It's hard to find anyone who's above alpha waves that hasn't heard of the band Frontier, but few know their full history.

It's widely known that the group comes from a nomad clan somewhere in the Southwest of America but Frontier has kept its family name and specific location a closely kept secret. I did manage to find out more about the band in a short interview with Frontier's frontman, Jed, including how they got started.

"Some corp-puppy band had hired the John Waynes [a poser gang] for protection across the Plains. They must've paid the Waynes a real heap to get them to go through our territory," he said, as a smirk uncoiled on his face. "It was our [the band's] patrol that found them and after the Waynes high-tailed it out of there, we took all the gear and left those prissy lip-syncers sitting in their own excrement."

Like many people in clans, the members of Frontier were musical but limited to harmonicas, traditional native american drums, and an acoustic guitar. The high-tech instruments and equipment they "acquired" from the raid opened a whole new realm for them musically and fused the idea in Jed's mind to use this realm to champion the clans in the only arena that might allow them, the music world.

And so the band was born. With the ministudio found in the gear, these warriors of the American outback cut their first single, "Misanthrope Machine." They gave this to the family netrunner to send it to underground broadcasters and clubs in Los Angeles. Despite, or perhaps because of, the song's roughness production-wise and in style, it caused an instant furvor. When the band caught word of their demand, they immediately began working on their first album. This self-titled album was a patchwork quilt of tales, both from the band's half-indian heritage and from the difficult life of the modern nomad. The album included a request for money to be sent to a secret account in Los Angeles for the clans and so that the band could go on tour. The response was tremendous, allowing Frontier to extend their touring plans to include Europe. The album they cut for the tour, titled simply, "Petrochem Sucks!", is reputed to be the fastest spreading piece of samizdat ever, topping even the video special, "2Ronnie's Execution Hour". Since the band was not signed to any label, they were forced to perform in tiny clubs and makeshift halls, with notice of their concerts sometimes going out only minutes before their concerts. Frontier was also banned from Network News 54 and a few attempts on their lives were made. Despite all these setbacks, Frontier managed to perform in every corner of America and Europe for over 100,000 fans. They consider the tour a family success since everyone involved was part of the clan.

Critics point to the band's gritty edge and sincerity as the factors which caused their success, but Jed has other ideas. "I think deep down everyone feels a certain hatred and disdain for the inhuman corporation, even those within them. I can just see some slick corp ass-kisser sitting in his flat, listening to Petrochem Sucks with the volume down reeeal low," he said, chuckling. It's easy to believe, listening to songs like "Love Land", which could touch even the loftiest European.

Now the band is in seclusion somewhere in their homeland, writing new songs, enjoying the companionship of the clan, and working for their rights. And maybe they're looking for new equipment : corp bands beware!