Lightning in a Bottle – A Love Letter to Asbury Lanes is a raw, intimate, and unfiltered photographic chronicle of one of New Jersey’s most beloved underground venues. Shot over the course of 11 years by photographer Mike McLaughlin, the book captures the heart and soul of Asbury Lanes, in the heart of Asbury Park—a vintage bowling alley turned DIY music venue—before its redevelopment in 2015.
More than just a documentation of concerts, Lightning in a Bottle is a tribute to a scene that defied easy categorization. Punk, garage rock, rockabilly, hardcore, indie, metal, and surf all found a home beneath the Lanes' retro sign. The book features images of both legendary and unknown bands, backstage moments, wild performances, sweaty mosh pits, burlesque acts, circus sideshows, late-night hangouts, and the vibrant community that gathered there night after night.
McLaughlin, who became the venue’s unofficial house photographer, was both observer and participant—embedded in the crowd, trusted by the performers, and committed to capturing the soul of each night with empathy and edge. His lens reveals more than the music; it exposes the grit, chaos, vulnerability, and joy that made Asbury Lanes a sanctuary for misfits, artists, and outsiders.
Strike Anywhere, photo by Mike McLaughlin
The book features images of prominent artists such as The Bouncing Souls, Dick Dale, The Menzingers, Wanda Jackson, Hot Water Music, World Inferno Friendship Society, The Germs, Reverend Horton Heat and more alongside forewords by “Juicy” Jenn Hampton, Alex Biese, and an afterword by Christina “Tini” White. Lightning in a Bottle includes stories, quotes, and reflections from musicians, staff, regulars, and scene veterans. Together, these voices paint a portrait of a place that meant everything to those who lived there.
This book isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about the power of music, place, and chosen family. It’s a preservation of memory, a cultural artifact, and a heartfelt love letter to a venue that was more than just a stage—it was home. Preview the book and pre-order a copy HERE.
“This project is more than a photo book,” McLaughlin says. “It’s a time capsule of a place where music, art, and rebellion lived side by side—and where a lot of us grew up or came alive.”
Lightning in a Bottle will be published via Mt Crushmore Press and is available for purchase at www.mtcrushmorerecords.com and at select independent bookstores to be announced.
The Lucky Daredevil Thrill Show, photos by Mike McLaughlin
