Falmouth, Princess Pavillion 11th November / Old Fire Station, Bournemouth 18th November
So, when I get a nod from a mate saying Therapy? is finally coming to town I start to get excited. This tour is taking in venues the band has rarely visited, if ever – Bournemouth being one of them. What I also notice from the schedule is a date in Falmouth. This for me is a win, win – if there are two things I love its Therapy? and Cornwall. I waste no time booking a hotel and head down to see what Falmouth has to offer. An early arrival means a chance to head into town where I stumble upon a wonderful 2nd hand record shop. A rummage in the “New In” section unearths “Caucasian Psychosis”, perfect with the band naming the tour “Love Your Old Stuff”.
An early dinner is taken before heading back to the hotel to freshen up before the short walk to the wonderful Princess Pavilions. This is a great little venue, I’m guessing 400 Cap? And, it’s also Therapy?’s first-ever Cornwall show! Support for the whole tour comes from Irish trio Rews. This young, fairly energetic trio are out to gain new fans and friends with their radio-friendly Rock vibe. They deliver a strange version of Girl/Rock where from the outset I feel vocalist Shauna is struggling to hit the high notes. The musicianship one cant fault though. Sian (Drums) is a powerhouse on the skins while Mel (Bass) is chief shapeshifter. No one song stands out for me and so sticking to my “three-song rule” I retreat to the bar for refreshment. I return for the final three songs where the power has at least taken an upward trajectory as they feel their way into their set. I’m still not convinced, I kinda refer to that old adage that I’ve “heard it all before” (only better). With a new line-up I guess it’s like starting over again so I wish them well. Looking around me this Kernow crowd are loving them so perhaps it’s just me?
During the interval, the soundman plays a set of Pixies songs, which gets this Kernow crowd in the mood. Bang on 9.15 Therapy? take to the stage. The intro music makes way for “Meat Abstract” as the guys gently feel their way in. Andy then delivers “Wreck-It, Like Beckett” in a most direct fashion. 32 years in and ’10 Year Plan’ seems somewhat dated, but is no less important. Also from SPYF, we get “Little Tongues First” with its clangy guitar intro before Neil’s powerhouse hitting takes over. ‘Fantasy Bag’ opens with those whirring guitars as we enjoy some of the earlier material early doors. The lyric “Can’t-Wait To Get Away” never seemed more appropriate for this travelling fan! “Tides” brings us more up to date with a song very personal to Andy. “Innocent X” is played at full tilt, harsh chords and a driving beat alongside Michael’s dark, chugging basslines. Andy bellows the chorus with a menace that strains every sinew from within.
“Polar Bear” takes the tempo right down, bettered only by the note-perfect “Long Distance” – Andy’s vocal layering is the perfect foil for the chimey chord structures. “Living In The Shadow Of A Terrible Thing” allows for Neil’s snare ferocity, a staple of tonight’s (or any Therapy? show). It’s not my favourite moment from my least favourite album, but I’ll live! They continue to mix the set-up with “Crooked Timber” – more snare pounding and bass/guitar intricacies. Having recently found out the true meaning behind the lyrical content of “Animal Bones”, hearing it live is even more haunting. The cavalcade of Neil’s fierce hitting is matched by Andy’s direct and (dare I suggest) aggressive vocal onslaught and scratchy chords. Brief respite comes in the form of “Insecurity” from Cleave before we head back in time once again with “Dancin’ With Manson”. They end the main set with “Stop It You’re Killing Me” and we all take a collective five-minute breather.
Ok, so most here want to hear the bangers, and we are not disappointed. Crowd favourite “Teethgrinder” sees a sizeable mosh begin as we all sing along in unison. Andy is happy to reminisce how being into Punk and Michael into Metal mean’t delving into each other’s music collections to open themselves up to other genre’s. With that we get a cover, the familiar Judas Priest’s fave “Breaking The Law”. Halfway through we get the obligatory drummer’s Birthday introduction before an invitation to sing along to an old “Irish Folk Song”. Cue “Potato Junkie”, peppered with a wonderful drum solo from Neil. This really gets the crowd onside, finding them in full voice. “Knives” follows and it’s like the whole room is singing the intro. “Going Nowhere” gets the punters down the front a little excited before the finale. A truly mesmerising guitar intro even had me scratching my head as to the song title?! I should have known better! They depart us on a rampant “Screamager” and this Kernow crowd leave happy.
