The Zipps were formed in 1978 from the ashes of another Belfast band The Empire. The line up was Andrew Curliss (bass), Johnny Gruhn (guitar), Mel Power (guitar and vocals), and Paul Fraser (drums) Musical influences were as you would expect at that time, The Jam, Sex Pistols, The Clash and David Bowie. They played the usual venues in Belfast too such as The Harp Bar, The Pound Club, Glenmachen etc and also they gigged extensively on the north coast in venues like the Strand in Portstewart and the Arcadia in Portrush.

The Zipps signed to George Doherty’s Rip-Off label on 30th March 1979 and laid down four self-penned songs “Thoughtless Love”, “Faded Tuxedo”, “Friends” and “Don’t Tell The Detectives”, of which the latter two were released as the bands one and only single.

Mel Power, “The deal with Rip-Off Records came by way of a stroke of luck. As far as I can remember Rip-Off was a child of Emerald Records, which was at that time owned by Solomon Peers. Richard Solomon lived round the corner and took an interest. It was really through him that we got the introduction to Rip-Off. We recorded the single and two other tracks – ‘Thoughtless Love’ (Curliss) and ‘Faded Tuxedo’ (Power). At that stage there was talk of trying our luck in London and whilst Paul and Andrew would probably have been keen enough, I guess I chickened out in the hope of, at that stage, a few ‘A’ Levels. Johnny followed suit and the other tracks didn't get released.” By 1980 The Zipps short-lived career was over. Paul Fraser says “the band eventually split for some very good reason that I've completely forgotten.”

In 1981 several ex members teamed up with Colin Campbell (ex Victim) to form The Zenn. After they split Andrew Curliss, Paul Fraser, Colin Campbell and Aidan Murtagh (ex Protex) formed a new band called The Famous Five. Mel Power had written a few songs and was hoping to generate some interest in them, so old Zipps bandmates Andy Curliss and Johnny Gruhn, Owen McFadden (ex Protex) and Stuart Baillie (ex Acme Music) were roped in to lend a hand. After rehearsals, this motley crew went into a small studio in Newry and recorded 4 songs. Stuart Baillie (he of the good rusty drainpipe voice) provided vocals on two of these – “Don’t Crack Wise With Me Flatfoot” and “The Beat Goes On”.

Eventually rock’n’roll took a backseat. Paul Fraser moved into the property development business, Mel Power became a lawyer, Johnny Gruhn is now a civil engineer for the Roads Service, and Andrew Curliss gained a degree and went into social rehabilitation work with offenders!

Paul and Mel continued to play together in a band called Cage, alongside David McMaster (ex Protex), Tracey Diamond vocals, Dave Stewart bass in the early 2000’s. Two female backing singers, Lucy and Caroline and Marty on percussion completed the line up. Cage gigged regularly and recorded a demo CD with producer Mudd Wallace in Randalstown, plus made further recordings in Windmill Studios, Dublin.