Therapy? marks 30 years since million selling album
Andy Cairns and Michael McKeegan spoke about the album and life in music
- Published
Northern Ireland rock legends Therapy? have enjoyed a career of ground-breaking firsts and incredible integrity.
But when they first started as a band, there was no long-term plan.
This year, Troublegum, their second album on a major label, celebrates 30 years since its release.
To date, it has sold over a million copies worldwide.
The album connected with new audiences and led to appearances on Top of the Pops and widespread recognition including a Mercury Award nomination.
Andy Cairns and Michael McKeegan of the band spoke to BBC Radio Ulster’s Irish Music Icons about the album and their life in music.
The band formed in 1989, with their first performances at Ulster University
Therapy? formed in 1989 when Andy met drummer Fyfe Ewing, who performed in a punk covers band at Ulster University.
The pair struck up a friendship over a shared love of alternative bands, Sonic Youth and Big Black.
While still at school they decided they wanted to make their own music and began practicing at Fyfe’s house after school. Michael joined the group soon after.
“I think I was the only person that Andy and Fyfe knew that had a bass guitar,” Michael said.
Making a living was a hard graft in their early years with late nights and shift work to stay afloat, alongside releasing records.
'It's our craft'
Following on from the modest success of early albums Babyteeth, Pleasure Death, and Nurse, Troublegum was released in 1994.
“When we made the record, I remember thinking this is a huge step up, sonically, performance-wise [and] lyrically,” says Michael.
“Everything sat together really well. All the songs had their own identity but were all tied together and that’s something we maybe hadn’t had before.
“It just seemed to land at a time when people were looking for something that was a bit different.
“There were so many great things [that] aligned at the same time,” he reflected.
The album reached No.5 in the UK album charts as well as other countries across the globe and included hits including Nowhere, Screamager and Trigger Inside.
The band rejected the trappings of 1990s rock fame that could have followed and instead remember revelling in the visceral thrill of connecting with audiences through live performance.
“We’ve always been musicians, it’s what we do, it’s our craft,” said Andy.
“Sometimes people will say to me, you had Troublegum once and it was a big selling record, why are you still doing it?
“We’ve always considered ourselves musicians first… as long as we feel we are musicians; we’ll still keep on doing it.”
The band felt 1994's Troublegum was a step-up sonically and lyrically
Despite coming from different communities, Andy and Michael have always been united as friends, music fans and songwriters.
As demonstrated by the punk movement in Northern Ireland, music was often an antidote to sectarianism during the Troubles.
“Our political statement was we’re here, we’re mates, we’re making music together,” Andy recalls.
“You actually haven’t any idea what we’ve been through. The fact that we’re making this music together should be inspirational.”
With little time to reflect on their success during the busy years, they can now look back and appreciate how far they’ve come and the role that music has played in their lives.
“Without music, my life would have been very different and without Therapy? my life would have been hugely different,” said Michael.
“It has been the most prevalent thing in my life outside of family,” Andy reflected.
“I’m just really grateful that it’s there. I feel very fortunate to have this band to express myself with.”