Neil Cooper (drummer)

Neil Cooper

Neil Cooper onstage with Therapy? at Rock For People Festival, Czech Republic on 5 July 2009
Courtesy: Kati Haapala
Background information
Birth name Neil Cooper
Born (1971-08-01) 1 August 1971
Derby, England
Genres Alternative metal
Alternative rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Drums
Years active 1988–present
Labels Demolition Records, Stressed Sumo Records
Associated acts Therapy?, The Beyond, Cable, Gorilla

Neil Cooper (born 1 August 1971 Derby, England) is best known as the current drummer with Therapy?,[1] a hard rock band from Northern Ireland, and formerly of The Beyond, a hard rock band from England.

Cooper uses, and is endorsed by, Mapex drums.[2] He also uses Paiste cymbals.

The Beyond

Cooper was a founding member of The Beyond in 1988. The band signed with EMI Records and released two albums, entitled Crawl and Chasm, the latter being recorded in New York City with Jim Thirlwell. The band toured throughout the UK, Europe and US with Therapy?, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Claytown Troupe and Living Colour.

Cable

The Beyond disbanded in 1993, after which Cooper joined Cable. The band signed to Infectious Records and Cooper appeared on their debut album Downlift the Uptrodden. He also played on both of their John Peel sessions and toured the UK and Europe with Ash, Girls Against Boys, Boss Hog and Oasis.

Gorilla

In 1995, however, Cooper re-joined his old bandmates from The Beyond in a new group called Gorilla. In 1998, following the release of several EPs, the group disbanded.[3]

Pre-Therapy?

Cooper, by now operating freelance, had a stint with bigbeat combo Psychedeliasmith, and worked with Fatboy Slim. Cooper also gained his Certificate in Teaching from the Royal Schools of Music in 2001, the same year as he co-founded a Derby-based record label called Stressed Sumo Records.[4]

Therapy?

Cooper joined Therapy? in 2002, following the departure of Graham Hopkins. His first live performance with Therapy? took place at the Carvicais Rock Festival in Portugal on 10 August that year. It followed one rehearsal in which he had to learn the full sixteen song set. Cooper has since played on the band's last six studio albums – High Anxiety, Never Apologise Never Explain, One Cure Fits All, Crooked Timber, A Brief Crack of Light and Disquiet.

Drum lessons

Whenever he is not touring or otherwise busy with Therapy?, Cooper provides drum lessons. He teaches at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (QEGS), Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Discography

The Beyond

Cable

Gorilla

Therapy?

Drum Kit

Information source: Rhythm Magazine, March 2011

References

  1. ↑ "Neil Cooper Therapy? Biography".
  2. ↑ "Neil Cooper profile on Mapex".
  3. ↑ "Gorilla Myspace page".
  4. ↑ "Therapy? Official Page Q&A".
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