In the UK, an explosion of a musical genre happened in the 90s.
Britpop was destined to be given a name, but there was a band that wasn’t part of this new fashion, a three-piece from Ireland who handed out grunge rock riffs and lyrics to make the soul itch.
Therapy? arrived with Troublegum, released twenty years ago. Feel old? With their sound of angst indie/grunge rock, Andy Cairns the guitarist and lead singer fired out deep dark lyrics about stalkers and dark thoughts. As mentioned it is 20 years since its release, so there’s no better way to celebrate than a re-release with a few remixes.
A musical flashback with opening track Knives that starts off the album, “My girlfriend says, that I need help, my boyfriend says, that I’d be better off dead.” Heavy guitar riffs lead to Trigger Inside, Screamager, Nowhere and Die Laughing to name just a few stand outs from this album.
Being a deluxe reissue there are hidden gems on the three discs, one includes a cover of Breaking the law it’s impressive and a nod to the founders, Judas Priest. With a live version of Stop It You’re Killing Me you hear the crowd sing along with their dark, camp like lyrics.
Troublegum is fast, furious and brings back emotions of being a teenager in the early 90s.
Infernal Love is the fifth studio album and wasn’t one I enjoyed upon its release in 1995. There are good tunes that brought the fast furious angst from its predecessor such asMisery which you hear an acoustic version on disc two. Diane has the orchestra sound with Andy Cairns belting out words with such passion. This is a creepy song that is still a stand out of this record, especially with the uneasiness of the instruments used.
The members of Therapy? on the release of Troublegum were Andy Cairns guitar and vocals, Michael McKeegan on bass and drummer Fyfe Ewing, the latter leaving the group in 1996.
Twenty years later Therapy? are still producing and firing out records recently releasing their 13th studio album and will head out on tour to commemorate the twenty years since the eye gouging Troublegum.
Therapy? – Official Website
Therapy? – Facebook
Therapy? – Twitter