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
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