Behind the Front’s reunion

(After a Reagan-era hiatus, the Front will take the stage Jan. 28, 2011, at San Diego’s Casbah. Bassist Kevin Chanel provides the 411 on the forthcoming festivities.)

Morgan Smith (guitar player) talked with Tim Mays dating back to mid-2009. He then called Mark Baez (singer) out of the blue, with nice words about old times.

We put together a practice later that year. One day as a three-piece, next as all four original dudes. (Dan Mehlos is the drummer. He was also in Personal Conflict and Men of Clay.) Sounded pretty good. Most of us had not seen each other in 20+ years.

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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 moreThe Front flyers (Waxon Collection)

The Che Underground