Andy Cairns

Last updated

Andy Cairns
Birth nameAndrew James Cairns
Born (1965-09-22) 22 September 1965 (age 54)
Ballyclare, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Genres Alternative metal
Alternative rock
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1989–present
LabelsMarshall Records, Blunt Records
Associated acts Therapy?

Andrew James Cairns (born 22 September 1965), is a founding member, singer, guitarist, and songwriter for Therapy?, a punk rock/alternative metal band from Northern Ireland.

Contents

Therapy?

After attending Ballyclare High School in the town, Andy then began working as a quality control inspector in a Michelin tyre factory. After playing in local heavy metal and punk rock bands, Cairns started the band Therapy? in 1989 with drummer Fyfe Ewing whom he met at a local charity gig. Cairns quit his job and became a professional musician when Therapy? signed to London based independent label Wiiija. The band, completed by bassist Michael McKeegan, went on to widespread success, in particular with the much-lauded Troublegum album on A&M Records in 1994, which has sold over one million copies. To date he has recorded fifteen studio albums, two compilation albums and numerous EP's with the million selling outfit. Along with McKeegan, Cairns is the only original member still with the band. [1]

Cairns' earliest work with Therapy? was characterised by an interest in psychiatry, psychosis and human isolation. Later Therapy? albums saw his lyrics become concerned with recurring themes such as doomed romance, loneliness and loss. [2] He has a reputation amongst music fans for being a pleasant natured and approachable artist, happy to sign autographs or converse with fans. This "easy going" persona has marked him out as being quite different from fellow rock musicians, and has bolstered his enduring relationship with the music press.

Side projects / solo

Prior to Therapy?, Cairns was a member of Likwidatorz (school punk band), Crash into June and Falling Eiffels. He has also played with roadie/radio presenter Diamond Dave Thompson in a band called The Buzzwreckers.

In 1990, while still unsure of Therapy?'s potential, Cairns formed another group called Catweazle. The trio, completed with Michael McKeegan's brother Charlie on drums and a bassist known only as Chappie, played live around Belfast and recorded a seven track rehearsal tape which has been circulated in trading circles. One of the tracks recorded, "This Isn't (Where It's At)", later re-appeared with different lyrics as "Jude The Obscene" from Therapy?'s 1995 album Infernal Love .

In 1993, Cairns co-founded Dublin0based record label, Blunt Records, with Dan Oggly of Friction PR. The label produced and released work for alternative Irish bands such as Mexican Pets and Pet Lamb. The label ceased operating in the late 1990s.

In 1995, Cairns (tremolo guitar and vocals) alongside Therapy? cellist/guitarist Martin McCarrick (cello, organ and vocals), formed a short-lived and highly experimental combo called Casey Jones Reaction. The duo demo'd a few tracks but nothing concrete arose from the sessions and nothing was officially released. However, in 2008 Andy posted several of the tracks on Therapy?'s official website. Two of the tracks, "Serge" and "Apple" featured Michael McKeegan on bass and were recorded in a studio. The remaining nine tracks were recorded on Martin's four-track.

In May 2013, Cairns embarked on his first ever solo acoustic tour of the UK, as well as some dates in Europe. To mark the tour, he released a CD of acoustic material for sale exclusively at the shows, titled 53 Minutes Under Byker, consisting of 12 Therapy? songs, 6 original tracks freshly written for the tour and a cover version, all recorded on 24 April 2013 in Newcastle's Blast Studios. [3]

On 18 August 2014, Cairns recorded his second acoustic album, titled Fuck You Johnny Camo, which was sold on his UK tour in September 2014. [4]

In November 2014, Cairns and McKeegan recorded 15 tracks for a side project called East Antrim in Belfast's Start Studio with fellow Northern Irish musicians including Robyn G Shiels, Desert Hearts, Brian Coney, LaFaro and Goons. It's an electronic record, with a lot of spoken word and it deals in a very late night ambient sound. It remains unreleased.

In August 2015, Cairns contributed guitar to recordings of an original song "Purveyor of Quackery" and a cover of "Another Girl Another Planet" by The Only Ones. The group, consisting of fellow Therapy? members Michael McKeegan and Neil Cooper, alongside 'Diamond' Dave Thompson on vocals and Rich Jones on lead guitar, was known as The Gemils. Backing vocals were contributed by Ricky Warwick, Tim Wheeler, Robyn G Shiels, Tom Dalgety and Stevie Firth. A 7" was produced and presented to Andy Cairns as a 50th birthday gift. Just 10 copies were pressed and the single was not made public.

In 2016, Cairns and Cooper recorded demo's under the banner of Widow Twankey with Cooper on drums, synthesiser and sampler, and Cairns "ranting". Much like the East Antrim project, the band has loose plans to release it in the future.

