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Jen Cray
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Mobina Galore at Will's Pub
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND
Foreign Dissent 5, Will’s Pub, Oct. 22
Good ideas abound yet many fail to stick while lesser ones persist. It’s an unfair world. Thankfully,
Foreign Dissent – the annual global punk-rock showcase diligently and lovingly held by local promoter
Punching Babies – has endured to become a proud Orlando tradition.
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Jen Cray
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Guerilla Poubelle at Will's Pub
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Jen Cray
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Quitters at Will's Pub
More than just another regular show, the series has become a one-night mini festival unto itself, powered by the momentum of a Central Florida influx of bands on the road to the big annual punk mecca of the
Fest in Gainesville, support by the punk community and the total belief and dedication of organizer Craig Mazer. To mark its landmark fifth year, the latest Foreign Dissent blew it out with an
eight-band bill spanning five countries.
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Jen Cray
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Mobina Galore at Will's Pub
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Jen Cray
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Mobina Galore at Will's Pub
It was a night of consistently solid performances by notably together bands. Superlative appearances included the melodic aggression of Canadian duo
Mobina Galore and the emotional and dynamic post-hardcore of English band
Hora Douse, who prove that feeling and torque need not be mutually exclusive things.
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Jen Cray
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Hora Douse at Will's Pub
Probably the most sonically focused act were Dutch band
Lone Wolf. With a live attack that is astonishingly big-time, they specialize in storming, melodic punk rock that throws open the throttle on its way to total triumph.
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Jen Cray
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Lone Wolf at Will's Pub
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Jen Cray
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Lone Wolf at Will's Pub
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Jen Cray
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Lone Wolf at Will's Pub
But one of the most memorable performances of the night came from
Happy Accidents, a UK band making their American debut. Between their charming songs and refreshing lack of punk stereotype, their brisk yet substantial twee-punk was a sparkling standout with indie appeal, coed vocals and aptitude for melody.
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Jen Cray
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Happy Accidents at Will's Pub
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Jen Cray
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Happy Accidents at Will's Pub
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Jen Cray
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Happy Accidents at Will's Pub
What I love more than any single band, though, is the phenomenon of the happening. For showgoers, it’s a real
discovery event, something vitally important to the health of a music scene but so often undervalued, especially in Orlando. Being unknown and from abroad, none of these bands has an established fan base here. Yet people still turn out here to see them. It’s like a
concert utopia. Whether they’re curious, open-minded or good about doing their homework, it’s a great index of true live-music fans.
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Jen Cray
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Custody at Will's Pub
Moreover, it’s become an event that fosters
international fellowship through music, a small but meaningful modern countermeasure that’s needed more now than perhaps ever. You can feel it in the air and hear it in the thanks that every band expresses to the audience while on stage. Foreign Dissent is a testament to the power and unity of
punk-rock positivity.
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Jen Cray
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Guerilla Poubelle at Will's Pub
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Jen Cray
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Lost Love at Will's Pub
Follow Bao on Twitter (@baolehuu)
Email Bao: baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com