Back before there was social media, when few people had mobile phones and there were free TV channels, back then, when something exploded in popularity – everyone was on the same page.
In 1992, Frente!, a quirky band from Melbourne with a knack for creating a catchy tune were suddenly massive. Their second EP Clunk, featuring the song ‘Ordinary Angels’ was a huge overnight sensation. Suddenly Frente! were everywhere.
The band followed it up with possibly one of the catchiest songs ever. ‘Accidently Kelly Street’. It was incredibly twee, accompanied by a ‘Play School’ inspired video and it was a tune that everyone was humming, even if you didn’t want to.
The Band delivered a full album, christened ‘Marvin – The Album’ and now more than two decades after it was first released a reformed Frente! are touring around the country performing the record.
Lead singer Angie Hart reveals that she doesn’t remember a great deal from the bands hey days.
“I’ve been trying to write a memoir,” said Hart, “I’ve got a lot of words on paper but so much I just don’t remember, which is not good for a memoir. A lot of it is just a blur. It just happened so fast and I just remember not coping for the biggest part of it.
“I was quite young when it happened. I was about nineteen when it really took off. I don’t know maybe people are more interactive with being famous these days, everyone seems to have their shot at some stage, but there’s no instruction manual on how to make it, or how to be in it when you have made it.”
Today Hart’s a seasoned musician. Alongside her time in Frente! she went on to perform in the band Splendid, as well as being a vocalist in Holidays on Ice. She has released two acclaimed solo albums and recorded with Four Hours Sleep and a host of other side projects. But it’s Frente! that made the biggest mark and Hart shares that in preparation for the tour she’s enjoyed rediscovering many tunes.
“It’s been really fun going through cassette tapes and seeing what was there, rediscovering things we’ve written in the past,” said Hart who promised that the show would include an intriguing mix of tunes.
For many years the band refused to play their biggest hit. At its height ‘Accidently Kelly Street’ was everywhere. The comedy show ‘The Late Show’ delivered a memorable, but cutting parody of the tune. We asked Hart what the current status of ‘that’ song was. Without mentioning its name Hart laughed and said, ‘’That’ tune and I, we’ve made our peace.”
Frente! will be playing ‘Marvin – The Album in full at The Astor Theatre on Saturday June 7th, get tickets from liveattheastor.com.au. The CD is released with heaps of bonus tracks on May 16.
