Dear Scratchers,
Monday saw the release of Girls World as you know and what better than to gig on release day, well, in a word festival!... so that's what we did in the seemingly perenailly grey but picturesque village of Box. In it's 15th year we were really chuffed at being given the main support slot at the Box Rocks charity festival, having wowed organiser and owner of the Queen's Head pub, Dean back in March, when we recorded our Critical Mass video. The venue was the car park, which was given over to a huge lorry trailer that made for an impressive stage. 10 bands, 8 or 9 of which were covers, made for a good atmosphere, however as 'Strange 4Play' kicked things off, it took the locals (with a few biker lady exceptions in Scratch t-shirts!) a few minutes to adjust their ears to the unfamiliar trackage. Gradually though, song by song, new converts emerged, (despite Andy playing the 'Numbers' intro in the wrong key), the whole crowd focus was by now stage wise. A storming I relax to spiral scratch got the bums really wiggling, as the set built to a resounding anthemic 'Independent Unrepentant' and all parties seemed plenty pleased with the days events! Thanks again to Dean and Crew for their ace organising and hope the charity made a good few quid in the process. Looking at a lot of the departing crowd, it appeared that beer sales had certainly side stepped the credit crunch! ... This weeks little drama, as there is always a drama with The Scratch as you know! saw The Baron somehow manage to dislocate/break some fingers and possibly a toe on the way... (but doesn't he always try and have the last laugh!) We'll be back in month for his birthday... so rest those digits Ronaldo!
The Scratch
x
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Purple Turtle, A passionate review from the Trousers
Listen, I'm not sure what's going on in this cruel crap world anymore, if I ever did, but the only true feeling of love, family excluded, is the love of the wonderful people who turn out to see The Scratch. It's Wednesday, there's a threatened tube strike AGAIN, Lazy overpaid, dispassionate EN-GER-LAND are playing, and it's frickin' raining AGAIN!!!! But, Bloody BUT!!!!!!… The Scratch are playing once again to their mighty and loyal following…we know them and we love them ALL. Tonights set fairly bristled with passion, humour and catchy as ebola songs like GIRLS WORLD, CRITICAL MASS AND DEAR MANIAC. The applause was from the heart, it was BIG love from both sides. It wasn't shoe gazing, corporate, skinny jeaned, heat magazined heroin chic'd KOOL… it was a fookin night out with yer mates.
BIG love
David T.
X
BIG love
David T.
X
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Payney speaks to Andy on rock247 online
Dear Scratchers,
In case you missed it, a big thanks to Payney on www.rock247online.co.uk/ for the interview with Andy, where amongst other things they discussed The Prodigy’s sleeve artwork, gigs in the Midlands (we should do some), Tiffany (again!) and Erotomaniac’s … Payney began by playing Critical Mass, followed by Dear Maniac and then both sides of the new single.
Really appreciate the support mate.
The Scratch
x
In case you missed it, a big thanks to Payney on www.rock247online.co.uk/ for the interview with Andy, where amongst other things they discussed The Prodigy’s sleeve artwork, gigs in the Midlands (we should do some), Tiffany (again!) and Erotomaniac’s … Payney began by playing Critical Mass, followed by Dear Maniac and then both sides of the new single.
Really appreciate the support mate.
The Scratch
x
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sun, drying mud, Showtime!!!! The Scratch at Endorse IT Part 2!
Welcome to part 2... Sunday August 10th 2008. The day of reckoning.
A broken nights sleep punctuated by stumbling ravers, wee wee desperados and cavernous snoring, soon disappeared to be greeted by, would you believe it SUN!…. glorious 7.30 am sunshine. Time for a cup of tea and at least one more dose of 'agent orange' in the portaloo!
It was now 3 hours and 15 minutes until we were due backstage for the final countdown to Showtime. Andy and The Baron strode off leaving the other sleeping beauties to come to in their own achy and slightly damp way… (once again I refer you to euphemism!)… Slightly fuzzy heads were dispelled by the third cup of free tea and excitement began to firmly take a foot(squelch)hold… It was soon 10.30, just as the band reached the cars to pick up their 'axes' Andy received a call saying Nick and Rosie were currently on the M4, with kids, rushing back to try and catch the show! In doing so re-enacting the final scene from Bram Stokers Dracula movie (the one Keanu ruined), question was, would they make it!
Meanwhile Tina had met up with Sam and Raj and they were taking up their photography and video positions as the band de-wellied at the steps to the stage and were introduced to Daisy the stage manager. Despite much care The Scratch's black and white (and of course Red Baron) attire had today taken on a certain subtle brown spottiness from the sticky 'gloop' all around… but at least the stage was dry… in fact under the lights it was positively tropical!…
Hobo Jones and the Junkyard dogs who seemed to be doing a set every 35 minutes throughout the weekend kicked off proceedings on the main JC stage, and assembled a pretty decent sized, slightly damp, bleary eyed throng infront of them.
Then it was our turn. Introduced on stage by the impressively affro'd Rueben. It was clear that many of the bands at Endorse IT were back for their second or third stint and as you looked out from the stage you could see why. It was a really well laid out/thought out festival with the potential of becoming one of the best… It was also clear that The Scratch, all Marshall amped up for the day were going to relish the moment. It has to be noted that like all other outdoor dates that the band have done in glorious blighty, the weather has always been wet until and this was no exception… The Scratch take the stage and the sun comes out! As if the Gods are smiling and trying to help propel us into the hearts of the masses…
or not…?!?
Smashing through into the Dorset Midday with Strange 4Play the time for talking was done… Sunday as we had just found out was ladies day at Endorse it, (like most things at this festival something that had just got out of hand and grown from a previous years jappery and stuck!)… anyway 'Girls World' was dedicated to the these guy/girls to much twittering and skirt lifting (if you've not seen the Girls World video yet, you'll know of The Scratch's sympathy for this particular 'art form'!)… if you haven't you must and tell all your mates!!!!
The appropriate 'Pooh (Bear) Destroyed by the look of love' was next and then Andy paid tribute to the Buzzcocks before they launched into one of the highlights of the set *'I Relax to Spiral Scratch'… The crowd was by now beginning to gather in size and appreciation as 'Against the Grain (Who Ray?)' and probably song of the set 'Critical Mass' rocked, funked and punked in the sunshine, (still no sign of Nick though!)… 'Dear Maniac' wobbled slightly as a stick slip at a crucial moment caused a discordant white noise interlude (hey good band name!)… But not many, if any noticed…and then it was straight into 'Smell the Gas Taps' before thanking all assembled and catapulting into DIY anthem 'Independent Unrepentant'. 40 minutes had gone in a blur!.. some very encouraging words rang in buzzing ears as we left the stage with talk of next year and later slots already being bandied around.
