Strike Anywhere
Encyclopedia
Strike Anywhere is a punk rock
/melodic hardcore
band from Richmond, Virginia
. Formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's
previous band, Inquisition, they took their name from the Inquisition song "Strike Anywhere". Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and emotionally-charged vocals delivered via shouting and singing. The band has received an increased amount of attention after their music appeared in 3 Tony Hawk
video games: Tony Hawk's Underground
in 2003 ("Refusal"), Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
in 2005 ("Question the Answer"), and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
("The Promise"). They were also featured in the documentary Wake Up Screaming about the 2005 Vans
Warped Tour
. The band played their last show with guitarist Matt Sherwood in Auckland, New Zealand on March 17, 2007, with Mark Miller replacing Sherwood. Since then, the band has continued its regimen of international touring, including the group's first South American tour, where they played Brazil and Colombia. The band also did a European festival tour in Summer of 2008. Strike Anywhere is now signed with Bridge Nine Records, and in an interview, Barnett said "There's no celebrity culture, there's nothing but hard work and a love for art with Bridge 9."
, anti-capitalism
, women's rights
, animal rights
, and globalization
. They have also contributed tracks to political benefit albums, such as a live version of "Sunset on 32nd" for 1157 Wheeler Avenue: A Memorial for Amadou Diallo
and "To the World" for the Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
album. According to the liner notes for their album Change is a Sound
, they support "the vegetarian lifestyle, the living wage movement and the fight against corporate globalization". With its 2006 release Dead FM
, the band moved away from political slogans to address "more sociological ideas about why these (events) happen".
Their logo is similar to the Antifascist Circle
, except the arrows are pointed south-east insted of south-west.
Strike Anywhere generally allows audience members to record their live performances for personal, non-commercial use, and has gone so far as to authorize the Internet Archive
to create a section where fans can upload and share their recordings.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
/melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on vocal melody. The genre is commonly defined with fast hardcore drum beats, complex guitar riffs and melodic singing with occasional screaming and shouting.-History:...
band from Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's
Thomas Barnett (musician)
Thomas Barnett is an American singer-songwriter born in Richmond, Virginia.He is best known for being the singer for the melodic hardcore band Strike Anywhere. Barnett has been the vocalist and lyricist for the band since its formation in 1999. He was also the vocalist and primary lyricist for the...
previous band, Inquisition, they took their name from the Inquisition song "Strike Anywhere". Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and emotionally-charged vocals delivered via shouting and singing. The band has received an increased amount of attention after their music appeared in 3 Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk
Anthony Frank "Tony" Hawk , nicknamed "The Birdman" is an American retired professional skateboarder and actor. Hawk gained significant fame for completing the first 900 as well as his licensed video game titles distributed by Activision...
video games: Tony Hawk's Underground
Tony Hawk's Underground
Tony Hawk's Underground, abbreviated to THUG, is a skateboarding video game, available for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and Xbox platforms released in 2003. A PC version was released exclusively in Australia as a budget release in 2005. This version was ported by Beenox. In 2004,...
in 2003 ("Refusal"), Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, abbreviated to THAW, is a video game that was released for the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube and PC on October 18, 2005. Part of the Tony Hawk series, the game was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision.The PC version of the game was ported and...
in 2005 ("Question the Answer"), and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam is a video game in the Tony Hawk series. The game was a launch title for Nintendo's Wii, and is also available for the Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 2....
("The Promise"). They were also featured in the documentary Wake Up Screaming about the 2005 Vans
Vans
Vans is an American based manufacturer of sneakers, skateboarding shoes, BMX shoes, snowboarding boots and other shoe types.- History :On March 16, 1966, at 704 E. Broadway, in Anaheim, California, brothers Paul Van Doren, James Van Doren, and three other partners opened up their first store...
Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
. The band played their last show with guitarist Matt Sherwood in Auckland, New Zealand on March 17, 2007, with Mark Miller replacing Sherwood. Since then, the band has continued its regimen of international touring, including the group's first South American tour, where they played Brazil and Colombia. The band also did a European festival tour in Summer of 2008. Strike Anywhere is now signed with Bridge Nine Records, and in an interview, Barnett said "There's no celebrity culture, there's nothing but hard work and a love for art with Bridge 9."
