The Front flyers (Waxon Collection)

Detail: Promotional flyer for the Front’s “Gangland” cassette, 1984 (collection Dawn Hill Waxon)In another selection from her collection of vintage San Diego flyers, Dawn Hill Waxon focuses on the Front, the mid-’80s post-punk outfit that featured Morgan Smith, Mark Baez, Kevin Chanel and Dan Mehlos.

Detail: The Front/Tell-Tale Hearts flyer; Rock Palace, Dec. 31, 1984 (collection Dawn Hill Waxon)These flyers date from 1984 and include the earliest show we’ve encountered so far at the short-lived but influential Rock Palace (a gig with the Tell-Tale Hearts to usher in 1985).

Read Morgan Smith’s history of the Front!

Detail: The Front flyer; Bodie’s, Feb. 20, 1985? (collection Dawn Hill Waxon)“I always thought of The Front as being the most together and musical of the early-’80s punk bands in SD,” Scott Harber remembers. “Definitely a Clash-type outfit with a sense of social justice-themed lyrical direction, as I recall. Kevin and Mark were always smart and interesting to engage, and this showed up in the music. Heads above the rest of us in the punk scene at that time.”

5 thoughts on “The Front flyers (Waxon Collection)

  1. I loved the Front…they were great musicians and even better people.
    I’m like Tony, scratching my head and wondering why I wasn’t at that show! Or was I ?…Ray or Morgan-was I there? Pitiful, I should have to ask you!
    By the way gang, Morgan is in a kickass new band in San Diego, called The Midnight Rivals. I haven’t seen them live, but Morgan was kind enough to bring me in the loop with some recordings and You Tube postings of rehearsals. They are super fantastic rock n roll..in the tradition of The early to mid Rolling Stones. I think they play at The Casbah and other SD hot spots. You can also check them out on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/midnightrivals).
    i can’t wait to see ’em when I’m in town in October, or when theycome up to The Bay Area on their first tour! I you are a local..and you liked The Front or Louis XIV-treat yourself to a show with The Midnight Rivals!
    Thanks Dawn, for sharing a great collection of flyers, and a band that deserves to be recognized and celebrated!

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  2. I was asked to critique//review this album by Ms. Kristi Maddocks:

    Perils Of Life a new album, with by veteran musicians from a mix of bands, came together to form the Blues Gangsters.
    An unusual but delightfully satisfying mix ,propelled by the brilliant blues guitar of David Ellison( the Wild Desires, the Rockin’ Dogs , the Town Criers ),
    and feeding the beat on drums Matthew Johnson(, ,The Morlocks , theGravedigger V ,the Wallflowers, the Bedbreakers) , and pulsating bass of Dave Fleminger( theAnwers, the Mirrors, Lemons AreYellow, Everybody Violet, the Comeuppance ). The vocal tracks supplied uniquely , and sometimes hauntingly by Kristi Maddocks (Everybody Violet, Burlap & Pearl, Cafe Du Nord) and David Rinck (theWallflowers, theBeathogs). Dave Ellisons great blues licks liken to those of Duane Allman , and Eric Clapton . Also playing keyboards Dave Fleminger is melodic and with an reverent quailty, almost Gospel like with cellist Heather Vorwerck( the Comeuppance), on the track “We Are washed clean ” . Matthew Johnson is a phenomonally proficient drummer across the board. The songs are unusual but, meaningful with names like “Tigershark Blues” , are not only compelling , conflicted, but intriguing and memorable, when put together with the gritty vocals of David Rinck and the heartfelt and disturbingly pretty vocals of Kristi Maddocks. Guesting on blues harp , Dylan Rogers ( S.L.A. (Sonic Love Affair), theDefilers, the Servants, the Chariots , Econoline Sect ) and on the satirical” Ride with Me//sometimes I forget I’m white” . The Blues Gangsters , in these 8 traks see Perils of Life is a great, perilous and wild ride, and an unusually intriguing blend of talented blues oozing musicianship, thought provoking ,sometimes whimsical , sometimes dark lyrics, and artfully expressive and haunting vocals not to be missed.
    courtesy of , Kyle E. Steinberg

    Revised

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