1865,Southampton
Back story: My love affair for Larne’s finest started way back in 1993 when my best mate introduced me to the album Nurse. I knew then we had to go and see Therapy? live. On the 3rd March 1994 a trip an hour along the Coast to “Portsmouth Pyramids” was taken and we were quite literally blown away by the sheer power this trio foisted upon us. With their songs ringing in our ears (quite literally) we vowed to see them live again at the next opportunity. On November 30th 1994 a certain up-and-coming band were on quite a roll (sic) and playing Southampton Guildhall the night before. They started off ok but I was getting bored after a few songs – dunno what happened to them, stadium botherers maybe?? Anyway, I digress… The date in question, December 1st 1994 saw witness to the greatest gig I have ever been to and began a love affair with this band that has barely wavered. That night was a moment in time…
Ten years ago was the 20th Anniversary of Troublegum, who’d have thought its longevity would prevail another ten years? Well me and countless others of this loyal fanbase who no doubt like me had been there from the start and no doubt will be there ’til the end. And so it seems fitting that with “TG20” taking place down the road @ “Engine Rooms” that another Southampton venue plays host to “TG30”. This time The 1865 venue gets the nod and a capacity crowd has rewarded the band with a sold out show.
Opening for them are Deux Furieuses (Two Furious Women), an interesting duo with a big noise. Our non-punctual arrival means we miss the first few songs but we catch the excellent “Civilians” which purrs with an eerie menace. Ros (vocals/guitar) vocals are clear and audible and the weird cat-like howls are a point of difference. There’s a big “drum-bridge” before the howls return. I don’t really hear any obvious influences but notice “Vas” (drums) is dwarfed by a huge kit. She is however undeterred and makes a huge racket. The vocals range from soft to heavy and the duo grow more confident with each song. “Bring Down The Government” is slow and measured, building and building with a steady beat. “Our Day Will Come” is the lightest track of their set with a guitar riff that has more than a whiff of U2’s “New Years Day”, however I doubt it’s deliberate. “Are We Sexy Enough”?
I’m not too sure as I watch from the back?! On a serious note though this song takes the tempo down as the gentle snare patting aligns to the heartfelt vocal. It’s the perfect penultimate track before these girls go out on a high with “Let Them Burn” which is an anthemic, in-yer-face belter to finish any set with. They garner decent applause and I wish them well…
9pm on the dot greets the arrival of the now firm line-up of Andy Cairns, Michael McKeegan and Neil Cooper, aka Therapy?. Spoilers on Facebook pages have confirmed that the set list won’t involve the album being delivered in chronological order, which pleases me no end, allowing the band to breeze into their set with one or two numbers from around that era. After the intro music it’s straight in hard with the buzzsaw guitars of “Lunacy Booth”. Straight away I/we detect something ‘missing’ in Andy’s usually reliable and competent vocal. It’s just missing that edge. Live favourite “Isolation” gets an early entrance, inducing huge chorus sing-a-longs as this crowd start to respond.
Andy introduces “Turn” while lamenting past Top of the Pops appearances. “Auto Surgery” gets a rare outing, breaking up the bangers before an energetic “Trigger Inside” induces the first OAP mosh pit where Andy describes seeing the aftermath of Covid and guessing what we were all feeling, and is spot on!! “Brainsaw” is an early set highlight as Andy begins to find his true vocal over Neil’s ferocious snare pounding. Michael as per usual is grinning away as he patrols the small amount of stage space afforded him. “Unrequited” duly follows but once more I feel Andy is holding back (vocally) for the bangers in the encore, the hollering in the outro is notably omitted.
Nevertheless this crowd are in fine voice and really let loose. “Unbeliever” allows welcome respite as we draw a breath while “Femtex” is as jagged as ever. Andy bellows the main verses as he starts to come into his own. “Hellbelly” sees this Southampton crowd start to really get it together down the front and the chorus is huge. “Opal Mantra” keeps the momentum high, always a crowd favourite. As an introduction to “Die Laughing” Andy name-checks recent and past musical icons who have departed us and it’s another whole room singalong. The opening line “The World is F*cked” from “Stop It You’re Killing Me” never seemed more poignant in our current times and Andy really seems to be enjoying singing with true emotion. They were always going to depart us on a banger – Andy orchestrates this crowd on “Nowhere” and this 1865 crowd goes crazy. A punter to my left says “well I guess we know what the encore will be…” Andy thanks us for our continued support, clearly touched by playing to a full house and the three of them exit stage right.
Calls for an encore are slow at first, maybe it’s an age thing? But, once they start they don’t stop. Some five minutes later Therapy? climb back on stage. “Nausea” breaks us back in gently while “Meat Abstract” leaves us time to catch a breath before the big hitters. “Accelerator” is dedicated to the joyriders of their native homeland and sees more snare ferocity from Neil. It’s fast and furious and this crowd appear to know the first verse off by heart! The now obligatory “Potato Junkie” nursery rhyme/drummers Birthday announcement is once again in full swing, this time with Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” morphed into a weird ‘Techno mash-up’! I guess it’s different and certainly had me guessing? Neil’s solo is longer than usual and he needs no encouragement from this hometown crowd.
And then they deliver the big three. Live staple “Teethgrinder” is duly despatched with wild abandon while the now familiar chiming slow intro to “Screamager” just builds and builds. The moshers are in full swing now as the band have them eating out of the palms of their hands. For the final number it’s one last sing-a-long. Andy proclaims “if I can write a riff this good I’ll play it as long as I want”! “Knives” is a fitting way to end the show, being the opening number on the album. The whole crowd sings the opening verse back to them and the pit goes off one last time. The band end their set on a high, take the plaudits and once more show their gratitude for a sold out show and vow to return.
If ever there was an example to any up-and-coming bands today with high hopes in this industry, then look no further than Therapy? Unlike so many who have hit the highs, they never cashed in and hiked ticket prices. Instead they rewarded their loyal fan base with regular tours at an affordable price while always delivering the goods live. Clearly there’s still fire in their bellies as “Hard Cold Fire” would suggest. The years may be catching up with certain vocal intricacies but there’s no slowing down from this trio. An almost sold out world tour would suggest their stock is still high so I/we look forward to the next instalment…..
Set Lists
Therapy?
Intro
Lunacy Booth
Isolation (Joy Division cover)
Turn
Auto Surgery
Trigger Inside
Brainsaw
Unrequited
Unbeliever
Femtex
Hellbelly
Opal Mantra
Die Laughing
Stop It You’re Killing Me
Nowhere
Encore
Nausea
Meat Abstract
Accelerator
Potato Junkie (with drum solo and Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man”)
Teethgrinder
Screamager
Knives
Deux Furieuses
I Want My Life Back
Now You’re Gonna Listen
Our Tribe
Civilians
Bring Down The Government
Our Day Will Come
Fool All The People
Are We Sexy Enough?
Let Them Burn
Videos
Links
https://therapyquestionmark.co.uk
https://www.deuxfurieuses.com
Words by Ross A. Ferrone
Photography by Jon Musselwhite
Media by Chinners
