Draft:FRUUPP - Progressive Rock Band (1971-1976)

FRUUPP was a 1970's British progressive rock band that 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
FRUUPP was begun in 1971 by guitarist Vince McCusker. The band name was taken from a Lectreset sheet. McCusker was joined by a group of largely classically trained musicians, including keyboardist Stephen Houston who doubled on the oboe. The band's 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. The band's sound was compared to Spring or early Genesis.

After two years of gigging, FRUUPP 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 Ian McDonald; the band also toured in support of King 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 FRUUPP disbanded 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.

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)

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)