On episode 7 of Scene Support, Scott sits down with Mike Dietz and Phil Bartsch of RBNX—not to talk about their band, but about something even bigger: Punk Island, NYC’s annual free, all-ages, DIY punk festival. Since 2008, Punk Island has showcased the raw power of community and creativity, putting on a massive, multi-stage event run entirely by volunteers and powered by passion, generators, and sheer will.

Mike and Phil break down what it takes to organize this beast of a fest—everything from booking over 100 bands (with an emphasis on new blood), wrangling stages, staggering set times, backlining gear, running benefit shows, and holding the line on no drugs, no booze, and all punk.

We talk the origins of Punk Island, the logistical highs and hurdles, the challenges of booking without a set date, the joy of punk dads and their kids in the pit, and the importance of holding space for all punks—queer punks, trans punks, street punks, ska punks, grindcore fans, and beyond.

Whether you’ve been to Punk Island or are just finding out it’s real, this episode will fire you up. As Mike and Phil put it: You gotta see it to believe it.

Punk Island

https://www.instagram.com/punkislandnyc

https://linktr.ee/PunkIslandNYC

DCxPC Live

https://www.instagram.com/dcxpc_live

https://www.facebook.com/dcxpcbooking

https://dcxpclive.com

Intro Song: "Cheap As You" By Runnamucks

Outro Song: "Any Means Necessary" By RBNX

https://www.instagram.com/the_rbnx/

Executive Producer: Trev Allen https://www.instagram.com/struggling_artist_record_club/

In this episode, Scott sits down with poet, professor, and punk lifer Gerry LaFemina, founder and president of Savage Mountain Punk Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting punk culture in the northern Appalachians. They dive into the origins and evolution of the Savage Mountain Punk Fest, the importance of community-driven music spaces, and how punk can be a force for good—raising money for local causes and building inclusive scenes.

Gerry shares stories of navigating flooded venues, building a volunteer-based organization, hosting flash tattoos during shows, and booking legendary acts like DOA, The Dwarves, and Scream—all while keeping everything DIY, all-ages, and punk as hell.

Plus, Scott and Gerry swap tales from the road, talk show logistics, fest philosophy, and the power of paying every band—even the locals. This one's for the scene builders, believers, and lifers. ❤️‍🔥

Festival heads-up: Savage Mountain Punk Fest returns August 7-9, 2025, with The Dwarves, Ultra Bomb (feat. Greg Norton of Hüsker Dü), and maybe even Superchunk 👀

Savage Mountain Punk Arts

https://www.instagram.com/savagemountainpunkarts

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/savage-mountain-punk-fest-2025-tickets

DCxPC Live

https://www.instagram.com/dcxpc_live

https://www.facebook.com/dcxpcbooking

https://dcxpclive.com

Intro Song: "Cheap As You" By RunnamucksIntro

Outro Song: "We Gotta Go" By The Downstrokes

https://www.instagram.com/thedownstrokespunk

https://linktr.ee/thedownstrokes

Logo: Beyond the Pit PR

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthepitpr

Executive Producer: Trev Allen

https://www.instagram.com/struggling_artist_record_club

In this episode of DCxPC Live presents Scene Support, host Scott Pasch sits down with longtime DIY champion Craig Mazer, founder of Foreign Dissent—Orlando’s international punk showcase. Since 2014, Craig has provided a stage for bands traveling from across the globe to Fest in Gainesville, giving them a crucial opportunity to connect with U.S. audiences.

Craig shares his journey from running a punk zine and distro in the ’90s to booking tours and ultimately launching Foreign Dissent. He discusses the importance of fostering community, the challenges of organizing a show with no local support bands, and the DIY spirit that drives his work. The conversation is packed with stories about touring, building a network for international bands, and the unique moments that make live music special.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion about dedication to the scene, the magic of punk connections, and what’s in store for Foreign Dissent’s 10th anniversary in 2025. Plus, Craig picks a song from one of his favorite international acts to close out the episode!

Foreign Dissent:

https://www.instagram.com/foreigndissent/

https://linktr.ee/foreigndissent

https://foreigndissent.com

Closing Song: FJØRT Live at Will's Pub at Foreign Dissent

https://www.instagram.com/fjort_laerm/

DCxPC Live

https://www.instagram.com/dcxpc_live

https://www.facebook.com/dcxpcbooking

https://dcxpclive.com

Intro Song: "Cheap As You" By RunnamucksIntro Logo: Beyond the Pit PR

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthepitpr

Executive Producer: Trev Allen

https://www.instagram.com/struggling_artist_record_club