Friday 27th March was the first night of our much talked about ‘Horn residency’ and the coup that we’d (well our Tina) had pulled off by managing to lure; TV personality, writer, ‘coiner’ of the household phrase ‘Britpop’ and of course maverick, lead singer and leader of hardcore punk legends Goldblade, Mr.John Robb.
Stage 1): Of global domination was to book a top headline band. Which judging by our initial and Friday nights reaction we did and some! Stage 2): Was to sell as many tickets as we could preferably in advance (which we did), to ensure a great atmosphere from the off, that would re-establish the Horn as a magnet for top quality bands. And in doing so, help to place us up there at the forefront with other local headline grabbers like Enter Shakari and Friendly Fires. And 3): To try to actually make some much needed ‘filthy lucre’ for the bands recording fund! With ‘Super’ Tina and our one girl whirlwind of a street team (yes Sam you!) making a magnificent 7 ‘Scratch team’, how could we fail?
We arrived at the venue just before 7pm to find Tina had already taken total. Everything from the rider, guestlist, stage times, The Bulgarian (Goldblade’s biggest fan!), down to their dinner was all in hand. Biggest worry now, having managed to get them down to chilly, grey ‘Manchesteresque weathered’ St.Albans, was would their ‘gigantic punk rock torso’s’ and ‘stylish shoes’ actually fit on the stage!
The Scratch soundcheck was simple, apart from Grim’s microphone giving his silvery mutton chops incessant shocks.
There was a palpable atmosphere building in the bar, as ‘Sunflies’ took to the stage at 9.10, It was clear that our efforts to attract a good crowd were paying off!
In a flash 10.00 seemed to ‘jump us like a mugger!’ As we strode out onto the stage guitars in hand, the Horn was rammed to the rafters. Negotiating the giant amps, the stage was cramped and bloody hot, but it’s fair to say tonight was one of the bands most satisfying and all round entertaining shows of our career(!?!). From the first chord of ‘You want the World’ to the chaotic feedback drenched, body strewn carnage of final track ‘Gas Taps’. The whole band rose massively (well we were at the ‘orn!) to the ecstatic reaction from our brilliant ‘catalystic’ crowd for every second of the set.
'Bewilderment' is the way Andy described the mood afterwards trying to digest how 40 minutes of such fun packed mayhem had disappeared in such a short, sharp shock! One minute Whitty ‘le Filth’ was scissor kicking off the Baron’s bass drum, the next John was thrusting his throbbing bass up Andy’s bugle “We love you John”, shouted the crowd… then Grim got in on the act “We love you Grim,” (shouted is mum?) with a full guitar ‘fencing’ dual with the mischievous Mr. Filth, only for Andy (at the instigation of foul mouthed gesturing brother Nick), attempting to upstage the lot of them, by launching himself headlong into the moshpit that had ignited at the end of Dear Maniac (Splintered elbows & ‘friendly’ kidney punches, heightened the heady maelstrom) a night like none before!
In a claustrophobic backstage we were soon thanking Goldblade for their encouragement … it was great to hear, for although, we’ve been loosely foisted with the ‘Punk’ banner over the years, we come from two different sides of the 'Punk track', our stressing of a more ‘New Wave’ stance was identified by Mr.Robb, who described us as more ‘Pop’… a mantle that suits us just fine, think Only ones and The Undertones… leave the Hardcore to the hardcore pros, we think… speaking of which!
Now the only thing that could put a dampener on a ‘prefect’ night would be a 'frightened' exodus of our 'new wave' fans in the wake of the anthemic, heavy artillery of Goldblade… We needn’t have worried however… As by the time the ‘glistening’ Mr.Robb and crew had left the stage they had despatched a third encore! Seeing was believing, in fact their show was amazingly reminiscent of the illustrated scenes from Sex Pistols film, The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle. A riot in every sense.
Special thanks go to John and Goldblade for giving us this ‘celebrity’ curtain raiser such presence. To one women street team Sam Vince for rallying the troops as ever, to Sarah Vince for introducing so many G.E.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. new faces, our long suffering families for their love, support and ‘two fingers!’, Hansi, Tom, Steve and all the staff at the Horn. ‘The Bulgarian’ and of course Tina, our manager EXTRAordinaire!
See you on the 5th June with Mr. Clint Boon for part two of our Madchester ‘exchange programme’… Please tell all your mates, ‘cos if it’s anything like the 27th March, it’s gonna be HUGE!!! And if you didn’t know before, you know now, we mean it MMAAANNNN!!!!
What a night, what a bloody brilliant night!
xx
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
BBC debut time on 3 Counties radio!!!!
Dear Scratchers,
Much debate at the pre-rehearsals had centred around choice of tracks. As the three car convoy set off for Luton from Farm Factory studios, it had been decided that ‘Lucky’ ‘Numbers’, ‘Against the Grain’ and the previously unheard (save for a couple of live gig appearances) new track ‘You want the World’, would represent us.
