Singer and songwriter Brad Skistimas, who performs as Five Times August, has released his latest single "Liars, Cheats, and Crooks."
Skistimas' new song delivers a defiant message of self-reliance in the face of corrupt bureaucracy, politicians, and corporations who look to assert power and influence over average citizens.
The song features The Defiant's Pete Parada on drums and The Spin Doctors' Mark White on Bass. "Liars, Cheats, and Crooks" is produced by fellow member of The Defiant Greg Camp.
Lyrics for "Liars, Cheats, and Crooks" were written several years ago, though Skistimas didn't record the track because he felt the song didn't mesh well with his previous folk releases. However, Skistimas said he became inspired by The Defiant's debut album If We're Really Being Honest and tapped Parada and Camp to work on the song.
The music video features images of cash transactions, the White House, and other politicians including President Joe Biden, former 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and Richard Nixon.
Skistimas' lyrics depict deception by a bureaucratic elite class and deliver a defiant rejection of their worldview.
"You want me scared, you want me weak / You want me brain dead and asleep / You want us trapped while you all laugh behind the scenes," Skistimas sings. "You’re just liars, cheats, and crooks / You change the rules and you burn the books / And so I don’t believe a single word you say." "Liars, Cheats, and Crooks" by Five Times August
Out now where digital music is sold & streamed.
Get it today: https://t.co/mPIxpIsMTS pic.twitter.com/DFWD6UtfLJ
— Five Times August (@FiveTimesAugust) June 27, 2024
Skistimas debuted a live performance of the song earlier this month during We Are the Change rally in Geneva, Switzerland. Five Times August “Liars, Cheats, and Crooks” live debut from Geneva WE ARE THE CHANGE rally 2024. New single drops digitally June 27th. pic.twitter.com/MxaUhXiTtf Skistimas rose to notoriety after releasing a series of folk songs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The songs, while not explicitly addressing politics or the pandemic, featured social commentary on the United States and culture. Last October, Skistimas released "Ain't No Rock and Roll" with Nashville-based Baste Records. The song, which marked Baste Records' debut release, also features Parada on drums. The music video features images of legacy rock stars including Gene Simmons of KISS, Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters among others. The images of legacy acts are accompanied by previous headlines and quotes from the performers as they threw support behind government mandates, performed shows exclusively for the vaccinated, and shunned fans who questioned government mandates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The track also received a vinyl release through Baste Records.
— Five Times August (@FiveTimesAugust) June 13, 2024
