8 Mart 2022 Salı

Fruupp / Future Legends (1973)


Ireland

Progressive Rock, Symphonic Prog

Fruupp started life as a heavy rock band in 1970 or 1971. Even members of the group seem to have trouble pinpointing the beginning of the group, but they agree that the name Fruupp was adapted by one of the first series featuring Vincent McCusker. Contrary to stories circulating in the rehearsal studio about the name coming from a ghost, principal Paul Charles explained that the only letters left from an Electraset were F, R, U, and P, adding an extra U and P to get the name Fruupp.

Vince left Belfast for London in early 1971 to meet with his longtime friend and future manager, Paul Charles. In his absence, various musicians used the name Fruupp while performing. It seems that Paul and Vincent had hoped to form a band to play in England, but when things didn't work out, Vincent returned to Belfast and Fruupp returned.

The first reference we can find to the group is in the June 26, 1971 issue of Spotlight in the Wee North column by Colin McLelland. A post about the band reuniting after breaking up earlier in the year and adding a new bassist and drummer. The "new" lineup: Miles McKee (aka Tinhead-vocals), Steve Houston (keyboards), Vincent McCusker (guitar), Martin Foy (e) (drums) and Peter Farrelly (bass).

Miles had also been involved in previous bands like Vince. Steve was a classically trained pianist and was part of the BBC Youth Orchestra before joining the band. Martin had played in several bands before starting drums with Fossett's Circus. Peter was a Lead Guitarist recruited because the band's original music required a "lead" guitarist.

By 1973 the band had stepped in and prepared to record their first album. They had a very successful tour of Ireland, but were still mainly playing against England and the Continent. They signed a recording deal with Dawn Records, a subsidiary of the Pye label, and went to the studio to record the album in July. Future Legends was released in October 1973. It contained eight tracks, each written by Vince McCusker. It received mixed reviews and did not sell well, but the band would still go on to record three more albums. The BBC recorded one of the band's concerts for the "Ireland's Eye" series at Christmas.

Members
Vince McCusker (guitar, vocals), Peter Farrelly (vocals, bass), Stephen Houston (keyboards, oboe, cello, violin, 1971-74), John Mason (keyboards, 1975-76), Martin Foye (drums)

Track Listing

01. Future Legends (1:31)
02. Decision (6:24)
03. As Day Breaks With Dawn (5:00)
04. Graveyard Epistle (6:14)
05. Lord Of The Incubus (6:25)
06. Olde Tyme Future (5:35)
07. Song For A Thought (7:30)
08. Future Legends (0:54)
09. On A Clear Day (Bonus Track) (7:48)


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