Front 242

Biography

• Front 242 (formed in 1981) is a seminally long-standing Belgian electronic and industrial music group, known for lighting up dance floors the world over, hailing from Brussels, Belgium.

  Originally formed as a two-piece by programmers Patrick Codenys and Dirk Bergen in October 1981, the duo’s debut output was the single 1981’s “Principles” on New Dance Records. Following a year of experimenting with newly-invented electronic music equipment and honing their skills, Front 242 invited programmer Daniel Bressanutti and lead vocalist Jean-Luc de Meyer to the group in 1982. With a full lineup, the band’s issued their debut single “U-Men” in 1982, followed by the full-length “Geography” released on Red Rhino Europe Records. The sound was reminiscent of melodic new wave, however following the arrival of percussionist Richard 23, the group’s subsequent release 1984’s “No Comment” EP saw the band draw more of an industrial influence.

  After signing with American label Wax Trax! in 1984, Front 242 embarked on their first U.S. national tour alongside Ministry, and released the compilation “Backcatalogue” and full-length “Official Version” in 1987. A year later the Front 242 released the studio album “Front by Front” which has since been dubbed as one of the greatest industrial albums of all time. Led by the single “Headhunter v3.0” and subsequently “Never Stop”, the record earned a host of favourable reviews, and found its way onto dance floors across the world. Following this success Front 242 made the move to the major label Epic Records, who reissued all of the band previously released material.

  With major label backing Front 242’s “Tyranny (For You)” became their highest selling album to date, landing at No. 95 on the Billboard 200. The record did wonders for the band’s international recognition, as did featuring in the 1992 film “Single White Female” starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Following the departure of guitarist Richard 23 after a 10 year spell with the group, Front 242 chose to focus in a new direction. The band’s eighth studio album “06:21:03:11 UP EVIL” arguably their most pop album to date, and ninth studio album “05:22:09:12 OFF” highlighted the dichotomy between good and evil upon release in 1993. Neither of the albums were particularly well-received and after which singer de Meyer left and began collaborating with the likes of Cobalt 60, Bio-Tek. and Birmingham 6.

  The live LP “Live Code” became the group’s subsequent release in 1994, followed by the remix album “[email protected]@ge” in 1995. In 1997 the live album “Re-Boot” earned its release and was supported by an international tour, after which Front 242 released the full-length “Pulse” in 2003.

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