Gear

In the March 1998 issue of "Guitar Magazine", Andy had the following to say:

My amps were just Marshall JMP100s. Pedals-wise, I've always used Boss – I bought them all when I was 17 and they're still going, so I can't really fault them – and we added the Coloursound pedals for a bit more bite. The thing about the Coloursounds is they're basic. On the beginning of Tightrope Walker I started playing the riff and picked up this American radio station through the pedal. Left it on, though. They're great; they only make one sound – kkkkkkhhhhh! – but it's a great kkkkkkhhhhh!.

For live work and the bulk of studio work I use my Gibson SG, just straight off the factory line. It's very power chord-y – good for stuff like Screamager , Nowhere – but I've also got this cherry '63 SG which I bought in America. That's got a lot more bite, it cuts through more. And Chris Sheldon also lent me this beautiful early-70's Fender Tele Deluxe – so solid, not that thin, almost transistor-y sound I find you get from a lot of Teles. There's also a Jaguar on a few tracks.

What I really want though, is a good Les Paul. In my head, when I hear a Les Paul I hear Appetite For Destruction, Generation Terrorists or Never Mind The Bollocks, but whenever I play them they sound like Soup Dragons b-sides, this tinny, non-descript indie fizz. I'm one of these people who's probably played every type of Les Paul ever made and they all sound shite. And James from the Manics, who's a mate of mine, is one of these lucky bastards; he told me "I just walked into the shop and there it was!" I was, like, "no you didn't, you spent hours in shops searching for that, you specky little twerp!" I've had no luck with them, and I don't know why!

Andy has since switched to using Framus Guitars.

Personal

Andy lives in Cambridge with his wife and child. He married English born Kristina in May 1997. Their son, Jonah Cairns, was born in October 1999. Since 1994, Cairns has been a season ticket holder at Chelsea Football Club. [5] [6]

Discography

Therapy?

Solo

The Gemils

Guest appearances

TitleReleasedWhereNotes
Jonestown Mind1994"Crank" album by The Almighty, "Jonestown Mind" single by The AlmightyThe Almighty & Andy Cairns (backing vocals)
Rehab2000"Untied States" album by Manchild, "Rehab" single by ManchildManchild & Andy Cairns (vocals & guitar)
Waiting For Earthquakes2001"Psycho-Narco" album by The Almighty The Almighty & Andy Cairns (backing vocals)
RadioN/A (Recorded in 2001 at Blackwing Studios, London)"Rock N' Fuckin' Roll" compilation by Dog Toffee, unreleasedDog Toffee & Andy Cairns (backing vocals)
Gleason2002"Knievel Is Evil" album by ThroatThroat & Andy Cairns (guitar)
Get Your Groove On2003"The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed" album by The Wildhearts The Wildhearts & Andy Cairns (vocals)
F82005"No End in Sight" album by This Is Menace This Is Menace & Andy Cairns (vocals)
F8 (live)2007"Emotion Sickness" DVD by This Is Menace This Is Menace & Andy Cairns (vocals)
The Second Triumvarate of Lavonia2009"Pompa Magna" album by InfernoInferno & Andy Cairns (vocals). Andys' lyrics are mainly recycled from "Stop It You're Killing Me"
Crisis? What Crisis?2014"Strategy Two" 7" single by Thirty Six StrategiesThirty Six Strategies & Andy Cairns (backing vocals). 7" included download code
Ignite2014"Strategy Two" 7" single by Thirty Six StrategiesThirty Six Strategies & Andy Cairns (guitar). Originally by The Damned. 7" included download code
Celebrity Sinking2014"When Patsy Cline Was Crazy" album by Ricky Warwick Ricky Warwick & Andy Cairns (backing vocals & co-writer)

Related Research Articles

Therapy? Northern Irish Punkrock band

Therapy? are an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar. To complete the lineup, the band recruited Larne bassist Michael McKeegan. The band signed with major label A&M Records in 1992, for which they released four albums, most notably Troublegum in 1994 and Infernal Love in 1995. Ewing's departure in early 1996 preceded the arrivals of his replacement Graham Hopkins, and Martin McCarrick on cello and guitar. Neil Cooper replaced Hopkins on drums in 2002. Following the departure of McCarrick in 2004, the band have remained a stable three-piece since.

<i>Babyteeth</i> (Therapy? album) 1991 studio album by Therapy?

Babyteeth is the first mini-album by Northern Irish band Therapy?, released on 15 July 1991 on Wiiija Records. Tracks 1 and 3 were recorded in January 1990, with the remaining tracks recorded later that year, all at Homestead Studio in Randalstown, Northern Ireland. The album reached number 1 in both the UK and Irish Indie Charts.

<i>Nurse</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Therapy?

