. 1, which was followed by Streetlight Lullabies (2011) and 2 more, with the latest coming in 2014.
10. Long Drive Therapy
Tomas stated that he finds long-distance driving to be very therapeutic for him. He disclosed that he once drove for 21 hours, stopping only to top up gas and for bathroom breaks.
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11. Reports claimed he was once engaged
Tomas has successfully kept his relationships away from the prying lens of the media/paparazzi, he has never made any of his past relationships public knowledge. Various online platforms claim he once came close to getting married as he was once engaged before it came to an end. However, there has never been a mention of the name of the woman he was allegedly engaged to.
What is known about him, for now, is that he is not married yet and does not have kids.
12. He has a $1.5 million net worth
Tomas has been in and around the music scene since his college days and before he turned professional. He has been able to acquire a net worth of about $1.5 million with the potential of increasing this in the future.
