This shot captures Thomas Barnett of Strike Anywhere mid-air at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach, CA, on May 11, 2022. If you’ve ever been to a Strike Anywhere show, you know Thomas doesn’t just perform—he launches himself into every song with relentless energy. In the background, Matt Smith is locked in on guitar, driving the melody forward as the chaos unfolds around him. The motion, the intensity, the urgency—it’s everything this band stands for, both sonically and politically.

Strike Anywhere has always been more than just a band—they’re a voice for activism and resistance, channeling their energy into songs about police brutality, anti-capitalism, workers’ rights, animal rights, and globalization. Their logo, inspired by antifascist symbols like the Three Arrows and the Iron Front, reflects their defiant stance against authoritarianism.

This night at Alex’s Bar was no different. The room was packed, the crowd pressed against the stage, fists raised, shouting back every word. The band—Matt Smith (guitar, vocals), Garth Petrie (bass), Eric Kane (drums), and Mark Miller (guitar, vocals)—delivered a relentless set, proving why they’re still one of the most powerful voices in melodic hardcore. The lighting and movement worked in my favor, and the slow shutter speed I used captured the raw, frenetic energy that defines their live shows.

Setlist from May 11, 2022:

Chalkline, We Amplify / Blaze, I’m Your Opposite Number, Timebomb Generation, Frontier Glitch, To the World, You’re Fired, Allies, Dress the Wounds, Refusal, Infrared, Sunset on 32nd.