BY B AO L E - H U U DEBT NEGLECTOR | PHOTO BY MICHAEL ELIASSEN
LOCAL RELEASES Though maybe well-intentioned, the truth is most of us are just armchair soldiers slap-fighting on social media in the war for social justice. Orlando political punks Debt Neglector, however, have been in the IRL trenches with their action and their money. At the zenith of the historic 2020 election season, the band made some news — and as it turns out, a difference — when they funneled all sales from their last release (the Bad Faith EP) directly to Fair Fight Action. That Stacey Abramsfounded voter enfranchisement group wound up being instrumental in flipping Georgia — and with it, the U.S. Senate — to blue. That’s why I named Debt Neglector “Best punk-rock PAC” in last year’s Undie Awards. That ethos continues in Debt Neglector’s next record, Dirty Water, a new 14-song album out Friday on powerhouse Orlando punk label Smartpunk Records. For this release, 10 percent of sales will be split between two groups supporting the lead-affected youth of Flint, Michigan: Flint Kids Fund and Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village. The album actually addresses that very issue right out the gate with opening track and lead single “Dirty Water.” The rest of the new LP lets the fire burn by tackling issues and examining the personal tolls of living in the current climate. As missiles of message, Debt Neglector’s classic punk rock turns fierce disaffection into anthems of action and catharsis. Dirty Water is the sound and fury of some of Orlando’s most righteous musical activists. It streams everywhere Nov. 5 and will be available on colored vinyl through Smartpunk and Bandcamp.
A Tribute to Gram Parsons: On the day after what would’ve been Parsons’ 75th birthday, an impressive Central Florida congregation will gather on stage to honor one of Florida’s most illustrious musical sons. Loaded with some leading lights in the area’s Americana scene, the five-act roster will include Amy Robbins, Prison Wine, Jackson & Forest Rodgers, Wes Morrison & the Stray Hares and Anthony Leon. Expect an equally notable list of guests like Lauren Carder Fox, Tommy Cooper, Shadow Pearson, Paige Barton and Young Orlando band Fond — whose Nick Landess to join the lineups. (8 p.m. mammoth sound pounds on rock’s experi- Saturday, Nov. 6, Will’s Pub, $10-$15) mental and noisy fringes — have lately been making their way onto some quality 100 gecs, Alice Gas: Between generabills around town. Recently, they posted tions and sensibilities, there are perhaps a couple of new demos on Bandcamp, “I few more polarizing musical niches today Have Your Face, I Have Your Name” and than hyperpop. With their redlining ten“Eli.” Both are marks of a promising group, dencies and stylistic promiscuity, the especially the excellent “Eli,” which is headlining 100 gecs are one of the microa heavy and harrowing rock slither that genre’s leading poster children. Add in the writhes like a dark fever dream. These manic dance music of opener Alice Gas singles, as well as all of Fond’s releases and this lineup will either feel utterly now so far, are available as name-your-price or make you absolutely nonplussed about downloads on Bandcamp. On Friday, Nov. the youth of today. (6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, 5, they’ll open for witch-house titans The Beacham, $25-$30) White Ring alongside Mother Juno and DJ Maus at Will’s Pub. Howling Giant, Horseburner, Jakethehawk, Trash Cinema: Calling all MUSIC EVENTS THIS WEEK bongheads. Between Nashville’s Howling David Dondero, David Zim: For the Giant, West Virginia’s Horseburner and past two decades, David Dondero has Pittsburgh’s Jakethehawk, there’s so much remained one of the truest folk troubadours stoner rock rolled up into this bill that a in the game. In heart and expression, he’s contact high is all but guaranteed. And a pillar of authenticity and integrity. That keeping it all on the heavy will be Orlando consistently translates live into engage- openers Trash Cinema, the grunge-thick ments of moving humanity. Opening will rock band formerly known as Yogurt be Zap Dragon frontman David Zim. Smoothness. (8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, (8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, Stardust Video & Will’s Pub, $12) Coffee, $7) baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com
Most of us are just armchair soldiers slap-fighting on social media in the war for social justice. Orlando punks Debt Neglector, however, have been in the IRL trenches
orlandoweekly.com
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NOV. 3-9, 2021
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ORLANDO WEEKLY
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