On arrival (finally) Andy in lead car, having proclaimed he knew the way (he did, but not before unscheduled turning around ‘ceremonies’ at one dead end and in Matalan car park and then a game of hunt the car park entrance), the ‘boys’ were reunited with head girl (our Teenaw)… it was now all hands to the pump.
Over the threshold of the Beeb we struggled and lugged, as we were shown to the live room… no disrespect to XFM Manchester, but this was a proper live room, with a proper sound engineer… we were soon informed that we couldn’t have any power until 7 as it was all being directed to another studio broadcasting next door, so ‘quietly’ the gear was assembled, while Tina proceeded to preserve the moment for posterity on Andy’s new camera. (see myspace for the results!)…
Next, it was time for a cuppa, now this is where XFM grab a point back, ‘cos A) we had beer in Manchester and B) when tea was offered, it wasn’t in plastic cups!… once again no offence intended, just an observation at the machinations of radio broadcasting land across the country. Still it was nice cuppa, thanks for that Mike (Sound engineer) and team.
Around 6.30, ‘cos yes we were on time as usual, we were treated to our first glimpse (head around the door stylee) of the diminutive (and Grrr Foxy… down Whitty down) Kelly Betts the shows producer, charming as ever, she ran through what was about to unfold in the next hour and a half.
First we were due to play our debut live track at 7.20, then, run down the corridor to meet Gareth Lloyd the master of ceremonies (DJ), do a quick interview, then, participate in ‘band on the bike’ a variation on the timed lap of a race track the big boys on Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear do. (With this is one you ride a child’s ‘Iggle Piggle’ trike around the studio corridor!) And then finally, back down the corridor play the second live track and record the third ‘secret’ track recorded for the podcast.
… this however, is how it went.
We began with the soundcheck… ‘You want the World’ blasted and howled… (a lot better than In rehearsal too). The live room was getting warm and Tina was kept busy ferrying plastic cups of water back and forth to keep hydration at a peak! This achieved, the band was set and standing in position in the live room. At Around 7.15, as we were ready, Mike (the sound) suggested we try our ‘secret’ podcast track… ‘You want the world’, (with brand new ending) was thus dispatched with vigour and aplomb (in our opinion the best track of the night from us) and we were back, standing and set, listening to the show over a monitor speaker, waiting for Gareth to say… And now live in session tonight, we have The Scratch…
Mike kept us posted, “it’ll be after this interview and then a song and then it’ll be you guys”… as 7.25 struck, the opening chords of Numbers came a clanking… (thankfully, ‘cos you never know… ‘there was no red light syndrome’) and our first live track for the BBC was out in the ether! (God speed, fly like an arrow to the hearts of the nation, fair 3 minute tribute to the unsigned!)…
Ahem… back in the live room, guitars and drums stick lay bereft, for the band was now huddled around two microphones in the studio, telling tall tales to Gareth. Following our individual introductions... Steve (newly monikered ‘ Steve Filth’), The Baron, Andy, John and Grim... John then explained the band’s beginnings, Andy plugged the gig and gave Mr.Boon a mention (on the BBC, surely not!) and Grim, offered the advance, pre-release only, copy in the world of ‘Destroyed by the look of love’ over to Gareth for his future (hopefully near) delectation!? While ‘Whitty’, or should I say ‘Filthy’ fielded all questions related to age… while, Gareth split the 7 up (this is not euphemism)… and the Baron… Baroned.
Next up for 'The four dads and there son', was band on a bike. There was only one candidate… You can now witness his efforts on youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=bbc+3+counties+the+scratch&aq=f
A mere 20 hectic seconds of action and Steve lay panting at the feet of the assembled throng… for despite the distraction of being chased by Kelly with a microphone, (I’m sure he was actually trying to be caught?), by the band and assorted guests and employees, he achieved a highly credible 2nd on the leader board of just over 20.07 seconds for The Scratch. (Officially 3rd, but as the leaders “cheated by running”… We’re taking the silver medal).
Breathless and limping (mainly Steve), we were within seconds back in the live room and an in no time at all, the strains of “Hooray it’s Christmas day…” could be heard wafting across the airwaves of Herts, Beds and Bucks… and then that was it. Phew… as action packed an hour as we’ve done to date.
We’d like to say a massive thanks to Kelly Betts for getting us in for the session (hopefully the first of many), also the same to Gareth, not least for his ‘pushing’ of ‘Numbers’ to Tom Robinson (hopefully, you won’t mind doing the same with ‘Destroyed by the look of love’!? too mate), and finally Mike and all the rest of the team for helping us capture an authentic performance of The Scratch.
In case any of you missed it, or would like to listen again? You can at…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0029nlg/BBC_Introducing..._In_Beds_Herts_andamp_Bucks_06_03_2009/
finally a big shout goes out to all of you who listened and texted us after the show to say how much you enjoyed it. We love you.
Another jewel set in our tinfoil crown, we were off to the Horn to celebrate!
xx
Much debate at the pre-rehearsals had centred around choice of tracks. As the three car convoy set off for Luton from Farm Factory studios, it had been decided that ‘Lucky’ ‘Numbers’, ‘Against the Grain’ and the previously unheard (save for a couple of live gig appearances) new track ‘You want the World’, would represent us.
