The Fray with Jack’s Mannequin
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
Details: $25.50 to $45.50; ticketmaster.com
Joe King and Isaac Slade of The Fray, may be writing the band’s third album, but don’t think they’ve moved on from its February release.
The members of this alt/rock, Denver-based band built their fan base through a classic word-of-mouth campaign and they take that lesson with them on the road, building enthusiasm for their ever-evolving sound one audience at a time.
“Right now, it’s all about the second album,” said Slade from the band’s Denver recording studio. “The first record nobody cared about and it kind of snuck in under the radar. The second one some critics said it was the best other critics said it was the worst; you can’t go by what critics say or you’re just like a puppet on a string.”
Slade makes it clear that although the band has sold millions of albums and garnered a coveted Grammy nomination, they aren’t moving away from the band’s original sound, born of personal experiences and reflections. Still, the band’s music will likely take a bit of a turn now — taking a few more risks, according to Slade — now that he and King are writing solo instead of collaborating completely.
“We go through a process with filters,” said Slade. “And one you get through the band’s producers and the label you have been involved with a lot of people. It is a little more complicated than when I was writing [before the band broke out].”
But that doesn’t mean the fans aren’t still a large part of the equation, which is why the musical road tests of new songs are still so important to the band members.
“The grassroots is where music lives and breathes, where it finds its energy and its passion,” said guitarist Dave Welsh.
The grassroots is also where the band has found musical inspiration. Consider that the incredibly popular “How to Save a Life” was inspired by co-founder Isaac Slade’s experience as a mentor to a crack-addicted teen. The song resonates with many.
“It’s a tricky thing,” said Slade of advancing the band’s sound. “If you make a big departure on any record you may be more satisfied musically, you may be able to pat yourself on the back for breaking your own mold, but you may alienate your fans. We want our fans to come with us, grow with us, and we are definitely careful to honor those fans and our relationship.”