And so that was that, The Scratch's debut at Endorse it, in Dorset. All that remains is to say a huge thanks to Lamma Maund the organiser for inviting us to play, we sincerely hope to be asked back again please. From the tractor driver to the guy who pulled us off… (No stop it now!) ...the site in his Landrover as we left…to the soundman and the bar staff, everyone was extremely hospitable and friendly and we'd recommend Endorse IT, in Dorset to anyone… just don't forget yer wellies!!
Finally and I know you'll be dying to know, did Van Helsing save the day… alas no!… as we came off stage once more wellied up, our gaggle of heroes and heroines were waiting to speak to us… they'd just got back on site as we finished!
The very last set of thanks then goes out to Nick and family for their 7 hours of driving to still not see us, Sam and Raj, stylish as ever (can't wait to see the photos) and especially Superstar Tina for hanging out with the big boys… and The Scratch… if there once was a call of duty… there needs to be a new more fitting phrase now!
…. Reality soon dawned as we wended our way back passed 'Strawberry Sauce' and 'Nether Wallop' (one of those villages is real!), only to spend nearly 2 hours on the M25, but our spirits and souls could no longer be dampened.
If you missed this weekend and would like to be a part of The Scratch saga come and see our next festival date on bank holiday Monday in Box nr Bath at the Box Rocks festival, we're on stage at 8.30pm (which is also the day that our Girls World single will be released too!) … hopefully catch you at the Purple Turtle on Weds 20th August and we can compare welly boot prices in preparation!
Love, Squelches and Kisses
The Scratch
xx
A broken nights sleep punctuated by stumbling ravers, wee wee desperados and cavernous snoring, soon disappeared to be greeted by, would you believe it SUN!…. glorious 7.30 am sunshine. Time for a cup of tea and at least one more dose of 'agent orange' in the portaloo!
It was now 3 hours and 15 minutes until we were due backstage for the final countdown to Showtime. Andy and The Baron strode off leaving the other sleeping beauties to come to in their own achy and slightly damp way… (once again I refer you to euphemism!)… Slightly fuzzy heads were dispelled by the third cup of free tea and excitement began to firmly take a foot(squelch)hold… It was soon 10.30, just as the band reached the cars to pick up their 'axes' Andy received a call saying Nick and Rosie were currently on the M4, with kids, rushing back to try and catch the show! In doing so re-enacting the final scene from Bram Stokers Dracula movie (the one Keanu ruined), question was, would they make it!
Meanwhile Tina had met up with Sam and Raj and they were taking up their photography and video positions as the band de-wellied at the steps to the stage and were introduced to Daisy the stage manager. Despite much care The Scratch's black and white (and of course Red Baron) attire had today taken on a certain subtle brown spottiness from the sticky 'gloop' all around… but at least the stage was dry… in fact under the lights it was positively tropical!…
Hobo Jones and the Junkyard dogs who seemed to be doing a set every 35 minutes throughout the weekend kicked off proceedings on the main JC stage, and assembled a pretty decent sized, slightly damp, bleary eyed throng infront of them.
Then it was our turn. Introduced on stage by the impressively affro'd Rueben. It was clear that many of the bands at Endorse IT were back for their second or third stint and as you looked out from the stage you could see why. It was a really well laid out/thought out festival with the potential of becoming one of the best… It was also clear that The Scratch, all Marshall amped up for the day were going to relish the moment. It has to be noted that like all other outdoor dates that the band have done in glorious blighty, the weather has always been wet until and this was no exception… The Scratch take the stage and the sun comes out! As if the Gods are smiling and trying to help propel us into the hearts of the masses…
or not…?!?
Smashing through into the Dorset Midday with Strange 4Play the time for talking was done… Sunday as we had just found out was ladies day at Endorse it, (like most things at this festival something that had just got out of hand and grown from a previous years jappery and stuck!)… anyway 'Girls World' was dedicated to the these guy/girls to much twittering and skirt lifting (if you've not seen the Girls World video yet, you'll know of The Scratch's sympathy for this particular 'art form'!)… if you haven't you must and tell all your mates!!!!
The appropriate 'Pooh (Bear) Destroyed by the look of love' was next and then Andy paid tribute to the Buzzcocks before they launched into one of the highlights of the set *'I Relax to Spiral Scratch'… The crowd was by now beginning to gather in size and appreciation as 'Against the Grain (Who Ray?)' and probably song of the set 'Critical Mass' rocked, funked and punked in the sunshine, (still no sign of Nick though!)… 'Dear Maniac' wobbled slightly as a stick slip at a crucial moment caused a discordant white noise interlude (hey good band name!)… But not many, if any noticed…and then it was straight into 'Smell the Gas Taps' before thanking all assembled and catapulting into DIY anthem 'Independent Unrepentant'. 40 minutes had gone in a blur!.. some very encouraging words rang in buzzing ears as we left the stage with talk of next year and later slots already being bandied around.
And so that was that, The Scratch's debut at Endorse it, in Dorset. All that remains is to say a huge thanks to Lamma Maund the organiser for inviting us to play, we sincerely hope to be asked back again please. From the tractor driver to the guy who pulled us off… (No stop it now!) ...the site in his Landrover as we left…to the soundman and the bar staff, everyone was extremely hospitable and friendly and we'd recommend Endorse IT, in Dorset to anyone… just don't forget yer wellies!!
Finally and I know you'll be dying to know, did Van Helsing save the day… alas no!… as we came off stage once more wellied up, our gaggle of heroes and heroines were waiting to speak to us… they'd just got back on site as we finished!
The very last set of thanks then goes out to Nick and family for their 7 hours of driving to still not see us, Sam and Raj, stylish as ever (can't wait to see the photos) and especially Superstar Tina for hanging out with the big boys… and The Scratch… if there once was a call of duty… there needs to be a new more fitting phrase now!
…. Reality soon dawned as we wended our way back passed 'Strawberry Sauce' and 'Nether Wallop' (one of those villages is real!), only to spend nearly 2 hours on the M25, but our spirits and souls could no longer be dampened.
If you missed this weekend and would like to be a part of The Scratch saga come and see our next festival date on bank holiday Monday in Box nr Bath at the Box Rocks festival, we're on stage at 8.30pm (which is also the day that our Girls World single will be released too!) … hopefully catch you at the Purple Turtle on Weds 20th August and we can compare welly boot prices in preparation!
Love, Squelches and Kisses
The Scratch
xx
The Scratch - In the City 2008 - a bands eye view!
Dear Scratchers,
The only way I can possibly think about writing this up, is by splitting it into 3 days.
As per usual it is a tale of Euphoria, Heartache, sore feet, sore throats, frantic energy, high octane performance and of course vermin!
