Neil Cooper (drummer)

Neil Cooper (born 1 August 1971) 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.

Neil Cooper
Birth nameNeil Cooper
Born (1971-08-01) 1 August 1971
Derby, England
GenresAlternative metal
Alternative rock
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsDrums
Years active1988–present
LabelsMarshall Records, Stressed Sumo Records
Associated actsTherapy?, The Beyond, Cable, Gorilla

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 seven studio albums – High Anxiety, Never Apologise Never Explain, One Cure Fits All, Crooked Timber, A Brief Crack of Light, Disquiet and Cleave.

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

  • Manic Sound Panic (1990 EP)
  • No Excuse (1990 EP)
  • Crawl (1991 album)
  • "One Step Too Far" (1991 single)
  • "Empire" (1991 single)
  • Raging (1991 EP)
  • Chasm (1993 album)

Cable

  • "Sale Of The Century" (1994 single)
  • "Seventy" (1995 single)
  • "Blindman" (1995 single)
  • "Seventy" (1996 single)
  • Downlift The Uptrodden (1996 album)

Gorilla

  • Extended Play (1995 EP)
  • Shutdown (1995 EP)
  • "Who Wants To Save The World Anyway?" (1997 single)
  • "Outside" (1998 single)

Therapy?

Main article: Therapy? discography
  • All releases from 2003 to present

Drum Kit

Information source: Rhythm Magazine, March 2011

  • Mapex Orion 12" tom
  • Mapex Orion 13" tom
  • Mapex Orion 16" floor tom
  • Mapex Orion 22" x 20" bass drum
  • Pearl Brass 14" x 6.5" Free Floating snare
  • Ludwig 14" x 5" Black Beauty
  • Mapex Black Panther 14" x 3.5" Brass Picolo
  • Paiste 14" 2002 Wild hi-hats
  • Paiste 17" Signature Reflector Heavy Full crash
  • Paiste 18" Signature Reflector Heavy Full crash
  • Paiste 20" 2002 Power crash
  • Paiste 20" 2002 Heavy ride
  • Paiste 20" 2002 China
  • Vic Firth Extreme 5A sticks

References
  1. "Neil Cooper Therapy? Biography".
  2. "Neil Cooper profile on Mapex". Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
  3. "Gorilla Myspace page".
  4. "Therapy? Official Page Q&A".

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