The Fray · (Active: 2000's)

Styles:
American Trad Rock
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Alternative/Indie Rock
Formed:
2002
Denver, CO
Active:
2000's
Biography by Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
By pitching their music somewhere between the arena-friendly style of U2 and the mature pop/rock of bands like Maroon 5 and Counting Crows, the Fray rose to commercial prominence with their 2005 debut, How to Save a Life. The Denver-based band had formed three years prior, when former schoolmates Isaac Slade (vocals, piano) and Joe King (guitar, vocals) unexpectedly bumped into each other at a local music store. The pair began a series of two-man jam sessions and soon expanded their lineup with two of Slade's former bandmates, drummer Ben Wysocki and guitarist David Welsh. Slade's younger brother, Caleb, also joined the band for a stint but was ultimately asked to leave; the resulting rift between the two siblings would later inspire the band's first hit single, "Over My Head (Cable Car)." After issuing the Movement EP in 2002, the quartet gained the support of Denver's KTCL radio station with a follow-up release, 2003's Reason EP. As the Fray's airplay increased alongside their local profile (Westworld, a Denver alt. weekly publication, deemed them "Best New Band" in 2004), they began attracting attention from Epic Records. The label ultimately signed the band in December 2004, and the Fray toured alongside Weezer and Ben Folds the following summer.

How to Save a Life was released in September 2005, and "Over My Head (Cable Car)" found a quick home on modern rock radio. By early 2006, it had crossed over to Top 40 chart status, peaking at number eight and whetting the public's appetite for another hit. The Fray responded by releasing the album's title track, which was heavily used in a promotional campaign for the TV series Grey's Anatomy and quickly became one of 2006's biggest singles. "How to Save a Life" was a world-wide smash, reaching the Top Ten in the U.S. (where it continued to chart for 58 consecutive weeks) and peaking at number one in Bulgaria, Ireland, Canada, and Spain. By the time the smoke had cleared, the Fray's debut had been certified double-platinum in the U.S. and was declared the best-selling digital album of all time.

As How to Save a Life continued to enjoy world-wide chart success, the live album Live at the Electric Factory was released in selected independent stores in July 2006. The Fray re-released their Reason EP the following year while continuing to tour, occasionally playing new material at their high-profile shows. The band also found time to return to the recording studio, and 2009 saw the release of their self-titled sophomore effort, The Fray.
Back to the topMembers of The Fray
Artist Instrument Born
Ben Wysocki
Caleb Slade
Dave Welsh
Isaac Slade
Joe King
Back to the topDiscography
Album   Released Publisher Rating
How to Save a Life [Bonus DVD -- Special Asian Edition] 2005 Epic
Popular Products for The Fray Back to the top
Top Questions about The Fray Back to the top
The Fray - Happiness Lyrics:Happiness is just outside my window Would it crash blowing 80-miles an hour? Or is happiness a little more like knocking On your door, and you just let it in? Happiness feels a lot like sorrow Let it be, you ca...
How to Save a Life was a popular song released July 4. 2006 by The Fray. The Fray is a pop rock band from Colorado. The lead singer/songwriter said that the lyrics for this song were inspired by his work at a camp for troubled teens.
The first chart topping hit by the band The Fray was titled How To Save a Life. In the chorus he sings, "And I would have stayed up with you all night had I known how to save a life." You can find more information here: http://www...
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