Political stance
Strike Anywhere lyrics touch on such issues as police brutalityPolice brutality
Police brutality is the intentional use of excessive force, usually physical, but potentially also in the form of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer....
, anti-capitalism
Anti-capitalism
Anti-capitalism describes a wide variety of movements, ideas, and attitudes which oppose capitalism. Anti-capitalists, in the strict sense of the word, are those who wish to completely replace capitalism with another system....
, women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
, animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
, and globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
. They have also contributed tracks to political benefit albums, such as a live version of "Sunset on 32nd" for 1157 Wheeler Avenue: A Memorial for Amadou Diallo
Amadou Diallo
Amadou Diallo was a 23-year-old Guinean immigrant in New York City who was shot and killed on February 4, 1999 by four New York City Police Department plain-clothed officers: Sean Carroll, Richard Murphy, Edward McMellon and Kenneth Boss. The four officers fired a total of 41 shots...
and "To the World" for the Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 is a Rock Against Bush compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. It contains a collection of songs, both released and unreleased, by various punk rock artists and includes a bonus DVD with political facts, commentary regarding the U.S...
album. According to the liner notes for their album Change is a Sound
Change is a Sound
Change Is a Sound is the debut album by the punk rock band Strike Anywhere, released in 2001. The album's lyrics explore such themes as women's rights , and police brutality...
, they support "the vegetarian lifestyle, the living wage movement and the fight against corporate globalization". With its 2006 release Dead FM
Dead FM
Dead FM is the third studio album by Strike Anywhere. It was recorded April 2006 at Salad Days Studios by Brian McTernan. It contains songs that focus on the band's leftist political views, as well as branching out to discuss issues such as singer Thomas Barnett's grandfather's work on the...
, the band moved away from political slogans to address "more sociological ideas about why these (events) happen".
Their logo is similar to the Antifascist Circle
Antifascist Circle
The Antifascist Circle is a logo designed by Sergei Tschachotin - former assistant to the physiologist Ivan Pavlov - in 1931 for the 1930s German anti-fascist organization Iron Front. The logo was designed to be able to easily cover up Nazi swastikas. The meaning of the three arrows have been...
, except the arrows are pointed south-east insted of south-west.
Strike Anywhere generally allows audience members to record their live performances for personal, non-commercial use, and has gone so far as to authorize the Internet Archive
Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
to create a section where fans can upload and share their recordings.
Current
- Thomas BarnettThomas Barnett (musician)Thomas Barnett is an American singer-songwriter born in Richmond, Virginia.He is best known for being the singer for the melodic hardcore band Strike Anywhere. Barnett has been the vocalist and lyricist for the band since its formation in 1999. He was also the vocalist and primary lyricist for the...
- vocals - Matt Smith - guitar, vocals
- Garth Petrie - bass
- Eric Kane - drums
- Mark Miller - guitar, vocals
EPs
- Chorus of OneChorus of OneChorus of One is a punk rock EP by the band Strike Anywhere, released in 2000. The EP is now out of print, though the entirety of its content has since been made available as part of Strike Anywhere's To Live in Discontent rarities compilation album....
(Red Leader Records (CD)/No Idea RecordsNo Idea RecordsFor other uses, see No Idea .No Idea Records is an independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida which produces both vinyl records and compact discs...
(LP), 2000) - Fat ClubFat ClubThe Fat Club is a series of twelve 7-inch singles released monthly by Fat Wreck Chords from February 2001 to January 2002. Limited numbers of each single were pressed; They were not available for sale individually, but were distributed by postal service to those who purchased a subscription to the...
(Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
, 2001) - Underground Europe: The 1999 Demos (Scene Police, 2001)
- Iron Front (Bridge 9 RecordsBridge 9 RecordsBridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
(Digital EP) 2009)
Studio albums
- Change is a SoundChange is a SoundChange Is a Sound is the debut album by the punk rock band Strike Anywhere, released in 2001. The album's lyrics explore such themes as women's rights , and police brutality...
