Thomas Barnett: Strike Anywhere, Great Collapse, Inquisition

I met Thomas Barnett around 1993, when he was the singer for the band Inquisition. As a young punk here in Richmond, inquisition showed a path for me and my friends, that was both inspiring and empowering, both in their content and in operation. Thomas had a clear love for both people, and punk rock. And it came through so clearly. At any show, you could find him, talking with folks in the crowd, regardless of if he was there play. And over the years, managed to keep those loves kindled, and apply them to new bands, Strike Anywhere, Great Collapse, as well as to new generations of punk rock. This interview, doesn't take the normal form of a various things interview. Usually, it is me highlighting someone else. But with Thomas and his own way, he wanted to talk about me too. Which in itself, just goes to show what kind of person Thomas really is. I think to him,music, punk rock, is a dialogue. Just like any community should be. We talked for a bit, so there are a couple interludes. But it was an amazing conversation, covering everything from the way we approach music, to Black Lives Matter, the Pandemic, Antifa, and the hope and optimism we have, for both human beings, and punk rock.