The Frames
Formed in the Irish capital of Dublin in 1991, the Frames have built their career to the point where they won the coveted best Irish band award at the 2004 Meteor Awards, capturing the title from U2 in front of a veritable who’s who of Irish notables.
The Frames’ work ethic has clearly stood them in good stead, as they have consistently toured Europe and the United States, (particularly the east coast) winning a loyal following in the process.
The Frames’ first album, Another Love Song was releases in 1992 on Island Records, home to compatriots U2 and the Cranberries. When the latter’s career went into hyper drive the Frames were left behind, dropping down their label’s priority list. Eventually, they were dropped, along with many other quality artists, as Island sought to cut costs and reduce expenditure.
ZTT snapped the band up and issued their second album, Fitzcarraldo in 1994. A set of powerfully emotive, songs alloyed to Pete Briquettes excellent production, won the band further plaudits, and once more they toured Europe and America, gaining fans in the press and public. Another album, Dance With The Devil followed before the Frames hooked up with Steve Albini, doyenne of the US independent scene and producer of the Pixies, Cheap Trick and Nirvana among others. The sessions resulted in For The Birds, which once more enhanced their growing reputation.
The Frames have built a strong catalogue of work, but many feel that their live performances are equally as important as their recorded work, and in 2003 they issued the live album Set List, which charted at number one in their homeland, whilst alerting the music world to the fact that the Frames are still a relevant force, some fifteen years into their career.
