Christian Punk band formed in the late 70's by well known singer / songwriter on the Christian folk / rock scene Andy McCarroll, (vocals / guitar / keyboards), James Davis (guitars), William Hilary (keyboards), Ian Sloan (drums) and Alan Gillespie (bass). They were managed by ex Rudi manager Kyle Leitch from the Caroline Music record shop. As their guitarist James Davis recalled in the book It Makes You Want To Spit! “We were probably closer to New Wave although influences included The Clash, Jam, Magazine, Buzzcocks, Boomtown Rats and early Police. I was a big fan of Joy Division and Siouxsie & The Banshees”.

McCarroll released two solo albums prior to forming Moral Support, 1975's Through Different Eyes Nowon the Crumlin based D & A Records, and the 1978 Epitaph For A Rebelon Grapevine records, which was a local subsiduary of Christian record label Pilgrim Records. Moral Support gigged extensively all over Ireland:  they were the biggest band on the Christian rock scene in Ireland in the late 70's / early 80's and were credited with introducing 'New Wave' to the Christian fraternity in the U.S.A.  "The band did make an impact at the Greenbelt Festival in England which in those days attracted crowds of twenty thousand people, and this would have opened the doors for the U.S. market" said Kyle Leitch.  James Davis played guitar on a number of occasions with Belfast punk band The Lids, whose lead singer Geoff Shannon happened to be James’ brother-in-law.

In 1979 Moral Support released their only 7" single Just Where It’s At Tonight c/w Sin on the Round Records label, and this was followed in 1980 by the Zionic Bondsalbum, released on the Belfast based Switch record label, which was situated in Donegal Square South in the city centre.  It was recorded at ICC studios in Eastbourne, England and was produced by Andy Kidd.  The album was also released in America on the Pilgrim America label on both vinyl and cassette with altered song titles and credited to Andy McCarroll & Moral Support. The track Sinwas included on an American compilation album The British Are Coming, released in 1983 which featured new Christian artists at the time. After the albums release, Bill Hilary left the band and they continued as a four-piece with McCarroll alternating between guitar and keyboards. They made their last live appearance at the Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival, England in 1983.

Kyle Leitch - "In the end a few of the guys were ready to settle down so they didn't fully exploit the potential which was clearly evident."