Sleeve Notes
SONGS FOR A THOUGHT


FRUUPP was the brain child of Vince McCusker, a native of the Parish of Maghera.   Vince had spent some time in the early months of 1971 in London writing a bunch of songs.  Unable to find musicians on the mainland Vince returned to Belfast to form a band to play his material.

            He recruited Miles “Tinhead” McKee as lead vocalist, Stephen Houston on keyboards checking out the clouds and oboe, Peter Farrelly on bas guitar, vocals and artwork and Martin Foye (ex of Fosset’s Circus) on drums.  Vince’s earlier band, Blues by Five, had featured the very same “Tinhead” on drums.

            The name FRUUPP comes not (as mentioned in biogs at the time) from the name of a ghost that haunted their rehersal house in Belfast.  It’s simply from a Electroset Page that had “FRUP” on it: the chaps added a “you”” and a “pea”, as one does, to achieve FRUUPP.

            FRUUPP debuted at the Ulster Hall, Belfast, supporting Rory Gallegher amongst others, on the 23rd June 1971.  They boarded the Belfast/Hesham ferry a few days latter and played their first English date at Mr Smiths, Manchester, on 2nd July 1971.

            It became apparent after a few more of the English gigs that “Tinhead” was not exactly comfortable as lead singer and so he left FRUUPP to listen to Astral Weeks two thousand eight hundred and forty nine times.  Peter Farrelly took over lead vocals and off they set touring England for the next ten months.

            Those were the long gone days of band, roadie, manager and equipment all in a Ford Transit van, single wheel base, if you don’t mind and I’m sure you don’t, travelling the length and breadth of England, Scotland and Wales.  Making fans and friends everywhere from Derby to Aylesbury but particularly in those two towns.

            Around that time FRUUPP signed to Dawn Records (the contemporary arm, leg or foot of Pye Records).  In July 1973 they visited the Escape Studios in Kent and recorded the album that now sells for as much as !50 in the record stalls in Camden, “Future Legends”.  “Future Legends” was released in September 1973 without thought or fear of a single.

            The original version contained a stage favourite, “On A Clear Day”, which Stephen and Holst penned together a hundred odd years apart.  Unfortunately Holst neglected to tell “his people” so clearance for “On A Clear Day” was refused literally a month prior to release.  FRUUPP hastily returned to the studios and recorded another cheerful little tune, “Graveyard Epistle”.  I’m happy to tell you that in 1979 this restriction was lifted and here for the first time is that same track in all its glory.

            FRUUPP ploughed through England and parts of Europe for the next couple of years doing it the ASGARD way; playing everywhere they were allowed to set up their equipment.  They regularly returned to the studios and released, “The Seven Secrets” in April 1974 and “The Prince of Heaven’s Eyes” on November 9, 1974.

            “The Prince of Heaven’s Eyes” is by a long way FRUUPP’s finest moment – a concept album that even Time Out liked!  At last they were making real progress.  The album was well received, sales were up.  The stage show came together and the gigs were well attended.

            And then …. And then just when you thought you were doing well enough to put an extra tin of baked beans on your shopping list Stephen Houston found religion.   Just like Mud Flanigan, the principal character in “The Prince of Heaven’s Eyes”, he went off in search of several answers.

            Unfortunately FRUUPP never recovered from this loss and although they made one more record, “Modern Masquerades” with John Mason on keyboards, the moment passed and when the moment passes it is gone forever.

                                                                                                            PAUL CHARLES 1991

(From the jacket sleeve of Songs For A Though © Sequel Records 1992)