Therapy ? - Scala, London, 9/4/2014
by Chris O'Toole
published: 3 / 5 / 2014
intro
Chris O'Toole at the Scala in London watches Irish alternative rock trio Therapy? play a euphoric set to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their bestselling 1994 second album 'Troublegum'
It all came together for Therapy? with the release of 'Troublegum' in 1994. Early EPs 'Babyteeth' and 'Pleasure Death' were well received by left-field fans in native Ireland, leading to their signing with A&M Records in 1992. Their first album 'Nurse' bolstered their reputation further, before the band exploded with the album which would make their name. Finding euphoria in the darkest of places, 'Troublegum' is a mix of uncompromising guitar, macabre lyrics, pummelling bass and rasping feedback. Not-so-secret weapon Fyfe Ewing, who left the band in the mid-1990s, fills out the sound on drums, with his clattering percussion completing the potent mix. It went on to sell over a million copies, was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize (when that still meant something), reached number five in UK Album Charts (when that still meant something), and made Therapy? a cult name for the next two decades. They never reached those commercial, or critical, heights again, but their legacy was assured. Tonight Therapy? are here to celebrate that legacy. UMC/Mercury recently released the now seemingly obligatory three CD Deluxe Edition of 'Troublegum' to celebrate its 20th anniversary, and the band are on the road to perform it in its entirety. A crowd that has been singing along to the album’s highlights 'Nowhere' and 'Screamager' on drunken nights out for two decades are also in the mood to party. The venerable Scala can’t see too many nights like this anymore, with every member of the audience bellowing out every word in union, arms raised, cult-like, to the ceiling from start to end. Anybody wishing to grab a sneaky photo with their phone would have seen it instantly knocked from their hands in the melee; an undulating mass of sweat, spilled bear, nostalgia and deafening rock. It was beautiful. As is always the case with these things, the tracks people came to hear, including album opener 'Knives', come early, before the set retreats into material aimed at the hard-core fans. Tracks from same era EPs 'ShortSharpShock', 'Face the Strange' and 'Opal Mantra 'also get a run out, to be greeted with equal exultation from the crowd. Tracks from Troublegum follow-up 'Infernal Love' close out the night. But by then it doesn’t matter for the adoring crowd. Still drawing on their Irish roots, Therapy? are national heroes for many tonight, a band that have soundtracked countless poignant moments, here reliving them live with them in the flesh. A truly special night. The photographs that accompanyb this article were taken by Bill Gray.
Also at Scala, London
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2009) |
Northern Ireland trio Therapy ? have just released their thirteenth album, 'Crooked Timber'. Aaron Brown speaks to bassist Michael McKeegan about it and why his band remain impossible to label |
reviews |
Crooked Timber (2009) |
Typically black humoured rock on thirteenth album from Belfast trio Therapy ?, which proves to be one of their best album in years |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
Dwina Gibb - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart