What It Is

The song "What It Is" by Frumpy from their album Now is a curious outlier in the band's discography, and the Zoo Freaks tuning into THE ZOO are in for a treat with this one. Unlike Frumpy’s earlier work, which leaned heavily into progressive rock and heavy psych with swirling Hammond organs and intense jams, "What It Is" veers into a poppier, almost mainstream sound. In a 2010 review on ProgArchives, one fan noted that the Now album, released in the early 1990s, feels like “something Michael Jackson might have cut on a bad night,” highlighting its departure from the band’s krautrock roots. The song’s catchy, repetitive chorus and polished production were a bold shift, possibly an attempt to reach a broader audience after the band reunited. Unfortunately, no specific interviews or social media posts from the band about "What It Is" have surfaced recently, which adds to its mystique—perhaps the Zoo Crew can dig deeper into why Frumpy took this pop detour.

Another tidbit about "What It Is" comes from the context of the Now album’s reception. According to a ProgArchives review from 2017, the album disappointed some longtime fans who cherished Frumpy’s 1970s output, like the iconic 2 or By the Way. However, the track still showcases the powerful vocals of Inga Rumpf, whose voice was often compared to Janis Joplin or Babe Ruth’s Jenny Haan for its raw intensity. One fan on a Rate Your Music forum speculated that the song’s radio-friendly vibe might have been a compromise to secure airplay, though it never quite caught on commercially. For the Zoo Freaks, spinning this track is a chance to appreciate Frumpy’s willingness to experiment, even if it left some purists scratching their heads.

Frumpy’s journey began in Hamburg, Germany, in 1970, born out of the ashes of the folk group The City Preachers. Inga Rumpf, the band’s charismatic frontwoman, was already a seasoned performer, having honed her bluesy, soulful voice in the local music scene. According to bio details on AllMusic, Rumpf teamed up with keyboardist Jean-Jacques Kravetz, guitarist Karl-Heinz Schott, and drummer Udo Lindenberg to form Frumpy, a name inspired by their unconventional, free-spirited style. Their early gigs were electrifying, blending progressive rock with krautrock’s experimental edge, and they quickly gained a cult following. Albums like All Will Be Changed (1970) and 2 (1971) cemented their reputation, with Rumpf’s vocals and the band’s Hammond-driven sound earning praise across Europe.

The band’s early success wasn’t without challenges. As noted on Rate Your Music, Frumpy disbanded in 1972 due to creative differences and the pressures of constant touring. Rumpf pursued a solo career and later formed Atlantis, but the Frumpy magic was reignited in the late 1980s, leading to the Now album. Their willingness to evolve kept them relevant, even if the poppier sound of "What It Is" didn’t resonate with all fans. For those wanting to dive deeper, Frumpy’s official website, ingarumpf.de, offers a glimpse into Rumpf’s ongoing projects, though it focuses more on her solo work. Social media presence is limited, but you can find Inga Rumpf on Facebook and Instagram, where she occasionally shares updates about her music and reflections on her career.

For Zoo Freaks looking to connect with other fans, there’s not much in the way of active Frumpy fan communities online today. A Facebook group dedicated to krautrock enthusiasts sometimes discusses Frumpy, and Rate Your Music has a small but passionate community rating and reviewing their albums. On X, searching for Frumpy yields a few nostalgic posts from prog rock fans, but no official band account exists. The lack of a massive online presence only adds to Frumpy’s cult status—perfect for the Zoo Crew to champion a band that’s always marched to its own beat.