Therapy?'s Turbulent Tour: The Monsters Of Rock South America 1995 Experience
The Monsters Of Rock festival made its second visit to South America in September 1995, expanding its reach beyond its origins in England. The lineup for the 1995 edition featured top acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Faith No More, Megadeth, Paradise Lost, and Therapy?. For Therapy?, this tour was a chance to showcase their album "Infernal Love" to their growing international fan base, but they were unprepared for the challenges that awaited them.
Therapy? had achieved significant success with their album "Troublegum" in 1994, earning critical acclaim and a loyal following. However, the band was struggling with the pressures of fame and the music industry. Frontman Andy Cairns admitted to self-medicating with alcohol and drugs to cope with the stress. The band's relationships were strained, and Cairns felt isolated and overwhelmed by the demands of their growing success.
The band's first show in Santiago, Chile, was a chaotic and intense experience. The venue was packed with a rowdy and aggressive crowd, leading to dangerous behavior like people jumping from balconies into the mosh pit. The band members were subjected to spitting and hostility throughout their performance, with Cairns even resorting to provocative behavior on stage. The situation escalated when the police were called to arrest Cairns for indecent exposure.
After narrowly avoiding arrest, the band decided to leave Chile early and head to Buenos Aires for their next show. The incident in Chile left a lasting impact on the band, with McKeegan mentioning that they were banned from playing in Chile again due to the unruly behavior of the crowd. Cairns reflected on the experience, likening it to playing in the ninth circle of hell.
In conclusion, Therapy?'s tour of South America in 1995 was a tumultuous and challenging experience for the band. Despite their musical success, they struggled with the pressures of fame and the intense reactions of the South American crowds. The incident in Chile served as a stark reminder of the darker side of rock stardom and the unpredictable nature of live performances.