Artist description THE DISSIDENTS is the vehicle for the songs of Thomas Kercheval. The band's sound is a unique hybrid of traditional celtic/American folk elements (mandolin, acoustic guitars, harmonica) and the more traditional colors of the hard rock palette (BIG, angry guitars; big drums; feedback). The music is complemented by the 'everyman' appeal of the lyrical imagery. The delivery is intense, sometimes frenetic, and always inspired (and hopefully inspiring). The songs are about hope, pain, struggle, and redemption. We define "success" for this band as being able to touch the emotions of others the way our favorite artists have touched our own, to be able to inspire others through our music the way we have been inspired through the music of others. We hope we're successful with you.

Music Style ANTHEMIC, CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN FOLK MUSIC WITH BIG ELECTRIC GUITARS!

Musical Influences Big Country, early U2, The Clash, The Who, the spirit of Rage Against the Machine, The Pogues, Springsteen, Kate Bush

Similar Artists Bono singing with Big Country as the backing band, U2, The Alarm, The Who, The Clash, Nick Cave, Scottish, Celtic, Runrig, Waterboys, Simple Minds, Coloursound, Big Country, Pogues, KISS

Artist History For a detailed history of the band, visit our main web page, at http://www.mindspring.com/~dissident.

Group Members THOMAS KERCHEVAL - everything that's NOT a drum | RAY BIBA - everything that IS a drum

Instruments Guitars, guitars, drums, bass, guitars, mandolin, occasional accordion, guitars, and, oh yeah, GUITARS!!

Albums GUNNYSACK (2000) / VALIANT (1995)

Press Reviews A wide array of critic and fan reviews can be found at our main site.

Location Smithsburg, MD - USA

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