Day 1 - Saturday 4th: Watford Junction
Andy gets the train, to rendevous with the newly twisted knee’d Teenaw, Manager, Hotelier, Drinker and all round Super woman!
Inside knowledge and a hefty pile of CD’s mean barely 90 minutes from arriving at Manchester Piccadilly, the dynamic duo are at the impressive Midland Hotel, there’s a line of tressle tables in the large reception hall, a place that over the course of this long weekend, will become the centre of everyone’s universe. It was just starting to be populated with flyers and the kind of shiny merchandise band’s design in the hope of mesmerising the dignitaries, liggers and general delegate hangers on, who have the power to be able to elevate the latest three chord wonders to Oasis and Arctic Monkey style prowess, with a simple nod of a head to the right person at their label.
Getting on In the City, is a bit like being a starving lion (the bands), locked in a glass cage, surrounded by a herd upon herd of juicy wilderbeast, all dressed in masquerade ball masks (the people in the know) roaming tantalisingly just outside the locked door.
Though Manchester is a proper music city, where true giants of the industry actually dare to mix, laugh and enthuse with the great unwashed masses (there’s no-way you could get an event like this in uptight London)… the rule that “it ain’t what you know it’s who you know” is still all too annoyingly applicable… The only way to get noticed as John Robb said to us, is you need to be “big bold and brash”. Luckily for The Scratch, the ‘dream team’ of Tina and Steve ‘not a skinny Zane Lowe look-a-like thanks very much’ Whittaker, are masters of the art.
Prior to the Midland, Andy and Tina had visited Tina’s mate Lisa’s house for a pre birthday party drink… by 7.30, Andy was sitting in front of a can of Cider, a glass of Champagne and an Aftershock… Thus, on leaving the Midland, they were buzzing and our Tina was already on the blagging trail, getting them into One Central for free on the premise of sussing the venue out for Monday nights gig.
Day 1 (Well half a day really) ended around 2am ish… with appetite for the task ahead, well and truly whetted.
Day 2:
Sunday 5th. Sportscity.
Up by 8.00, Andy is piling up the stacks of giveaway CD’s, flyers, vinyl and press releases, they are going to use as bait for the day ahead, by 10.30, Andy and Tina are back at the Midland replenishing the tressle table and picking up the In the City programme/guide… which of course has managed to get the date wrong of The Scratch’s showcase and omitted the photo that should have accompanied the 30 word biog. It’s with world weariness, not disappointment we shrug, it’s kind of par for the course for us, (the little details make the difference!)
Next it’s rehearsal time and Ancoats finest, The Boom, Boom Rooms… Andy and Tina limp there for 11.30… set up the mics and sit and wait for the rest of the band and the aforementioned PR go-getter, Steve Whitty. John, Grim and Steve arrive around 12.45, but it isn’t until around 2.00 that the Baron rolls up, having encountered horrendous weather (Manchester is amazingly gloriously sunny by the way!), Man City traffic and getting lost.
Tina at once Kidnaps Whitty and they head back off to the Midland, while the band decide which one of the 10 track set they need to drop to accommodate their two newies, Freakshow and You want the World.
An hour or so passes…
“Hold on, my phone’s ringing”, it’s an excited Tina, “We’ve just met Clint (Boon ) and Charlie (Boon) getting out of a cab, just as we arrived at the Hotel”. They’re setting up Mrs Boon’s cake stool. Sex, Cake and Rock’n’ Roll! It’s the new black in Manchester… “We’re havin a cup of tea out of fine bone china, a home made cake and we’ve got Clint, DJing on two mini, portable antique turntables! … Oh and I’ve just seen John Robb… hurry up and get over here.”
We didn’t need to be told twice. After locking our gear in the studio and with a swift change of t-shirt and shoes in the street we set off.
On arrival at the Midland, sure enough, Clint was there, Charlie, John Robb and host of other delegates, hedgehog haired bands and balding muso types… sadly the tea urn had run dry, so it was lager and schmoozing time. Andy chatted to Charley about a possible appearance at the bands next Manchester gig in Salford on 16th October, Clint posed with the band holding one of Mrs Boons cake signs, while Tina was bending John Robb’s ear about who, where why and what! (Go Teenaw GO!) A highlight of the day so far was an exclusive play of Goldblade and Poly Styrene’s of (X-Ray Spex) new joint Christmas single to Andy and Tina on JR’s ipod.
Grae Wall the promoter of our night (from the St.Albans Arts Council) was soon followed by Darren manager of The Culture (and former Infernal Racket DJ for who we sessioned in Feb), in saying high as we passed across the Midland’s bar carpet, all too focused on our own missions to stop for breath.
As time got round to 5.30ish, Andy and the Scratch SWAT team, attended the summing up of the days events, with the amazingly busy but tireless John Robb as host… (Great work Tina for mounting the stage at the end and squeezing a CD into the palm of each of the 4 panelists... The Scratch duly, get their first mention on the official podcast!)
Everything is going well, it’s bloody hectic, but no time for slacking, the only blip is Elizabeth from the BBC who Andy had approached earlier in the day re- an interview, ignoring her mobile for the rest of the evening… and the next day… (We’ve got your number now though lady, you don’t think we’re gonna give up do you?!)
Next stop is the Ruby lounge, John Kennedy is about to do a DJ set. 3 passes, 6 people, a quick flash of Andy’s phone pic with Mr.Boon and a smile from Teenaw and we’re in.
Quick as a lightening, Whitty is in the ‘merch’ bag and has already violated the DJ booth with a copy of Critical Mass. Our first direct contact with John Kennedy and subsequently our first play of a Scratch track by him (and now, no longer a Scratch virgin) Nice one Whitty!!!!
“It’s Tina isn’t it?” by now we’ve got celebs (not literally, cos that would’ve got us in NME at last!!!!) coming out of our ears! Thoroughly top bloke Martin Coogan (He of “Can you Dig it” , Revolution Radio DJ and now head honcho at Radio Republic fame)… tops a great day, as our entourage is now actually being noticed by the stars! Our Teenaw, the new face on the Manchester scene!
Not a bad day, Clint, Charlie, John Robb, John Kennedy and Martin Coogan. Let’s bloody move to Manchester, was the cry as the cosy 6 some, gorged themselves on late, late Sunday night pizza. 2.30am looks like a good time for some shut eye. Thankfully there was no beer left in the fridge!
Day 3: The Final Conflict. Monday 6th October. Day of the Rat!
