Ax facts & Stats vol. 44: The Fray's Joe King

The 2006 concert season is in progress and one of the hottest touring bands this year is The Fray. This harmonious Denver based quartet, featuring Isaac Slade (vocals, piano), Joe King (Guitars), Ben Wysocki (drums) and Dave Welsh (guitarist) was created in 2002 and swiftly proved that their superior pop-rock formula combined with the support of a devoted grassroots following and listener fueled radio support equals success. The Fray, named after inside jokes about the bands affinity to battle it out over song composition, gained international coverage through far more than fan and radio support: These guys are simply damn good. Joining us today is The Fray’s co-founder and guitarist, Joe King. Until three years ago, Joe had aspirations of starting his own Real estate company, but after a chance get-together and off the cuff jam session at an area music store with Isaac Slade (King’s former schoolmate) The Fray was born. Joe King possesses a history of musical aptitude and experience which includes his learning to play the piano at an early age that ultimately lead to a period competing in the local recital circuit prior to dropping the piano and picking up the guitar in junior high school. The Fray is presently on the road selling out venues across America in support of their How To Save A Life release featuring their super hit single, "Over My Head (Cable Car)". Ladies and gentlemen… meet The Fray’s Joe King:

My name is:

  • Joe King

    Describe yourself in 5 words:

  • 25-year-old Spaniard.

    My current job is:

  • The Fray

    My hometown:

  • Denver

    My current album or project is:

  • How To Save A Life

    Former bands:

  • Spruce & Fancy's Show Box My guitar influences growing up were:
  • The Edge, Rivers Cuomo and Kurt Cobain

    The guitars I use are:

  • 69' Strat, Martin HDLSV-28(Brazilian Rosewood baby!), 68' Gibson ES330

    The strings and tunings I use are:

  • D’addario light guage, and Martin. FACGCE, DADGAD.

    My current rig setup consists of:

  • Vox AC30

    The greatest invention for guitars is:

  • um... don't have one.

    My normal songwriting process consists of:

  • Melody or riff first, structure second, lyrics last.

    My favorite all-time guitar solo is:

  • Bulls on Parade by Tom Morello

    My favorite all-time song is:

  • this is so tuff. Imagine by John Lennon

    My Career highlight thus far is:

  • My 3-year-old girl sings all my songs.

    My favorite The Fray song is:

  • Trust Me

    My most embarrassing moment on stage:

  • Happened to be the first time we played the song live, but I absolutely for the life of me could not find the key singing and had to stop the band to find it.

    Other than my guitar, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is:

  • a pick

    The first song I ever mastered on guitar:

  • Come As You Are by Nirvana

    My first guitar was:

  • Franciscan acoustic guitar

    If I am only sure of one thing in life, It's:

  • family is everything

    The one ritual I always perform prior to going on stage is:

  • stretching with the band

    The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was:

  • not and exact moment, I went back and forth a whole lot.

    The one thing most fans don't know About me is:

  • I'm a killer Poker player.

    The best advice I could give beginning guitarists:

  • play with other musicians.

    CD(s) I'm listening to right now:

  • this exact moment as i write this, I’m listening to My Morning Jacket Z.

    My 3 all-time favorite albums:

  • another tuff one. Joshua Tree - U2, Grace- Jeff Buckley, Highway 61 Revisited- Bob Dylan

    Best gig:

  • Denver's Paramount Theatre- The Fray's CD release show.

    Favorite junk food:

  • M&M's

    My biggest pet peeve:

  • when I'm in conversation with someone and in the middle of whatever I’m saying they pull out there blackberry and start checking their damn emails.

    The word or catch phrase I say too much is:

  • what's up man?

    The hardest part of my job:

  • ok this is another tough one. Maybe not being able to go number 2 on the bus.

    The first thing I do when I come home from touring is:

  • go number 2. Then hang out with the family.

    Previous or first day job:

  • first day job was detailing at an auto shop.

    Right after this interview I'm going to:

  • go win money and get comped playing poker because I’m in Vegas.

    I couldn't imagine being on the road without:

  • my toothbrush.

    If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as:

  • trying to figure that one out.

    Favorite movie:

  • Tommy Boy

    My mission in life:

  • Love God, and others as myself.

    My guilty pleasure:

  • Celine Dion.

    My first band was:

  • Spruce

    My next major step is:

  • Selling out Red Rocks.

    The greatest contribution guitars have brought into my life is:

  • don't understand this one...

    Check out our Website at:

  • thefray.net

    The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be:

  • Bob Dylan

    If I could have three wishes, they would be:

  • health forever, love forever, and to number 2 on the bus.

    When it's all said and done, I want the world to remember me for:

  • lived his dream and didn't loose his life doing it.

    Copyright 2006 Dave B. Roberts & www.extremeguitars.com is the web home of articles and interviews written by Dave Roberts. All Dave Roberts interviews & articles are available for use or FREE reprint ONLY by Permission and proper credits. Permission can be obtained by contacting dave@extremeguitars.com. All materials are Copyright 2004 Dave Roberts and Oceanbreeze Ent., All Rights Reserved.

    Contact me at dave@extremeguitars.com



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