New ‘Lightning in a Bottle’ a ‘love letter’ to former Asbury Lanes

On the Road

Here’s a strike for nostalgia that doesn’t spare the sentimentality.

The “Lightning in a Bottle: A Love Letter to Asbury Lanes” photo book by former Asbury Park Press photographer Mike McLaughlin recalls the pre-redevelopment glory days of Asbury Lanes from 2003 to 2015.

The spot hosted punk stalwarts like the Bouncing Souls, Mick Jones of the Clash, the Menzingers, Hot Water Music, World Inferno Friendship Society, the Germs and punk inspirations like Dick Dale and Wanda Jackson.

McLaughlin, now teaching photography at Florence University in Italy, was there with his camera for much of it.

“This is everybody’s book — everybody who was there,” McLaughlin said. “It was a magical moment in time.”

So much so that the reputation of the Lanes spread word wide.

“When I tell kids I saw Bruce Springsteen in Asbury Park, they don’t care,” said Philip Jump, owner of the Badlands music store in England, previously to the Asbury Park Press. “When I tell them I’ve been to Asbury Lanes, they light up. They know about all the punk bands who have played there.”

In 2003, city promoter Mel Stultz began hosting music shows and events in the bowling alley and subsequent general manager Jenn Hampton, now curator at the city Parlor Gallery, did much to foster a feeling of community for fans, musicians, outcasts and artistic souls at the venue.

The spot became a destination in a town at the time largely bereft of visitors — especially after hours.

“What happened in Asbury is people would come in for a show (at other venues) and it when it was done they’d get the (blank) out of town,” McLaughlin said. “The Lanes created a community that was all music lovers but it wasn’t just about the music. It was open on nights when there were no bands and there would be 30 of us just hanging out, playing iPods and just hanging, talking philosophy, talking whatever — it really created a community.

“People stayed, people started opening businesses, people moved to town because of the Lanes. I don’t think I’m overstating that the Lanes and the community that came out of the Lanes had a hell of a lot to do with the resurgence of Asbury.”

Asbury Lanes, built in the early ’60s, closed in October 2015 after it was purchased by iStar, a city waterfront developer. Renovations included the structure’s foundation being secured and a remodeling of the bowling alleys and interior of the building.

The new Asbury Lanes opened in 2018 with a performance by Bruce Springsteen, who didn’t perform at the former Lanes but did attend the Wanda Jackson show there with wife Patti Scialfa in 2006.

There will be multiple Asbury Lanes-related events and exhibits across town this weekend tied in with the release of “Lightning in a Bottle,” including gallery shows at the city’s Parlor Gallery and the Art Spot.

“I feel incredibly grateful, humbled and overwhelmed by the response this is getting,” said McLaughlin, a Matawan native. “I’m hoping I did it justice and I hope people like it. Not to sound too corny but it’s truly my love letter to everybody who was there. This is my love letter to everybody who allowed me to shove my camera in their face.”

Visit lightninginabottlethebook.bigcartel.com to order the book.

Go: McLaughlin Asbury Lanes exhibit opening 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; Book signing and artist talk, noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, Parlor Gallery, 717 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park.

Go: Artist talk with McLaughlin and Alex Biese, 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the ShowRoom Cinema. 707 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park.

Go: Guilty Pleasures Dance Party and Asbury Lanes Flyer Show, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Art Spit, 1100 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park.

Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.