Eye bags are on the increase… an ASDA breakfast is sure to help!... Up by 8, out by 10 but not before Whitty eats three times his body weight in ‘fry up’. We stride into the Midland by 11.15, following 20 minutes of blanket flyer action on the street outside the massive Manchester University. Now it’s time for our noon interview with Ross, Tarquin and Juliette of Big Multimedia at The Tiger Lounge, for 15 minutes of TV interview fame on their soon to be launched IPTV Channel. Good luck and yes John (the Baron’s new mate from Durham, they speak the same lingo you know man!) we’re well up for a gig when things get off the ground.
Soon back at HQ, table replenishment 407 is completed, followed by a mild panic as The Scratch say hi to The Molotovs (a band they had met last week at the Horn gig in St.Albans), when a ginger haired bloke is mistaken for Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens … not sure what he’ll do with the 5 cds 3 biogs and 38 flyers? Still Xmas presents are sorted I guess?
Now it’s off to Salford Uni for more of the same street team action, while incorporating a quick visit to the Pint Pot (scene of our 16th October date).
The clock though is starting to tick very rapidly and there is a palpable lull in energy levels. Tina and Steve decide to hang out at the Midland, while the band go back to change for the final push!
As the make up is being trowelled on at the flat, Tina’s sends a rapid volley of Text’s Hooky’s got a CD, Andy Rourke’s got one AND John Robb, has agreed to bring Goldblade to The Horn in St.Albans for a gig!!!! “And now Whitty’s chasing John Kennedy with a copy of Night Bus or Milk Train!”
As you know Scratch fans we are consummately professional and are NEVER late for soundchecks (as uncool as that may sound), we keep up our record at One Central only to be tutted at on arrival, as we are informed we only have 20 minutes left… (don’t worry, it’ll only take a pro 5 minutes darlin!!!) … despite a slight technical hitch with a footswitch, the sound generally is very good ala Manchester, leaving us the time for one last Tressle table drop and then it’s showtime.
Friends begin to arrive at the Hotel, Lucy and Clod, Mark (Tina told you it would be worth it mate!), Colleen, Super cool Sam, Merrily and a growing bunch of the curious, brilliant and brow beaten. *The guy (sorry can’t remember your name) who was doing the Wii guitar hero in the basement of the Midland, promised to be there, JR’s seminar ruled him out, but Tony and Denise of our PR company Manilla had just arrived and were up for their first full Scratch set!
Like dynamite, Numbers exploded into life and things never let up from there… Freakshow, You want the world, I Relax to Spiral Scratch, Against the Grain, the intensity never dropped, it was as though all the anticipation of the last 2 days had been distilled into one crazed demonic cocktail. As * said, as the final chord of Dear Maniac sang into the ether, “that’s the liveliest show of the whole weekend”, big thanks to all those who took the time, thanks to Mr.Coogan who snuck in, in time to leave an informed note on Tina’s myspace today (the day after) saying how we rocked. Thanks we appreciate the time you all took to come along.
And, so that was it, In the City 2008, all that effort from Tina and Steve had culminated in the band delivering in equal measure for them, in our eyes the two real heroes of the weekend. (Big thanks to Paul for making the journey and wearing the tee btw).
All that was left now was for a wind down beer, before the long drive back to St.Albans… there was a mild whiff on anti climax in the air as I’m sure you could imagine, it had been an intense affair. However there was one last Scratch on tour gem to tell you about.
A reflective Andy and Whitty, are sat down at the table we had populated since the gig and have become emersed in conversation about what was next, and how Steve could force John Kennedy to offer The Scratch a session, when suddenly Andy jumped up going “Er , what’s that!, er aghh”… bewildered Steve looked on as in the style of frightened school girl Andy is shrieking “Er, get it off me” he promptly drops his trousers to his knees shaking booty violently! It turns out that while Steve and Andy chatted, Steve had felt something brush past his foot… just seconds before a RAT RUNS UP ANDY’S TROUSER LEG, ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP TO HIS RAPIDLY CONTRACTING BACKSIDE!… looking presumably for a way out! “Thank God I wasn’t going Commando! As it was, despite only having a couple of pints, I had ended the night well and truly ‘Rat Arsed!”
“It ain’t rockin roll and I don’t like it, like it no I don’t.”
It could only happen to our band…
Wow what a weekend, what a bizarre end and so as all fairy tales end, we got our record deal and lived happily ever after… well, that was the dream Andy was having as he, Grim and Whitty were chauffered back down the motorway by John, for another 2 o’clock finale… but this time it was bloody work in the morning. Who says life on the road ain’t glamourous! Thanks to the lead singer of the band who followed the Underground Verulam showcase (The one we’d opened), who dedicated their first song to the man who had the rat in his trousers!
The extra special thanks however goes to Clint (really touched that you put us in your top 10 tips for the weekend on the offical site mate!), Charley (Hopefully see you in Salford on 16th for a spot of afternoon tea), Supercharged John Robb (let’s get this gig sorted at the Horn mate), Martin Coogan (great to meet you at last), Grae at the St.Albans Arts Council, (for this great opportunity… looking forward to Trashville in November) …and as we’ve said before the true stars of this weekend Steve (I’m gonna get that Kennedy session Whittaker) and the amazing Tina, we love you.
Apologies to anyones names we’ve forgotten or not mention, total recall after a weekend like that, just ain’t gonna happen anymore.
We’re already anticipating next year’s later, more prominent spot! Safe in the knowledge that team Scratch could not have done anymore to get our name across to the great and good (and evil) of the music elite.
Next stop Tea and cake down Salford Way!
One question remains however… Where did lager magnet The Baron get that case of Red Stripe he was carrying around all of Monday by the way?
xx
The only way I can possibly think about writing this up, is by splitting it into 3 days.
As per usual it is a tale of Euphoria, Heartache, sore feet, sore throats, frantic energy, high octane performance and of course vermin!
Day 1 - Saturday 4th: Watford Junction
Andy gets the train, to rendevous with the newly twisted knee’d Teenaw, Manager, Hotelier, Drinker and all round Super woman!
Inside knowledge and a hefty pile of CD’s mean barely 90 minutes from arriving at Manchester Piccadilly, the dynamic duo are at the impressive Midland Hotel, there’s a line of tressle tables in the large reception hall, a place that over the course of this long weekend, will become the centre of everyone’s universe. It was just starting to be populated with flyers and the kind of shiny merchandise band’s design in the hope of mesmerising the dignitaries, liggers and general delegate hangers on, who have the power to be able to elevate the latest three chord wonders to Oasis and Arctic Monkey style prowess, with a simple nod of a head to the right person at their label.
Getting on In the City, is a bit like being a starving lion (the bands), locked in a glass cage, surrounded by a herd upon herd of juicy wilderbeast, all dressed in masquerade ball masks (the people in the know) roaming tantalisingly just outside the locked door.
Though Manchester is a proper music city, where true giants of the industry actually dare to mix, laugh and enthuse with the great unwashed masses (there’s no-way you could get an event like this in uptight London)… the rule that “it ain’t what you know it’s who you know” is still all too annoyingly applicable… The only way to get noticed as John Robb said to us, is you need to be “big bold and brash”. Luckily for The Scratch, the ‘dream team’ of Tina and Steve ‘not a skinny Zane Lowe look-a-like thanks very much’ Whittaker, are masters of the art.
Prior to the Midland, Andy and Tina had visited Tina’s mate Lisa’s house for a pre birthday party drink… by 7.30, Andy was sitting in front of a can of Cider, a glass of Champagne and an Aftershock… Thus, on leaving the Midland, they were buzzing and our Tina was already on the blagging trail, getting them into One Central for free on the premise of sussing the venue out for Monday nights gig.
Day 1 (Well half a day really) ended around 2am ish… with appetite for the task ahead, well and truly whetted.
Day 2:
Sunday 5th. Sportscity.
Up by 8.00, Andy is piling up the stacks of giveaway CD’s, flyers, vinyl and press releases, they are going to use as bait for the day ahead, by 10.30, Andy and Tina are back at the Midland replenishing the tressle table and picking up the In the City programme/guide… which of course has managed to get the date wrong of The Scratch’s showcase and omitted the photo that should have accompanied the 30 word biog. It’s with world weariness, not disappointment we shrug, it’s kind of par for the course for us, (the little details make the difference!)
Next it’s rehearsal time and Ancoats finest, The Boom, Boom Rooms… Andy and Tina limp there for 11.30… set up the mics and sit and wait for the rest of the band and the aforementioned PR go-getter, Steve Whitty. John, Grim and Steve arrive around 12.45, but it isn’t until around 2.00 that the Baron rolls up, having encountered horrendous weather (Manchester is amazingly gloriously sunny by the way!), Man City traffic and getting lost.
Tina at once Kidnaps Whitty and they head back off to the Midland, while the band decide which one of the 10 track set they need to drop to accommodate their two newies, Freakshow and You want the World.
An hour or so passes…
“Hold on, my phone’s ringing”, it’s an excited Tina, “We’ve just met Clint (Boon ) and Charlie (Boon) getting out of a cab, just as we arrived at the Hotel”. They’re setting up Mrs Boon’s cake stool. Sex, Cake and Rock’n’ Roll! It’s the new black in Manchester… “We’re havin a cup of tea out of fine bone china, a home made cake and we’ve got Clint, DJing on two mini, portable antique turntables! … Oh and I’ve just seen John Robb… hurry up and get over here.”
We didn’t need to be told twice. After locking our gear in the studio and with a swift change of t-shirt and shoes in the street we set off.
On arrival at the Midland, sure enough, Clint was there, Charlie, John Robb and host of other delegates, hedgehog haired bands and balding muso types… sadly the tea urn had run dry, so it was lager and schmoozing time. Andy chatted to Charley about a possible appearance at the bands next Manchester gig in Salford on 16th October, Clint posed with the band holding one of Mrs Boons cake signs, while Tina was bending John Robb’s ear about who, where why and what! (Go Teenaw GO!) A highlight of the day so far was an exclusive play of Goldblade and Poly Styrene’s of (X-Ray Spex) new joint Christmas single to Andy and Tina on JR’s ipod.
Grae Wall the promoter of our night (from the St.Albans Arts Council) was soon followed by Darren manager of The Culture (and former Infernal Racket DJ for who we sessioned in Feb), in saying high as we passed across the Midland’s bar carpet, all too focused on our own missions to stop for breath.
As time got round to 5.30ish, Andy and the Scratch SWAT team, attended the summing up of the days events, with the amazingly busy but tireless John Robb as host… (Great work Tina for mounting the stage at the end and squeezing a CD into the palm of each of the 4 panelists... The Scratch duly, get their first mention on the official podcast!)
Everything is going well, it’s bloody hectic, but no time for slacking, the only blip is Elizabeth from the BBC who Andy had approached earlier in the day re- an interview, ignoring her mobile for the rest of the evening… and the next day… (We’ve got your number now though lady, you don’t think we’re gonna give up do you?!)
Next stop is the Ruby lounge, John Kennedy is about to do a DJ set. 3 passes, 6 people, a quick flash of Andy’s phone pic with Mr.Boon and a smile from Teenaw and we’re in.
Quick as a lightening, Whitty is in the ‘merch’ bag and has already violated the DJ booth with a copy of Critical Mass. Our first direct contact with John Kennedy and subsequently our first play of a Scratch track by him (and now, no longer a Scratch virgin) Nice one Whitty!!!!
“It’s Tina isn’t it?” by now we’ve got celebs (not literally, cos that would’ve got us in NME at last!!!!) coming out of our ears! Thoroughly top bloke Martin Coogan (He of “Can you Dig it” , Revolution Radio DJ and now head honcho at Radio Republic fame)… tops a great day, as our entourage is now actually being noticed by the stars! Our Teenaw, the new face on the Manchester scene!
Not a bad day, Clint, Charlie, John Robb, John Kennedy and Martin Coogan. Let’s bloody move to Manchester, was the cry as the cosy 6 some, gorged themselves on late, late Sunday night pizza. 2.30am looks like a good time for some shut eye. Thankfully there was no beer left in the fridge!
Day 3: The Final Conflict. Monday 6th October. Day of the Rat!
Eye bags are on the increase… an ASDA breakfast is sure to help!... Up by 8, out by 10 but not before Whitty eats three times his body weight in ‘fry up’. We stride into the Midland by 11.15, following 20 minutes of blanket flyer action on the street outside the massive Manchester University. Now it’s time for our noon interview with Ross, Tarquin and Juliette of Big Multimedia at The Tiger Lounge, for 15 minutes of TV interview fame on their soon to be launched IPTV Channel. Good luck and yes John (the Baron’s new mate from Durham, they speak the same lingo you know man!) we’re well up for a gig when things get off the ground.
Soon back at HQ, table replenishment 407 is completed, followed by a mild panic as The Scratch say hi to The Molotovs (a band they had met last week at the Horn gig in St.Albans), when a ginger haired bloke is mistaken for Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens … not sure what he’ll do with the 5 cds 3 biogs and 38 flyers? Still Xmas presents are sorted I guess?
Now it’s off to Salford Uni for more of the same street team action, while incorporating a quick visit to the Pint Pot (scene of our 16th October date).
The clock though is starting to tick very rapidly and there is a palpable lull in energy levels. Tina and Steve decide to hang out at the Midland, while the band go back to change for the final push!
As the make up is being trowelled on at the flat, Tina’s sends a rapid volley of Text’s Hooky’s got a CD, Andy Rourke’s got one AND John Robb, has agreed to bring Goldblade to The Horn in St.Albans for a gig!!!! “And now Whitty’s chasing John Kennedy with a copy of Night Bus or Milk Train!”
As you know Scratch fans we are consummately professional and are NEVER late for soundchecks (as uncool as that may sound), we keep up our record at One Central only to be tutted at on arrival, as we are informed we only have 20 minutes left… (don’t worry, it’ll only take a pro 5 minutes darlin!!!) … despite a slight technical hitch with a footswitch, the sound generally is very good ala Manchester, leaving us the time for one last Tressle table drop and then it’s showtime.
Friends begin to arrive at the Hotel, Lucy and Clod, Mark (Tina told you it would be worth it mate!), Colleen, Super cool Sam, Merrily and a growing bunch of the curious, brilliant and brow beaten. *The guy (sorry can’t remember your name) who was doing the Wii guitar hero in the basement of the Midland, promised to be there, JR’s seminar ruled him out, but Tony and Denise of our PR company Manilla had just arrived and were up for their first full Scratch set!
Like dynamite, Numbers exploded into life and things never let up from there… Freakshow, You want the world, I Relax to Spiral Scratch, Against the Grain, the intensity never dropped, it was as though all the anticipation of the last 2 days had been distilled into one crazed demonic cocktail. As * said, as the final chord of Dear Maniac sang into the ether, “that’s the liveliest show of the whole weekend”, big thanks to all those who took the time, thanks to Mr.Coogan who snuck in, in time to leave an informed note on Tina’s myspace today (the day after) saying how we rocked. Thanks we appreciate the time you all took to come along.
And, so that was it, In the City 2008, all that effort from Tina and Steve had culminated in the band delivering in equal measure for them, in our eyes the two real heroes of the weekend. (Big thanks to Paul for making the journey and wearing the tee btw).
All that was left now was for a wind down beer, before the long drive back to St.Albans… there was a mild whiff on anti climax in the air as I’m sure you could imagine, it had been an intense affair. However there was one last Scratch on tour gem to tell you about.
A reflective Andy and Whitty, are sat down at the table we had populated since the gig and have become emersed in conversation about what was next, and how Steve could force John Kennedy to offer The Scratch a session, when suddenly Andy jumped up going “Er , what’s that!, er aghh”… bewildered Steve looked on as in the style of frightened school girl Andy is shrieking “Er, get it off me” he promptly drops his trousers to his knees shaking booty violently! It turns out that while Steve and Andy chatted, Steve had felt something brush past his foot… just seconds before a RAT RUNS UP ANDY’S TROUSER LEG, ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP TO HIS RAPIDLY CONTRACTING BACKSIDE!… looking presumably for a way out! “Thank God I wasn’t going Commando! As it was, despite only having a couple of pints, I had ended the night well and truly ‘Rat Arsed!”
“It ain’t rockin roll and I don’t like it, like it no I don’t.”
It could only happen to our band…
Wow what a weekend, what a bizarre end and so as all fairy tales end, we got our record deal and lived happily ever after… well, that was the dream Andy was having as he, Grim and Whitty were chauffered back down the motorway by John, for another 2 o’clock finale… but this time it was bloody work in the morning. Who says life on the road ain’t glamourous! Thanks to the lead singer of the band who followed the Underground Verulam showcase (The one we’d opened), who dedicated their first song to the man who had the rat in his trousers!
The extra special thanks however goes to Clint (really touched that you put us in your top 10 tips for the weekend on the offical site mate!), Charley (Hopefully see you in Salford on 16th for a spot of afternoon tea), Supercharged John Robb (let’s get this gig sorted at the Horn mate), Martin Coogan (great to meet you at last), Grae at the St.Albans Arts Council, (for this great opportunity… looking forward to Trashville in November) …and as we’ve said before the true stars of this weekend Steve (I’m gonna get that Kennedy session Whittaker) and the amazing Tina, we love you.
Apologies to anyones names we’ve forgotten or not mention, total recall after a weekend like that, just ain’t gonna happen anymore.
We’re already anticipating next year’s later, more prominent spot! Safe in the knowledge that team Scratch could not have done anymore to get our name across to the great and good (and evil) of the music elite.
Next stop Tea and cake down Salford Way!
One question remains however… Where did lager magnet The Baron get that case of Red Stripe he was carrying around all of Monday by the way?
xx
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Mud, Mud glorious Festival Mud. The Scratch at Endorse IT part 1!
Dear Scratchers,
And so here is the merry tale of The Scratch and The Endorse IT festival weekend.
The idea was to set off early, rehearse at The Baron’s (well in The Queens Head pub in the village, thanks Dean btw) and then drive to the festival, set up camp by about 6pm, go and watch the Buzzcocks and have a couple of beers. Just to get in the mood for the High noon showdown on Sunday.
Saturday 9th August 2008.
At 10am John, Andy and super Tina (PR, manager, video-er and blagger extraordinaire) from St.Albans, and Grim from London took the road west. The sun was out and there was a crackle of excitement in the air. We had been anxiously watching the forecast for weeks, but as it seems to change by the hour these days, we kind of just hoped. The forecast though for Saturday was wet. Not the best, particularly for Andy who had been suffering from a heavy cold and was still ‘very twisty bugled up’ and the Baron weighing in with a bronchial infection… Grim to everyone’s shock was nearly healthy!… John, just to round off the sp was farting… a lot…
The Journey to Box (Baronville) only took a couple and a half hours, but by the time we’d arrived the sun had turned to dreaded rain (not that it had ever done anything else when we’d ever been to this most green and pleasant part of the West Country!)
We were soon set-up in the familiar backroom of the Pub and proceeded to blast away the car bound rustiness… it was great to be playing again!…
The first run through wasn’t too bad, a bit of coughing and croakiness from the vocal side and The Baron ‘tinging’ his Chinese cymbal at EVERY opportunity (no that’s not a euphemism matron!)… it was during the 'fag break' however that things started to get ‘interesting’ news had just arrived from the East, from Andy’s brother Nick, who, with wife Rosie and daughters Indie (rock) and Boo McManus the disco cat, had already arrived at the festival site and reported that, at the VERY LEAST wellies and waterproofs would be required, but if it got much worse, the life guard would have to be informed!…The rain was torrential.
