Thursday, February 28, 2008

Clint announces Numbers freebie at the Dry Bar on XFM

Dear Scratchers,

Just to let you, Andy has just been chatting to 'Superman' Clint Boon live on XFM Manchester, Andy announced that "anyone who comes to the door of the venue, before our 8.15 performance and pays to get in, saying they've come to see The Scratch, will get a freebie giveaway of the latest single Numbers." Clint also plugged Night Bus or Milk Train and Andy announced details of the forthcoming Critical Mass single. Twas great to hook up with Clint again on XFM, the perfect intro to another Mancunian adventure!

Thanks as always mate, see you soon.

And hope to see all you Numbers fans tomorrow night!

xx

Listen to our new single CRITCAL MASS Now on our myspace player!

Dear Scratchers,

Your chance to listen to our new single, a completely new re-recorded version of Critical Mass is upon you!!! It's up there on our myspace player as of today. It isn't released until April 28th, when it will be available to buy through itunes and through the ponyland records store at www.ponylandrecords.co.uk

enjoy!
The Scratch
xx

Infernal Racket!!!!!!! Radio Session...

Radio Radio….

And so we completed Febs mad radio promos, with a visit to The Infernal Racket Radio show on Hayes 91.8 fm… each show we've done has been very different and with different personnel… due to an inner ear infection for Grim, it left the 'slimmed' down duo of Andy and John to take up the baton.

Following a slightly lengthy journey… rac router masters are only SO good! … in conjunction with luck and esp…

Anyhow, we arrived at 9.00, greeted by one half of the dynamic 'indie' DJ duo, Charlie and were shown into the live room… the show had just begun, so it was a couple of minutes before we met his co-host Darren. They outlined the idea of the show and where we fitted in, then while they 'retired' to the DJ room, we sat fiddling with our instruments.

The session kicked off with a play of Critical Mass (don't forget not released until 28th April folks) and then it was time for the live stuff… stripped down and raw (the music) first track was Numbers, which went none too bad (even we say so)… then followed an interview session talking about, Ponyland records (our label of course), The M.E.N, Mr.Boon and our influences… to this end we supplied a 'top 20 ' cd of tracks by artists that inspired us, that allowed the guys to pick 3 of for the show and meant that next weeks playlist was sorted already…. Think we'll have to negotiate more than £1.99, for then next one boys! …

The tracks selected on this occasion ranged from Primal Scream's - Rise, to Buzzcocks – Boredom and even Stakker Humaniod's – Humaniod.

Back to the live stuff and next up was Strange 4Play, (with Andy exhibiting an until now hidden 'repetitive' tendency for the chronological, as identified by Darren having chosen the 3 live tracks, in order from the album with Dial Xero, completing the tri-umberate off of Night Bus or Milk Train... it was unplanned honest guv!

Pretty soon 11 o'clock had ticked by and all that was left was a quick plug of our itunes 'wares' and on the request of Charlie and Darren a 10 second 'thrash' version of their jingle for future play on the station, which rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable evening… in summary, we have to big up Charlie and Darren for a really entertaining show, good banter, good tracks and most importantly, they are trying to get some exposure for small or unsigned bands and if for nothing else, deserve at least a check out their myspace. (look in our top 20 friends).

Thanks guys, stay in touch. See you at Turnmills on 19th March then?

We'll the rest of you at the Dry Bar on Friday!

The Scratch
x

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Bit of publicity down the local!

Dear Scratchers,

Friday morning saw the latest in February's long line of radio interviews and sessions, this time saw Andy being interviewed over the phone on St.Albans' local Verulam community station. Presenter Phil was having a few problems with the phone line going dead a couple of times, but it was a good chance for the slower more 'unsung' tracks on Night Bus to get an airing, Bliss and Undercover. Next stop Hayes FM Tuesday for a live session and interview, hope you can tune in.

The Scratch
xx

Thursday, February 21, 2008

crmk.co.uk - Scratching it up with Hugh

Dear Scratchers,

3 blokes, 2 amps a pedal board and 3 guitars, sounds a bit like an obscure Bulgarian band that John Peel would have played... it was however the line up in ‘designated driver’ for the evening, Andy's car, after picking Grim up from Milton Keynes Central station on the way to our session for Hugh Davenport at the Eclectic Plectrum Parade on www.crmk.co.uk. Milton Keynes Community Radio.