Nurse is the first major label album released by the band Therapy?. It was released on 2 November 1992 on A&M Records.

<i>Troublegum</i> 1994 studio album by Therapy?

Troublegum is the second major label album by the band Therapy? It was released on 7 February 1994 on A&M Records.

<i>Infernal Love</i> 1995 studio album by Therapy?

Infernal Love is the third major label album by the band Therapy?. It was released on 12 June 1995 on A&M Records. The album was recorded at Real World Studios in Box, Wiltshire from January to March 1995.

<i>Semi-Detached</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Therapy?

Semi-Detached is the fourth major label album by the band Therapy?. Released on 30 March 1998 on A&M Records, it turned out to be their final album on the label. The album was recorded at various stages throughout 1997, including sessions at Chipping Norton Studios in Oxford, Homestead Studio in Randalstown, Moles Studio in Bath and Metropolis Studios in London. It was also the first Therapy? album recorded with Graham Hopkins and Martin McCarrick as full-time members. The album was not released in North America, but charted at number 21 in the UK Albums Chart.

<i>High Anxiety</i> (Therapy? album) album by Therapy?

High Anxiety is the seventh full-length album by the band Therapy?, and was the first to be released on Spitfire Records. It was released on 5 May 2003. The album was recorded from December 2002 to January 2003 at Parkgate Studios in Hastings.

Hats Off to the Insane is a US and Japanese compilation mini-album release by the band Therapy?. It was released on 7 September 1993 on A&M Records.

Michael McKeegan British musician

Michael Robert McKeegan is best known as the bassist with the rock band, Therapy?.

Face the Strange was an EP released by the band Therapy? on 1 June 1993 through A&M Records. Its lead track is "Turn", which reached number 18 in the British Singles Chart, and number 5 in the Irish Singles Chart.

"Nowhere" is a song by Therapy? and a single released on 17 January 1994 on A&M Records. A remix CD was released a week later on 24 January 1994. The song is featured on the Troublegum album. The single reached number 18 in the UK Singles Chart, and number 6 in the Irish Singles Chart. The song is covered by Heaven Shall Burn as bonus track on the limited edition of their album Invictus.

"Trigger Inside" is a song by the band Therapy? and a single released on 28 February 1994 on A&M Records. It is featured on the Troublegum album. The single reached number 22 in the UK Singles Chart, and number 16 in the Irish Singles Chart.

<i>Born in a Crash</i> 1993 compilation album by Therapy?

Born in a Crash is a European compilation EP release by the band Therapy?. It was released on 25 August 1993 on A&M Records.

Scopophobia is a DVD release by Therapy? on Eagle Vision, a subsidiary of Eagle Rock Entertainment on 27 October 2003. The bulk of the DVD is a full-length, 19-track concert recorded live at the Mandela Hall, Belfast on 6 June 2003.

<i>Were Here to the End</i> 2010 live album by Therapy?

We're Here to the End is the first full-length live album by the band Therapy?, and the second album to be released on Blast Records, part of The Global Music Group family. It was released on 8 November 2010.

<i>Suicide Pact – You First</i> 1999 studio album by Therapy?

Suicide Pact — You First is the fifth full-length album by the band Therapy?, and the first to be released by their third record company Ark21, following the demise of the band's previous label. It was released on 18 October 1999 and recorded at Great Linford Manor in Milton Keynes from 13 July to 15 August 1999.

The Gemil Box is a multi-format box set, self-financed and self-released on 18 November 2013, by the Northern Irish alternative rock band: Therapy?. The box was announced on the official site for pre-sale on 23 October, and the track-listing was revealed on 14 November.

<i>Disquiet</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Therapy?

Disquiet is the fourteenth studio album by the band Therapy?, and the first album to be released on new UK label Amazing Record Co. Produced by Tom Dalgety, it was released on 23 March 2015.

Communion: Live at the Union Chapel is the second full-length live album by the band Therapy?. It was self-released by the band on 21 August 2017. The album was recorded on 1 December 2016 at Union Chapel, Islington, London, England which was the last date of the band's acoustic “Wood & Wire” European tour. A total of 24 songs were played on the night and are spread across two discs.

<i>Cleave</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Therapy?

Cleave is the fifteenth studio album by the band Therapy?, and the first album to be released on new UK label Marshall Records, part of the Marshall Amplification company.

References

  1. ↑ "Therapy? History by Andy Cairns".
  2. ↑ "Critical Junctions Troublegum review". Archived from the original on 10 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Andy Cairns Solo Tour Exclusive CD".
  4. ↑ "Andy Cairns Solo Tour Exclusive CD".
  5. ↑ "GetReadyToRock interview with Andy Cairns".
  6. ↑ "Andy Cairns Biography".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.