FRUUPP

FRUUPP
FRUUPP
Origin	Belfast, Northern Ireland,United Kingdom
Genres	Progressive Rock
Years active	1971–1976
Labels	Dawn Records
Past members	Vincent McCusker Peter Farrelly Stephen Houston Martin Foye John Mason

FRUUPP were a 1970's British progressive rock band, which originated in Belfast, Northern Ireland UK, but developed a fan base in Great Britain. They were relatively popular, particularly on the student scene and as a supporting act, opening for such bands as Genesis, Queen, and King Crimson.

History

One of the hardest-working progressive bands to end up languishing in relative obscurity, Fruupp was begun in 1971 by guitarist Vince McCusker and quickly pulled together a group of largely classically trained musicians; the lineup was unusual in that keyboardist Stephen Houston doubled on the oboe. (The unusual band name was taken from a Lectreset sheet.) The band's resulting sound is not unlike Spring or early Genesis, with primary composers McCusker and Houston acting as foils for each other: Houston's cello, oboe, and violin typically lend dark folk textures beneath McCusker's aggressive guitar parts and Peter Farelly's YES-influenced vocals. After two years of gigging, they shopped their demo tape around and were picked up by Pye Records for their Dawn label. Between 1973 and 1975, Fruupp released four albums, the last of which was produced by King Crimson alum Ian McDonald; the band also toured in support of Crimson. Despite playing hundreds of gigs per year throughout the U.K. and Europe during this period, their record sales never quite took off, and the band closed up shop after a final London gig at the Roundhouse in 1976. Although the band was working on the fifth album (to be entitled "Doctor Wilde's Twilight Adventure"), poor record sales of their earlier album meant Fruupp broke up in December 1976. While rumours circulated at the end of 2006 of a possible reunion tour, this did not materialise.

Most of the artwork on their album covers was created by bassist/singer Peter Farrelly.

Active from 1971 to 1976.

Personnel

Vincent McCusker – guitar, vocals (1971–1976)
Peter Farrelly – bass guitar, guitar, lead vocals (1971–1976)
Martin Foye – drums, percussion (1971–1976)
Stephen Houston – keyboards, oboe, vocals (1971 – January 1975)

Discography

Studio albums

Future Legends (Dawn, 5 October 1973)
Seven Secrets (Dawn, 19 April 1974)
The Prine Of Heaven's Eyes (Dawn, 8 November 1974)
Modern Masquerades (Dawn, 14 November 1975)

Compilations

Songs for a Thought (Sequel, 1992)
It's All Up Now: Anthology (Castle Music, 1 November 2004)

Singles

"The Prince of Darkness" b/w "Annie Austere" (Dawn, 11 October 1974)
"Prince of Heaven" b/w "The Jaunting Car" (Dawn, 18 October 1974)
"Janet Planet" b/w "Why" (Pye, 24 October 1975)
”Annie Austere” b/w “Decision” - Live (Bad Pressings, 15 December 2021)

Live

Live - Masquerading With Dawn (Bad Pressings, 2022; Archival material recorded on December 6, 1975)