Therapy? are one of those bands that always seem to arouse people’s attention. This is probably due to the fact that they’ve been around for over 20 years, so everybody will have come across them at some stage or another.

Tonight’s gig was focusing on their most famous album ‘Troublegum’ released way back in 1994 but still well able to hold its own as one of the best alternative/punk rock albums ever released.


For a band that have had so many lineup changes and spates without even having a  record deal it’s hard to believe that they have pulled through and were about to kick off their ear splitting gig at Kentish Town forum.

I had only managed to see the band once before, when they were recording their recently released live album in Water Rats, Kings Cross earlier this year and the atmosphere was very different. Water Rats has a much more dingy, underground feel to it where I think the Forum gave them the crowd and stage they deserve.

We got down to Kentish Town Forum early - over excited and too eager to risk missing anything about the night. When we arrived the street outside was milling with diehard fans all having a pre gig pint in the Bull & Gate next door to the venue. There was an electric buzz in the air and all around were people exchanging anecdotes from previous gigs and speculating on how the set list would run. I even saw a t-shirt dating back to Reading 1994!  With the crowd already in such good form-there was no doubt in my mind that this was going to be a great show.

At half past eight, we entered the forum and squeezed through the throngs of leatherjacket clad fans to the photo pit area. We waited for what seemed like an eternity until suddenly, the roadies left the stage, the red lights went down and the band were announced. They leaped onstage and greeted the crowd before bursting into an energetic rendition of ‘Knives’ followed by crowd favourite ‘Screamager’ and ‘Hellbelly’. At this point, we were kicked out of the photo pit and nestled into a good spot near the front. Andy once again welcomed the crowd, and all through the gig, thanked the fans for still being with them. It’s fantastic to see a band who still show this warm connection with a crowd, and it was reflected in the huge number of long-time fans that had travelled far and wide for the gig.

The crowd were going absolutely crazy when they played ‘Nowhere’ and the moshing was only matched when they played ‘Trigger Inside’. We were then treated to the rest of ‘Troublegum’ before the band went off stage for a brief intermission, accompanied the albums hidden track ‘You are my sunshine.’

We made a beeline for the bar and then headed outside for a breath of fresh air from the humid sweaty venue and chatted to the gigs other patrons. Everyone was having a great time and there was a great buzz in the otherwise frosty air.

We quickly rejoined the circle pit at the front for the intense ten song encore. Now that’s value for money.  They played out with ‘Potato Junkie’ and ‘Teethgrinder’ and although Andy said that they could play all night, the curfew said no, leaving a crowd that was ecstatically satisfied, but kind of wanting more.


I reckon this band will be going strong for quite a while, and their latest CD titled “We’re here to end” only cements that belief. I for one can’t wait until their next tour.

11/11

Reviewed and photographed by Miranda Heneghan