The original version of The Front was composed of southeast Denver teenagers. Singer Steve Knutson was a Wax Trax! employee and organized the band in early '77. During that year the band performed three high profile shows -- as opening act for Los Angeles' The Nerves in the spring and with The Ravers and Boulder's Driver (a forerunner of The Nightflames) at The Ravers' farewell Colorado performance at Boulder's Free School in May of that year. They also were opening act for New York's Mink DeVille at Ebbet's Field in Denver during that summer.

The Front's sound was allways very raw and powerful in the true spirit of early punk rock. With Marshall amps flanking him high schooler Knutson was a riveting and dynamic singer. The band began to get some attention nationwide...even getting a articles in New York Rocker and Rock Scene magazine! As the Wax Trax! backed group they also recieved press whenever Wax Trax! got press. This was a period when the record store -- then only a couple of years old -- began to receive alot of attention in Colorado. To the distress of many Denverites the store's original owners were soon to leave the state and relocate their store to a new location on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. Many consider this period around '78 to be the true heyday of Colorado punk. After the original Wax Trax! owners left town the scene definitely changed.

It was in the winter and spring of '78 that The Front truly made an impact in Denver beginning with two shows at the gay disco The Broadway in February and March. For many Coloradans these shows were the first time they had heard of punk rock -- much less seen a punk rock band. These two shows were very well publicized by the Wax Trax! publicity machine and both received numerous press writeups in Denver papers. By this time the band's lineup had changed to include bassist/guitarist Dave Hill (later with The Johnny Three).

Later that spring The Front began a Sunday night series of shows at the Denver metal club Mr. Lucky's. Shortly after that the group disbanded due to internal tensions.