Once the second set was complete, it was time for a detour before we made our way to Endorse IT. It came in the shape of Focus… (Can’t remember are they the DIY arm of WHSmiths??, anyway doesn’t matter)… This was to be the scene of the first memorable moment of the weekend… oh apart from the sight of ‘City dweller’ Grim, squealing like a girl at the sight of a luminous squidgy orange wormy thing on the path outside chez Baron, (it turned out to be a slug!)… but I digress. The first real memorable moment is The Scratch spending their entire £50 weekend appearance money on 4 pairs of green wellies and 2 rolls of ‘essential’ black bin bags!!! A final a quick stop for food supplies at Sainsburys and we were finally on the road to festival fun!…
Tucked away, seemingly miles from anywhere, not least as Grim’s Sat(crap)Nav was starting to find smaller and smaller thinner and thinner farm tracks to drive down! We finally spied the Endorse IT festival’s rain lashed and windswept entrance as the clock ticked just past 6.00pm. The deep, deep tyre tracks already told the story as Tina began her first blag as a guest, collecting the sparkly wrist bands, and securing a nice camping spot with the band by the bins!
This preceded, first John’s car being towed from the gully between backstage camping and the car park/pond by a tractor and, more trickily, Grim's (that seemed to have no visible towing facility), resulting in the Baron passing most of the bands equipment over an 8 foot fence to John and Andy, but not before (despite being warned) picking up the merchandise box upside down and ‘showering’ the muddy pool with our precious Critical Mass CD’s!.. Finally the day was saved by a hay bail wielding JCB that ended up pushing Grims car back up the hill and into the backstage camping area… where the fun was really about to begin…
Tina’s £5 Asda tent, went up in seconds… Hovever, The Baron’s borrowed £99.99 Halfords version was proving more of an issue, at times resembling a wind surfers sail more than a tent, it took 4 people clinging on and a ‘tent pegger’ to secure the beast before the inner section and the eye bulging lilo blowing up (There was more than one casualty of Airbed eye!) could conclude this Kryton Factoresque marathon!…
Just as the final bung was pushed into the final hole… Nick phoned to say that as they had the kids who were by now understandably miserable… they were going to reluctantly have to head home to St.Albans…But as in the story of Life and Death, one departs and another is born and so into the story we introduce Sam and Raj, who had just been towed into the car park and were looking for the campsite.
In the backstage area things were still very wet, but at least the tents, though swaying quite violently, were up and it was at last time for a well-earned beer. A five minute squelchy walk later and the welcome sight of merrily staggering, muddied and colourful hatted, cider jug wielding 'Crusties' came sprawling from the beer tent to great us, to the cool reggae skank, chug of the Ska-lites…. It looked like we had some catching up to do!
Not sure what Cider Tina had for her first drink, but she seemed to be assimilating well! Sam and Raj joined us around 9 after Raj had managed to prize his muddy contact lens from behind his eye!!! Ouch!…
By the time the Buzzcocks took to the stage just before 11.00 The rain and mud were beginning fade into after thoughts. The bin liner skirts and wellies had won the day… as too had the ‘Buzzers’ who having seen them on many occasions in the past were on sparkling form. The Diggle 'wiggle' and triumphant 'Townsend arm wheels' along with Shelley’s fantastic vocals and delivery took on majestic tones as they crashed through all the classics, but also not oft played gems like, 'Breakdown' from their seminal Spiral Scratch ep (we know a song about that one don’t we Geoffrey!*) Our Endorse IT festival had really kicked off.
Sam and Raj decided to hit the hay (well it is a farm!)… So Team Tina hit backstage hospitality and the great Endorse IT bus bar!… Andy meanwhile ran off to find The ‘Buzzers’ as they left the stage and to finally shake the great men’s hands (PSWH?) while they squelched through the mud with carrier bags encasing their 600 hundred quid shoes … it was a moment of true catharsis, 17 after years after the purchase of the amazing Singles Going Steady album!… The others had hit the bar following a quick visit to the hospitality tent to hand in set lists and collect our food and drink vouchers for the following day.
Around 1.30, we were beginning to flag, it was time for bed, John favoured the car over Grims thunderous snoring…while the ill boys ‘topped and tailed’, bouncy castle stylee on the other muddy lilo! I bet the Buzzcocks were laying into the hotel mini bar by now?
Can't wait for high Noon!
Squelch you later!
xx
And so here is the merry tale of The Scratch and The Endorse IT festival weekend.
The idea was to set off early, rehearse at The Baron’s (well in The Queens Head pub in the village, thanks Dean btw) and then drive to the festival, set up camp by about 6pm, go and watch the Buzzcocks and have a couple of beers. Just to get in the mood for the High noon showdown on Sunday.
Saturday 9th August 2008.
At 10am John, Andy and super Tina (PR, manager, video-er and blagger extraordinaire) from St.Albans, and Grim from London took the road west. The sun was out and there was a crackle of excitement in the air. We had been anxiously watching the forecast for weeks, but as it seems to change by the hour these days, we kind of just hoped. The forecast though for Saturday was wet. Not the best, particularly for Andy who had been suffering from a heavy cold and was still ‘very twisty bugled up’ and the Baron weighing in with a bronchial infection… Grim to everyone’s shock was nearly healthy!… John, just to round off the sp was farting… a lot…
The Journey to Box (Baronville) only took a couple and a half hours, but by the time we’d arrived the sun had turned to dreaded rain (not that it had ever done anything else when we’d ever been to this most green and pleasant part of the West Country!)
We were soon set-up in the familiar backroom of the Pub and proceeded to blast away the car bound rustiness… it was great to be playing again!…
The first run through wasn’t too bad, a bit of coughing and croakiness from the vocal side and The Baron ‘tinging’ his Chinese cymbal at EVERY opportunity (no that’s not a euphemism matron!)… it was during the 'fag break' however that things started to get ‘interesting’ news had just arrived from the East, from Andy’s brother Nick, who, with wife Rosie and daughters Indie (rock) and Boo McManus the disco cat, had already arrived at the festival site and reported that, at the VERY LEAST wellies and waterproofs would be required, but if it got much worse, the life guard would have to be informed!…The rain was torrential.
Once the second set was complete, it was time for a detour before we made our way to Endorse IT. It came in the shape of Focus… (Can’t remember are they the DIY arm of WHSmiths??, anyway doesn’t matter)… This was to be the scene of the first memorable moment of the weekend… oh apart from the sight of ‘City dweller’ Grim, squealing like a girl at the sight of a luminous squidgy orange wormy thing on the path outside chez Baron, (it turned out to be a slug!)… but I digress. The first real memorable moment is The Scratch spending their entire £50 weekend appearance money on 4 pairs of green wellies and 2 rolls of ‘essential’ black bin bags!!! A final a quick stop for food supplies at Sainsburys and we were finally on the road to festival fun!…
Tucked away, seemingly miles from anywhere, not least as Grim’s Sat(crap)Nav was starting to find smaller and smaller thinner and thinner farm tracks to drive down! We finally spied the Endorse IT festival’s rain lashed and windswept entrance as the clock ticked just past 6.00pm. The deep, deep tyre tracks already told the story as Tina began her first blag as a guest, collecting the sparkly wrist bands, and securing a nice camping spot with the band by the bins!
