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Well, this is Already Heard<\/strong>’s first time at the one and only punk\/indie\/DIY whatever extravaganza called Fest<\/strong> in Florida, now in it’s thirteenth. Before we venture off to the main event in Gainesville however, we’ll be warming ourselves with bands, booze and good times at the second Pre-Fest<\/strong> in Ybor City, an area within Tampa. Our British bred ways are tested by sunshine in October and folks driving on the “wrong side” of the road.\u00a0<\/p>\n Beginning the proceedings at The Orpheum this Pre-Fest<\/strong> are Tampa natives Rescuer<\/strong>. Their brand of melodic hardcore meets post-rock is solidly delivered, yet it is distinctly familiar. It is this familiarity which leaves us feeling slightly reserved as this style has been replicated a lot in recent years. However, credit is due to the quartet, their passion flows from the speakers firmly and it catches everyone\u2019s attention. The potential is there for them to break out from this oversaturated genre, so we\u2019ll keep an eye on Rescuer<\/strong> for sure.<\/p>\n The following band displays a tenacious mathematical ability in whimsical notes. Tiny Moving Parts<\/strong> wow the audience into submission with their musical wizardry and emotional earnestness. Whilst the lyrics are admittedly flat, coupled with the music however, they give cuts like \u2018Always Focused\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Along the Lakeside\u2019<\/em> a charming edge. Eyes widen and jaws drop at Tiny Moving Parts<\/strong>\u2019 performance on stage. The toing and throwing between Dylan and Matthew\u2019s yells amidst the twinkling umph is wonderful to behold. The second band we\u2019ve watched today, but certainly a highlight of the day thus far.<\/p>\n Over at Crow Bar meanwhile, playing what is essentially their debut performance at Pre-Fest<\/strong>, on their second U.S. tour, French indie punks Sport<\/strong> don\u2019t cave into such pressure, instead they somewhat manage to gracefully kick it up the backside. These gents play sweet twiddley renditions from both of their albums, 2012\u2019s \u2018Colors\u2019<\/em> and the recent \u2018Bon Voyage\u2019<\/em>. Sport<\/strong> are tightly wound with each breath and step they take, it is a delight to watch them play.<\/p>\n Pentimento<\/strong> are next up in this venue and they feel slightly out of place in it. I\u2019ll elaborate, their songs sound too huge for a medium sized bar like this; Pentimento <\/strong>have the potential to play to a stadium playing to thousands of people. That\u2019s how good their gritty alt punk crafted tunes are, and it\u2019s a surprise they\u2019re still below the radar based on this performance. Words are sung gloriously back from the crowd to the band and you wouldn\u2019t need to question why based on the hard evidence witnessed here.<\/p>\n Personally, I\u2019ve never listened to Kind of Like Spitting<\/strong> before, so be aware this is based on first impressions. What makes it harder to judge the band is that the majority of their set contains songs from frontman Ben Barnett\u2019s previously now dissolved project Blunt Mechanic. If I was a fan, this set would be unusual to watch, considering Kind of Like Spitting<\/strong> only reformed in 2012 after a six year break up. Regardless, the fans are happy to watch this outfit play, despite now featuring a new line-up. So back to this reviewer\u2019s first impressions; the Blunt Mechanic segment of the set sees a mighty fine run down of rhythmic, catchy alt punk songs. I for one am hooked, yet it only compels me to check out Blunt Mechanic\u2019s work\u2026But wait! After an enjoyable cocky cover of The Jam\u2019s \u2018Modern World\u2019<\/em>, they do play a couple of KOLS<\/strong> songs. The former, older song, \u2018Birds of a Feather\u2019<\/em>, sees Barnett explaining how he was a different person back when he wrote it, and that nowadays, he\u2019s more upbeat about his life. The mood therefore reflects a contrasted, playful irony to the song\u2019s themes making the performance pretty sweet to watch. The band then play a new song which fits with their current hearty mind set, making you sway and nod with approval. This indie\/emo band have earned themselves a new fan, even if they only played two songs under their name, I, and I\u2019m sure everyone else in the room, enjoyed it also.<\/p>\n Chicago, IL indie\/emo group Dowsing<\/strong> certainly love to distort their tunes in the live setting as well as play them at fast tempos. This gives the band a sense of urgency and honest raw emotion to their performance. For instance, older tracks like \u2018Gengar! Gengar! Gengar!\u2019<\/em> are played the way they\u2019re meant to be heard. Meanwhile, songs from recent LP \u2018I Don\u2019t Even Care Anymore\u2019<\/em>, an album with slick production values, are granted a new lease of life; \u2018Get Weird\u2019<\/em> and the title track sound fresh to their sadly thematic core. Dowsing <\/strong>are thoroughly good to watch and sound probably better live than they do on record, so here\u2019s a thumbs up from me!<\/p>\n Making our way back from Crowbar to The Orpheum, we thought it would be a good time to shred our ears with riffs! This is all courtesy of A Wilhelm Scream<\/strong>, the most ridiculous energetic riff-machine in punk, who\u2019re playing an all twitter-requested set. Whilst usual favourites like \u2018Die While We\u2019re Young\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Famous Friends and Fashion Drunks\u2019<\/em> are belted out, the band whip a few surprises including \u2018Bowling\u2019<\/em>, a song from the band\u2019s days as Smackin\u2019 Isaiah. The energy reflecting off from the band to the crowd melts faces, whilst each riff, bass line, raw yell and note wheels the turbines to maximum power. It\u2019s a lot of fun to watch and you wouldn\u2019t expect anything less from A Wilhelm Scream<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Once again we\u2019re at Crowbar and we manage to catch the rest of Restorations<\/strong>\u2019 performance. Now, in all honesty, I have never listened to this band despite the current wave over them, and so, whilst I watch them, I am surprised. I was expecting something completely different (another gruff punk band based on their name); instead Restorations<\/strong> are absolutely marvellous to watch. Their sound is boldly stadium-esque, a really warm, glowing spectacle to hear. Restorations sound daring in their set up and the crowd lovingly laps it up with greed. You can happily watch them with aplomb; they come off as a band richly layered in emotion and skill. Never again will I judge a band by the title they reside under.<\/p>\n