An evening of New DIY music - Salford, Manchester

The Satnav ‘woman’ was going apeshit. “Do a u-turn, turn left, turn right, do a u-turn at the earliest opportunity…” (Well, to be fair to her, she had been shouting largely ignored, for the best part of the 7 hours of our arduous latest Northern sojourn, as we detoured round and round the many of the Shires of middle England). A seven car pile up on the M1 and the closed Junction 14 on the M6, had meant our journey time had been double what it should’ve been. Life on the road eh…

We’d organised the gig at the Pint Pot in Salford remotely, through an ex-work colleague, whose mysteriously elusive sister ran the pub. (in fact she was almost Wizard of Oz like in her mythicality, we never did actually meet the power behind the throne!).

We eventually arrived in drizzly Salford after picking up our Tina and the remaining equipment, just 20 minutes before the doors were due to open.
Laura the hired ‘sound’ had been set up for 3 hours, the Baron who had driven up separately had been here for an hour and all members of the Ambush (our excellent co-conspirators) and other halves beat us by 45 minutes.

Still, honed as we are, it only took a further 10 minutes to be set up and soundchecked. While the Ambush did theirs, Tina introduced us to The youthful Will of Cricklewood (sounds like a character from Robin Hood!, but his name was Will and he was originally from that particular London suburb). Will on his virgin interview for Student Direct magazine, fired some great questions and recorded the sometimes four way replies diligently on his mobile phone before posing with the band for a couple of snaps.

The Ambush took to the stage at 9.20 and were straight into their unique skewed country, funk, jazz experimentation. It was great to see them again. We’d asked lead singer Steve if he and the guys would be interested in doing a joint gig, back in December 07, when we’d been on the same bill at the Dry Bar. Tonight it finally happened. Theirs was a 30 minute set of Sax, blues harp, kazoo, beetle like rolling around on their backs on the floor and the kind of uplifting grooves that would have got Dougie Barder stomping his feet! The highlight though was their great finale track Blackspot, a track I urge you to investigate and download from their myspace.com/theambush… as soon as you can, ‘cos it’s brilliant.

20 minutes later and The Scratch took to the stage, I Relax to Spiral Scratch seemed an appropriate start. (Despite Andy moving the middle 8 without telling anyone, no-one seemed to mind?!) and a jerky crazed set exploded into the room. Tonight’s highlights were; some seriously good audience toe tapping on ‘Girls’ World’, Undertonesque newie ‘You want the world’ and next single (the soon to be released, please keep checking our sites for updates) ‘Against the Grain’. As the set reached it’s climax, the small PA monitors appeared to be straining a little on Andy’s exactingly loud mix requirements, as his voice was reduced to a hoarse and whorey bark for finale Dear Maniac. However as with the two recent outings at The Horn and In the City, the band played an absolute blinder. Pumping John, Thwacking Baron and Spikey Twiddly Grim (were Superhero’s (weirdo’s?) to a man). And that was that. The Scratch/Tina Arena’s first self promoted evening of ‘New DIY music’.

A big thanks goes out to Hardy and mate who turned up from local student Radio Station Shock, to review the gig, and who instigated a great debate on the best ever punk band. The Pistols defeated the Clash, despite Will’s spirited Clash pitch. Also thanks to Alison, Tina’s mate, who only heard about the gig when Clint announced it on XFM the previous evening, big thanks for the plug(s) Mr.Boon. Other shouts go out to Toni (and family), Lucy and Clod who took turns in doing the door for us. The girls looked amazing in their customised Scratch t-shirts. GGGRRRR!!!!!

Also, big thanks to The Ambush boys for a great performance. (Hopefully we can make good our promise of a St.Albans date in ‘09). Thanks to Laura for a great sound and the tips of other local venues you think would suit The Scratch. Then of course Superman Steve Whitty who also endured the 7 hour journey (mainly by munching his way through a giant packed lunch) and who took some really great pics of both bands (see our myspace site soon) and last but never ever least, our Tina, who liaised, cajoled, and harangued in her own inimitable way to make the whole night happen and who arranged for Will and Hardy to come down to do their reviews (as soon as we get them, they’ll up for you to read here)… Star as ever gaffer!

Final mention has to go to Grim who drove for a total of 10 hours to do the gig, arriving home at 3am on Friday morning and then having to get up for work! It ain’t all sex and drugs and rock’n’roll you know being in a band!

See you at the Comedy on 19th November, where all your favourite stars will return to do the whole show again!

xx