Dave Welsh
Encyclopedia
David "Dave" Welsh is the lead guitarist for the Denver-based piano rock
band The Fray
.
and attended D'Evelyn High School in Denver, Colorado but later transferred to Ralston Valley High School
in Arvada, Colorado
. Born in a musical household, Dave began playing the guitar when he was twelve years old, after failing to learn to play the piano and saxophone. In an interview, he stated that the opening track from Radiohead
's 2000 album, Kid A
, "Everything in Its Right Place
" challenged his assumptions about music. Before taking up music as a career, Dave worked in an ice-cream shop with future band-mate Ben Wysocki
, and later moved to a shoe store.
Ben Wysocki
and singer-pianist
Isaac Slade
. "Ember" soon dissolved, and in the spring of 2002, Slade ran into guitarist
Joe King
. The duo began regular jam sessions, which led to writing new songs. Wysocki joined them, and later Welsh was invited to join the band as lead guitarist. The newly formed band was named "The Fray".
in 2005. Dave limited himself to playing only guitar on the album. However, on their second album, The Fray
, he played synthesizer and other keyboard parts, most notably on the track "We Build Then We Break". Commenting on the experience, he said "I love to explore musically."
Piano rock
Piano rock, sometimes referred to as piano pop, is a style of popular music that is based around the piano—and sometimes piano-related instruments such as keyboards–with piano typically replacing rhythm guitar as the rhythm instrument...
band The Fray
The Fray (band)
The Fray is an American rock band from Denver, Colorado. Formed in 2002 by schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King, they achieved success with the release of their debut album, How to Save a Life in 2005, which was certified double platinum by the RIAA and platinum in Australia, Canada, New Zealand...
.
Early life
Welsh was born in Tucson, ArizonaTucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
and attended D'Evelyn High School in Denver, Colorado but later transferred to Ralston Valley High School
Ralston Valley High School
Ralston Valley High School is a public high school in Arvada, Colorado. Since it opened for the 2000 school year, its enrollment has grown to around 1700 students...
in Arvada, Colorado
Arvada, Colorado
The City of Arvada is a Home Rule Municipality located in Jefferson and Adams counties in the Denver metropolitan area of the U.S. State of Colorado. Olde Town Arvada is located northwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver...
. Born in a musical household, Dave began playing the guitar when he was twelve years old, after failing to learn to play the piano and saxophone. In an interview, he stated that the opening track from Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
's 2000 album, Kid A
Kid A
Kid A is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released in October 2000 by the Parlophone label. A commercial success worldwide, Kid A went platinum in its first week of release in the United Kingdom. Despite the lack of an official single or music video as publicity, Kid A...
, "Everything in Its Right Place
Everything in Its Right Place
"Everything in Its Right Place" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, written by lead singer Thom Yorke in 1999. It was recorded with producer Nigel Godrich in Batsford later the same year...
" challenged his assumptions about music. Before taking up music as a career, Dave worked in an ice-cream shop with future band-mate Ben Wysocki
Ben Wysocki
Benjamin Wysocki is the drummer for Denver-based piano rock band The Fray.-Early life:Wysocki was born in Denver, Colorado, in a conservative household. After struggling with piano lessons , he began to learn how to play drums in the sixth grade...
, and later moved to a shoe store.
Beginnings
Dave began playing guitar in a band named "Ember", with future The Fray drummerDrummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Ben Wysocki
Ben Wysocki
Benjamin Wysocki is the drummer for Denver-based piano rock band The Fray.-Early life:Wysocki was born in Denver, Colorado, in a conservative household. After struggling with piano lessons , he began to learn how to play drums in the sixth grade...
and singer-pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
Isaac Slade
Isaac Slade
Isaac Edward Slade is the lead vocalist, main songwriter, pianist, and co-founder of Denver-based piano rock band The Fray.-Early years:...
. "Ember" soon dissolved, and in the spring of 2002, Slade ran into guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Joe King
Joe King (guitarist)
Joe King is the guitarist, backing vocalist, songwriter and co-founder of Denver-based piano rock band The Fray.-Early life:Joe King was born on May 25, 1980 in Colorado, and is of Spanish descent...
. The duo began regular jam sessions, which led to writing new songs. Wysocki joined them, and later Welsh was invited to join the band as lead guitarist. The newly formed band was named "The Fray".
The Fray
The Fray achieved mainstream success with their debut album, How to Save a LifeHow to Save a Life
How to Save a Life is the debut album by The Fray. Released on September 13, 2005 through Epic Records, the record charted in the top 15 on the Billboard 200 and was a top ten hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK...
in 2005. Dave limited himself to playing only guitar on the album. However, on their second album, The Fray
The Fray (album)
The Fray is the second studio album by The Fray. Released on February 3, 2009, through Epic Records, the album debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200 chart, and became a top 5 hit in Australia and Canada. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2010...
, he played synthesizer and other keyboard parts, most notably on the track "We Build Then We Break". Commenting on the experience, he said "I love to explore musically."