Interview: Michael McKeegan, Therapy?
Posted on 26th Oct 11 by Jonathan Keane | 
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Next week veteran rockers Therapy? play hometown turf of sorts alongside The Answer, in Ulster Hall, Belfast. Bassist Michael McKeegan chats with Drop-d about the upcoming and what we can expect from Therapy? in 2012.
You’re playing Ulster Hall with The Answer as part of Belfast music week. Tell us a little bit how the show came about?
Michael McKeegan: It was mentioned a while back and due to the usual ‘logistics’ it looked like it wasn’t going to happen but everyone re-jigged a few bits and pieces and hey presto…the gig is on!
Are you involved in any other way with Belfast music week?
MM: No, this is as far as it goes. I’m dj’ing the night before up in a new bar in town called Voodoo but that’ll be a bit of a more laidback affair.
Have you played/toured with The Answer much before?
MM: We’ve known them a good few years and done a couple of one off shows/festivals in Europe and England so it’s finally nice to both play together on ‘home soil’. It also helps that they are super nice guys and brilliant live so I’m very much looking forward to seeing them.
Have you anything special planned for this show, in particular?
MM: From our point of view we’re just going to absolutely go for it…it’ll be Friday night in a superb venue in one of the greatest cities in the world with the most passionate fans about.
Can you give us a hint at what kind of setlist you will be playing?
MM: I’m not actually sure how long we get to play but rest assured there will be stuff from our first album Babyteeth right up to Crooked Timber with all the ‘hits’ in between. And the new songs, they’ll definitely be represented.
Will you playing much new material from the new album, A Brief Crack of Light?
MM: As I said it does depend on the set length but I imagine we’ll do at least two. Bands can get bent out of shape playing new stuff before their album is released but we made a conscious decision to play them in this year just to keep it fresh for us and the audience. I do realise there will be a load of fizzy sounding mobile phone footage up on YouTube the next day but sure…
The new album will be coming out next February. What can we expect?
MM: I think it’s a nice progression from where we left off with Crooked Timber and I feel there’s a lot there for ‘old’ fans and newcomers alike. It’s got a lot of the classic Therapy? elements but more supercharged and twisted about a bit…definitely a few surprises sonically as well.
What have Therapy? planned, touring wise, going into 2012?
MM: I know we’re looking at some UK shows in April which is a kind of ‘package’ thing and should be pretty exciting as we haven’t really done that before. There also will be extensive European touring to coincide with the release and we obviously plan to get back to as many places we’ve been to before. I anticipate A LOT of shows.
You’re also playing Hard Rock Hell in Pontins in December. What kind of set will you be playing there?
MM: To be honest we haven’t really discussed that, I suppose December will be here quick enough though. We’re all interested to see how that festival works with the ‘holiday camp’ vibe and all the chalets etc…Anyone I’ve spoken to who’s been has loved it though I hope Ted Bovis is compering or something.
Are we likely to see you guys on the festival circuit come summer festival season next year?
MM: Most definitely! We did a load in 2010 and have been keeping it ‘low key’ this year. We did a few shows with the Prodigy in Eastern Europe and a couple of other countries like Greece, Ukraine, Bulgaria etc so we hope to do as many as possible in 2012.
Is there anything else planned for 2012?
MM: The new album and the shows are the priority but there is talk of the re-issues of our first two mini albums Babyteeth and Pleasure Death finally coming out sometime in 2012. We shall see.
Tags: A Brief Crack of Light, Michael McKeegan, the answer, therapy?, Ulster Hall