The Fray - Scars & Stories

After what seems like an eternity, tomorrow is the day that The Fray's much-anticipated album Scars & Stories finally arrives.  It's been a long time coming.  I've been eager awaiting it's arrival for over a year but I've spent the last nine months (for me this is comparable to waiting for my baby's birth) digging through personal videos on YouTube that fans have taken of the band performing songs from the upcoming album while on tour.


The desperate countdown began in March of 2011 after seeing the band perform at The Fillmore in San Francisco.  I've had the luxury of seeing them perform seven times and it never gets old.  The SF show did not disappoint!  Along with singing many of the songs I've spent the last seven years obsessing over, lead singer Isaac Slade also belted out a few tunes being recorded for Scars & Stories.  Upon hearing him sing The Fighter, a song he'd written by himself when he'd taken a few days away in a cabin, my heart was on fire with pure joy.  You can take a listen here: 

Back in November I won a Meet & Greet with the band through Star 101.3 FM (actually, I won two different contests with the same radio station) and got to see a live performance - beautiful as always.  We sat just off to the side of the stage where we could reach out and touch them.  

Following the show, my friend and I lined up to meet the band and take a photo.  This was my fourth time meeting/having personal interaction with them so we chatted for a few minutes.  Isaac told me he loved my shoes.  How funny, of all the things for him to notice.  He said, "Of the four times we've met, these are my favorite shoes you've worn."  The boys were all in agreement about my amazing shoes.

That week I had won another mini-concert with The Fray through Alice Radio in SF which would take place the same day as the Star show.  As we left the Star show, my friend told the boys, "We'll see you at the show tonight.  She (meaning me) won for that show too."  The second live show was even better than the first.  I was disappointed because they didn't sing The Fighter during either show, instead focusing on the first single off the album entitled Heartbeat.  Watch the video here:

 

During the show DJ Marcus D (@marcusdshow) announced that he'd be pulling a name from the entry forms we filled out when we entered the lounge.  As he began calling out the winners, I realized he had announced my friend's name.  There we were winning yet another Meet & Greet with Isaac and Co.

After the show, we headed to the back where they'd be bringing the band to meet the winners.  As soon as we were given the go-ahead to go in, I stepped directly in front of Isaac and Joe and said, "We're back."  Pointing to me, Ben (drummer) yelled, "It's the shoes!!!"  They all became animated, joking around with us.  We took another photo with them and then I stepped to the side with Isaac and Joe.  I began telling them how disappointed I was that they didn't sing The Fighter.  As soon as they heard this, their interest was obviously piqued by the looks on their faces.  Isaac leaned against the wall and asked, "Did you hear it at The Fillmore show?"  They were intrigued by my love for the song.  I told them how powerful the song is and what an impact it's had on me.  We said our goodbyes and they said, "See you in February!"  I only realized about a month ago when The Fighter was released as their second single, why they were so excited at my inquiry of the song.  I've always been able to pick the singles ahead of release.  ; )

I'll be seeing the band again in just two weeks at the Fox Theater in Oakland and hopefully I'll have more adventures to share.  Until then, Happy Listening!  Don't forget to pre-order your copy of Scars & Stories now at http://www.thefray.com/us/heartbeat.

Muzikgirl