Initially Therapy? was formed as a duo by Andy Cairns, vocals & guitar, and Fyfe Ewing, drums. However, Cairns needed to borrow a bass guitar for the recording of a demo tape and a certain Michael McKeegan offered his for the session. Soon enough the band was approached to play their first concert and began to debate whether to remain a duo or not. They decided on the latter, McKeegan got the offer and accepted and has been with Therapy? ever since.
Eventually Therapy? released their first proper recording called 'Babyteeth' on July 15, 1991. It's a 7-song mini album which immediately set the tone for what one of Northern Ireland's best bands would become. Supertight, frenzied punk mixed with the rhythm and approach of new beat disco which was made possible especially through the brilliance of drummer Fyfe. And that's what brings us here to dissect 'Babyteeth' and along the way, through each album, see how the band has evolved.
Therapy? goes full tilt right out of the starting blocks on opener 'Meat Abstract'. Repetitive and hypnotic the new beat disco influences are immediately present. Intense and great. 'Skyward' drops in tempo a touch but adding a more punkish demeanour and vocal harmonies. 'Punishment Kiss' picks up where 'Skyward' left off, at least tempo-wise. Loads of tribal drumming in parts and brilliant disharmonic guitar playing. 'Animal Bones' is chaotic, intense and almost claustrophobic. And that's just the beginning of the song...until Therapy? unleashes the fury.
This is a great start to a still-running career, at the moment of writing Therapy? have been active for 36 years. Coming in at just under 28 minutes 'Babyteeth' offers the best start for a fledgling band like these guys were. They already had enough of a sound of their own while still honing their skills and trimming the fat. Whatever influences they had they sound like Therapy and no one else. And best of all, they had this no-nonsense "we-do-what-we want"-attitude which has followed them throughout their entire career. Regardless the style I wish more bands showed this same Therapy?-approach, music all across the board would be so much better.
'Babyteeth' is only one of two of their albums where I had to backtrack. Got into the band upon the release of the brilliant 'Nurse', so that left this one and 'Pleasure Death' to uncover. Even though these 3 are just under 2 years apart it took quite some time to obtain copies of the first 2. This was of course just before the explosion of Internet, so music released on small obscure labels required some detective work.
-Swedebeast
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