2024 marks 40 years of friendship between WAX TRAX! and Front 242. In 1984, the label licensed the Endless Riddance 12” by the seminal Belgian band, marking their first U.S. release and the label’s 4th. This summer, WAX TRAX! RECORDS released the 2024 Anniversary pressing of Endless Riddance, which includes the original three tracks with the original U.S. artwork. A limited clear pressing is also available, as well as a special fan bundle. Purchase here. This new pressing marks the beginning of a renewed partnership between Wax Trax! and Front 242, as the label prepares a series of reissues in the coming year.
1981-1984
Front 242’s history starts in 1981 when founder, Daniel B. created the first single: Body to Body as a solo project. Patrick Codenys (keyboards) and Jean-Luc De Meyer (vocals) join the band for the first album Geography in 1982, followed by Richard 23 (vocalist/percussion) in 1983.
In addition to recording and producing independently, the band is distinguished by their unique stage show and graphic campaigns. This holistic approach of audio and visual, helps Front 242 reach a larger audience in Europe during the early 1980s.
During this time, the band begins to carve out a new genre of synthetic dance music that is aggressive and physical, resulting in Front 242 becoming synonymous with the term “Electronic Body Music” (aka EBM). In addition to the music’s physicality, the foundation of the band’s sound and structure comes from a collage of samples and images pulled from media or TV, often reflecting a fractured or flawed soundscape.
1984-1989
In 1984 Front 242 sign with the Chicago label, Wax Trax! Records. The 1984 EP Endless Riddance is their first US release. This 12” marks an important partnership for both the Belgian band and the US label and solidifies the foundation that goes on to be known as the US Industrial genre.
As electronic dance music spreads across Europe in the 1980s, Front 242 continues to distinguish itself, specifically for its live shows that fuse technology and dance with frequent militant themes.
It is in this era, that the band creates some of its most iconic material. The albums No Comment (1985) and Official Version (1987) are from this prolific period.
The 1988 follow-up album, Front By Front, also on Wax Trax!, produced the single HeadHunter. A song that becomes the band’s international breakthrough single, and one that tops many critic’s lists as one of the most influential and important dance tracks of all time.
1990-1993
Due to the global success and attention of HeadHunter, the band leaves Wax Trax! and signs with the US major label, Epic Records. This shift from an independent label to a major helps Front 242 mature and develop further, producing the acclaimed 1991 album Tyranny For You.
The two next albums, 06:21:03:11 Up Evil and 05:22:09:12 Off (1993) break from the band’s established formula and introduce new vocalists, live guitars and drums. These sessions also bring in the new producer, Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Sonic Youth) as the band begins to redistribute roles and rules within the group, while retaining the core attitude of 242’s music.
1993-1997
During a 4 year hiatus between 1993-1997, the band releases the albums Live Code, recorded during their last world tour, and Mut@ge – Mix@ge, a compilation album of Front 242 tracks remixed and reimagined by The Prodigy, The Orb, Underworld, Rico Conning and others.
The 4 original members of the band reunite in 1997 and, with the addition of drummer Tim Kroker, perform again. Several live albums follow, capturing the energy and reflecting the numerous changes brought in by the versions being performed on stage.
1998-2010
Based on technical aesthetics of the 70’s and 80’s, Front 242 returns after a long studio absence with the 2003 EP Still & Raw and the Album Pulse of the same year. Using analogue machines, the band deconstructs and repurposes sound in order to capture the emotion and attitude that inspired them at the beginning of their career.
2011 – 2023
In 2011, Front 242 headlined the Wax Trax! Retrospectacle. A three day sold out event that brought original Wax Trax! artist together for the first time in over a decade to honor Wax Trax! founders Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher. The event was organized by Nash’s daughter, Julia Nash, after the passing of Flesher. The festival is largely credited to reintroducing Front 242 to the US market after the band’s absent from touring in the US for years.
2024
Having recently re-released their back catalogue in expanded formats in Europe, Front 242 returns to Wax Trax! Records in the US for a series of re-issues starting with the 40th anniversary release of Endless Riddance.
In spring of 2024, Front 242 announces that after over 40 years, they will stop touring. The band has scheduled a series of final shows. The US finale will occur in Chicago during mid November with a week of special Wax Trax! events to elevate the final Chicago shows.
Wax Trax! presents packages that include the Front 242 Retrospective exhibit, exclusive soundcheck access for fans, private Chicago tour with Wax Trax & Front 242, special documentary screening with Q&A, limited Endless Riddance pressing with alternative cover, and more.
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