Home Front from Edmonton, Alberta are currently one of the most exciting bands from not just Canada but around the world. The band was conceived in 2021 by indie rock veterans Graeme McKinnon (lead vocals, guitar, bass) and Clint Frazier (drums, synths/keyboards, programming), who previously played in bands such as No Problem, Wednesday Night Heroes, and in Shout Out Out Out Out (one of my personal favorite dance punk bands from the era). Home Front make the type of rock music that feels jarring and chaotic, but at the same time feels a bit familiar and inviting. It’s working class punk music for the person who works a tough blue collar job and wears the scars and bruises with pride.
The band came to town to play Soda Bar last week on December 10th and left an impression that no one in attendance will forget anytime soon. There is an immediacy that the band demands from you and it all starts with lead singer, McKinnon, who sings with so much force and energy it comes off as aggressive. We were positioned right in front of him and could see and feel the sweat dripping off him after every high kick in between songs. The mosh pit that broke open is a rarity at Soda Bar, but welcomed for the type of show we experienced on this cold night in San Diego. The band played mostly from their debut album, Games of Power. The song “Nation” was played with so much energy from the band, and coupled with Mckinnon’s forceful voice and strong stage presence, created a wave of excitement from the crowd that forced you to move even if you didn’t want to. Home Front demand your attention and expect you to move whether you want to or not, and that’s is a welcoming and exciting thing to have as a band in 2024.
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