Dissidents

The Dissidents formed in Washington, D.C., as an initial trio of Mark Kantner on drums, Mark Buckberg on bass, and Thomas Kercheval. From the start Kercheval took charge of most songwriting and performed on an array of instruments that also encompassed mandolin, acoustic guitar, accordion, and harmonica. Celtic folk and anthemic guitar rock modeled on Big Country, the Clash, and U2 supplied the group’s chief influences, yet the 1995 debut Valiant further conveyed lyrics about locating optimism within ordinary hardships. Kercheval stood as the sole remaining member when the band issued its next album, Gunnysack, five years afterward in 2000.