A Brief History of Fula.

1994 - 1996.
Line Up: Nadeen Plant - Vocals, Rob Gould - Keyboards, Jason Gilman - Guitars, Nigel Moss - Bass Guitars.

The original line up of Fula. The band was put together by Rob to contribute to new songs he was recording. A drum machine was borrowed and painstakingly programmed by Rob. More and more songs were recorded, and eventually an album was in the making. This was named 'Beyond the Merrygolight' by Nadeen, and was released on cassette only. Other contributors to the album were Kim Kitchen who laid down a 16 note cornet flurry on the Beatleish 'Gingerbread World', and Jim Lampard, who played an inspired saxophone intro to the album's opener 'Where Did We Go Wrong' (this track was revived for the Dark Matter CD, sans sax). The band played one gig with this line up - supporting indie almost-made-its Green. Jim Lampard joined the live line up - contributing saxophone and second keyboards.

1996 - 1997.
Line Up: Nadeen Plant - Vocals, Rob Gould - Keyboards, Jason Gilman - Guitars, Nigel Moss - Bass Guitars, Greg Boulton - Drums.

Greg joins us on drums to cement the classic 5 person line up of Fula. After a period of jamming, new material was developing and the band embarked on a series of (later aborted) recording sessions for a follow-up to Merrygolight. A gig was offered and the band began to rehearse. Turmoil was unleashed when Nadeen decided to leave only weeks before the gig.

1997 - 1998.
Line Up: Janet Galloway - Vocals, Rob Gould - Keyboards, Jason Gilman - Guitars, Nigel Moss - Bass Guitars, Greg Boulton - Drums.

After a chance meeting with Rob's then landlord, Fula were introduced to talented singer Janet Galloway. She agreed to join the band, and learnt the entire set for the gig in less than two weeks. The gig went down a storm, and more followed, culminating in an early evening slot at the BADAM '98 Festival in front of 1000 people. It was at this time that long-term Fula friend Mike Clement came onto the scene. Although never a member of the band as such, Mike provided occasional percussion and vocals, including a soulful rendition of the Floyd classics "Shine On You Crazy Diamond and "Eclipse", which segued together at the climax of several Fula shows. After around a year with the band, Janet had to announce her departure, and the search for a new vocalist commenced.

1998 - 2000.
Line Up: Zoë Stafford - vocals, Rob Gould - Keyboards, Jason Gilman - Guitars, Nigel Moss - Bass Guitars, Greg Boulton - Drums.

While the band were 'between vocalists', they were still writing new music. When Zoë arrived, she soon took up the lyric writing role and a new album was on the way again. Fula recorded one track for the BADAM '99 promotional CD (Girl in the Window) and embarked on a series of gigs around Manchester (Wychwood, Night & Day, The Roadhouse, Band on the Wall and Manchester University) and also Cambridge and Liverpool universities. They recorded and released the Dark Matter CD in a matter of weeks in time for what would have been a prestigious slot at the ill-fated BADAM '99 Festival. The CD became very popular and copies were requested from radio stations around the world. After another round of Manchester gigs, Zoë was tempted away by another band with good prospects and left Fula. Once more with an empty spot before the mic stand, Fula started auditioning...

2000 - 2002.
Line Up: Josie Bostin - vocals, Rob Gould - Keyboards, Jason Gilman - Guitars, Nigel Moss - Bass Guitars, Greg Boulton - Drums.

Again proving that the mere lack of a vocalist didn't hamper Fula's creativity, the band continued writing music and even recording tracks for Dark Matter's follow up. Early in the year 2000, Josie joined the band. After quickly learning the set she made her live debut with the band at the Classic Rock Society's Prog Fest 2000. The band have performed a number of gigs since then, but the main emphasis has been writing and recording. Towards the end of 2000, after 6 years, Fula were nominated for the Best New Band award at the Classic Rock Society. Work commenced on producing the new album and a new website was launched. Early in 2002 - with all recording complete - Fula were dealt a double blow when, first Jason and then Josie both decided to leave the band.

2002 - Present Day.
Line Up: Fiona Ford - vocals, Rob Gould - Keyboards, Simon Lind - Guitars, Nigel Moss - Bass Guitars, Greg Boulton - Drums.

Whilst on the lookout for new members, work continued on the new album. After extensive mastering and the development of a multimedia CD-Rom section, FCD-2 "The Beautiful, The Delicate & The True" was finished. At around the same time, singer Fiona Ford and guitarist Simon Lind joined the band and the line-up was again complete. In November, Fula returned to the Classic Rock Society's stage in Rotherham.