Therapy?

Therapy?

http://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk/
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Biography

This Northern Irish hard rock/indie metal trio was formed by Andy Cairns (guitar, vocals), Michael McKeegan (bass) and Fyfe Ewing (drums). Cairns and Ewing first met by chance at a charity concert in the late 80s. At that time both were playing in covers bands, but decided to begin writing together. McKeegan was drafted in for live support (having originally lent his bass to the duo's bedroom sessions) and the enduring Therapy? line-up was in place.

They played their first gig supporting Decadence Within at Connor Art College in the summer of 1989, by which time they had already composed some 30 songs. After two demos failed to ignite attention from suitable labels, the band released their debut single, "Meat Abstract"/"Punishment Kiss", on their own Multifuckingnational imprint. Following approving plays from John Peel the band found their way on to Wiiija Records, via the intervention of Silverfish's Leslie Rankine. Their debut single was then added to new material for a mini-album, Babyteeth. This was followed in short order by a second abbreviated set, Pleasure Death.

Both these collections went to number 1 in the UK indie charts, but the band remained hamstrung by lack of finance from their record company. Therapy? signed to A&M Records in 1992, and collected a much bigger budget for a new album, Nurse, and touring. However, at best the press were neutral about the record, which featured more complex arrangements and themes than the punk-descended speed burn-outs of earlier releases. The band's career was revitalized in March 1993 when "Screamager' made the UK Top 10. Almost a year later Troublegum was unveiled, which returned to more familiar Therapy? elements - buzz-saw guitar, harsh but persistent melodies and musical adrenaline - aided by a cleaner, leaner production than had previously been the case. Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize - alongside the Prodigy, easily the most extreme record to be offered as a candidate - it enshrined Therapy?"s progress as the most commercially successful UK band working in their territory. In 1995, Infernal Love offered a significant departure. Alongside the trademark grinding hardcore sound came ballads, string quartets and upbeat lyrics, indicating a band able to shed their old skins musically and lyrically, where it might have been easier to retread former glories. Ewing left the band in January 1996 and was eventually replaced by Graham Hopkins (b. Ireland, ex-My Little Funhouse). The band was further augmented by cellist Martin McCarrick. After a protracted absence they released Semi-Detached, an excellent album that returned the band to their roots. Following the collapse of the UK's A&M operation, the band returned to their independent label roots for Suicide Pact - You First, another powerful collection of old school metal.

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