Therapy?

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Real Name

Andrew J. Cairns (lead guitar, vocals), Neil Cooper (drums), Michael McKeegan (bass guitar)

Alternative / Hard Rock group with Industrial and Punk influences from Northern Ireland, formed in 1989 by Andy Cairns (vocals, lead guitar) and Fyfe Ewing (drums). Michael McKeegan (bass guitar) joined them shortly afterwards. They developed a strong underground following in both parts of the island, particularly around their legendary early nineties Dublin Christmas gigs in the SFX. They started to received some attention across the water in Britain in 1992 with their "Pleasure Death" mini album and then with the "Nurse" album and "Teethgrinder" single. This interest exploded with the release of the more traditionally punk rock sounding "Shortsharpshock EP", which gave them a No. 10 hit in the UK and an appearance on Top of the Pops. This was followed by further hits from the "Opal Mantra" and "Face the Strange" EPs. This success was consolidated with the release of the "Troublegum" album and its associated singles. Fyfe left the band in 1996, to be replaced by Graham Hopkins. Martin McKerrick (guitar/cello) also joined the band full-time at this stage, having appeared as a guest musician on previous Therapy? releases and played with them live. Their popularity was impossible to maintain and they also found that much of their previous fanbase was unhappy with their change in sound a few years earlier. Since then, they have worked at developing something of a new following. Graham left Therapy? in December 2001, he was replaced by Neil Cooper in 2002. Martin left the band in 2004.