|
|
Troublegum did indeed throw Therapy? into a different league, as they were plundered from their hardcore fanbase by those scratching around in the ashes of grunge, but it seems it may have been more trouble than it was worth; "For two years it took us into that alternative mainstream where you get played on the radio, you get on Top of the Pops and you get onto the cover of certain magazines," reflects Irish frontman Andy Cairns. "But we should have left it at that - done Troublegum and then moved on to something different. I think we were a bit confused, and what actually happened was that just before Martin and Graham joined the band we didn't really know what we wanted to do, and so we made Semi-Detached quickly, and that was like a stepping stone to what this album is now. We feel a lot more comfortable and a lot more inspired again doing what we do."
For the first time the band had been part of a fad, a fashion that, if previous fashions were anything to go by, would surely fade. "When we started we were influenced by Big Black, Husker Du, Sonic Youth and Fugazi, but because I had long hair at the time and grunge was around, we kind of got pigeon-holed into that. But then we released our first major album, which was Teethgrinder, and stuff which was kind of dancey with samples, so the only one which really fitted in with what was current was Troublegum, because it was post-grunge, aggressive, melodic rock with very dark lyrics. That's why it was so successful - it's actually quite an accessible pop record. But then after that, Infernal Love was kind of romantic, gothic ballads, string-driven with comedy stick-on moustaches, and Semi-Detached was a bit more rock again."
So, even in the face of romance and facial hair, Therapy? held on. "The only thing that's really kept us alive is the fact that we all really enjoy playing and the fact that we've never had one thing where we've said 'This is our bag, this is what we do'. With no disrespect, because I love the Ramones and Motorhead, but you know what you're going to get with one of their records. With us it's different each time, we kind of take what we're listening to, what's in our heads at the time, and that's changed during the last seven albums, there are no two that are the same."
Having survived the aftermath of Troublegum, and avoided falling into any of the other holes being dug by bands such as the Offspring, Therapy? continue to defy definition, taking their more hardcore fancies into the 21st century. The new stuff's definitely very cool, an album "influenced by the Stooges, Captain Beefheart, MC5 and a lot of high energy punk - Shellac and Fugazi - but also stuff like Queens of the Stone Age and Fu Manchu, really down tune stoner rock with a real groove." Martin McCarrick, the guitarist recruited full-time in early '96, points out the value of being so into what you're doing that those listening to it can hear how into it you are. "Funhouse by the Stooges isn't the greatest sounding record - not necessarily the greatest songs - but the energy is absolutely incredible. It just sounds like someone going absolutely mental and it's infectious. That's what makes a record."
The strange thing about Therapy?'s return is that you won't see them in the singles chart in the near future - there won't be any singles released from Suicide Pact - You First. Andy sees it simply, "Because what happens, like it has to three Colours Red, Feeder, Skunk Anansie, is that you're suddenly competing with Steps, Boyzone, Bewitched, or rock acts like Metallica and Aerosmith. If you're a smallish rock band you're forced to release your most commercial record off the album, which will be backed by a lot of marketing and pressure, and if it only gets to No. 38, the record company's saying it's all over and everybody's morale goes down.
At the same time you've sold yourself out, and we're not willing to single out one track from an album in the remote - and it would be remote - hope that it goes top 20. Even if a record by one of these bands goes in to the charts, it will go straight back out again. We don't want people getting an image of our album through one song. The only band that's really made an impact on the charts is Nirvana. They're the last band that really made an impression apart from Oasis who are much more traditional rock."
Martin is equally scathing of the commercial world of promoting singles. "There are bands who bring out singles on two or three different CDs, with remixes by DJ Slapper or whoever, plus a box to keep them in, and it just becomes stupid. You should keep giving people quality rather than ripping off your own fanbase. That's why people get to number 30 in the charts and then whizz straight back out again, because the fanbase go out and buy everything, and it's exploitative of people. I'd rather they bought the album and came to a gig than bought three CDs and a special tin box."
Well, they may have learned a little in the past, but they've never wrapped their music up in ribbons and bows, and Suicide Pact is certainly frills free. Andy looks content as he reflects upon a job well done; "It would be nice if a record this uncommercial sold," he says, and he's right, it would. No bullshit, what you see is what you get - good, old fashioned therapy