This preceded, first John’s car being towed from the gully between backstage camping and the car park/pond by a tractor and, more trickily, Grim's (that seemed to have no visible towing facility), resulting in the Baron passing most of the bands equipment over an 8 foot fence to John and Andy, but not before (despite being warned) picking up the merchandise box upside down and ‘showering’ the muddy pool with our precious Critical Mass CD’s!.. Finally the day was saved by a hay bail wielding JCB that ended up pushing Grims car back up the hill and into the backstage camping area… where the fun was really about to begin…
Tina’s £5 Asda tent, went up in seconds… Hovever, The Baron’s borrowed £99.99 Halfords version was proving more of an issue, at times resembling a wind surfers sail more than a tent, it took 4 people clinging on and a ‘tent pegger’ to secure the beast before the inner section and the eye bulging lilo blowing up (There was more than one casualty of Airbed eye!) could conclude this Kryton Factoresque marathon!…
Just as the final bung was pushed into the final hole… Nick phoned to say that as they had the kids who were by now understandably miserable… they were going to reluctantly have to head home to St.Albans…But as in the story of Life and Death, one departs and another is born and so into the story we introduce Sam and Raj, who had just been towed into the car park and were looking for the campsite.
In the backstage area things were still very wet, but at least the tents, though swaying quite violently, were up and it was at last time for a well-earned beer. A five minute squelchy walk later and the welcome sight of merrily staggering, muddied and colourful hatted, cider jug wielding 'Crusties' came sprawling from the beer tent to great us, to the cool reggae skank, chug of the Ska-lites…. It looked like we had some catching up to do!
Not sure what Cider Tina had for her first drink, but she seemed to be assimilating well! Sam and Raj joined us around 9 after Raj had managed to prize his muddy contact lens from behind his eye!!! Ouch!…
By the time the Buzzcocks took to the stage just before 11.00 The rain and mud were beginning fade into after thoughts. The bin liner skirts and wellies had won the day… as too had the ‘Buzzers’ who having seen them on many occasions in the past were on sparkling form. The Diggle 'wiggle' and triumphant 'Townsend arm wheels' along with Shelley’s fantastic vocals and delivery took on majestic tones as they crashed through all the classics, but also not oft played gems like, 'Breakdown' from their seminal Spiral Scratch ep (we know a song about that one don’t we Geoffrey!*) Our Endorse IT festival had really kicked off.
Sam and Raj decided to hit the hay (well it is a farm!)… So Team Tina hit backstage hospitality and the great Endorse IT bus bar!… Andy meanwhile ran off to find The ‘Buzzers’ as they left the stage and to finally shake the great men’s hands (PSWH?) while they squelched through the mud with carrier bags encasing their 600 hundred quid shoes … it was a moment of true catharsis, 17 after years after the purchase of the amazing Singles Going Steady album!… The others had hit the bar following a quick visit to the hospitality tent to hand in set lists and collect our food and drink vouchers for the following day.
Around 1.30, we were beginning to flag, it was time for bed, John favoured the car over Grims thunderous snoring…while the ill boys ‘topped and tailed’, bouncy castle stylee on the other muddy lilo! I bet the Buzzcocks were laying into the hotel mini bar by now?
Can't wait for high Noon!
Squelch you later!
xx
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
August awaits!!!!!
Dear Scratchers...
Less than a week to go now before Endorse It... we've got to say before we say anything else a huge thanks to all those of you who have once again gone above and beyond the call of duty and bought tickets to see us on Sunday. Excitement is building, it feels like a long time away from gigging ... at least with the onset of August things are ramping up... don't forget that those of you who can't make Endorse it, can see us live at the Purple Turtle on Weds 20th August. We've gone for an early slot as a warm for our Box Rocks festival date on August bank holiday, so don't be late as we're on at 8pm sharp.
Here's the latest review from Die Shellsuit, Die! review, which very kindly includes a grammar lesun!?
A Big thanks to Gray Thomas for his review and lesson in The Scratch's lack of gramaticKal abillity... (well Andy's to be exact...)
The Scratch
"Girls World (Single)"
We rate this: 8 out of 10
Readers rate this: 9 out of 10
Jangling its way through July is the bright summer sound of The Scratch and 'Girls World' is an ideal tune for the annual roadtrip to Newquay. Firstly though, and I do feel I have to mention it, I have not omitted the apostrophe required in the record's title. The Scratch did. And it's not a misprint, it's all over their website and myspace and it is very annoying. Despite this, I can't help but like the tune and long before the thirty second mark I found myself rhythmically nodding and foot-tapping like an idiot. But it is the second song 'Sweet Surprise' that I really like. At only 103 seconds long, it gets straight to the point with some impressive vocal techniques and a Clash-esque guitar attack that I defy anyone to ignore.
Wicked.
Appreciate it mate. Hope to meet up with you all on Sunday after high noon for a celebratory and hopefully sunny beer. If not... see you down the Turtle for an afterwork loosener!
x
Less than a week to go now before Endorse It... we've got to say before we say anything else a huge thanks to all those of you who have once again gone above and beyond the call of duty and bought tickets to see us on Sunday. Excitement is building, it feels like a long time away from gigging ... at least with the onset of August things are ramping up... don't forget that those of you who can't make Endorse it, can see us live at the Purple Turtle on Weds 20th August. We've gone for an early slot as a warm for our Box Rocks festival date on August bank holiday, so don't be late as we're on at 8pm sharp.
Here's the latest review from Die Shellsuit, Die! review, which very kindly includes a grammar lesun!?
A Big thanks to Gray Thomas for his review and lesson in The Scratch's lack of gramaticKal abillity... (well Andy's to be exact...)
The Scratch
"Girls World (Single)"
We rate this: 8 out of 10
Readers rate this: 9 out of 10
Jangling its way through July is the bright summer sound of The Scratch and 'Girls World' is an ideal tune for the annual roadtrip to Newquay. Firstly though, and I do feel I have to mention it, I have not omitted the apostrophe required in the record's title. The Scratch did. And it's not a misprint, it's all over their website and myspace and it is very annoying. Despite this, I can't help but like the tune and long before the thirty second mark I found myself rhythmically nodding and foot-tapping like an idiot. But it is the second song 'Sweet Surprise' that I really like. At only 103 seconds long, it gets straight to the point with some impressive vocal techniques and a Clash-esque guitar attack that I defy anyone to ignore.
Wicked.
Appreciate it mate. Hope to meet up with you all on Sunday after high noon for a celebratory and hopefully sunny beer. If not... see you down the Turtle for an afterwork loosener!
x
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