Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Avengers, Deadbeats and Stains added to Frontier Records show in Echo Park Nov. 7

Frontier Records— the independent Los Angeles-based record label founded in 1980 by Lisa Fancher—in conjunction with Part Time Punks (a weekly club that focuses on obscure and classic music from 1978 to present) announced today that they have added classic old school punk bands The Avengers, Deadbeats and Stains to their 30th Anniversary celebration at a massive once-in-a-lifetime show on Sunday, November 7 at the Echoplex.

Hailing from San Francisco, The Avengers opened for the Sex Pistols' final show in San Francisco but are nearly as well-known for their 1977 "We Are The One" EP. L.A. art-punks The Deadbeats' sole EP is entitled “Kill The Hippies” -- both bands appear on Frontier's 1991 compilation Dangerhouse Vol. One. Latino punk band the Stains were hardcore favorites for their SST LP from 1983, now reformed and playing regularly in Los Angeles, their debut LP will soon be re-released on CD and LP on Frontier Records. Another legendary punk headliner notorious for its Frontier debut LP is also confirmed but cannot be revealed until late October, while other surprise guests may soon be announced as well.

Previously confirmed for lineup were The Adolescents, a one-off performance from the reunited Middle Class (who haven't played live since 1982), a solo set from former Adolescents/Christian Death guitarist Rikk Agnew, vintage day-glo punk from the Flyboys (Frontier's first release) and the drunken rock stylings of The Pontiac Brothers. Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Circle Jerks/OFF! lead singer Keith Morris.

The unbelievably low ticket price for this once in a lifetime event is just $20.

Ticket holders will receive a rare Frontier promo item at the door, and the ability to purchase a treasure trove of Frontier rarities including imports, vinyl, t-shirts, a silk-screened poster commemorating the event and releases from the label's 30-year history via a pop-up store from Melrose Avenue's punk mecca Headline Records, now celebrating its 15 year anniversary.

Among the first labels to tap into the Los Angeles punk scene, Frontier Records’ initially found success with the release of the first Circle Jerks record Group Sex, followed by Orange County's Adolescents’ debut aka the Blue Album, TSOL's Dance with Me and Christian Death's Only Theatre of Pain. However, it was the eponymous debut LP from Suicidal Tendencies, spawning the unexpected MTV smash “Institutionalized," that really put Frontier on the map. If you caught the Miami Vice episode featuring Suicidal, you knew the mainstream had finally caught up with the underground.

In light of these early punk rock successes, it is easy to overlook the fact that Frontier also brought out well-known records from bands from a variety of genres such as goth, alt country, paisley underground and pop punk. The Long Ryders, Thin White Rope, The Three O’Clock, Young Fresh Fellows, American Music Club and Heatmiser (Elliott Smith's first band) all released full-length albums and EPs on Frontier Records, titles that were as important to the label's evolution as the fundamental punk angst it is most associated with. An unmistakable affirmation of Fancher's keen ear, all of these records have survived the test of time and are considered ‘must-haves’ for critics and serious music collectors alike.

ABOUT FRONTIER RECORDS
Frontier Records was founded in Los Angeles, CA, in 1980 by Lisa Fancher and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Frontier was one of the first independent labels to document the nascent L.A. and O.C. hard-core punk rock scenes before branching out into other scenes and sounds such as the so-called "Paisley Underground" and (always) guitar-based bands along with genres such as goth, alternative country, pop and more. Bands releasing records on Frontier include: Circle Jerks, Adolescents, The Weirdos, TSOL, China White, Redd Kross, Thin White Rope, Heatmiser, Young Fresh Fellows, Christian Death, Dharma Bums, American Music Club, The Long Ryders, The Three O’Clock, The Pontiac Brothers, Naked Prey, Flop and many more. The label is quickly closing in on its 100th release.

ABOUT PART TIME PUNKS
Part Time Punks is a club that takes over noted Los Angeles venue The Echo every Sunday night (since May 2005). Booked, promoted and DJ'd by Michael Stock, the club features a mix of vinyl and live bands spanning from the punk era to the present.  Some of the bands that have performed include: Pylon, Avengers, The Slits, The Urinals, Mission Of Burma, Chrome, Savage Republic, Silver Apples, The Homosexuals, Non, Z'Ev, Spectrum, The Yummy Fur, Henry's Dress, Ariel Pink, No Age, Cold Cave, Vivian Girls and Dum Dum Girls. Michael is also the DJ for the critically lauded Part Time Punks radio show every Thursday 3-6pm PST on KXLU (88.9FM)

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