The Fray

The American rock outfit the Fray first drew notice for its emotionally charged songwriting and melodic alternative-rock approach. Positioned between U2’s expansive arena mode and the refined pop-rock leanings of Coldplay, Keane, and Counting Crows, the group broke through with its 2005 debut How to Save a Life. The album’s title track, placed in Grey’s Anatomy, became a global hit that entered the U.S. Top Ten and reached number one in Bulgaria, Ireland, Canada, and Spain. Their platinum-certified second album, issued under the band’s own name, opened at the summit of the Billboard rankings, while Scars & Stories (2012) and Helios (2014) further displayed the ensemble’s propulsive, piano-driven rock aesthetic. After frontman Isaac Slade exited in 2022 the remaining members continued as a trio and delivered the EP The Fray Is Back in 2024.

Formed in Denver during 2002, the quartet began when school acquaintances Isaac Slade (vocals, piano) and Joe King (guitar, vocals) met by chance at a local music shop. The pair started casual two-person sessions before adding Slade’s former collaborators, drummer Ben Wysocki and guitarist David Welsh. Slade’s younger brother Caleb briefly participated until he was asked to depart, an event that later inspired the band’s first hit single, “Over My Head (Cable Car).” After releasing the Movement EP in 2002 the group earned airplay support from Denver’s KTCL with the 2003 follow-up Reason EP. Rising local visibility and radio play prompted Westword to name them Best New Band in 2004, which in turn attracted Epic Records; the label signed them in December 2004. The following summer the Fray toured with Weezer and Ben Folds.

How to Save a Life appeared in September 2005, and “Over My Head (Cable Car)” quickly found modern-rock rotation. By early 2006 the track had crossed to Top 40, peaking at number eight and priming audiences for another single. The band then issued the album’s title track, which figured prominently in promotional spots for Grey’s Anatomy and became one of 2006’s standout releases. “How to Save a Life” achieved worldwide success, reaching the U.S. Top Ten for 58 consecutive weeks while hitting number one in Bulgaria, Ireland, Canada, and Spain. Once its chart run subsided the debut had earned double-platinum status in the United States and was recognized as the best-selling digital album ever.

While How to Save a Life maintained international momentum the live set Live at the Electric Factory was issued through select independent retailers in July 2006. The Reason EP was re-released the next year as the group kept touring and occasionally debuted new songs at major shows. Returning to the studio, they completed their self-titled sophomore album in 2009. Brendan O’Brien produced that third full-length, which drew inspiration from trips to Rwanda and Germany. Issued February 7, 2012, Scars & Stories took its title from an unused B-side and was led by the single “Heartbeat.” Late that year Isaac Slade announced work on a fourth record, prompting sessions with Stuart Price, whose credits include the Killers, Madonna, and Keane. The resulting Helios arrived in 2014 to mixed notices yet introduced the stadium-ready singles “Love Don’t Die” and “Break Your Plans.” Two years later the career overview Through the Years: The Best of the Fray appeared, featuring the new song “Singing Low.”

In March 2022 Isaac Slade revealed his departure and played his final show with the group at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. The band elected to continue as a trio, with Joe King taking over vocal and songwriting duties. July 2024 brought the single “Time Well Wasted,” which surfaced on the EP The Fray Is Back later that year.