Peak UK Chart Position: #18 in January 1994.

A new entry at Number 18 on this day in 1994, “Nowhere” was the fifth top thirty hit for Northern Ireland band Therapy? Formed by Andy Cairns (guitars, vocals) and Fyfe Ewing (drummer, vocals, left the group in 1996) in 1989 after meeting at a gig comprised of local bands, they gained attention by supporting the likes of Inspiral Carpets, Ride, and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, as well as performing for Radio 1’s John Peel. Their first chart success was in 1992 when “Teethgrinder” made number 30, but cracked the top ten a few months later with the “Shortsharpshock EP”, and lead track “Screamager”, which peaked at number nine.

Quick facts:

• “Nowhere” was from their second major label album “Troublegum”, which achieved their highest peak position of number five and sold over one million copies worldwide.
• The CD single included covers of “Breaking The Law” (by Judas Priest), and “C.C. Rider” (also known as “See See Rider”, a track that dates back to 1924, has been much recorded, and was popularised by the likes of Elvis Presley in later years)
• The band chose the name Therapy? as it was “short and easy to remember”. Regarding the ‘question mark’ suffix, Cairns admitted in a 1992 interview that it was a chance design when he was working on the band’s first record sleeve. Working with Letraset transfers, Cairns misaligned the band’s name, and used the “?” icon to fill the space to the right.
• Their next set of gigs have been confirmed today, and are in Ireland in April of this year, as part of their “Wood & Wire” acoustic tour – which has already visited the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and the Union Chapel in London.

Here is a cracking live performance of “Nowhere” from French television show ‘Nulle Part Ailleurs’, recognisably hosted by Rapido himself, Antoine de Caunes, in 1994.