Therapy? & James And The Cold Gun at Tramshed, Cardiff, 23rd March 2022
A warm Wednesday night was the setting for a show 2 years in the making, having missed most of the queue, I made my way into the first gig at Cardiff’s Tramshed for a while. What was instantly notable is how the beer selection has gotten much much worse. There wasn’t even a non-alcoholic version of everything so my two friends who I’d met at the gig were stuck with lime and soda, though one of them was so excited for the show they probably would have drunk sand if offered.
Still this is a music review so I’ll get to that now; the support for this tour was Cardiff based rockers James & The Cold Gun (7), a band heavily inspired by The Manic Street Preachers, even wearing the T-shirt. Though their name comes from a Kate Bush song. Their style of music is loud, raucous indie rock with more than a punch of punk both James’ taking guitar and vocals, while cranking out the noisy riffage. Playing to a hometown crowd they quickly won over the room, both with their infectious energy but also their live power. I’ve seen certain venues call them Wales’ loudest band and watching them live gets that point across. Pitched somewhere between The Manics, Frank Carter and Idles, James And The Cold Gun don’t do subtle with their simple yet effective music and their direct uncompromising lyrics, and ideal way to get the Tramshed rocking on a Wednesday (well that and the booze)
A 30 minute change over, more Guinness and Newcastle Brown consumed and it was time for the main event Michael McKeegan (bass/backing vocals), Neil Cooper (drums), Stevie Firth (additional guitar/backing vocals) and Andy Cairns (vocals/guitar) took to the stage to a rapturous applause and kicked straight into Meat Abstract, this ferocious number was the first ever single for Norn Iron alt rockers Therapy? (8) and an ideal way to start off this nostalgic tour celebrating 30 (well now 32) years of the band. What was promised was a run through almost their entire history, from old to new, favourites to deep cuts, covers to unreleased tracks, we got it all, packed into a tight 1hr and 30, and there was very little time to stop, save for a few thank you, gear changes and a drum solo, though it was Cooper’s birthday so we can forgive him.
A warm Wednesday night was the setting for a show 2 years in the making, having missed most of the queue, I made my way into the first gig at Cardiff’s Tramshed for a while. What was instantly notable is how the beer selection has gotten much much worse. There wasn’t even a non-alcoholic version of everything so my two friends who I’d met at the gig were stuck with lime and soda, though one of them was so excited for the show they probably would have drunk sand if offered.
Still this is a music review so I’ll get to that now; the support for this tour was Cardiff based rockers James & The Cold Gun (7), a band heavily inspired by The Manic Street Preachers, even wearing the T-shirt. Though their name comes from a Kate Bush song. Their style of music is loud, raucous indie rock with more than a punch of punk both James’ taking guitar and vocals, while cranking out the noisy riffage. Playing to a hometown crowd they quickly won over the room, both with their infectious energy but also their live power. I’ve seen certain venues call them Wales’ loudest band and watching them live gets that point across. Pitched somewhere between The Manics, Frank Carter and Idles, James And The Cold Gun don’t do subtle with their simple yet effective music and their direct uncompromising lyrics, and ideal way to get the Tramshed rocking on a Wednesday (well that and the booze)
A 30 minute change over, more Guinness and Newcastle Brown consumed and it was time for the main event Michael McKeegan (bass/backing vocals), Neil Cooper (drums), Stevie Firth (additional guitar/backing vocals) and Andy Cairns (vocals/guitar) took to the stage to a rapturous applause and kicked straight into Meat Abstract, this ferocious number was the first ever single for Norn Iron alt rockers Therapy? (8) and an ideal way to start off this nostalgic tour celebrating 30 (well now 32) years of the band. What was promised was a run through almost their entire history, from old to new, favourites to deep cuts, covers to unreleased tracks, we got it all, packed into a tight 1hr and 30, and there was very little time to stop, save for a few thank you, gear changes and a drum solo, though it was Cooper’s birthday so we can forgive him.
Much like The Wildhearts, Therapy? have a very loyal, fanatical fanbase, however the Tramshed wasn’t full, possibly due to Bristol being the previous night. However those that were there were in full voice for Potato Junkie and their cover of Hüsker Dü’s Diane. Andy Cairns was visibly ecstatic to be back onstage, exclaiming this a few times in his thick Northern Irish accent. Mixing the set up a little from the previous night we were also treated to a different new song, Ugly, from their album promised later this year, much to the delight of their faithful. For me going in having only seen the band at festivals and knowing tracks such as Die Laughing, Trigger Inside, Teethgringer, Nowhere and Screamager, I was mightily impressed with the quality of their songs, driving hard rock cut through with punk ethos and clever lyrics.
Therapy? make an ideal band to let loose some built up energy too. Having the next day off there was a promise of sticking around and drinking, though what they'd drink I have no idea! Still off I went into the night (work calls), reflecting that in watching Therapy? live this 30 year plan has paid off very well.