With Therapy?’s upcoming visit to Greece Dimitris Kazantzis had the opportunity to talk to Andy Cairns about the recent album, the band’s response to the new generation, the pandemic, Greece and their two consecutive appearances at Monsters Of Rock in Donnington in the mid 90’s.
Rockpages.gr: It’s been eight months since the release of “Hard Cold Fire”, long enough for a safe feedback, how was it received?
Andy Cairns: “Hard Cold Fire” has been our most successful album in many years both in terms of fan reception, critical reception and sales! After so many years we did not expect this response but we are very happy we have got it. The short, sharp nature of the high-energy songs, the riffs, the melodies, lyrics and incredible rhythm section seems to have resonated with many people. The record even managed to enter the mainstream charts in a few countries and this is something none of our releases have done in 25 years!
Rockpages.gr: Would you describe the album as a classic Therapy? album or should we be looking for some new, perhaps hidden, elements in it?
Andy Cairns The overall immediate impression is of Therapy? doing what Therapy? does best; catchy songs played with great intensity with fantastic drums and unusual lyrics. If you listen closely you can hear the influence of the chord progressions of modern composer, Max Richter in the middle section of ‘Days Kollaps’, there are nods to bass culture in the low end of ‘They Shoot the Terrible Master’ and modal jazz stylings in the dance/rock of ‘Woe’.
Rockpages.gr: Therapy? show an incredible consistency in their studio activities. It should be pointed out that with the exception of the two years when Covid 19 hit everything, Therapy? have not let a three-year period go by without a new release since the beginning of their career, at least in terms of recordings, in 1991! This is even happening during a long period of time that many musicians are clearly saying that there is no reason to release full-length albums today. I would like you to comment on this…
Andy Cairns I think the most important factor in this is that we consider ourselves musicians, not rock stars. We are creatively restless and constantly listening to new music which inspires us to start musical conversations with each other. We enjoy the process of being in a band and constantly recording, writing, touring. Although we had a few years of great mainstream success in the 90’s it wasn’t enough to make us burned out and lazy.
Rockpages.gr: How did Therapy? Really make the most of the pandemic period? Because they seem to have made the most of it…
Andy Cairns Simple: Communication! When the first lockdown happened we had a zoom meeting and decided we would be in touch with each other on a regular basis and swap ideas. This kept us engaged and gave us targets to work towards. I found the initial spell of isolation refreshing because it gave me time to play more guitar and learn different sounds, chords, writing styles that I would have previously been too busy to do.
Rockpages.gr: What audience does Therapy? aim at nowadays? I’m mainly asking about the lyrics, since your early fans have grown up a bit…
Andy Cairns We have a core following of people who have grown up with us and we also get younger people who have just discovered us, usually through “Troublegum”. I don’t think the lyrics make any difference when people get older. It’s not as if all of a sudden when you get to 30 years of age everything is alright and you become a well adjusted human being overnight. What is ‘growing up’ anyway? It can be worse for middle-aged people because they feel they shouldn’t be angry so they keep it bottled up inside. This is why there is alcoholism, road rage, domestic violence and suicide. If our music helps people of all ages cope with life then that surely can be a good thing?
Rockpages.gr: What is Therapy?’s attitude to the new order in the music industry? And really, is there any incentive for young kids to pay, handsomely in many cases, for the physical product instead of a platform where they’ll listen to your music on their phone?
Andy Cairns Artists should concentrate on making music and playing concerts, that way they can find an organic audience. We cannot blame young people for streaming music for free. If we had this option when we were young we would have done it too. We were fortunate enough to come of age as artists when people bought records but nowadays we make the majority of our money from touring. At least young people know that when they release music the potential world wide audience available to stream their music online is huge.
Rockpages.gr: Having played live on all kinds of stages and crowds, what do you think is more representative of Therapy?? a big stage at a festival with thousands of people, or a gig in a club with your own fans and the immediacy that exists in clubs?
Andy Cairns They both have positives. A huge festival is a chance to reach people who may not usually listen to our music and that way we can win over new friends. Club and theatre shows are intimate ways to connect with hardcore fans and play for longer and it’s always a positive experience to hear the reaction and voices of our crowd. I think both of these scenarios are important to keep a balanced view of ourselves as a band.
Rockpages.gr: Speaking of festivals, I’d like to go back in time to your performances at what was then Europe’s biggest festival, Monsters Of Rock in Donington. You were one of the few bands to appear twice on it, both in 1994 and 1995. How did you feel then and how do you feel now looking back after all these years?
Andy Cairns: Personally, I enjoyed the 1994 Monster of Rock more. We were relatively unheard of and Troublegum had just been released but we had nothing to lose and had an amazing time. The crowd were wonderful and we got to meet lots of musicians that we would not usually be around.
1995 however was the opposite, it wasn’t really a festival but a Metallica gig where they picked the line up. By this time we had sold a lot of records but we were second from top on the bill from Metallica themselves something which pissed off a lot of the other bands on the bill and they let us know this backstage! I didn’t enjoy this show at all. I thought “Troublegum” had maybe helped change people opinions of what modern rock music could be but I was wrong.
Rockpages.gr: In a few days you’re coming to Athens for the umpteenth time, would you like to tell us something special that you probably remember from one or some of these gigs?
Andy Cairns We’ve always had an amazing time in Athens, the crowds have been very friendly and passionate and we’ve made many friends, all of who we’re looking forward to seeing again. We always get a chance to look around the beautiful city and in the past we’ve had incredible experiences both on stage and off. We can’t wait to return to gagarin 205 a venue we like very much!
