Phillyist Playlist: The Frames at The TLA

There are those who had never heard of Glen Hansard before Once became a surprise hit in 2007 and "Falling Slowly," the song Hansard penned with co-star Markéta Irglová, beat out three—count 'em—Disney tunes to win an Oscar for Best Original Song. And if you are one of those people who embraced Once, who danced to "Falling Slowly" at your wedding, who rushed to sold-out Swell Season shows to hear the songs you'd grown to love live, we won't hold it against you. But you should know that that movie did not launch a career, but rather only supplemented it. Nay, ye indie cinephiles: though Once was only Hansard's second film (and Irglová's first), Hansard's career long pre-dates his cinematic success.

How long? Try two decades.

Although it might be hard to believe, Hansard reached two milestones this year: his fortieth birthday and the twentieth anniversary of his band, The Frames. If you haven't heard of the Irish rockers, well, you haven't been reading Phillyist long enough. Also, you need to go listen to them now. Right now. We'll wait.

See? We told you you'd like.

And believe us when we tell you that you'll like them even more live. The band puts on such a good show that rock icon Bob Dylan took the whole lot of them on the Australian leg of his tour three years ago. The band is one of those rare few with a talent to sound as good on stage as in the studio—possibly better. There are still tickets available to tonight's show, and, bonus, ticket sales from The Frames' Twentieth Anniversary Tour will benefit the (RED) Global Fund. An awesome night of rock and the chance to do something to fight AIDS, TB, and malaria? Why haven't you gotten your tickets yet?

The Frames with Jake Clemons
The TLA (334 South Street)
TONIGHT, November 19, 2010, 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35.25 or $75 for a pack of four