Independent Music Showcase Frontier records music

Frontier Records was founded in 1980 by Lisa Fancher. It was one of the first independent labels to document the nascent hard-core punk rock scene of Los Angeles before branching out into other scenes and sounds such as the so-called "Paisley Underground" and (always) guitar-based bands such as Thin White Rope, The Young Fresh Fellows and Heatmiser. After learning the indie label ropes from her mentors Greg and Suzy Shaw at Bomp! Records, Fancher first hit the jackpot with the release of Group Sex by the Circle Jerks (it should be noted that very first Frontier release was the self-titled EP by the Flyboys). The success of Group Sex set the label up for iconic punk releases by the Adolescents, TSOL, China White and Suicidal Tendencies (whose defining anthem "Institutionalized" made its appearance here). Also of note from this era was the discovery of the ultimate Goth band, Christian Death, and the release of its masterpiece, Only Theatre of Pain. The importance of these albums cannot be overstated. It's hard to imagine the future worldwide success of the Offspring, Green Day or Blink 182 without them!