The Front - The Front (1989)

The Front is an American rock band, originally formed in 1984 in Kansas City, Missouri, who enjoyed a brief popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Although originally offered a recording contract in 1987 with Sire/Warner Brothers Records; The Front signed an exclusive management contract with Scott and Doc McGhee of McGhee Entertainment; the team behind Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Scorpions and Skid Row. A bidding war began with The Front ultimately signing with CBS Records in 1989. They released one eponymous, full-length album on Columbia Records, produced by Grammy Award-winning music studio engineer Andy Wallace with two singles released: Fire and Le Motion. The Front's self-titled 1989 debut is another of that era's unrecognized classics. Much like the debut albums by Kill for Thrills and Royal Court of China, the Front's debut was noteworthy for taking a different approach to the hard rock that was so popular at the time. When the average Sunset Strip band's influences didn't extend too far beyond Hanoi Rocks and Van Halen, the Front obviously spent a lot of time listening to both the Cult and the Doors. They might wear their influences on their sleeve, but it was refreshing to see a band that used something other than tighter spandex and another case of Aqua Net to stand out. And besides, you could do a lot worse than to emulate the Cult and the Doors. Singer Michael Franano's dramatic vocal style is equal parts Ian Astbury and Jim Morrison (which pretty much means 99.9% Jim Morrison) with occasional hints of Billy Idol, and combined with his considerable songwriting skills makes the album seem more emotional, more spiritual, and just more interesting overall than the average hair metal offering. The prominent use of keys and organ helps in that respect, and reinforces the album's Doors vibe. Despite some early attention by MTV, the Front never really took of. This ended up being the only album they issued.
The Front toured the U.S. with many acts of the period including Bang Tango, Jason Bonham, Enuff Z'nuff and Alice Cooper. In the spring of 1990, The Front toured Europe with Lenny Kravitz and headlined dates in Berlin and Düsseldorf, Germany when Lenny returned to the states with throat problems. The Front ended 1990 returning to Europe as a featured artist on the Monsters of Rock Tour with notable headlining acts Aerosmith and Whitesnake. Dates included August 25, 1990 at Dortmund, Westfalenhalle, and September 1, 1990 in Mannheim, Maimarktgegelände Eisstadion.
In 1992, The Front and CBS split ways; the band and management believed that The Front were no longer a priority for the label. CBS agreed to let the band move to their sister label, Epic Records, keeping the group in the Sony family. The Front recorded their next record with Producer, Mark Dodson, which was released under the name Bakers Pink, a name change requested by Epic Records.

Track listing

01. "Fire"  (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 4:34 
02. "Sunshine Girl"  (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 4:24 
03. "Pain"  (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 3:03 
04.  (a) "Sweet Addiction"  (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 3:30 
       (b) "Segue"  (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 1:33 
05. "Ritual"  (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 7:12 
01. "Le Motion"  (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 4:10 
02. "Sister Moon"  (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 2:43 
03. "In The Garden"  (Bobby Franano, Michael Anthony Franano)  - 2:32 
04. "Violent World"  (Bobby Franano, Michael Anthony Franano)  - 6:37 
05. "Sin"   (Michael Anthony Franano)  - 5:56 

Credits
Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Michael Anthony Franano
Bass, Vocals – Randy Jordan
Drums – Shane
Keyboards – Bobby Franano
Lead Guitar – Mike Greene
Mastered By – Howie Weinberg
Photography By – Caroline Greyshock
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Andy Wallace
Art Direction – Stacy Drummond
Mastered By – Howie Weinberg
Arranged By – Andy Wallace, Michael Anthony Franano
Engineer [Assistant] – Jacques Deveau, Simon Pressey

Companies etc
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Records Inc.
Recorded At – Le Studio
Mixed At – Quantum Sound Studios

Notes
Recorded at: Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec, Canada
Mixed at:  Quantum Sound Studio, Jersey City, New Jersey
Genre:  Rock
Length:  46:15
Label:  CBS Records

© 1989