Liars, Cheats, and Crooks

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the rebellious anthem "Liars, Cheats, and Crooks" by Five Times August for their devoted Zoo Freaks. This track, from the 2024 single of the same name, is a fiery call-out to dishonesty in power, packed with raw energy and biting lyrics. One piece of trivia that stands out is that the song was written years ago by Brad Skistimas, the man behind Five Times August, but he shelved it because it didn’t vibe with his folkier sound at the time. It wasn’t until he connected with the punk-rock spirit of The Defiant and their album If We’re Really Being Honest that he felt inspired to dust it off and give it life. Skistimas teamed up with some heavy hitters for the recording, including Greg Camp of Smash Mouth and The Defiant as producer, Pete Parada of The Offspring and The Defiant on drums, and Mark White of The Spin Doctors on bass, creating a powerhouse sound that’s both polished and defiant.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s live debut, which happened at the WE ARE THE CHANGE rally in Geneva in 2024, as shared in a post on X. The crowd’s energy was electric, and Skistimas later hyped the track as a “summer jam” on X, promising it would resonate with listeners. The music video, as noted on sites like Forbidden Knowledge TV, is a visual punch, featuring imagery of cash transactions, the White House, and political figures like Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, amplifying the song’s anti-establishment message. The lyrics, like “You change the rules and you burn the books / And so I don’t believe a single word you say,” hit hard, reflecting Skistimas’ frustration with bureaucratic elites, a theme that’s struck a chord with fans who see it as a rallying cry against corruption.

Brad Skistimas, the creative force of Five Times August, kicked off his musical journey in Dallas, Texas, where he grew up with a knack for songwriting. As a teenager, he was already crafting introspective acoustic tunes, blending folk, rock, and pop influences. His early career took shape in the early 2000s when he started performing under the Five Times August moniker, a name inspired by a poignant moment in his life, though he’s kept the exact meaning close to the chest. Skistimas built a grassroots following by tirelessly touring colleges and small venues, selling CDs out of his car, and leveraging early social media platforms like MySpace to connect with fans. His DIY ethos and raw, honest songwriting set him apart in an industry often dominated by major labels. Over time, he evolved from introspective ballads to more socially charged anthems, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when songs like “Ain’t No Rock and Roll” gained traction for their bold commentary.

Skistimas’ independent spirit has kept Five Times August thriving without corporate backing, and his fans, who connect through platforms like Facebook and Instagram, admire his authenticity. You can catch his latest updates on his official website, fivetimesaugust.com, where he shares tour dates, merch, and new releases. His X account is a hotspot for real-time thoughts and interactions, often buzzing with fans sharing their love for tracks like “Liars, Cheats, and Crooks.” While there aren’t many dedicated fan websites, the Five Times August Facebook page serves as a lively hub where supporters swap stories, post concert clips, and discuss his music’s impact. There’s also a growing presence on fan-driven platforms like Reddit’s connectasong community, where users have shared the song, sparking conversations about its bold message.