(Jade TreeJade Tree RecordsJade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
, 2001) - Exit EnglishExit EnglishExit English is the second album by the punk rock band Strike Anywhere, released in 2003.The track "Blaze" features vocalist Thomas Barnett quoting lines from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem The Masque of Anarchy.-Track listing:#"Amplify" – 1:04...
(Jade TreeJade Tree RecordsJade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
, 2003) - Dead FMDead FMDead FM is the third studio album by Strike Anywhere. It was recorded April 2006 at Salad Days Studios by Brian McTernan. It contains songs that focus on the band's leftist political views, as well as branching out to discuss issues such as singer Thomas Barnett's grandfather's work on the...
(Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
, 2006) - Iron FrontIron Front (album)Iron Front is the fourth studio album by American punk rock band Strike Anywhere. The album was released worldwide on October 6, 2009.-Track listing:#"Invisible Colony" - 1:22#"I'm Your Opposite Number" - 2:20#"South Central Beach Party" - 2:28...
(Bridge Nine Records, 2009)
Compilation albums
- To Live in DiscontentTo Live in DiscontentTo Live in Discontent is a compilation album released by Strike Anywhere. It collects various rare, live and unreleased tracks by the band including the entirety of their out of print EP, Chorus of One.-Track listing:...
(Jade TreeJade Tree RecordsJade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
(CD)/Chunksaah RecordsChunksaah RecordsChunksaah Records is a New Brunswick, now Asbury Park, New Jersey based independent record label founded in 1993 by The Bouncing Souls. The label started as a means for the band to release their own recordings, but ended up releasing material by other punk bands, mostly from the New Jersey area, as...
(LP), 2005) - Live At Camden Underworld (2001)Live At Camden Underworld (2001)Live At Camden Underworld was a compilation video by As Friends Rust and Strike Anywhere, released in 2002 by Punkervision. It took place at the Camden Underworld in London, England on November 16, 2001. The video was released in both VHS and DVD, as well as in PAL and NTSC formats.-Track...
(2001) Live video with As Friends RustAs Friends RustAs Friends Rust is a punk band from Gainesville, Florida.-History:In early 1996 Jeronimo, Henry, and Matt were jamming under the name Wayside. Soon after Damien was recruited from Bird of Ill Omen to step in on vocals...
.
Compilation appearances
- Underground Europe 2001 Genoa Benefit EP (Scene Police, 2001)
- 1157 Wheeler Avenue: A Memorial for Amadou Diallo (Failed Experiment, 2002)
- Broken Lamps and Hardcore Memories (Suburban Home RecordsSuburban Home RecordsSuburban Home Records and Distribution is a record label based in Denver, Colorado, United States. The label was founded in 1995 by Virgil Dickerson, and is known for focusing on vinyl releases and bands in the pop-punk and alt-country genres. Its roster has included Two Cow Garage, Drag the River,...
, 2002) - Punk Goes AcousticPunk Goes AcousticPunk Goes Acoustic is a compilation album released by Fearless Records as part of the Punk Goes... series. It contains a collection of both previously released and unreleased songs by various artists performing acoustically. It was packaged with a bonus CD showcasing acts on the Fearless and...
(Fearless RecordsFearless RecordsFearless Records is an alternative rock-oriented record label that has been signing artists since 1994. Fearless is based in Westminster, California and are best known for their early pop-punk moments captured in the Fearless Flush Sampler and Punk Bites releases, as well as additional releases by...
, 2003) - Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 is a Rock Against Bush compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. It contains a collection of songs, both released and unreleased, by various punk rock artists and includes a bonus DVD with political facts, commentary regarding the U.S...
(Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
, 2004) - Take Action! Vol.6
- Keep Singing! A Benefit Compilation for Compassion Over KillingKeep Singing! A Benefit Compilation for Compassion Over KillingKeep Singing! A Benefit Compilation for Compassion Over Killing is a benefit album supporting the non-profit animal rights advocacy group, Compassion Over Killing. It compiles fifteen tracks from various artists in promotion of the vegan diet...
(2008)
Related bands
- Count Me Out - Garth Petrie
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- Eric Kane