On arrival (finally) Andy in lead car, having proclaimed he knew the way (he did, but not before unscheduled turning around ‘ceremonies’ at one dead end and in Matalan car park and then a game of hunt the car park entrance), the ‘boys’ were reunited with head girl (our Teenaw)… it was now all hands to the pump.
Over the threshold of the Beeb we struggled and lugged, as we were shown to the live room… no disrespect to XFM Manchester, but this was a proper live room, with a proper sound engineer… we were soon informed that we couldn’t have any power until 7 as it was all being directed to another studio broadcasting next door, so ‘quietly’ the gear was assembled, while Tina proceeded to preserve the moment for posterity on Andy’s new camera. (see myspace for the results!)…
Next, it was time for a cuppa, now this is where XFM grab a point back, ‘cos A) we had beer in Manchester and B) when tea was offered, it wasn’t in plastic cups!… once again no offence intended, just an observation at the machinations of radio broadcasting land across the country. Still it was nice cuppa, thanks for that Mike (Sound engineer) and team.
Around 6.30, ‘cos yes we were on time as usual, we were treated to our first glimpse (head around the door stylee) of the diminutive (and Grrr Foxy… down Whitty down) Kelly Betts the shows producer, charming as ever, she ran through what was about to unfold in the next hour and a half.
First we were due to play our debut live track at 7.20, then, run down the corridor to meet Gareth Lloyd the master of ceremonies (DJ), do a quick interview, then, participate in ‘band on the bike’ a variation on the timed lap of a race track the big boys on Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear do. (With this is one you ride a child’s ‘Iggle Piggle’ trike around the studio corridor!) And then finally, back down the corridor play the second live track and record the third ‘secret’ track recorded for the podcast.
… this however, is how it went.
We began with the soundcheck… ‘You want the World’ blasted and howled… (a lot better than In rehearsal too). The live room was getting warm and Tina was kept busy ferrying plastic cups of water back and forth to keep hydration at a peak! This achieved, the band was set and standing in position in the live room. At Around 7.15, as we were ready, Mike (the sound) suggested we try our ‘secret’ podcast track… ‘You want the world’, (with brand new ending) was thus dispatched with vigour and aplomb (in our opinion the best track of the night from us) and we were back, standing and set, listening to the show over a monitor speaker, waiting for Gareth to say… And now live in session tonight, we have The Scratch…
Mike kept us posted, “it’ll be after this interview and then a song and then it’ll be you guys”… as 7.25 struck, the opening chords of Numbers came a clanking… (thankfully, ‘cos you never know… ‘there was no red light syndrome’) and our first live track for the BBC was out in the ether! (God speed, fly like an arrow to the hearts of the nation, fair 3 minute tribute to the unsigned!)…
Ahem… back in the live room, guitars and drums stick lay bereft, for the band was now huddled around two microphones in the studio, telling tall tales to Gareth. Following our individual introductions... Steve (newly monikered ‘ Steve Filth’), The Baron, Andy, John and Grim... John then explained the band’s beginnings, Andy plugged the gig and gave Mr.Boon a mention (on the BBC, surely not!) and Grim, offered the advance, pre-release only, copy in the world of ‘Destroyed by the look of love’ over to Gareth for his future (hopefully near) delectation!? While ‘Whitty’, or should I say ‘Filthy’ fielded all questions related to age… while, Gareth split the 7 up (this is not euphemism)… and the Baron… Baroned.
Next up for 'The four dads and there son', was band on a bike. There was only one candidate… You can now witness his efforts on youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=bbc+3+counties+the+scratch&aq=f
A mere 20 hectic seconds of action and Steve lay panting at the feet of the assembled throng… for despite the distraction of being chased by Kelly with a microphone, (I’m sure he was actually trying to be caught?), by the band and assorted guests and employees, he achieved a highly credible 2nd on the leader board of just over 20.07 seconds for The Scratch. (Officially 3rd, but as the leaders “cheated by running”… We’re taking the silver medal).
Breathless and limping (mainly Steve), we were within seconds back in the live room and an in no time at all, the strains of “Hooray it’s Christmas day…” could be heard wafting across the airwaves of Herts, Beds and Bucks… and then that was it. Phew… as action packed an hour as we’ve done to date.
We’d like to say a massive thanks to Kelly Betts for getting us in for the session (hopefully the first of many), also the same to Gareth, not least for his ‘pushing’ of ‘Numbers’ to Tom Robinson (hopefully, you won’t mind doing the same with ‘Destroyed by the look of love’!? too mate), and finally Mike and all the rest of the team for helping us capture an authentic performance of The Scratch.
In case any of you missed it, or would like to listen again? You can at…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0029nlg/BBC_Introducing..._In_Beds_Herts_andamp_Bucks_06_03_2009/
finally a big shout goes out to all of you who listened and texted us after the show to say how much you enjoyed it. We love you.
Another jewel set in our tinfoil crown, we were off to the Horn to celebrate!
xx
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