For the birds - and the teenage dirtbags

The Frames' ongoing conquer-America campaign is going swimmingly, with the band not only packing houses but picking up some celebrity fans in New York. As you do.

The morning after Glen & Co. had torn The Mercury Lounge apart, a message appeared on the forum at www.theframes.ie from 'Pete', saying (and we quote):

"Hey all. I play in a band called Wheatus, dont know if you heard of us or our single Teenage Dirtbag. Anyway. The whole band went to the Mercury Lounge show in NYC on the 8th and it was one of the best shows we have ever seen.

"Hope the band checks this out and knows we think they are the best thing out there now. Later on all. "

The band's webmistress was a bit dubious as to the veracity of the posting at first but, after checking, confirmed that it was indeed from the frat rockers' drummer, Peter Brown, who'd been told about The Frames by Abbey Road engineer Tim Willis.

Of course, this is not the first celebrity fan the band have acquired along the way. To read about the "warm feeling inside" experienced by Brian Eno following a Frames gig in London, click here.

Further love letters from teenage dirtbags etc notwithstanding, The Frames' nationwide American tour (supporting The New Pornographers) continues through February, with their own headlining date scheduled for the Abbey Pub, Chicago (Feb 23rd). Following that, the band head to Texas for the South by Southwest Festival on Paddy's Weekend.