Fruupp (prog. rock / Ireland)

Fruupp, who formed in early 1971, were an early 1970s progressive rock band, which originated in Northern Ireland, but developed a fan base in Britain. 

Fruupp was the brainchild of Vincent McCusker, guitarist, songwriter and vocals, a native of Maghera, Northern Ireland. Vince had been a member of The Blues by Five - an R&B group who performed mostly on the famous Irish-Showband, ballroom circuit. There weren't really a lot of other places to play in Ireland at that point so Vince's idea was to form a progressive group and shortcut the Belfast/Irish circuit by heading straight to London.

They were relatively popular, particularly on the student scene, and as a support group (they supported Genesis and Queen on their UK tour in 1974). 
Fruupp played their first gig in Belfast on 23rd June 1971, supporting Rory Gallagher in the Ulster Hall.

They released several albums, including Future Legends (1973), Seven Secrets (1974), The Prince of Heaven's Eyes (1974), and Modern Masquerades (1975). 

Most of the artwork on their album covers was created by bassist/singer Peter Farrelly.
Stephen Houston left the band in January 1975 and became a Christian activist, to be replaced by John Mason, who can be heard on their final album, Modern Masquerades, produced by King Crimson founder and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, who also played saxophone on it.

The band eventually broke up in December 1976.

There were rumours at the end of 2006 of a possible reunion tour, including a statement by Houston on his website that he was: "definitely open to the possibility of a reunification tour if management, funding and the band members personal lifestyles could handle the upheaval".


Personnel:

Vince McCusker - Guitar, Vocals (born 3 October 1949)
Stephen Houston - Keyboards, Oboe, Vocals  (born 18 July 1953)
Peter Farrelly - Bass, Guitar, Lead Vocals (born 4 January 1949)
Martin Foye - Drums, Percussion (born 13 May 1951)
Miles McKee - 
John Mason - Keyboards, Vibes, Vocals 


Discography:

Future Legends (released: October 5, 1973)
Seven Secrets (released: April 19, 1974)
The Prince of Heaven's Eyes (released: November 8, 1974)
Modern Masquerades (released: February, 1975)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruupp 


(Legend had it that the band's name Fruupp came from the name of a ghost who allegedly haunted said house. Fact has it that the name came from a Letraset sheet, which had been all used up, except for the letters F, R, U, P. The group added another U and P.)