As is with these occasions a trio was in evidence, but this time with the extra boost of John’s pumping bass and Grim’s ‘scratchy’ amp!

Relaxed is definitely the word for the style of Hugh Davenport our very genial host.
His show runs from 9-11 every Wednesday and is a healthy (PLEASANT, some would say NICE even?!...eh Hugh?) mix of new music, classic oldies and unsigned bands.

A highly enjoyable hour and a half was spent, chatting, finding out, amongst other things that Grim did a creative art course!!!, the bands Mighty Boosh ‘familiars’ are: Grim – Howard Moon, Andy – Vince Noir, John – Bob Fossil and the Baron was somewhere between Naboo and Bolo (he probably will ‘have a bad feeling about this!’) and of course, following Hugh’s intense questioning, a hierarchy was established within the band (but we’ll keep that between us and the listeners for now!)

Speaking of which some highly encouraging texts were received from listeners, on the strength of which a date in or around the area would seem a good possibility! (any ideas Hugh or listeners, please Blog us!)

Leaving the only thing not mentioned yet of course, being the most important…. (And though it’s up there), it’s not our knowledge of Scottish Indie bands!... it is of course the session tracks.

We began with Numbers (our current single), followed by Dear Maniac (b-side of the next one) and when given the choice of a ‘newie or an ‘oldie’ Hugh chose I Relax to Spiral Scratch, our first single (and yes mail or text your address Hugh and the 7”er is on its way!)… added to this only the ‘second ever’ play of our soon to be new single Critical Mass, plus album track Undercover to finish the evening.

All in all giving us a great bit of exposure and as I said before a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Great to meet you Hugh, really enjoyed the line of questioning, it felt good to be able to get a bit of ‘The Scratch’ across with regard to influences, history and the like, top man, see you again soon and let us know about the Uni. We love Uni gigs.

The Scratch
x

More Critical Mass from Mr.O

Dear Scratchers,

Just to let you know that Critical Mass will be featured on the Phil Orange Show on Sat 23rd February and Mon 25th February 2008

The Orange Radio Show every Saturday at 11am and Monday at 8pm (GMT) on www.rivergibbsfm.com global internet radio. 2 hours of new and rare tracks from unsigned bands from around the world. Repeated throughout the week, check show times on the web-site. or check out the www.myspace.com/rivergibbsfm

Thanks again for your support Phil.

Critical Mass will be released through itunes on Monday April 28th.
x

Thursday, February 14, 2008

The future's bright with Phil!

Dear Scratchers,

Last night saw our return to Balham and the studios of Radiers Broadcast, in the company of unsigned Champion DJ Phil Orange. Last night was all about our debut album DIY that Phil described as a fantastic debut album. He opened proceedings with I Relax to Spiral Scratch our debut single all those many moons ago, before moving onto X-Ray Eyes, Supermodel and Logical Mind. It was Grims debut at the station as on our previous visit the Baron had partnered John and Andy. As with last time, there was a great light hearted vibe and the chance for the band to spill the beans on some of their influences and stories behind the music.

Not only did Phil play the above tracks from DIY (which if you haven't got a copy, is still available from Ponyland Records folks), but he also, via Andy's ipod, played current single Numbers and as a WORLD EXCLUSIVE, he played the next single Critical Mass, a completely re-recorded version of the track that previously appeared on Night Bus or Milk Train, infact the track was so new and hot off the press, half of the band hadn't even heard the master before it went out live.

So in summary another great trip to 'Sarf' London, thanks again Phil and we'll see you at Turnmills on 19th March. Critical Mass is due to be released on Ponyland Records on Monday April 28th, you can order advance copies by mailing us here. It will be available through itunes from the release date.

Next stop Milton Keynes!
xx

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Erotomaniac this Wedsnesday on the Phil Orange show!

Dear Scrathcers, Just to let you know that Erotomaniac from our debut album DIY will be featured on www.raidersbroadcast.com Global Internet Radio on The Phil Orange Show. Weds 6th February 2008 8pm (GMT)

• www.raidersbroadcast.com
• www.myspace.com/raidersbroadcastonline
• www.myspace.com/orangepromotions

Once again BIG thanks to Phil, who's show we will be guesting on next Weds 13th!
x