The Frames released their first album Another Love Song in 1992 and, over nearly a decade, bounced through various well-documented record deals and band line-ups releasing consistently excellent albums (Fitzcarraldo and Dance The Devil) along the way in spite of it. Finally, as the new millennium appeared, the band shook themselves free of outside influences, beginning work on For The Birds, which they released on their own Plateau label in March 2001.
Two years later, after constant touring and an ever-rising fan base, the band released their live opus Set List. It became the first of their albums to début in the Irish Album Charts at No 1 in May 2003. They continued with their relentless touring schedule around the world, signed an international record deal with the Anti record label and found time to record and release their 5th studio album.
Following hot on the heels of a monumental sold-out open-air show in front of nearly 20,000 in Dublin, Burn The Maps was released in September 2004. It went straight to No 1 at home in Ireland and became a long-term fixture in the Irish Charts despite the band having to spend most of their time away on tour supporting its release worldwide in 2005.
The Frames finished up 2005 with a sold-out gig in Dublin’s Point Theatre and meanwhile in the U.S. Burn The Maps finished at No 5 in the New York Times end of year Top 10 releases.
Indulging in a spot of moonlighting in March 2006, frontman Glen Hansard released a universally acclaimed collaborative Swell Season album and tour with Czech singer/pianist/composer Marketa Irglova. The film Once followed in 2007 and the Best Original Song Oscar for that year went to Glen and Mar for the song “Falling Slowly”.
The Frames released their 6th studio album The Cost on Plateau in Ireland on September 2006. It went straight into the album charts at No 2 and was the springboard for a solid year of international touring, which culminated in a Christmas show in Ireland with Snow Patrol and a headline show to ring in the New Year.
After some time away from playing live, the band returned in 2010 to mark their 20 year anniversary with a headline slot at The Electric Picnic. They also played a string of sold out shows in the US and Europe before finishing the year with a run around Dublin in Vicar Street, the 3Olympia and Whelans. They also reconvened to mark the 25 year milestone with 3 sold out shows at the Iveagh Gardens and Cork Marquee.
Last year The Frames marked their 32nd year of musical collaboration and friendship.