The Frames have been forced to cut short their European tour after violin player Colm Mac Con Iomaire suffered a collapsed lung.

"They were about to leave the UK for the Czech Republic when Colm was taken ill," a spokesman tells hotpress.com. "The same thing happened during the spring when they were in the the States. Colm made a speedy recovery then, and I'm sure he will do now. Things are a bit up in the air, but as it stands, The Frames will be at Witnness."

On a rather more upbeat note, live album 'Breadcrumb Trail', soon to be released through Plateau in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, is being made available to Framesians at home by post. Those who want a copy of this collection of live work recorded at the Staré Pekárne venue in Brno, Czech Republic, can send a cheque or postal order for eur 15 (made out to "The Frames") to The Frames, PO Box 8905, Dublin 6, Ireland.

The tracklisting runs as follows: Lay Me Down, What Happens When The Heart Just Stops, Rent Day Blues, Fitzcarraldo, Giving Me Wings, Ohio Riverboat Song, Santa Maria, Mighty Sword, Red Chord, New Partner, plus bonus tracks Look Back Now and Star Star.

Lastly in slightly wilder Frames news, crocodile hunter extraordinaire Steve Irwin declared his undying love for the band last week during an interview on Dallas radio. He joins Bruce Springsteen as a leading member of their U.S. Fan Club.