The Frauds tell an interesting tale of how EJ Emerson and Rick Bowman came across each other at the ripe age of 16. Perfect strangers at the time, they found themselves in, of all places, St. Petersburg, Russia. After many nights of debauchery, they discovered a shared taste in music and formed a group with brother Eric Emerson upon returning to Baltimore. That project didn't last long, as each member was involved in a separate project of his own. Bowman spent a two-year stint drumming with Baltimore indie-strongholds The Put-Outs. After playing in front of bands like the Figgs, Nada Surf, You Am I, Cheap Trick, the Braille Drivers, and a US tour with indie-favorites Superdrag, Bowman opted out to start a new project (The Frauds) with old friends, the Emersons. Soon thereafter, the trio recruited their second guitarist, long-time friend Brice Hickey, to take their sound to another level. Together they crafted a sound reflecting aspects of each of their over 300 influences. Within nine months of coming together, the foursome had written, produced, recorded, and self-released their debut album The Frauds.

Released on their own Orange Rock Records (Ocean City, MD) label, The Frauds’ album The Frauds features 13 tracks of unapologetic, in-your-face rock-n-roll. The album’s sound is raw enough to appeal to truly devout indie rock fans, yet its subtle pop essence opens the door to mainstream ears as well. Along with a rock solid album in the can, the foursome delivers a live show that makes it hard to resist moving to the tantalizing guitar riffs. The louder-than-life sound of The Frauds’ live show has not gone overlooked. Internationally-known bands such as Australia’s Jet, Sweden’s The Sounds, and Flickerstick (VH1 Bands on the run) invited The Frauds to share the stage with them. The band is currently recording their next two albums, the first is slated for release in October, 2006. You'll see the next release in mid-2007.

BabySue Online Review

Amplifier Magazine Review
Oh, I get it - the name's meant to be ironic. Or is it? A rock band that focuses on riffs, power chords and driving rhythms can surely only be described as the real thing, right? In true punk D-I-Y fashion, the sleeve notes announces that The Frauds was "recorded in our apartments, by ourselves." C'mon, the authenticity is bleeding out of these fellows' noses. What more could you want? Really, what more? Can you tell the difference anymore between the real McCoy and a fraud nowadays? Is there even a discernible difference? And does it matter? Maybe that's the message behind The Fraud's nom de plume. No hidden agenda, certainly, in the painfully honest, earthy and straightforward sixteen songs that you will discover on this worthy platter. Just good tunes that, you know, rock! I suppose if you really needed a handle on The Frauds, the garage revival comes into the equation somewhat but really there's a touch of Weezer power pop that surfaces here and there, not to mention plain ol' 70s classic rock. The Frauds mix it up nicely so they never get boring; and so, uneasy geeky power ballads like "Stare" get thrown together with traditional rock fare like "The Church of Seduction & The Republic of Business," "Radio Waves" and "Believe What I've Found" and so on. In the meantime, tracks like the jangly "She'll Never Tell" and the acoustic "Tattoo You" provide the useful breaks in the pace that keeps things on an even keel throughout. Recommended.  –  Kevin Mathews

Jersey Beat Review:

THE FRAUDS – The Frauds
Fraud  (noun)  A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain. The Frauds  (noun) An indie quartet from Baltimore, Maryland whose sound is characterized by driving melodic guitars, three part vocal harmony, and balls to the wall rock. The Frauds debut album is a great slice of indie rock served with a side of power pop.  This band really delivers the goods on this fantastic record, the goods being some really fantastic and melodic guitar work that is reminiscent of New Pornographers and Superdrag.

But not every song is sweet and sugary, a perfect mix so you don’t spoil your dinner.  The opening track, “The Church of Seduction & The Republic of Business” doesn’t wait around to get the show going.  After a quick sound bite convicting the listener of “Assholeism,” the track blasts forward with a chugging guitar line.  The chorus of the song utilizes a fantastic cascading guitar line that leaps out at the listener like a surprise birthday party.  This track helps setup the shape of the album and allows the listener to experience the colors that The Frauds are painting with.  Another standout track is the very power pop oriented track “Fade Away.”  The album was produced by Rick Bowman and EJ Emerson, two members of the group. The production allows the group to come alive on the album. Each track is recorded with just the right mix allowing the vocal harmonies, guitar lines, bass riffs, and drum tracks to be heard clear as day. Fans of Superdrag, New Pornographers, Early Weezer, The Shins, and good music in general, will want to run to their local music store and demand a copy ofThe Frauds.  –  Andrew Haines

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