At this stage in the band’s career it’s always good to look back with fondness on the songs that gave you your start in this industry. Hearing some of these for the first time makes me realise they are as relevant now as they were then. 32 years in Therapy? show no signs of throwing the towel in just yet. I guess the one thing that always comes across is how humble they have remained as a band. Never ones to hike the ticket prices or merch, they know their audience. I look forward to the “One Cure Fits All” tour!
So, one week on from a legendary first show in Cornwall for Therapy? comes a show in my home town of Bournemouth. Could they replicate once more? So, opening up once again on this tour are ‘Rews’ from Belfast. How would they fare one week on in front of a whole new audience? Any preconceived views I had on them go out the window as I watch their whole set. Give Shauna (Vocals/Guitar) her due, despite only playing to the early punters she does her level best to get everyone involved. They have more room on tonight’s stage to move around and use their space to shapeshift, head bang and do anything to get the party started. It’s a tough crowd but they soldier on. Without a set list to hand, I only know they played songs from albums one & two. Sian (Drums) is a powerhouse tonight and Mel (Bass) is equally mobile. And while I’m still not won over, they do show promise. I feel Shauna needs to elevate her vocal somewhat, but that will come with time. As the room begins to fill the noise grows and they finally leave the stage to good applause. A tour slot with these Metal Titans will have done them no harm so watch this space…
It’s now time for my second dose of Therapy? The set list is largely the same but there are elements to every show that make it different. They open again with ‘Meat Absract’. Andy makes the introductions; thanks everyone for coming out in the current financial crisis, then bellows out the vocals in a fashion I for one am not used to – there’s real passion in his delivery tonight. During “Wreck It, Like Beckett”, Andy is emotionally charged throughout. Thankfully they keep all the samples that precede “Fantasy Bag” as the guitars wind around the verses before Andy bellows out the chorus. “Tides” evokes memories from Andy’s youth based around Substances and Prostitution! ‘Innocent X’ is the early highlight of the set as a few punters begin to find their feet. Heads are nodding in unison, the Bournemouth crowd have come to see a show! I know most people’s introduction to the band would have been Troublegum, but it’s great to hear these songs from their past.
“Living in the Shadow…” is nothing short of ferocious while “Crooked Timber” takes the tempo down somewhat. Michael’s bass is mesmeric throughout, looking at him grinning he seems to be enjoying himself. “Animal Bones” once more sees a gurning Andy deliver the vocal with a sincerity and passion most bands could never replicate – he’s like a man possessed! Add to that Neil’s powerhouse hitting as we stand here in sheer awe! “Insecurity” is dedicated to all of us after the past couple of years. Andy again is quick to thank us all for our attendance. “Dancin’ With Manson” with its whirring guitars and rat-a-tat drumming is the last of the ‘oldies’ as we await the bangers in the set.
With a 10pm curfew the band dispense with the encore and literally run straight through to the set’s conclusion. “Stop It You’re Killing Me” is simply a prelude to crowd favourite “Teethgrinder”, which sees a surge of bodies into the pit area. “Potato Junkie” is a Therapy? live staple, an old “Irish Folk Song” if you will. It encourages crowd participation and tonight is no exception. “Going Nowhere” however is given the mash-up treatment with a brief foray into Killing Joke then Judas Priest and back into “Nowhere”. Band and crowd sing in unison before we hit the finale. Once again the obligatory Birthday celebration is accompanied by Neil’s terrific drum solo. As we return to the chorus Andy looks straight at me with a wry smile – “James Joyce is…” this now warmed up Bournemouth crowd respond. Keeping the momentum high they follow that with “The Knives” which is note-perfect. The penultimate number ‘Going Nowhere’ is another crowd fave before Andy again keeps us all guessing on the intro to “Screamager”. One last chance to go mental is taken before they end the show and humbly take their bows.
It took the band 32 years to come to Bournemouth but I guess the best things in life are worth waiting for. Having had the pleasure twice in a week I can’t complain. The purists will always crave a ‘best of’ set but I’m glad we had a re-tread of the past. It was great to see a big name come to “lil’ ol’ Bournemouth”, long may that continue.
Set-List (Falmouth & Bournemouth)
Meat Abstract
Wreck it Like Beckett
Ten Year Plan
Little Tongues First
Fantasy Bag
Tides
Innocent X
Polar Bear
Long Distance
Safe
Living in the Shadow of the Terrible Thing
Crooked Timber
Animal Bones
Insecurity
Dancin’ With Manson
Stop It You’re Killing Me
Teethgrinder
Potato Junkie
Knives
Nowhere
Screamager
Videos
Links
https://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk
https://www.rewsmusic.com
Words by Ross A Ferrone
Media by David Chinery
