While this blog is primarily focused on independent and alternative music, there are some mainstream bands that are too talented to ignore and who somehow seem to transcend all of the trappings that normally taint once-indie bands that 'crossover'.

mp3: Heaven Forbid - The Fray
mp3: How To Save A Life - The Fray

According to The Fray's official website, the Denver-based band are taking time off after nearly two years on the road. A new full-length release is expected this some time in mid-2008.

The Fray's 2003 independent debut EP Reason has been re-released. The new 'digitally-enhanced' re-issue of Reason includes all of the recordings not found on their 2006 double-platinum, worldwide blockbuster How to Save a Life.

There are some videos, photographs and an online journal of the band's time on the road, but on the whole, considering the 'fame' of the band, their website offers surprisingly little for fans.

You'd think Sony/Epic would put some of its immense resources into creating a website that would at least make an attempt to 'wow' fans. There's not even one MP3 offered on the studio's Fray page, but if you sign-up for the mailing list from their 'official' website, you apparently get one free download. Whoopie! (play smack audio clip here)

But that website is on the U.K. domain system because both Fray.com and more importantly, thefray.com, are taken. Apparently the owner of the latter was either never offered any money for the domain or is holding out.

So, here are some other Fray websites:

- MySpace - The Fray
- AllMusic - The Fray
- Facebook's iLike - The Fray

Labels: The Fray, The Fray CDs, The Fray Concerts, Top Ten Albums 2006

Get the latest news about The Fray (updated March 2008)

The popular indie rock quartet from Denver, The Fray, have been soaring to new heights thanks to a hit single and album that are feeding a frenzy of flocks of new fans.

To the delight of a fast-growing fan base across the pond, the band has announced two concert dates in Ireland and the UK for later this year.

The first show will be October 23rd at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, England. The following night, the band flies over to Ireland to rock the National Stadium in Dublin.

Tickets are now on sale for both performances. Special guest is none other than Peter Yorn.

The band has already sold a combined total of five million albums and singles in the U.S. just this year. Their hit single, "How To Save A Life" remained on the Billboard top ten charts for four weeks. Many songs are on the album are memorable; one my favorites is "Heaven Forbid".

mp3: Heaven Forbid - The Fray
(get more mp3s from The Fray and other great bands by subscribing to Feed Me Indie)

During that time, The Fray sold an estimated 150,000 units in the UK alone - in one month.

Fans overseas cannot seem to get enough of these guys.

Recent trips to the UK have gained the group even larger exposure, including plenty of airplay on the UK's largest and most influential music radio channel - Radio One.

But now fans will be able to see the band play in a rock arena setting.

Link: The Fray website

Labels: The Fray

When IRC gets concert dates, tour schedules and indie rock show listings, you'll be the first to know. You can always let us know about a special event about an indie artist and it'll be posted.

Here are this month's concerts and '07 announcements:

As IRC receives more concert announcements, there will be a constantly updated page dedicated to all the big indie concerts coming up for the rest of 2006 and as much of 2007 listings that I can find.

This is a daunting task and takes hours, so please show your support by clicking an ad or sponsor link. This will allow IRC to grow and offer more features, music, videos, concerts, interviews, profiles and much more about the best indie artists - whether they are "mainstream indie" or really independent or alternative.

The Fray

Fri 12/15/06 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena
Wed 01/10/07 Waverly, IA Wartburg College
Thu 01/11/07 West Lafayette, IN Purdue University
Fri 01/12/07 East Lansing, MI Michigan St. University
Sat 01/13/07 Athens, OH Ohio University
Mon 01/15/07 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre
Tue 01/16/07 Cleveland, OH State Theatre
Wed 01/17/07 Pittsburgh, PA Benedum Center
Thu 01/18/07 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
Sat 01/20/07 Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues
Sun 01/21/07 Raleigh, NC Memorial Auditorium
Mon 01/22/07 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
Thu 01/25/07 Coral Gables, FL University Of Miami
Fri 01/26/07 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
Sat 01/27/07 Savannah, GA Savannah College Of Art & Design
Mon 01/29/07 Austin, TX Frank Erwin Center
Tue 01/30/07 Starkville, MS Mississippi St. University
Wed 01/31/07 Orem, UT Utah Valley State University
Sat 02/03/07 Vail, CO Dobson Arena

opening with The Feeling

Fri 02/16/07 Norwich, UK University Of East Anglia
Sun 02/18/07 Wolverhampton, UK Civic Hall
Mon 02/19/07 Bournemouth, UK International Centre
Tue 02/20/07 Plymouth, UK Plymouth Pavilions
Thu 02/22/07 Liverpool, UK Liverpool University
Fri 02/23/07 Edinburgh, UK Corn Exchange
Sat 02/24/07 Doncaster, UK The Dome
Mon 02/26/07 Derby, UK Assembly Rooms
Tue 02/27/07 Manchester, UK Carling Apollo Manchester
Fri 03/02/07 London, UK Carling Apollo Hammersmith

Here are some other concert listing resources:
http://www.musicbox-online.com/tour.html


Do You Have Concert Listings?

If you know of concert listings that I haven't listed you can email me the artist name, date, show times, location, venue and I'll do the rest to package it all up with links and such so that you don't miss a show that you will later kick yourself in the ass for (like I did when I missed Yo La Tengo in Santa Cruz, Calif. - I'm still kicking myself).concerts.xls

Labels: Anti-Flag, The Fray