Only a few days before Therapy? visit our country once again Andy Cairns, Michael McKeegan and Neil Cooper spoke to Afternoiz.gr about, among other things, the highlights of their 35-year music journey, the 30 year anniversary of Troublegum, their latest release “Hard Cold Fire” and the modern digital age of music. They also reveal that they are preparing a new album for 2025 while informing us about their current musical preferences. Check it out on GREEK too!
1989-2024. 35 years for Τherapy?. Could you imagine it back in the 1990s that you would last so much and that you would be still going today?
Not at all! We only ever plan from one record release to the next. We have been fortunate that all our hard work and touring in our early years enables us to have fans all over the world.
The constant love of music and discovering new music alongside the joy of touring, making new friends and the ever present thrill of new experiences keep us going.
What made you form the band and what keeps you going still?
An escape from everyday reality of life in the North of Ireland and, more importantly, a love of angry punk guitar music influenced our choice of lifestyle. The constant love of music and discovering new music alongside the joy of touring, making new friends and the ever present thrill of new experiences keep us going.
Looking back, what would you say are the milestones and the highlights during these 35 years of Τherapy?
Self-releasing our first single in 1990, having an American release through the legendary Touch & Go Records from Chicago, making 1994’s successful Troublegum album, appearing on the seminal Judgement Night album, headlining the famous Ulster Hall in Belfast several times, getting to tour with bands we admire, Helmet, Jesus Lizard, The Stranglers, Henry Rollins, Tad and many more.
2024 also marks 30 years since the release of Troublegum in 1994. There was talk of some special “Τroublegum” live shows during this year. Ιs the concert in Athens (February 1Oth) one of them?
There will be Troublegum shows in 2024 but the Athens show will not be one of them as it was booked before we decided to do the anniversary shows. The audience has no cause to worry as we’ll be playing a lot of songs from Troublegum, Infernal Love and Nurse in the Athens show.
Are you planning some anniversary CD reissue?
Yes, Universal Music will be releasing an anniversary version on vinyl.
What is the feedback you have been getting about Hard Cold Fire?
We have had very positive feedback from Hard Cold Fire. Most importantly our fans love it and the songs have been going down very well in concert, secondly its managed to chart in a few countries and even went top 30 in the UK. The majority of the reviews have been very good which is heartening after so many years.
For a hard working band like us that likes to tour a lot this isn’t a problem.
You have said that is not a “lockdown” album. What do you mean by that?
The album was written during Covid but the lyrics are not about the pandemic. We thought people have been through enough pain without having to write songs to remind them.
What is your comment regarding the digital age of music and the streaming industry? Does it help bands or not?
It helps bands find global exposure but it doesn’t make the majority of bands much money. For a hard working band like us that likes to tour a lot this isn’t a problem. It means people have access to all our music at a click and if they like what they hear they can buy a concert ticket and some merch.
What do you like to hear these days? Are there any new bands that you like?
We’re a very open-minded band and always listen to new music alongside old classics.
on my current listening playlist is:
Bloody Heads – Perpetual Eden
Enola Gay – Casement
Aesop Rock – Mindful Solutionism
Vlure – This is not the End
Tube Alloys – Magnetic Point
Home Front – Games of Power
Claire M Singer – Soar
Tozcos – PresosHouse of Pharaohs – New Era
Aunty Rayzor – Stuttrap
What lays ahead for Τherapy? What are your plans for the foreseeable future?
We’re constantly writing so after this years Troublegum anniversary we can look forward to another album and more touring in 2025.
Last but not least, what would you like to say to the Greek fans that can’t wait for the concert in February?
Αγαπητοί Έλληνες φίλοι, είμαστε πολύ ενθουσιασμένοι που επιστρέφουμε για να παίξουμε μια συναυλία για όλους. Πάντα απολαμβάνουμε να επισκεπτόμαστε την όμορφη Αθήνα. Ελπίζουμε να σας δούμε όλους εκεί. Αγάπη και σεβασμός από Therapy?
Be there on Saturday, 10 February @ Gagarin 205!
